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The music stopped and everyone who’d stood in the center of the room moved off to one side or the other, leaving a wide gap. The king and queen strolled inside. The king wore a gold, foot-tall crown on his black hair and a navy-blue robe that pooled on the floor behind him. White fur trim around his neck and down his front. Prince Yoren inherited his bronzed-black skin and raven-colored hair from his father. The queen’s complexion was white as milk, and her thick, silvery-blonde hair reached the floor in waterfall waves. Her ruby-red gown hugged each curve and the fabric dragged at least three feet behind her. The crown on her head was as tall as the king’s, and sparkling rubies covered every inch of it. As Thane guessed, she was easily the most beautiful dragon in the room.

A guard tapped his staff on the shimmering marble floor three times. “Your king and queen.”

Everyone dropped to one knee aside from the princes. Layala looked at Thane with wonder glittering in her eyes. He slowly shook his head and took hold of her hand, squeezing it gently. He did not kneel to monarchs, fallen king or not, and neither would she.

Whispers skittered around the room.

“They don’t kneel?”

“Disrespect.”

“Who are they?”

Thane drew in a deep breath and kept his shoulders back and chin high. The dragon king and queen glided by without sparing a glance. Ronan leaned his shoulder into Thane. “That thing between your legs must be big.”

Thane cracked a smile. “It’s quite small actually. Tiny even.”

Chuckling, Ronan shook his head. “I didn’t think you’d be funny. But let’s hope mother dearest doesn’t bite your head off for that. She has a temper hotter than the sun as do many dragons, although everyone will be on their best behavior with elven guests.”

King and Queen Drakonan took their seats. The music resumed and everyone rose and chatted as before. King Drake’s severe gaze landed on Thane, and he leaned over the thick gold armrest to his wife. She turned those wintery eyes on him and Layala then she looked away as if they weren’t worth the attention.

“Why don’t you two have some wine?” Prince Yoren said and gestured toward the nearby golden fountain trickling the blush liquid. “And help yourself to the food.”

“We will, thank you,” Layala said, and took Thane’s hand to saunter over to a spread full of meat, consisting of different animals. From full boars, some cooked others raw with chunks taken out of it—that made his stomach turn a little—to venison, rabbit on a stick, and fully-roasted pheasants and chickens. The rich hors d’oeuvres and sweet desserts were but an afterthought.

Thane glanced at Piper; she slowly shook her head, and then patted Ronan’s arm and continued her conversation with the prince. Nothing important from her either. It seemed they had their work cut out for them.

“Any ideas?” Layala asked, then tipped a full wine glass back.

Thane watched her down it a moment later and arched an eyebrow. “Thirsty?”

“A little,” she said, sounding exhausted. “Ronan gave me a glass earlier. Have you tried it? It rivals Calladira’s wine. And honestly this whole party is making me nervous.”

“Well, slow down. Please. I have a feeling they want us drinking.”

“Why would they?”

“Just trust me on that.”

She looked at the swirling pink liquid. “This will be my last one.”

“Right now, we need to fit into whatever mold they want us in. Be pleasant, smile a lot. We can’t make them more suspicious than they already are. I already pissed them off by not bowing down.” She started humming to the music and watching the dancers. With a frown he lightly touched her cheek, getting her attention. “They cannot know we want the scepter.”

“I’m aware. Don’t worry.”

He smiled. “You look stunning. I can’t help but stare.”

“Stop,” she said and giggled, bumping her shoulder into him. “You’re trying to make me blush.”

“If I wanted to make you blush,” he said and slid his fingers down the back of her arm, “I’d tell you all about my dream the other night,” he leaned closer, “and the sounds you made. I can’t get them out of my head. It’s like a melody playing over and over.” A light-pink shade colored her cheeks. “It’s too easy.”

She lifted her chin a little. “It’s the wine, making me a little warm.”

He laughed and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in. “We’ll have our own room tonight, I think.”

She smiled coyly. “I made sure of it.”

A group of seven shifters, three females and four males emerged from the crowd and surrounded them. Thane moved closer to Layala’s side, placing a possessive hand on her lower back. One of the males, young, likely not over twenty couldn’t seem to look away from Layala. Not that he blamed him. One of the ladies wore a five-emerald-piece necklace with so many diamonds it looked like an inverted tiara. She smiled and asked first, “How are you liking it here?” Followed quickly by a barrage of questions from the others.