Page 66 of Spirit Rites

“Oh.”

“Yeah, he makes it impossible to get the council to pass anything.”

“How did he get that position?”

“My father chose him when he became king. My only guess was that he was trying to appease him somehow.”

“Can you appoint someone new now?”

He shakes his head. “The positions are for life. My father appointed them all. With my uncle at the helm, the council is stuck in the past. They don’t like that we allow our people who fail to produce a spirit animal to come back here after the trials. They pretty much oppose anything I try to do.” He blows out a breath. “Sorry. That was a lot.”

“I’ve got a solution to your problems.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“Just send Harper in to one of their meetings. She’ll get them all whipped into shape in just a few minutes.”

He smirks, which is exactly what I was going for. “I bet she would.”

“I’m sorry that you have to deal with all that. Do you trust Evren since he’s on your security team?”

“Not at all. That’s why he’s never on your protection detail.”

I take that in. “Good to know.” Thoughts of the attack today flood my mind. “How often do you deal with guivre attacks?”

His face changes, and I almost regret asking the question. “We used to get attacks maybe once or twice a year, but they’ve been getting much more frequent over the last few years. Now, not a week passes without at least one attack.”

“Really? That’s insane.”

“I don’t know why we face so many more in our kingdom. Rysden and I have talked about it.”

“Is it because it’s warmer?”

“I’ve thought of that, but dragons prefer the cold since they’re so warm-blooded. I can’t imagine that would have changed, but maybe. I don’t really know.”

There’s a knock on the bedroom door. “Rakel is here with clothes for Kinsley.” I recognize Taren’s voice.

Kaldar straightens. “Thank you. We’ll be right out.” He gives me a onceover. “Are you sure you’re not injured from today?”

“Positive.”

“How’s your arm?”

“It’s so much better than it was; I barely notice it.”

“Let's put more of that salve on it.”

I pick up the bottle from the small table next to the bed and hand it to him. He squeezes a generous amount into his hand before rubbing into my arm. It doesn’t hurt nearly as bad as it did the last time he did this. When he finishes, I drop my arm to my side. “Thank you.” I want to say something else to him, but he seems far away. After the day we’ve had, I get it. He opens the door, but before he steps out, I put my hand on his arm. “Thank you for saving me. Well, all of us, really, from that guivre today.”

His eyes meet mine. “You did most of it on your own, but you’re welcome. Thanks for not dying.”

My lips tug up into a smile. “Anytime.” He gives me a small smile and shakes his head as he heads out into the hallway. We make the short walk to the main room, and I’m surprised to see the room is full. Rakel stands off to the side, but that’s not what catches and holds my attention. That honor goes to the four warriors standing obviously waiting for Kaldar. Even Evren has made an appearance. I study him as he stands next to Taren, Reika, and Jorren. He looks just as unfriendly as the first time I saw him. With his dark hair and dark eyes and the black swirls he has all over his skin, he’s incredibly intimidating.

“What?” he practically snarls at me.

I take a step back, right into a hard chest. Kaldar’s large hands drop on both of my shoulders. “What is it?” Kaldar asks, his voice harsher than normal.

“We received from the border that your presence is requested to meet,”