Page 118 of Kingdom of Dance

Zinnia drew a shuddering breath. “Idric!” she shouted, her voice startling in the hush that had fallen on the crowd while the dragons worked their magic. “Idric, you sniveling worm! You did this, and now everyone in Solstice will know what a snake you are!”

Without warning, she tore herself from Obsidian’s arms, throwing herself in the direction of the dragon. Idric reared up slightly, his eyes glinting with malice as they fixed on the irate princess, and the air shimmering with heat before his open jaws.

“Whoa!”

Obsidian lunged forward, barely catching hold of Zinnia in time to stop her forward momentum.

“Let me go,” she demanded. “I’m going to pummel him myself.”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong,” said Obsidian, laughter bubbling up inside him. He felt a little giddy from the relief of the magic lifting. “And I admire your spirit and all. But remember what happens when you play with fire?”

“I thought you said the flame was worth it,” Zinnia challenged him.

“I meant you,” he said dryly. “Youare worth it. Actual dragon’s flame, not so much.”

“Well.” Zinnia stopped trying to pull free. “It’s hard to argue with any of that.”

“Idric.” Tanin’s rumbling voice caused them both to still. Mercifully, it seemed the dragon had decided to ignore Zinnia’s display of aggression. “This crime must be answered.”

The whole room stilled, the many witnesses barely seeming to breathe as they watched a sight no human on Solstice had ever seen before—open conflict between dragons.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Zinnia abandoned any attempt to get loose, settling back against Obsidian gladly. Her rush of euphoric determination at being set free had passed, the preceding crushing weariness creeping back in. She could barely stay on her feet, and she was only too happy to lean into Obsidian’s solid presence.

Her eyes were narrowed as they rested on Idric, resenting that even in the face of his exposure he showed no sign of fear. He looked more outraged than anything, which was all backward.

“This is an offense more grave than anything seen in our colony since we came to Solstice,” Tanin continued. His eyes seemed to bore into Idric, who showed no flicker of repentance. “You should know better, Idric, you who came with us from our former home.”

“You are not in authority over me,” said Idric curtly. “As you acknowledge yourself, I have been part of this colony as long as you have. I also am an elder.”

“Which makes your actions all the more execrable,” said Tanin coldly. “But you are correct. I have no authority on my own to judge you. But I do have authority to accuse you before the elders. Together we will examine your conduct. You will accompany me back to the colony.”

It wasn’t a request. The cold authority in the elder’s voice sent a shiver down Zinnia’s spine. Still, the interaction helped explain Idric’s restraint so far, something which had puzzled her. Clearly the real decision would be made once the matter was put to the rest of the elders. From what she’d witnessed of Idric, Zinnia guessed that the dragon expected to convince them of the justice of his cause. Something which would probably be more difficult to do if the other dragons present carried a report to the elders that Idric had openly defied another elder.

“Tanin.” Rekavidur shifted forward, drawing the other dragon’s attention. “I know it is irregular, but I request permission for Princess Zinnia and Lieutenant Obsidian to accompany us and attend the convocation. They have been grievously wronged by Idric, I suspect more than we realize.”

“You are correct that it is irregular,” said Tanin, his eyes narrowed. “I do not know how your colony of origin operates, but on Solstice, we do not permit humans to enter our realm, under any circumstances.”

To Zinnia’s surprise, Obsidian cleared his throat, releasing her and stepping forward.

“Actually,” he said boldly, “if that is your belief, you have been deceived.”

The dragon elder turned slowly to face the soldier, the absolute stillness of his face more alarming than anger.

“What, human, is your meaning?”

“Now that you have lifted the silencing enchantment I was exposed to—” Obsidian paused his speech to bow to the three dragons before him. “For which I thank you deeply—I can answer your question. I have been into the realm of the dragons.”

At these words, a muttering swept the room, many wide eyes fixed on Obsidian. Zinnia noticed a couple of young Fernedellian ladies watching the brave young enchanter in open admiration. Catching the eye of one such damsel, she mustered her best haughty princess glare. The girl subsided, her cheeks reddening. Satisfied, Zinnia turned back to the action, listening to Obsidian’s continued explanation.

“I am not the first human to do so, either. All twelve of Entolia’s princesses have been descending—by Idric’s orchestration—into a cavern within the mountain that stands within your realm.”

“Impossible,” breathed Tanin.

“It’s true,” Zinnia said, stepping up beside Obsidian. She looked around for Violet, who came alongside her, nodding as well. “Idric has been experimenting on us for months, examining our royal blood, and attempting by the force of his magic to remove the spark I was born with, which confounds all dragons.”

Tanin looked visibly taken aback at her knowledge—no small matter for a dragon. Zinnia could only hope Dannsair and Reka wouldn’t get into trouble for having shared that detail with her. She could feel their two pairs of eyes burning into her, and she transferred her gaze to them. They didn’t look angry. If anything, they seemed distressed at her revelation about the extent of Idric’s activities.

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