House of Dragons (Royal Houses #1) - K.A. Linde Page 0,138

because I just don’t see it.”

Fordham sighed and released her as she brushed past him. Noda and Roake landed next in the arena, releasing the adjudicators to give their round of congratulations. Festivities would begin soon, starting with a parade for the winners of the tournament. But Lorian was still busy arguing his case to the rest of the Society members present.

Finally, it seemed that something had been settled. Lorian strode to where she stood with Fordham and Audria behind her. Helly and Bastian followed him close behind.

“We have come to an agreement,” he said bitterly. “If you have the backing of tribe Bryonica and can show proof of your testing and entrance into the tournament, then the council will convene to determine your fate.”

Kerrigan wasn’t relieved by that ruling, but it was better than nothing. At least she could argue. She was good at that. She had no other choice about Bryonica. “I accept.”

Audria jumped up and down. “Yes! I’m so excited.”

“Wait,” Fordham snapped from her right.

She looked at him in confusion. “What?”

“You said if she had the backing of tribe Bryonica, but what if she had the backing from any tribe?”

“Any tribe will do,” Bastian agreed.

Helly furrowed her brow. “Why do you ask, Fordham?”

“A thousand years ago, the twelve tribes and the Society sealed my people away and named us the Dark Court. We claimed House of Shadows for ourselves. Under the ruling of the council, the House of Shadows was recognized as a tribe of Alandria.”

“So?” Lorian asked impatiently.

Fordham looked directly at her as he said, “Then, Kerrigan can join the House of Shadows.”

Kerrigan’s mouth hung open. Was he offering her a way out? Through his tribe? It didn’t make sense. She’d never thought he would give her something like this.

“No half-Fae would ever join the House of Shadows,” Lorian said with a laugh.

“It wouldn’t make sense,” Audria agreed. “Bryonica is safer for her.”

Bryonica didn’t see her. Fordham saw her. And Fordham was risking the wrath of his own people by making her one of them. He was doing it for her and no other reason. The out she needed to step away from her own worst nightmare.

“I accept,” she said.

“Kerrigan, no,” Helly gasped.

“I urge you to reconsider,” Bastian said. “You don’t know what those people are like.”

“I know what Fordham is like,” Kerrigan said. “And that’s good enough for me. I’m joining the House of Shadows, and I will bring my proof to the council meeting. So, be ready.”

Kerrigan felt powerful as she made the utterance, sealing her fate with Fordham’s, but then she smelled the smoke and heard the screams that filled the air.

52

The Smoke

“It’s begun,” Lorian said with dread in his voice as he stared at the skyline.

Kerrigan whipped around and saw the waves of smoke coming off the south side of the city.

“That’s the Artisan Village!” Audria cried next to her.

“What’s happening?” Sinead gasped.

Kerrigan narrowed her eyes. She knew what was happening. The same thing that had happened five years ago at the end of the tournament—riots. Red Masks had gotten emboldened and flooded the streets, murdering innocents. There had been nothing she could do then, but that wasn’t the case anymore.

“We need to go help those people,” Kerrigan said. “Now!”

“You won’t do a thing,” Lorian said. “You aren’t a Society member yet. The Guard and the Society in the city can handle this.”

Kerrigan glared at him, straightening. “I might not be a Society member, but I’m never going to stand by and watch my city burn to the ground because you didn’t want me out there.”

Then, she nodded her head at Fordham and Audria. Noda and Roake looked on, aghast, but hastily jumped back onto their dragons when Audria snapped orders at them.

“We’ll swing in from the riverfront,” Audria yelled at them, taking command with ease. “We’ll bring in as much water from the river as we can and douse the buildings. Let’s figure out what we’re dealing with and go from there.”

Kerrigan nodded, and Tieran lifted into the air, heading directly for the river. They passed over the Artisan Village. Kerrigan’s eyes watered at the sight of one of her favorite parts of the city on fire. Audria swooped in over the river first, drawing water toward her with her magic. Fordham went in next, and Kerrigan flew in tight behind him. She pulled on her reserves and drew and drew and drew water to her, as much as she could manage. She had her sights on the opera house when