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The male gasped and nearly lost his footing. He caught hold of the back of the bench next to him and steadied himself. Then with a slow hand he turned and gestured toward a statue that was roped off and must be twenty feet tall, carved out of a gray and white marble. With an axe in one hand, a sword in the other, he was dressed in battle armor.

“The god of war,” the male said.

Thane slowly moved toward it, taking in the details of the face,hisface. He glanced back at the Elgotta and noticed the tears lining his eyes. “I remember you. My village was burning, and we were under attack. I was but a child, barely eight yearsold. My father was dead, and my mother was bleeding out on the floor, unable to shift due to a poison. I’d picked up my father’s spear to fight off the attacker before he could kill my mother. The soldier laughed at me and would have easily killed me, but you were suddenly there. Your axe stopped his blade from coming down on me and you cut his head off. And you said to me, ‘go boy, take your mother and hide. Do not come out no matter what you hear. War is no place for children and their mothers’.”

Dragons had long memories.

Chapter 37

THANE

The streets of Pearl Avenue were filled with extravagantly dressed dragon shifters and the scent of the many florals growing alongside the establishments. It was well known for wealth and prestige, and it appeared that hadn’t changed in the two thousand years since he’d been here. Many of the ladies had parasols to shield the hot sun beaming down. It was much warmer than Palenor at the moment.

The dragon from the Elgotta guild led the way down the street, pointing out various shops. “Down about a half mile from here is the Drakonan Treasury and not far from that is the main Drakonan estate with the famous opera house that caught fire months back. It’s still under repair.”

Thane shielded his eyes to peer down the street. The golden domed peaks of the treasury could be seen from here.

“How did it catch fire?” Piper asked. “I mean, you’re dragons, I thought you’d have that sort of thing under control.”

“It’s not public knowledge but rumor has it, it was the same couple who killed the young lad Caliban Drakonan.”

A slow trickle of dread worked its way through Thane. He’d forgotten Hel killed a Drakonan.

“Who has the balls to kill a Drakonan?” Ronan asked.

“They haven’t been caught yet. I hear it was a couple who befriended the family looking to get a shop on Pearl Avenue. No one knows the motivation behind the murder.” He pointed across the pearl brick street. A white carriage adorned in gold pulled by hippogriffs tottered by. Piper, Leif, and Fennan stared at the half horse-half bird in awe.

“What is that?” Fennan balked. “And can I have one?”

Leif nodded vigorously. “Can it fly?”

“Yes, a hippogriff flies,” Thane said with a grin. “But no, we won’t be getting one today.”

“Come on, sire.” Fennan’s face lit up with excitement. “We need them in Palenor. Sure, we have horses, but a horse doesn’t fly.”

“We’re not staying long enough for that, but after the war we’ll buy some to bring home.”

Grinning, Leif and Fennan nudged each other.

The Elgotta continued with his tour, “That there is Presco’s Potions, a favorite of the ladies of our city. He’s the reason you see so many vibrant hair colors.”

Katana leaned closer to Thane and whispered, “Presco, as in ourPresco?”

“He did mention owning a shop in Ryvengaard,” he answered.

“Let’s go in.” Queen Nyrovia was already starting across the street.

Thane pressed his lips together. If one person recognized him, it was only a matter of time before someone else did and that someone could be hostile. War may have been the god the dragons worshiped but time changed things. He was the reason the council attacked Ryvengaard, and many dragons died, and then he disappeared. “It’s not a good idea. We should go back?—”

“Just for a few minutes? It will be fun. What could go wrong in a potion shop?” Katana’s smile was hard to refuse. And he had promised to show her other realms. If only they weren’t pressed for time, but he had a feeling they needed to get back to Adalon. Palenor needed its king.

“Ten minutes and then we’re leaving. I’ve held my end of the bargain.”

The doorbell chimed as the others filed in, but Thane stopped just outside and stared at the WANTED poster on the wall to the right of the entry. It was Hel and Valeen.

Mr. & Mrs. Black also known as Zar and Layala. Suspects in the murder of Caliban Drakonan. Any information leading to the capture of Mr. & Mrs. Black will be rewarded by the Drakonan Family handsomely.

“Maker above, Hel…” Thane groaned.