Page 33 of Regal Rising

“I would rather not.”

He looked at her. “Now.”

Elaheh stalked back to him. “Yes, your blueness?”

He smiled softly. “You are injured.”

“Yup.”

“It hurts you to move.”

“You are not shedding any wisdom I am not privy to.”

“How were you injured?”

Elaheh turned her head and said, “Cover her ears.”

Ira covered her own ears, Regis covered them as well, and Sirrush put his hands over that, covering her head and making her giggle while Elaheh explained her arrival at the new palace.

Vaayu scowled. “This is common?”

“It is not unheard of but not common. Our physiology makes the light elves crazy. Like cat grass.”

“But the dark mages...”

“They set the power links to provide energy to the Stronghold. Uh, the old palace.”

“I see. You are very close to djinn.”

“I know. I have spoken to one of the two who were here. Not Vega.”

He nodded. “I know them. They raised Kaido. The emperor at the time gave them leave to leave court. I am guessing they came here.”

Kaido had managed to inch a few feet away, her wings dismissed. She was about thirty feet away when Vaayu said, “Excuse me.”

He went after her with long strides, and she bolted but couldn’t outrun him. He grabbed her around the waist and carried her back to the grouping.

Avor was chuckling. “I am sorry, daughter, that I never taught you not to run.”

Ira squirmed and yelled. “Put her down. She’s scared.”

Kay had to admit, she was terrified. She had left him after her heat, and the next day, she was scheduled to be married off to one of the local nobles. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen when she returned to the imperial house.

Vaayu murmured, “Are you really frightened?”

She looked up at him and nodded. “What’s going to happen to me?”

“I am taking you home. Your throne is ready, and you will settle as my empress. Weren’t you listening earlier?”

“There was a roaring in my ears.”

His arm tightened on her midsection. “The next time you are carrying, it will be at my side so that I can help you.”

“The dragon helped.” She sighed.

He swung her up and held her so she was facing him. “I do not care. Do you know how dangerous you are?”

She nodded. “I know.”

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