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“But it wasn’t strong enough to support your weight.Vitai told me.If you hadn’t summoned your dragons…” The queen falls quiet, leaving the rest unsaid.

My father lays a hand on her shoulder.“I assume we share the same suspicion.”

“That someone sabotaged the bridge,” I bite out.

My father looks at Elsie when he says, “I want you to know we’ll do everything in our power to find the guilty party.This crime will not be left unpunished.”

My mother straightens her skirt.“I’d like to show my gratitude by rewarding you for saving my son’s life.”

“Oh.”Flustered, Elsie says, “That’s not necessary.”

“But of course it is.”

My mother flicks her fingers, at which Tarix hurries to open several trunks at the foot of her chair.One contains white opals, another black ones, and yet another, the rarest of red opal stones.Each lid that’s lifted reveals priceless treasures, including moon flower seeds, handcrafted rings and bracelets, flacons of perfume, fabrics spun with silver and embroidered with gemstones, rare elixirs, and a dragon tooth necklace.

“Choose anything you like, Elsie.”The queen waves a hand over the trunks.“Whatever your heart desires is yours.”

Elsie peers at the wealth spread out at her feet, wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue in that nervous habit of hers.

“What’s the matter?”My mother appears taken aback.“Is there nothing you like?”

My father narrows his eyes at Elsie, a non-verbal warning not to throw my mother’s kindness and generosity back in her face.

“I, um…” Elsie shoves her hands in the pockets of her pants, causing my father’s frown to deepen.He’s not a big fan of Elsie’s chosen attire.“No, everything is beautiful, and that’s very kind of you.”

The queen lifts an eyebrow, waiting for Elsie to continue.

Elsie squints at my mother through one eye.“Anything I want?”

My mother tilts her head.“That’s what I said.”

“In that case…” Elsie inhales deeply before blurting out, “I’d like you to send the humans home.”She hurries to clarify, “To Earth.”As if there were any confusion about where “home” for them is.

My mother is silent for a moment, her expression unreadable and her eyes veiled.My father watches Elsie quietly, but something like respect flashes in his eyes.

My mother leans forward.“That’s what you want?”

Elsie bobs her head up and down.“Yes.”

My mother and father exchange a look.The nod he gives her is almost inconspicuous, but I notice.

Turning back to Elsie, my mother says, “Very well, then.My husband and I have been in council with our advisors and the representatives of the guardians of the scrolls.They’ve agreed this is indeed a rare situation and, seeing that these humans have been stolen and aren’t deliberately disregarding the rules, an exception can be made.”

“Great.”Elsie wipes her hands over her thighs.“That’s settled then.When can I tell them?”

My parents still make her nervous.And she has reason to be wary.My mother banished her as a baby, nearly causing her death.As her mate, my father must’ve been aware of my mother’s actions.There’s no way she could’ve hidden something like that from him.Which makes both of them culpable, at least ofthatcrime.As for the person who’s trying to kill Elsie, for all she knows, it’s the very people facing her.No wonder she doesn’t trust them.I’m not sure I do.

My voice booms through the room.“The gesture is very noble, but Elsie deserves something for herself, don’t you think?”

My father smiles, looking mildly intrigued.“What do you have in mind?”

I look at my mate, seeing a beautiful, young, valiant woman, and so much more.I see a selfless and generous woman, a warrior and a worthy mate.But I also see her conflict and confusion.I see the pain she carries deep inside because of my mother’s actions.And I see a way that may buy redemption.

I face my mother squarely.“As you can imagine, the transition to Zerra hasn’t been easy for Elsie.”

My father’s smile slips.My mother stares stone-faced at me.Yeah.They don’t appreciate being reminded of their wrongdoing.

Too bad.I continue without wavering, “What Elsie deserves is to see the parents who raised her so she can reassure them and herself.”