didn’t know how to handle two queens wanting one thing and one queen wanting another.”
I sigh because I know exactly where this is going. “My scion went with the majority opinion.”
“Oh, sweetheart, life’s never that easy.”
I squeeze her hand when she uses the human term of endearment in reference to me. “Tell me true for I wish to know how this story ends.”
“He spoke with Mathadar and the elite ten. They went back and forth about it for hours and kicked it up the chain of command to Queen Cassandra. You’re one of her soldiers, after all.”
My wings cramp up behind me as disbelief swells in my chest.
“Queen Cassandra said it was a tough call and was inclined to side with Molly and Penelope because she didn’t want to see you in pain or trying to get out of bed before you were ready. But then again, they couldn’t justify taking your right to decide for yourself away, because that’s kind of what you did to Penelope that got you into this mess.”
I ease back into place, pleased that they got to experience the same kind of difficult decision I faced. I can’t help wondering how something so simple became so complicated. “What was your opinion?”
Annoyance flashes across her face for an instant. “Since I’m not one of the females of your clade, apparently I don’t get to have an opinion. It doesn’t matter, anyway. The last time I exercised my own good judgement it ended up getting you scourged. Since the next time it might get you dead, I elected to keep my mouth shut.”
“You should not feel guilt over that. It was my decision that resulted in a well-deserved punishment, not yours. I suppose Queen Cassandra eventually decided to keep me sleeping.”
“Of course not, because again, nothing is that easy. They convened an emergency meeting of the all-female council on Onello and they went back and forth about it for another couple of hours. There was an even split, but they decided to error on the side of compassion by ensuring you were kept sedated until you were well on your way to recovery.”
“That is a ridiculous amount of messing about over a decision that didn’t matter one way or another. One queen’s time should not have been wasted, much less an entire council of queens.”
When she doesn’t answer, I change the subject. “You look sad. It grieves me that my quarreling clade left you out of the decision-making process.”
“That’s not why I’m sad.” After a few moments, her voice softens. “I’m upset because you should have picked me instead of Miss Penelope.”
Shock rolls through my mind. “I thought I did choose you. It was the mistake that ended with me being scourged.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. I wanted to be your mate. You should have chosen me.”
Her expression looks very hurt, but I am growing more confused by the micron. “Queens choose, not males. You well know how Draconian society works.”
Her expression darkens, and she attempts to tug her hand from mine. Remembering all the times we spoke and fought side by side, I speak my mind. “I thought I was under consideration, only to learn you do not appreciate my old blood heritage. It is fine if that is how you feel. Many queens turn from our kind for this very reason. I hold no grudges for such.”
“I was so busy fighting the war I didn’t even think about mating. By the time I realized you were my one, you had already selected Penelope; or rather, you allowed yourself to be chosen by her.”
I freeze in place for a micron, gaping at her. Then laughter spills from my mouth and I can do nothing to stop it. “You cannot possibly believe Pelop would choose me or that I would agree to such. She is even more of a child on the inside than on the outside.”
The pretty general’s eyes narrow on me. “She had her hands on you. It looked like she was getting ready to kiss you.”
“No. You are very wrong. She was happy to be offered membership in my clade. I was more than pleased to extend that protection to her in recompense for the wrong I did to her.” I tug this queen who wishes to be mine closer. “I have yet more scions desiring their own queen. Pelop would be a good match for one of them, but not for a battle worn warrior like me.”
Her face lights up. “Are you