Page 42 of Regal Rising

He smiled kindly at Win and spoke softly. Win’s other mates were nearby, and they watched as Vaayu took her hands, and his eyes glowed bright. Win glowed in turn, and they both stood silently as power flowed between them.

Win’s face broke into a smile, and she took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

Her mates stepped forward, and Wellyn said, “Are you all right?”

She beamed and looked at Alexi. “I am going to offer you a better option.”

Vaayu released Win’s hands, and she nodded thanks to him as he stepped back.

Win and Alexi stepped away and had a conversation.

Niko asked, “What is she offering him?”

Vaayu smiled. “She can change him into a lesser djinn. Pewter skin, hair gold and silver. They are very pretty and have more power than the average being born to this world.”

Niko paused and closed his eyes. Alita smiled.

Avor said, “He is discussing it with the dragon.”

Alita nodded. “The dragon is in favour, but Niko has to break out of the fantasy images.”

Vaayu nodded. “Avor, I need to discuss something with you. Regis, you as well.”

Avor and Regis walked with Vaayu, and when they were a solid distance away from the others, he put a barrier up around them. Vaayu looked to Avor. “She was a timebomb.”

Regis blinked. “What?”

“She was programmed to make a dragon. The Stronghold put it in her. If they ceased to provide a signal, she would make a dragon who could make females.”

Regis looked around the area. “There are enough males here to make that a disaster.”

“And they would overtake the population and leave the elves as the magical species in control.”

Regis raised her brows. “Really?”

Vaayu said, “There are no djinn born to this world, aside from my descendants. We can control dragons if we must, but it is a bloody mess.”

Regis winced. “So, you mean destroy.”

“Yes. When their population surges, there is only the dragon form and the consumption of all living beings around it. Locusts.”

Regis swallowed. “The size of military planes. Oh god.”

Avor wrapped an arm around her. “Without enough elves to pin the dragon energy to, they would consume this planet.”

Vaayu said, “You need to be aware of the behaviour of those who the Stronghold confined for any extended period of time.”

Regis nodded, thinking. Her eyes went wide. “Elaheh.”

She looked around and saw the woman hanging back to the side and out of the crowd. “Can you tell by looking?”

“Now that I know what I am looking for. Yes.” She pointed toward the newest elf to cross her threshold.

Vaayu’s eyes widened. “This is going to be an exhausting night.”

He walked toward Elaheh, and Regis went with him. Kay saw where they were going and joined them.

Elaheh looked resigned as they surrounded her. “So, what did they put under my skin?”

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