Page 17 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

The outcome of the meeting was a direct order issued by the King that no flights were to cross into the Second Kingdom until more intelligence could be gathered by units on the ground. He did agree to increase ground units to the Second Kingdom tofacilitate this, but I could tell he would drag his heels on delivering. He only agreed to save face after I indirectly accused him of leaving the citizens of the Second Kingdom high and dry without our protection.

Frustrated and clearly annoyed, the King singled me out at the end of the meeting, having dismissed the crowd at large.

“Jaxus, a word,” he demanded.

I took a deep breath and approached as my path to him cleared.

He crossed his arms over his broad chest and eyed me from his seat.

“Nyx has a lot of faith in you and I trust my general,” he started slowly. “However, I’m not seeing any qualities as of yet that make me believe you’re right for this role.”

I was fairly sure my disagreeing with him in public was the only issue he could legitimately take at this moment but I humored him. “I understand that, Your Majesty. I am in the process of introducing my ryder to a very new life. We need some time to work through the shock of our bond before I can bring her in as my ryder and progress to where we need to be. Once we can join the flights, I’m sure you’ll see a difference.”

“Hmm, yes, young Kiera, I understand. That was a shock indeed. I find it interesting that you didn’t get the call earlier, as is the normal way. It seems strange, don’t you agree?”

“I do, Your Majesty. As you know, some of the fringe groups have ways of blocking such calls and instincts in us. It appears this was the case with us, as it was with Zaria and Nyx.”

The King looked pensive. “Hmm. Which kingdom did you say you were from again?”

“My village never gave an allegiance to any kingdom, Your Majesty. They liked to think of themselves outside of the kingdom’s politics and rule because the barons ignore those on the outer edge, and they are free to exist in their own way.” I spoke truth but not my truth and kept as vague as possible, using thehistory Zaria and Luka had shared as a framework for my fabricated past.

“And which area was your village?”

“It would be somewhere around the border of the Second and Twelfth, I believe. I’d need to see a detailed map to know for certain. I’m only familiar with the terrain markers, no names. My apologies.”

The King scowled. “How many fringe groups are out there under my nose that don’t adhere to my rules and laws?” It was a rhetorical question, but I understood the point he made.

“Too many, it seems, Your Highness. Maybe that’s something Nyx should look into after we get a handle on the battle at hand.”

“Indeed,” agreed the King, disapproval lacing his tone. “And just how many dragons are there in these villages, I wonder?”

“I’m unsure, sir—Your Majesty,” I corrected myself immediately. Still growing accustomed to having to bow to a single leader’s ego.

“In my village, I was the only one,”

The King frowned. “And your parents?”

“I was taken in by my parents when I was a babe, Your Majesty. I was found wandering alone and they took me in and raised me. They were unfortunately unable to bear children, and I was a blessing to them from the Goddess. I believe myself to be very fortunate.”

“And they kept you deliberately from your duty as a dragon to the kingdoms?”

“I don’t believe so. I was unaware personally that there was an obligation to come to the capital,” I explained. “My community was isolated, and the elders were the only fae who had ever known life under kingdom rule. Whether my parents knew or not, I couldn’t tell you. They went to the Goddess several years ago.”

“How did you cross our general’s path in the Second Kingdom then? If you were so isolated?” He was bent oncatching me in a lie. Fortunately, I’d had plenty of time to think through my back story, and I knew exactly what the King had already been told.

“When the situation arose in the Second Kingdom with the First Flight, we were unaware. But when Nyx was wounded, Zaria managed to pilot them to safer ground, and they happened to land in our territory. I discovered them while foraging and helped them. Nyx was gravely wounded, but our healer was able to treat him, and they rested with us for several days. I agreed to join him in the attempt to rescue his brother because I believed that I could be of some assistance. From there, I returned with him to the First Kingdom.”

“Despite living in hiding your whole life?”

“As I’ve said, Your Highness, I was never in hiding. I was just living the life I knew. Now that I know differently, I’ve made the choice to be here and you have my unwavering loyalty and my commitment to your army and the kingdoms. You have my word.”

“Just like that?” the King demanded, seeming to think he could catch me out if he just kept pressing.

“Just like that,” I returned, no doubt in my tone that he could latch on to. “The ways of my village were not my choice. My parents were good fae. However, I have no family left, and my experiences with Nyx and Zaria over those days helped us form a close bond. I was keen to help however I could and more than happy to return with them to their home to be of further assistance. You have my word that I am committed to your service.” Though I could sense my word meant little to him.

His look of suspicion did not diminish in any way and I could feel the edge of tension building between us.

He dismissed me without much further conversation, much like a disappointed father would dismiss his errant child, and I headed for Kiera, who no doubt was hard at work in the healer’s wing.