Page 134 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

When I passed over the main square, fae had come out of their homes to see the show, and from among them, one shifted and took to the sky before me. I threw my wings forward to stop my flight and beat them hard to hover in front of a dragon I knew well. Visha, the head of the council, was over two centuries old, but her dragon had an even more ancient and menacing air.

She hovered over the city facing me down and roared a stream of fire right at me. A scolding. But I wasn’t in the mood to be scolded. I spat flames right back and took off in the opposite direction.

I heard her bellowing at the guard who just hung back watching and knew my tantrum time was up. They swooped in from either side, blocking my path, and I was left with few options. Break through evasive maneuvers, which wouldprobably cause a few families some roof damage, or come into land in the square. Since I was only doing this for display, I yielded and set down in front of all those who had come out in their nightclothes to see what the disturbance was. Members of the council among them.

Visha flew in overhead and shifted, marching over to me faster than one so old should manage. I shifted reluctantly and faced them all.

“I truly hope you’ve got that out of your system,” she barked.

I stood tightlipped with my chin raised high.

“You can return to your homes,” she called over the square. “There is nothing more to see.”

Her authority rang out, and all but a few obeyed. As the crowd cleared, the members of the council remained, and from the shadows, Kiera emerged, my brother by her side. His arm around her shoulder supportively. Concern etched on both their faces.

“Clearly, you are having difficulties adjusting to your return. But I will remind you, you were a well-respected citizen of Kerani, and I would hate for that to change.” Visha warned. She gestured towards Kiera. “Your energy would be better spent helping your mate adjust to life here than venting your frustrations in such a disruptive way. Now, return to your bed, and let me do the same. Don’t let this happen again.”

I nodded once, not giving the council the satisfaction of apologies.

The council disbursed and Kiera rushed forward, throwing herself into my arms and making a good show of being the frightened mate. I held her, murmuring apologies until the last fae had left the square. Drystan handed me a wrap, and I let Kiera go long enough to cover my dignity. It was no doubt her idea to bring it. Drystan would have let me walk home with my dick swinging.

Wordlessly, the three of us set off for home and the streetswere silent once again. Lights turning off again as fae settled back down to sleep. I knew my name would be on everyone’s lips tomorrow.

“Did it work?”I asked Kiera through our bond.

“Perfectly,”she replied.

FIFTY-ONE

JAXUS

“Ibrought you lunch,” came a voice from the door.

I looked up from the maps of the underground I poured over, finding Drystan with a bag full of food.

“Well…” He looked sheepish. “I’m here to deliver the lunch Mum made for her favorite.”

“That sounds more likely,” I laughed. “But I’m not sure I’m the favorite anymore. I think Kiera might have usurped us both on that front.”

“They were quite taken with her, ” he agreed.

He eyed the maps I was studying and set lunch on the table. “You really love her, don’t you?”

“Yes, but what makes you say so?”

Drystan glanced around. “It doesn’t matter.”

I pointed to the large quartz under the window. “It’s safe, brother. Emrys gave us the crystals needed to seal sound into the house like the healers use for patient privacy. We can speak freely here now.”

Drystan’s brows rose, impressed.

“There are advantages to being mated to a healer. Now say what you want to say.”

“You’re doing all of this for her.” He pulled the fresh meats and cheeses from his linen bag, unwrapping them from the paper they came in.

“What of this is for her?” I asked, not sure what he meant. I abandoned the maps for the moment, taking a seat at the table across from him.

“All of this. Everything you’re doing. Making a spectacle of yourself.” I knew his words came from a place of concern and love, but they didn’t sit right with me. “It’s entirely out of character. When outsiders came before, you talked to the elders like a rational male. Now you throw it all to the wind.” He clearly felt some sort of way about the show Faolan had me put on.