Page 6 of Consort's Dragon
His spies had done their homework.“I tinker a bit,” was her modest reply.“Although, not much since the passing of my family.”
“I was chagrinned to hear of your mother’s death.She was quite formidable.She impressed me when we met.We bandied around the idea of aligning our families.”
“But obviously didn’t.Why?”
“I was married at the time.”Stated with a wry smile.
“Your wives have an unfortunate habit of dying.”She saw no point in being coy.
“They did, however, not by my hand or decree.My last vizier saw fit to act without my knowledge.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“He and the lords were concerned about my lack of heirs and, given their desire for a legitimate successor, kept disposing of wives they deemed faulty.”
“So I can expect the same treatment, I suppose.”
“Phelgar has since been removed from his position.With my renewed vitality, having a child is no longer a priority.”
“Planning to rule forever?”she spoke half jestingly.
“Yes,” he replied quite seriously.
“If you have no need of an heir, why marry at all?”
“Power.Daerva is the second most impressive country after Merisu.”
Debatable.But, then again, she thought Daerva a most wonderful place.“So you would use me?”
“In a sense.But in return, you would use me, as well, to regain your birthright.It could be mutually beneficial.”
“You’ll excuse my skepticism considering the circumstances that brought me here.Kidnapped.Forced into Verlora to retrieve the Dracova stones, then kidnapped again and mistreated.And now you expect me to kindly and obediently agree to your demand.”
“The sequence of events was unfortunate.However, as predicted, you did succeed.”
“Predicted by who?”
“My new viziers, whom you’ll meet shortly.”
“They see the future?”
“Of sorts.They perceive enough to be able to guide to better outcomes.”
Since he appeared willing to speak, she decided to ask, “Why do you want the stones?”
“That is complicated.”
She wondered what he knew of them because what she’d discovered still seemed farfetched.If what Basil—her late father and a scoundrel—revealed was true, then those stones were, in fact, eggs.
Dragon eggs.
And having seen what one unleashed dragon could do, she really hoped Titus didn’t plan to try and hatch another.Not to mention, the stones were needed to keep Zhos in its prison.Until their theft, they’d acted as a shield of sorts that kept Zhos from being able to act.She still didn’t understand how they worked, only that they must have had some kind of magic that nullified Zhos’ efforts.
“They’re dangerous,” she stated.
“Only to the unknowing.”Titus offered a secretive smile.“They will be key in my plans for the future.”
“There won’t be a future if they’re not returned to Fraegus Spire to prevent Zhos’ escape,” she retorted sharply.
