The (Not) Satisfied Dragon - Colette Rhodes Page 0,90

body language that betrayed fear, despite kneeling on the ground in chains. They mostly looked annoyed. Like this whole thing was an everyday irritation.

“Why not challenge them to a duel during daylight?” Jason asked, giving them his best pensive face.

“We felt that they were stronger than us and we wouldn't be able to win,” the Alpha replied, this time looking at Jason like he was a moron.

I pulled my gaze away from the prisoners to discreetly survey the crowd. None of the Councilors seemed to take any issue with the Alpha’s flimsy excuse. What was the point in having an honor code, in even bothering with structured duels, if “they were stronger” was a legitimate defence for skirting the rules? This whole thing was a farce.

Jason hummed, rubbing his chin, and pondering the clouds overhead. Hiram huffed a chuckle, and I bit down on the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from laughing at the theatrics. He paused for a moment, going over to the rest of his flight to mutter quietly amongst themselves.

//Is that it?// Hiram asked, reflecting my thoughts. //Isn’t he going to ask any more questions?//

//Unlikely. Jason isn’t interested enough in what anyone else has to say to ask detailed questions,// Ezra replied, sounding unimpressed. //This is just a performance in statesmanship for him.//

“Thank you for your patience, Councilors. Our culture has always been one that valued strength and domination,” Jason announced to the mostly uninterested Council. “While Flight Fiata must be disciplined not following usual dueling conventions, I believe their punishment should take into account their ingenuity in finding an alternative solution to rise above their station. We do not want to set a precedent that would discourage other flights from aspiring for a better life.”

Jason’s disturbing words sucked all the humor out of the situation.

There was nothing funny about this. This was dangerous. This was vile. In one short speech, Jason had highlighted everything I despised about dragons. The memory of slitting the throats of the flight that had killed my family was so strong, I could almost feel the cool blade in my hand, hear the dripping of blood on the stone floor.

This was why I was here. This is why I wanted to be on the Council, despite the stress, despite the personal risks to me. So I could do something about this.

“What is your suggested disciplinary action, Flight Mentrus?” Nerio called from his seat at the edge of the floor.

“A formal apology to the Council and a lifelong ban from dueling,” Jason replied confidently, surveying the seated Councilors like he was one of the gods, looking out over his subjects. The thoughtful mutterings of the Councilors enraged me more. Only Seff's fathers were quiet, watching us carefully.

“I’m sure Shira will agree with me,” Jason continued, like the raging asshole he was turning to face us. “After all, there’s strength in compassion, isn’t there, gold?”

Had I not said almost those exact words to Nerio after the first challenge? Had he given his son a full run down? What an asshole.

I stood by my statement, but I couldn’t find it in me to have any compassion for the flight kneeling on the ground. They’d killed because they were greedy. Because they wanted more and decided to take it from someone else.

They should rot.

Jason smirked at me, like he could see the internal struggle I was having. Maybe it was obvious from my expression that my compassion didn’t extend that far.

I probably shouldn’t have been so hard on my mates. The gods could have stuck me with Jason, the dragon equivalent of a stubborn splinter. My mates moved onto the floor as Flight Mentrus sidled off, looking ten shades of smug with their performance.

“Councilors,” Seff announced, drawing their attention. “Were this a murder trial, the defendants would be given angel root tincture to loosen their tongues.” The Councilors shouted their objections as the captives glared at Seff with a mixture of shock and horror.

Maybe a little too much horror for an innocent flight.

“Flight Laoch is dead, under the cover of darkness. In what world is that “dishonorable dueling”? I move that this be treated as a murder trial and the defendants questioned accordingly.”

Nerio looked like he was about to protest, but Seff beat him to it. “Surely, there's no harm in ensuring we get all the information? If they're innocent, they have nothing to worry about.”

Seff was so sexy when he started reciting rules and regulations.

“Hear, hear,” Ilia called smugly, leaning back in his