Page 35 of Winter Goddess
"Cacti?" I ask, but she shrugs.
"No idea. We don't have them here, and I've not been bestowed with that knowledge when I was created."
I summon a little fog and form it into the shape of a cactus in front of me.
"Oh yes, that's it!" Ada squeals in delight. "So that's a cacti?"
"Cactus," I correct. "Cacti is plural. But we better get going, I don't want to miss all my coronation preparations."
I'm sure they can hear the sarcasm in my voice. If I could, I'd hide in the Dragon Realm until just before they put a crown on my head. And then go there again to skip the afterparty.
I stretch out an arm and both women put their hands on it.
"Off we go," I warn them and teleport straight into the Dragon Palace.
A roar comes from behind of us and I just about manage to put a barrier into place before a stream of ice crashes into it. What a welcome. Maybe I shouldn't have transported us into the throne room, but I'm short on time.
"Stop, that's the Winter Queen," a shout comes from somewhere in front of us, but with the ice surrounding my barrier, I can't see anything.
The dragon stops trying to turn us into living icicles and I defrost my barrier with a bit of hot air. I check whether the dragon really is halting his attack before slowly lowering it.
"Welcome back," Agierth greets us cheerily. She claps her hands and the room empties as everyone leaves, including the bright green dragon who surprised us.
"Maybe knock the next time you come for a visit," the dragon shifter suggests with a chuckle. "Us dragons don't like being surprised."
Ada steps forward and gives the woman a short bow. "It's good to see you again, Agierth."
"Likewise. I'm glad I no longer have to treat you as a prisoner. So, why have you come?"
“Tamara and Ada will have to talk to you about something important,” I tell her. “By the way, may I introduce you to Tamara, my Mistress of the Household.”
“A pleasure,” Agierth says. If she’s surprised that I brought the woman supposedly organising my Palace household, she doesn’t show it, not even in her aura.
“I will have to speak to Dewi. Can you point me to her?”
“Not necessary, she’s already on her way.” Agierth points at her temples. “We’re bonded. Does it work the same for non-dragons?”
“It does for me,” Ada replies before I have the chance to. “I can talk to my men in my mind when I need to.”
I wish I could do the same. Before I became a Goddess, I’d been able to occasionally see their thoughts, but that skill has vanished completely. I can see their auras and I can feel their presence from afar, but I can’t do mental communication with them.
“What are you doing here?” Dewi’s booming voice makes us all turn around. She’s sitting on her throne, even though I’m sure it was empty a second ago.
“I need to talk to you. In private.” I’m not sure how pleasant to be to her, not after she imprisoned Ada and her husbands, so I keep my tone neutral.
She looks at me curiously and once again I’m surprised that I can see her face. At least now I know why she’s different from other Gods. She wasn’t born a Goddess, she turned into one, just like me. Maybe we should be friends or at least swap notes. Well, I’ve got something like that planned.
“Let’s go to my private quarters,” she says and walks away without waiting for me to follow. Tamara gives me an encouraging nod, not that I needed it. I’m already hurrying after Dewi.
She leads us through a small door behind the throne and into a cosy sitting room. Thick tapestries cover the wall, all of them depicting dragons. Some of them look ancient and frayed. I wonder how long dragons have been around. Were they created by Gods? Did they spring into existence in another way?
It’s a pity I don’t have more time. I’d love to spend a few quiet hours in this palace’s library and find out more.
Dewi points to one of the sofas for me to take a seat. It’s soft and I sink deep into it. Not quite the best way to look royal.
“So, tell me, why are you here?” She’s sat down on a chair that looks a little like a throne. It’s higher than the sofa, which means that she’s looking down at me. Clever. It immediately makes me feel inferior, but I know that isn’t true. I’m the future Winter Queen, the daughter of the Mother of Gods.
“There have been some new developments that might change our fortunes in the fight against the Morrigan,” I begin, and her gaze turns more focused. She’s listening. Good.
