“Your Majesties, I have read through the petitions for the tribes, and I understand these three are likely going to need to be relocated due to the reluctance of the humans to sell the land to us. Is this something the Council will have to pay for? I see no attachments from any of the chieftains regarding aid,” Vampyress Irina Volkov, leader of the Vampyr Clutch asked.
“Vampyress, the Indrenakas, Sae’Varis, and Mystamre tribes have spent the last century working with the Valzadari Beading Company, producing unique and, I am told, the most sought-after beads in the market. They are wealthy tribes and do not feel comfortable requesting monetary compensation from the Council. The move that will likely be required will be funded by the chieftains directly,” Ellery answered.
“If I may add, Your Majesty, that the Valzadari will also be providing funds for whatever is needed for the tribes to join the Council,” Kalthekor said. “My cousin and I have been trying to persuade these men to be added to our ranks since we started to work with them. It wasn’t until Emperor Ellery was chosen by Fate that they were willing to entertain the idea.”
“Chieftain Valzadari, are these men only interested in being a part of the Council because we now have a half-elven ruler? We require all members to be open-minded to every race. It wouldn’t be good to add anyone who isn’t willing to interact with every species,” the leader of the jaguars stated.
“Alpha Panthera, they were shunned by elven tribes because of the color of their skin. The chieftains are moved by His Majesty’s entire story. Emperor Ellery is distinctive. Not only is he an elf but also a dragon who came to us from a tribe that doesn’t belong. He’s the ultimate outsider trying to acclimate to our government. These tribes know what it’s like to be gazed upon with pity, apathy, and hatred. The Valzadari have also faced discrimination because we are blue and not white. We, along with the Indrenakas, Sae’Varis, and Mystamre, tribes believe His Majesty will help shepherd our Council—especially in elven circles—into a new era of acceptance,” Kalthekor stated.
“I can assure all of you that I will not tolerate hate or bigotry. I am moved by these three chieftains who want the best for their people and simply crave the acceptance Chieftain Valzadari spoke of,” Ellery added.
“Are there any further questions?” Chrysander asked. “We need to move past this petition and allow any additional inquiries to be sent to our office as we have a full schedule.”
When no one spoke up, Ellery grinned. “Very well, I call forward a vote.”
Once the vote timer was started, on behalf of Court Draconis and every dragon, Ellery cast his ballot. After it was done, he strolled into the alcove while the other leaders did their civic duty. Zane snatched his mug and filled it back up with delicious brew.
“Can I take a moment and ask if I should be setting up interviews for an office staff?” Costas asked.
Chrysander’s eyes fell closed briefly. “I can’t do it. I’m sorry. We’re going to have to make do with us and rotating the all our dukes so they can answer the phone for now. I can’t handle a horde of strangers near Ell.”
“Are you sure that is best?” Ellery asked.
“No,” Chrysander replied. The muscle of his jaw flexed, and Ellery refused to push him. They would manage until they could convince Chrysander to trust. There was no way of knowing how long that would take.
“Your Majesties, your cosigned petition was approved. Time to welcome three new tribes to the Council,” Damian said after glancing at the voting tally.
Ellery smiled. “That is wonderful. They will be assets to us all.”
“Let’s get back in there and move on to the next item on the agenda,” Chrysander suggested.
“It is another Court Draconis petition, will you handle it?” Ellery asked.
“Nope, this one is yours. It has been from the start.”
It was in fact the petition Ellery and Zane had completed just before he was poisoned. Chrysander had left it for him to present after all this time. Ellery had sweated bullets whenever he thought of taking that final step twelve months ago, but success was already flowing through him. Snagging Chrysander’s hand, he sauntered back out to their large desk in the vestibule. He brushed his lips over Chrysander’s once they were seated, then turned to the Council to ask them to limit the number of redundant bills a single leader could produce in a calendar year. Ellery would be surprised if anyone beyond Aloisa the Dwyer of the Circle of Druids, who was notorious for bombarding them with repetitive motions, was going to argue before the vote was cast.
Chapter 38
Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire cast a teleportation spell, and the entire family was greeted warmly by the Draconises when they arrived at their condo. Aleksander exchanged hugs with everyone and though he was always happy to see them, he wasn’t in a pleasant mood. He was the first to admit he didn’t like to leave his house. As far as Aleksander was concerned, the comfort of home was impossible to beat, and privately he acknowledged that it was difficult to deal with his anxiety when he stepped off his own land.
It would’ve been easy enough to spend an afternoon at the Draconis penthouse, Aleksander conceded as he was shown around the completed condo. Unfortunately, he wasn’t here to visit his extended family; there was a ceremony in the Court of Draconis throne room he had no choice but to attend. He’d wheedled it out of Damian that every Council dragon king was invited, and no one had failed to RSVP yes. They were gathered with their mates and families in the giant throne room, just waiting to stare at him.
The thought of being near that many of the men and women who had once turned their backs on him and the D’Vaire dragons simply because he was different had him sweating. He refused to acknowledge the trembling of his hands or the dryness of his throat as he got into the elevator with the last of the D’Vaires heading for the event. Noting his tension, his cousin Noirin looped her arm through his and offered him a smile.
Aleksander patted her hand and was grateful that she stayed close when they walked through the doors of the packed space. He stared straight ahead, refusing to meet the eyes of anyone as he’d already been told he would need to be all the way at the front. The other members of Sorcery D’Vaire were there, and he focused on their faces as he marched toward his destination. There was plenty of murmuring, but Aleksander couldn’t make out their words, nor did he try.
When Chrysander and Ellery strolled up to the dais and quieted the room, it filled him with relief. He wanted this damn afternoon finished so he could get home.
“Your Highnesses and Your Graces. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. I appreciate you taking the time to travel here and be with my family on this important occasion,” Chrysander said. “There are two purposes for this get-together, and I would like to begin by addressing the last year. As you know, a once-trusted employee, Wesley Draconis poisoned His Majesty, trapping him in his beast form. Thanks to the efforts of a special group called Sorcery D’Vaire, His Majesty is back among us.”
The room swelled with applause, and Aleksander had to unlock arms with Noirin to add his own. Chrysander grinned at Ellery; then the pair faced the raucous group.
“Sorcery D’Vaire has asked explicitly that we offer them no further thanks, though they will always have my undying gratitude,” Ellery stated. “Since I cannot offer them anything tangible they will accept, I will make a plea for all of you to encourage your families and the entire population of your court to work with the Spectra Wizardry with their ongoing DNA project. Not only does it help the Council build a genealogical database, but it allows them to use that blood to provide our hardworking doctors with new medicines and hopefully cures to ailments. You may contact them directly or our office to schedule it. It is my hope that you will all participate. I can assure you that the Court of Draconis will be.”
“As many of you know, His Majesty and I took refuge at the Court of D’Vaire as the incredible sorcerers and shifters worked to treat the poison. Court D’Vaire is unique in all the best ways, and His Majesty and I were delighted to be able to spend time with those that have been rescued by the highly successful sanctuary, Dra’Kaedan’s Coven. I have made it clear since its inception that I hope one day each sanctuary will offer not only a multi-race haven but one so obviously full of caring individuals,” Chrysander commented.
Ellery smiled. “One thing became clear during our stay. His Majesty and I realized we have ignored Fate’s wishes. In the year 1369, Prince Aleksander Ethelindraconis was forced from his home by his own king. When he walked through the gates with five dragons willing to follow him, silver rings were burned around his irises, and the word ‘D’Vairedraconis’ appeared on his forearm. As many of you had the same experience, you know it was Fate changing his title to King.”
