Page 11 of Winter Goddess
"They're not very polite," Frost whispers from behind me, but his brother shushes him immediately.
There are people everywhere in here, guards standing in front of doors, courtiers milling around corners, watching us curiously. I love that only about half of the women wear dresses, the others loose trousers and tunics that look to be made of a shimmery linen fabric. A lot of the guards are women too, but I'm used to that from my mother's Palace. Gender doesn't matter in a place where female Guardians can be created to be just as strong as the men.
Finally, we reach a set of doors that are more elaborate than all the others we've seen so far. A dragon head is carved into them, its eyes sharp and menacing. They seem to look at me, lookintome, even though I know that it's only metal, not real.
The doors open without anyone physically pushing them inwards, and we follow the women into the throne room. It's empty, thank the Gods. I've got enough of people watching me like I'm a new museum specimen. Or maybe a new toy a dragon can nibble on.
There are two thrones on the dais, one large one that is made of... are those scales? It looks like the throne is covered in big shiny dragon scales in a variety of colours. It seems a little morbid to sit on the scales of other dragons, but who am I to judge. The other throne is smaller and a simple gold. Look at me, calling gold 'simple'. I've come a long way since I lived as a human.
The woman in the blue dress takes a seat in the scale throne while Agierth sits down on the smaller one. Wow, does that mean the woman who greeted us at the Gate is actually Royalty? They never said so. I wonder why.
"I am Dewi, the Dragon Goddess and ruler of this Realm, and I welcome you to my halls, Princess Wynter."
She suddenly speaks with a formality that was lacking when the talked to us earlier.
"Wait, you're a Goddess?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.
Dewi smiles. "Of course I am.”
Why can’t I sense that? I know what the aura of Gods looks like, but she is so very different from them.
To me, she looks like she’s neither God, human, Guardian nor dragon shifter, but something entirely different. Strange, but it seems like for now, I’ll have to take her at her word.
“I am Wynter, Heiress to the Winter Throne, and these are Storm, Frost, Arc and Crispin, my Guardians. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I’m not sure if it is indeed a pleasure, but I’m trying to be diplomatic. For now. Somehow, this Goddess is rubbing me the wrong way.
Dewi points to Agierth. “You’ve already met my favourite consort. We have not seen each other for a long time, so I’d like to keep this short. We have business to do.”
Judging from the heated looks the Goddess is giving the other woman, I can imagine what that ‘business’ will look like. And did she say ‘favourite’ consort? Does that mean there are more? Well, I guess I have four men, so she can have as many women as she likes. I’m not one to judge.
I nod. “You called us here. What would you like to discuss?”
“I don’t want to discuss anything,” Dewi says haughtily. “If I am to support you in this war against the darkness, then I need to know that you’re a true leader. I have a test for you.”
The doors open behind us and I turn around. A very familiar woman is brought in, surrounded by guards. Ada.
I stifle a shout and smoothen my expression before looking back at the dais. Dewi is watching me, probably searching for weaknesses. I smile at her.
“I was hoping I’d get to see Ada while I’m here,” I tell her lightly.
A shadow falls over her aura, the equivalent of a frown. “You’re not here to see her. You’re here to judge her for her crimes.”
I look back at Ada. I can’t see her face, but her clothes are tattered and she’s limping slightly. Is she a prisoner here? That changes the entire situation. She’s a citizen of my Realm, which means that she’s my responsibility. Luckily, Dewi seems to think the same thing, although I’m not sure that’s good.
The guards stop in front of the thrones, Ada looking thin and small between them. Where are her Guardians? And where is that bloody dragon shifter who got her into this mess?
She turns her head and looks at me. I wish I could see her face. Her aura is faint in places, not looking healthy at all. She’s been through a lot, that much is clear.
“Ada of the Winter Realm, you stand accused of treason, murder and conspiring against the rulers of the Dragon Realm. In the absence of Queen Beira, her daughter is here to judge you. Should you be found guilty, the sentence will be executed here.” A flaming sword suddenly appears in the hand of one of the guards. It’s a clear sign that the sentence could be death. Dewi looks straight at me. “I hope you’ll make the right decision.”
I step forward until I’m closer to Ada. I send out some magic to check her for injuries. She’s malnourished and her right ankle is sprained, but there’s no serious damage. I heal her ankle with a single thought and smile when Ada gasps in surprise.
“Pain might influence her statements,” I mutter, smiling to myself when Ada’s aura becomes a little more solid. Good.
I lift my voice so Dewi can hear me. “Do you want to explain the charges or shall I let the accused tell me?”
“Treason because she ran from the Winter Realm without permission,” Dewi explains in a bored tone, “and because she freed one of your prisoners. I assume you’re aware of that.”
