Shadowborn Queen - G. Bailey Page 0,16

on me. While others quietly eat their food, except for Gold, I keep my eyes pressed on the dragon. I'm not going to be the first one to look away.

"The Titans are not really our concern," Julius says at last, lifting his chin. "Our border is protected by ancient magic that not even they can penetrate. Whether the Titans wreak havoc beyond it is really no concern of ours."

My heart sinks a little when I look around the table and see that no one is disputing him.

"Just because the Titans are no threat to your kingdom, that doesn't mean you should turn a blind eye," I say firmly. "Hundreds, if not thousands, of magics have already been killed at the hands of Eva."

"Yes, the Princess of Helios." He drums his fingers on the table. "Light Fae are also no concern of ours."

“Watch that tongue of yours, Griscor.” Gold grips the knife in his hand, his knuckles turning white. "For it sounds like you’re suggesting my mate also doesn’t matter.”

By now, the tension around the table has reached a tipping point.

"I believe what Sir Griscor is saying is that the Light Fae have caused our people nothing but suffering," Valessia says, her voice gentle enough to partially defuse the growing tension. "Why should we open our kingdom to a war that, for once, has nothing to do with us? Why sacrifice lives for those who have only taken them?"

The king nods, tapping his lip thoughtfully, his eyes pinning me. "I am willing to help you find the key. But for now, this war is not ours to fight."

The words 'for now' catch my attention. "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"

He takes a sip of his wine, his frail hand clutching the glass tightly. "My cousin's relationship with Eva is already deteriorating. It won't be long before Narah turns the princess away. When that happens, her enemy will become my enemy, and then we will battle alongside each other. Until then, my kingdom will play no part in this war."

Anger flares through me. I know I shouldn't ask it, but the words tumble from my lips before I can catch them. "So if Queen Narah chooses to fight with Eva, you'll just kill innocent magics because you share the same blood as her?"

A fork drops onto the table as silence descends upon the room.

“Yes,” the king answers calmly. “You will understand when you rule your kingdom and your allies dwindle due to those who betray you at every turn. Helios has never supported us, and so I will not sacrifice my people just to protect them.”

I shouldn’t be surprised by his reply. Sickened, yes, but not surprised. The Draconians fought in the Sans Enfant War alongside Queen Narah. They like to pretend their actions are just, but unlike the centaurs who remain neutral, the Draconians always choose a side. And it’s always that of the Dark Fae.

Gold slips his hand under the table and squeezes mine. I’m not sure if it’s to silence me or comfort me, but I open my mouth anyway.

“Helios may never have supported you in the past,” I say, keeping my voice low and controlled, “but times have changed now. Helios didn’t have me. And if there’s one thing I want, it’s peace among everyone in the Enchanted Forest. I want to stop the wars and the bloodshed. My sister, your niece, is the rightful Queen of Zorya, and she wants the same too. Right now, your decision to help or abandon us will dictate the rest of your kingdom’s future.”

Julius chokes on something. “You dare threaten the king like that?”

“I’m not threatening. I’m simply saying that right now, at this exact moment, we both have the opportunity to change our kingdoms’ future. Don’t we both want that?” I turn to the king. “Don't we want to make them safer as well as stronger? We can’t do that if we keep attacking each other, whether that be through violence or abandonment."

The door opens and another dragon enters. Except, this is one I have met already.

"Zander..." I stand from my chair, stunned to see him here. "Hey."

He stops in front of me and smiles. "Hey." Then he clears his throat and drapes an arm over his middle. "Your Highness," he says with a bow. "'Tis my pleasure."

I just manage to stop myself from laughing as I settle back in my chair.

Gold shifts beside me and I peek up at him. To the untrained eye, he's not paying