“Were you all planning to go in to speak with him?” Conley asked.
“I want to go alone,” Ellery stated.
Damian and Zane both opened their mouths to object, but Ellery held up a hand. “I will be with the Reverent Knights. I will be fine.”
“It’s just next door,” Drystan assured them.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Chrysander asked.
Ellery stroked his hand over the side of his face. “No. Besides, you do not want to speak with him.”
“I don’t have a fucking word to say to him,” Chrysander growled. Then he frowned. “Sorry, Tiri.”
“Heisa fucker,” Tiri snapped. Every head in the room whipped toward the sprite. With a glare, Tiri folded his arms over his chest. “Well, he is.”
“You’re right, Tiri.” Chrysander brushed his mouth over Ellery’s. “Don’t get your hopes up that you’ll get any answers.”
“I know. But I have to try and there are things I need to say, whether he listens or not.”
“Ready?” Drystan asked.
Ellery nodded and followed the Reverent Knights out of the room full of his concerned family. This day was going to be pushed firmly into the history column as soon as he was done, but Ellery was only going to get one opportunity to speak with the man who poisoned him. He’d chosen to do so in elven attire. Wesley may have trapped him in his dragon form, but Ellery had resumed control of his life with a great deal of help from the people around him. He wanted Wesley to know that before his execution was carried out.
They only walked a few feet to a locked door which Drystan promptly opened. Conley strode into the space, and Ellery followed while Drystan picked up the rear. In a dark jumpsuit, Wesley sat in a chair, frowning.
“I should’ve expected to see you here, but I have nothing to say to you except that you’re allowing an innocent man to be executed today,” Wesley stated boldly as he lifted his chin. The chains on his arms and legs rattled as he straightened but Ellery was left completely unmoved.
“Tell me, Wesley. How do you explain your blood in the hands of a Consilium wizard?”
“It was planted there to frame me.”
“Who did that? The Sentinel Brotherhood located it. They are incorruptible and incapable of planting evidence.”
“A sentinel didn’t test the blood.”
“A technician who has no clue who you are tested the blood.”
“Everyone knows who I am,” Wesley snarled. “I’ve been working for centuries in this Council.”
“Seriously? You were Chrys’s office manager, not a Council leader. What makes you think anyone knows who you are or gives a damn?” Conley challenged.
“You hate the entire Court Draconis because they had you killed,” Wesley shot out.
“Did you hear that, Drys? We hate the emperors and their whole court because we were murdered.” Conley leaned in so his face was inches from Wesley’s. Ellery hid his smile as Wesley’s eyes grew uneasy, and he tried to back away from the fallen knight. “That’s not true, Wesley. I hate the men who killed Drys, but they’re all dead. Chrys made sure of that. I have nothing but respect for Their Majesties and the Court of Draconis. I have everything. I’m immortalandI’m a fucking dragon. Why would I resent anybody?”
“All I’ve done is try to do the best for Court Draconis,” Wesley managed.
“Was that why you had me poisoned?” Ellery asked calmly as Conley straightened and put space between him and Wesley. “Did you think that was best?”
“I told you I didn’t do it.”
“You know we can tell that you’re lying, right?” Drystan asked casually.
“What difference does it make now? I’m going to be murdered this afternoon.”
“Executed for your crimes. Not murdered,” Conley corrected.
“Is it because I am a hybrid?” Ellery pressed.
