Page 58 of Black Crown

All that canvas had been erected into a large dome just for the purpose of our strategy session. Seemed overkill for a meeting over a lunch break, especially because we were all on the same team. Not sure who they were keeping secrets from, but golden guards had cleared a wide space, surrounding the perimeter so no one would overhear.

“Nice sleep-in?” Dyter asked when I ducked in under Tyrrik’s arm.

“Mmm,” I answered noncommittally. Was that a dig at me? Not characteristic of Dyter, but maybe he was stressed. Or was he giving me a heads up? Did the Gemondians think I was slacking off?Do they know about last night?

Tyrrik’s unease seeped through to me before he answered.

I was waiting to confer with you. General knowledge of Draedyn’s control over you may do more harm than good.

I’m not so worried about the Gemondians turning against me. Not the majority of them anyway,I added. I hadn’t been there to protect them as I should have, but I had also done a lot for them.The Phaetyn are already afraid of me, and they might not take the news of Draedyn’s control over me very well, but it might affect our strategy.

We should inform the leaders,Tyrrik replied.

I agree.

“So.” King Zakai drew out the word, his eyebrows raised. “Are you joining us now?”

His son, Zarad, and his first, Gairome, were there with Dyter and Zakai, as well as the four women and men who made up Zakai’s command team, including the two assassins, Nielub and Niemoj. All eight of them stood around a slab of wood balanced atop a thick chest.

Tyrrik and I stepped up to the makeshift table. A map of the Draecon Empire had been tacked to the wooden slab, and several more pins were scattered in clusters in different areas. I brushed my fingertips over the green pins just outside of Verald and took a deep breath.

“Before we start,” I said, keeping my head down, “Draedyn attacked my mind in my sleep last night. Tyrrik and I will be rotating our sleep schedules until I learn to keep him out.” I raised my head and glanced at Dyter. “We thought you should be aware of the development.”

Prince Zarad straightened. “When you say attacked your mind . . .”

“She means he seized control and forced her to attack me,” Tyrrik growled. “I was able to break through, but my delay in responding was because I hadn’t anticipated the possibility.”

All attention turned to me, and I met each of their gazes in turn.

“You are actively working on . . . keeping the emperor out of your mind?” King Zakai asked.

“I am,” I said, inclining my head.

“I don’t like it,” one of the female Gemondians said. “We have a Drae in our camp that the emperor can control. He can turn her into a weapon at anytime, and we’re supposed to be okay with that?”

Tyrrik’s lips curved. “With all due respect to your station, whatever that may be—”

“Commander Smurt, Gemond’s second battalion,” the woman snapped.

“Hmm,” Tyrrik mused, the curve of his smile widening. “Well, Commander, with respect to whatever qualification your role or title indicates in human affairs, you, and every single one of you in here, know nothing about the complexities of this subject.”

The woman flushed red and clenched her jaw. She glared at Tyrrik and opened her mouth to respond, but Tyrrik didn’t give her an opportunity.

“If Ryn is awake, she’ll have her veil up, and Draedyn cannot get through. If she’s asleep, I’ll be awake. If I’m awake, Draedyn will not be able to control her.” His lip curled, and his fangs lengthened just below his lips in a chilling snarl. “The point is Draedyn will not get through again.”

The woman might have a secret death wish. She leaned over the table, meeting Tyrrik’s glare with one of her own. “Do you have any idea what she could do if you slip up?”

Tyrrik’s eyes shifted to ink-black slits. I rested a hand on his arm and, noticing his talons were extending, sent him a jolt of my energy.

“I do,” I said to the woman. “I understand.”

She opened her mouth again, and Zakai interjected. “Would you rather the two Drae leave our army, Dilowa?”

She shut her mouth and eventually shook her head. “No, My Liege. Just thinking of the safety of my battalion.”

The king inclined his head at the older brunette. “For which I am most thankful.” He shifted his gaze to me and asked, “Lady Ryn, could you please keep us informed on your progress?”

“I can,” I answered, removing my hand from Tyrrik’s arm now that his onyx energy wasn’t glowing violently. Seriously, Smurt must mean death-wish.

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