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“It is, but I had it on good authority you’d succeed.”

She arched a brow. “Your viziers, I take it?”

He nodded. “Kachezi has the gift of seeing bits of the future. She was the one who told me you had to be the one to fetch them.”

“And now that they’re here, what is the plan?”

He leaned away from the table and the frothy dessert in front of him. “Before I answer that, tell me, what do you know of the stones? That is, other than the fact that they’re dangerous in the wrong hands and were used as part of an enchantment to imprison Zhos.”

“I could ask the same.” She wasn’t about to reveal what she’d learned.

His lips curved. “You don’t trust me.”

“Why should I?” No point in being coy.

“Alright, I’ll share,” he said with a shrug. “A book came into my possession a few years ago that revealed the truth of the Dracova stones. They are not mere rocks, but eggs. Dragon eggs.”

Avera almost let out the breath she’d been holding.

Before she could speak, he continued. “Before you reply, you should know that I am aware one of them was hatched in Verlora. Those I’ve sent exploring have seen it. Been hunted by it. Died.”

“Despite that, you kept sending people.”

He shrugged. “Not one of my finer decisions, but I had reason. With how advanced the Verlorians were, I couldn’t leave their inventions to rot.

So yes, I sent out expeditions to explore and bring back what they could scavenge.

Without those search parties, I would have never known about the dragon. ”

“I still don’t understand why you’d want the eggs, knowing what happened. One dragon killed an entire continent. It would be foolish to allow another the chance to hatch. They should be returned to guard against the evil within Fraegus Spire.”

Rather than immediately reply, Titus drummed his fingers on the table before softly saying, “The Verlorian scientists didn’t know what the stones were. They unleashed the dragon without understanding the beast.”

“Let me guess, you think you do.”

Once more his lips curved. “I know I can work with them, and so can you.”

Avera frowned. “I assure you, I can’t control a dragon. I barely escaped the one in Verlora. It is a savage beast, one with a fiery breath that burns like acid.”

“It didn’t harm you.”

“Only because I didn’t give it a chance.”

“It wouldn’t have. There are only a few of us in the world that are safe from its fury. You are one of them.”

“Why would I be spared?”

“As if you have to ask, Avera Voxspira, whose ancestry goes back a thousand years. There’s a reason why your family and mine have ruled so long. While diluted, the blood that courses through our veins makes us special.”

“According to who?”

“The same book that explained the Dracova stones. It is a bible, of sorts, on dragons. Would you like to see it?”

The offer surprised her. “Really?”

“I want you to trust me, Avera. That means being honest and sharing what I know so we can figure out how to best move forward.”

A book about dragons? Curiosity had her exclaiming, “You’d let me read it?”

“Yes, although you’ll need aid as the language it’s written in is one long dead. But Karoki is a good teacher.”

“How does she know the language?”

“My viziers know many things. I’ll have it sent to your room. Even if the words are gibberish, there are images. Once Karoki returns, we can arrange sessions.” He spoke as if she’d be here a while.

“While the offer is kind, I really should be looking to get back home to Daerva.”

“Eager to be arrested?”

“No, but Benoit must be dealt with, and then there is Zhos.”

“Agreed they are pressing matters, but rushing off won’t result in success.”

“So I am a prisoner.”

“Guest. An honored one who has my word that we will deal with both situations in Daerva together.” He rose. “I’m afraid while I’d like to continue conversing, I do have another appointment to keep.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I’m rather tired.” She stood but before taking her leave had to ask, “Are you really going to hatch a dragon?”

“ We are.” He corrected. “And not a dragon, but all the dragons. The pretender on your throne will most likely vacate without a fight once we arrive with my naval fleet and the mighty beasts. With the false king out of the way, we can focus on eradicating Zhos.”

For a second, Avera could actually picture his suggestion, her atop a dragon, wearing a tiara, cape flowing the wind, a sword held aloft. Ridiculous, as if anyone would ride such a creature.

Titus escorted her to the dining hall exit before bowing. “I look forward to more conversations tomorrow.”

“Good night,” she murmured in reply, watching him strut off, his gait loose and confident. An intriguing man who said all the right things.

So why did she feel as if he hid something?

Prielli materialized. “Is Her Majesty ready to adjourn?”

“Yes, please.” She followed the maid in silence, thinking over what she’d learned.

Titus had a book on dragons and a woman who could foretell the future. Being human, Avera couldn’t help but wonder what else this person might have seen. It was only as she lay in bed and thought over what Titus told her that it hit her.

He claimed those with certain bloodlines could work with—even bond with—dragons.

Old families who’d been in power for generations.

Voxspiras had been ruling forever, according to the oldest records.

Titus claimed the same for his line. But what of Griffon?

His father had ruled Verlora, and his father before him.

Was it possible Gryphon had the bloodline needed?

If he did, could that possibly mean he’d survived the dragon’s fiery attack? It seemed impossible, yet Avera went to bed clutching to that faint hope. Because if Griffon lived, he would come for her.