Page 109 of Ash

“It is good that you remember who and what I am.”

The anger in the Emperor’s voice twisted Tyrez’s guts into a knot. In his prime, Thadus had been known for his ability to remain calm in a crisis. His determination and intelligence had dovetailed perfectly with the Matriarch’s compassion to lead his people forward.

But the Emperor was no longer the Dragon he once was. His father’s health had been in decline for some time. The voice now had a querulous note to it. At the moment, it trembled with emotion.

Betrayal.

Tyrez had no doubt that the Emperor considered what he’d done to be exactly that. The ruler held his sons to a very high standard, and Tyrez had always accepted it and strove to rise to his father’s expectations.

Injecting the Dragon virus into another living being had, in the not-so-distant past, been punishable by death.

“Do you deny what you’ve done?” The Emperor’s indigo eyes bored into his son.

“No, your excellence. I accepted that my decision may result in my death.”

A hiss of indrawn breath from his mother. “Are you soulbonded to this woman?” she asked. Her eyes pleaded with him. She wanted so badly to understand.

“I do not yet know. I believe it may be the case.”

“But you have claimed that of another, as well.” His father was not so ready to accept excuses.

“That is true. It is too early to tell for sure.”

“No one has ever heard of a three-way soulbond. Never mind one with a nonDragon.” Taran spat the words.

“You willingly broke our rules without even knowing?” The Emperor had drawn himself up, straight and stiff, his eyes flashing.

“If I didn’t save her, I would never know,” Tyrez pointed out.

It wasn’t enough, and Tyrez had known it wouldn’t be. “Your actions have put this ruling body, and therefore our very empire, in jeopardy,” his father thundered with a hint of his youthful steel. “We have argued long enough on this issue. There are two things to consider—the fate of this woman, and your own.”

“I respectfully remind you that the woman may never transition to a Dragon,” Tyrez stated. “It is too early to know whether my actions did anything more than save her life.”

“Be that as it may, you have knowingly broken one of our most critical rules.” The Emperor gazed around the room. “The Matriarch has reminded us that the death edict is archaic and not the true measure of an advanced culture. It is therefore the verdict of this assembly that you be exiled, permanently, from the empire.”

Even expecting it, it still robbed Tyrez of breath. He may live, but his life as he’d known it was over. He struggled to focus on the goal. “And the woman?”

“Our rules on those infected are severe and essential to protect the purity of Dragon blood.” The Emperor paused. “We are, however, living in troubled times.” He nodded to Taran.

The heir to the throne took a step forward. “The Matriarch has spoken for the life of this woman, and I have negotiated for as much, in exchange for her assistance.”

Tyrez eyed his brother with a sharp stab of concern. Taran had inherited their father’s intelligence and determination, but very little of their mother’s compassion. It was a relief they weren’t talking immediate execution. But he didn’t have a good feeling about this.

“We are aware that Rindek wants this woman for his army. He also has the services of the Oracle, who has enabled the Archmage to remain one step ahead of us.” Taran’s gaze sharpened as he stared down at his brother from the raised platform. “We are willing to let this woman live—so long as she helps us to lure Rindek out of hiding.”

Tyrez’s heart froze. His brother wished to use Dani asbait.

As a strategy, it made sense. But nothing involving Rindek was simple. And it was always dangerous as hell.

“Do you know what killed the Dragons at the fortress?” Tyrez asked.

“Our healers have examined them, but not yet reached any conclusions. But that is no longer your concern. If the woman wishes to live, that is the condition. She helps us, or she dies. It is that simple.”

Tyrez glanced at his mother. Her eyes pleaded with him to accept the deal. It told him just how close Dani had come to dying.

“Very well. But I caution you, brother. Pay close attention to what happened at that fortress.”

Taran’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but he didn’t respond to Tyrez’s comment. “I will send Razir for her when the plans are complete. Make sure she understands the gravity of the situation. Her compliance is essential to the deal.”

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