Page 9 of Shadow Throne King
I made a soft, affirming noise, and Nuti looked away again. “This Kennelmaster is more generous with his definition of Dog. They say that when Dragon Blessed Emperor Millu realized how many among his council were traitors, he began to suspect thatperhaps there were othersoutsidehis court who weren’t loyal. So he gave the Kennelmaster more leash. The Kennel has always answered to the emperor alone, not to the military or any of the ministers. Not even to any of the council members when therewasan Emperor’s Council.”
Nuti twisted the cloth between her hands, a few droplets spilling onto the ground with a soft splashing sound. “And the Kennelmaster did find traitors. He found as many as the emperor wanted to see.”
I knew immediately what Nuti was speaking around, the horrible truth that she wouldn’t have dared voice if I hadn’t spent weeks and weeks bringing her to my side, coaxing her into something like loyalty.
The Kennelmaster had found all the traitors Millu’s bloodthirsty, greedy heart wanted. Even, perhaps, where there were none to be found.
“I worry that a dog used to so long a leash might bite the hand that brings it to heel,” I said obliquely.
Nuti turned her attention to me sharply. “There are so very few left in the Imperial Palace. The members of court who live outside are waiting to see which way the throne goes. They might listen to whispers from the Kennel. The Kennel is known for its spies and the Dogs who wander like shadows in the palace. No one would want to cross him, but no one would doubt his information either. On the other hand, Emperor Tallu is heir to the promise the Imperium was founded on,andhe is Dragon Chosen. The court might be swayed in its opinions, but the people of the Imperium won’t be.”
I leaned back in the bath, nodding my thanks for the information. I might have enjoyed the bath for longer except for the voice that intruded into my mind, echoing so loud that my temples pounded.
“Tell her I want the food. Now. Or I will eat her and anyone else standing between me and dinner.”
Three
With a groan, I dunked my head underwater, wishing I could plug my ears. But her voice persisted, even submerged in water.
“And then I will eat all of your servants, and I will show you exactly who I am. I am not to be trifled with. I am a terrifying beast!”
I pushed myself out of the water, embarrassed at the splash that hit the tile floor, but Nuti was already ready with a robe, her smile amused. We could both hear the squawk of birds and a hiss like a snake through the walls, Nohe’s voice rising over all of them.
I pulled on the robe, the thick fabric sticking to my skin, and pushed open the door.
A dragon no bigger than a newborn wolf pup was trying to eat Dawn. The bird was holding her own, squawking and flapping around, pecking at the dragon’s head.
Just because I could no longer understand her didn’t mean it wasn’t clear exactly what she was feeling and exactly how angry she was.
“Stop.” When the order didn’t get much done, I raised my voice. “Stop!”
Dawn flew to one of the couches, ruffling her feathers and shaking them until they fell back, silky smooth. The dragon settled on the table, curling around herself, preening in amusement.
“What happened?” I asked. The dragon raised her head, and I could practically see the smirk on her face as she got to rewrite history because I could no longer understand Dawn’s voice. Before she could say anything, I turned to Nohe. “They’re fighting over food?”
“The dragon just ate.” She glanced over at the open window. “I was setting out food for your ravens when she got outside. I left the window open, my apologies, Your Highness.”
I waved my hand, glaring at the dragon. “You just ate.”
“Hours ago. Practically an entire day ago,”she grumbled, looking away.
“Come here, you.” I walked over to Dawn, extending my arm, and the bird hopped onto it, using her claws to climb up to my shoulder. I walked over to the open window and saw that Nohe had filled the troughs installed just outside. It had seeds and nuts, little bits of cooked meat and some berries that looked slightly squashed, as though they hadn’t quite been perfect enough for the consort’s plate.
I used my free hand to lift Dawn off my shoulder, putting her on the perch designed for the three ravens. When she had settled, still glaring at the dragon through the pane of glass, I carefully shut it, leaving her to her meal. Then I turned to the dragon.
“You just ate, and unless you plan on growing back to your normal size this instant, then let us be clear: you do not need more than one meal per luncheon.” I felt I should be shaking my finger at her, but that reminded me too much of my mother. And becoming my mother later in life was a fate I’d hoped to avoid by assassinating the emperor and getting killed very young.
“Would you like to see me grow?”the dragon growled. “I could destroy your whole house. This floor would not bear my weight.”
I started to respond, but hesitated. Everything up until now had been carefully constructed so that it didn’t look as though I was directly talking to the dragon or the bird with the expectation that I could understand their response. If I answered the dragon, it would be too obvious and even Nohe—who appeared to like me—would have to explicitly acknowledge I was practicing animal speak.
Even though I wasn’t.
I directed my words to Nohe. “If the dragon is bothering you, I can send her somewhere else. The emperor’s quarters. The servants over there already hate me. Giving them a dragon might be an improvement of their opinion.” I tapped the side of my face in a motion I had learned meant that I was joking. It was usually used by children who hadn’t quite grasped complex humor, but Nohe’s eyes still crinkled in amusement, either at my misusing a children’s hand motion or the joke.
“No. She’s not trouble at all. Just growing.” Nohe crossed the room, picking up the dragon and stroking her fingers over its crest. She smiled down at the creature. “Have you thought about a name yet?”
“I suppose calling her ‘Annoyance’ is out of the question,” I said, darkly glaring at the creature.