Page 42 of Risen
He sketched a brief, old-fashioned bow, first toward me, then to Robin, then Martina.“Ladies,” he said in greeting, then he nodded at the rest of the court that was loosely assembled behind us.“Gentleman.”
Robin’s smile was genuine as she stepped forward and clasped the other alpha’s hand in both of hers.“Alpha Ryota,” she said with a heavy dose of respect in her tone.No one had been able to tell me how old he was for certain, but for a paranorm to show the obvious signs of age that marked Ryota’s handsome features, he must be ancient.“We are so happy you were able to join us.”
He chuckled, and no one commented when he reached out and fondly patted Robin on the head like a child.No one else couldeverget away with that.But Ryota was a dragon elder, and possibly one of the oldest paranormals still living.“I’m sorry we did not know of your plight and come to your aid, youngling.But I would not pass up your invitation for anything in the world.Each of our children is a rare gift to our people.You should only ever be treated as such.”
I felt the overwhelming rush of emotions that washed over Robin through our mate bond.She had been brutally orphaned, and spent her entire life without ever meeting another dragon.Resources about her kind were rare and often biased.And all anyone ever said was that the dragons that were left in this world, all of whom dwelled overseas, were insular and standoffish, and not welcoming of outsiders.
How heartbreaking it was, then, when Robin finally got up the nerve to reach out to Ryota’s clan in Japan only to find out that those rumors were started and fed by the dragons to keephumansand organizations like thesyndicateaway from them and protect them from further witch hunts and violence.They had never been intended to keep otherdragonsaway.In fact, the dragons we had met thus far all seemed to hold family and clan connections in very high esteem, and were genuinely shocked and saddened that Robin had been left to fend for herself when any one of them would have taken her in and cared for her.
I placed my hand on her back and lightly rubbed a comforting circle there as I sent reassurance and love down our connection.All of her struggle, all of her loneliness was for no reason.She could have been surrounded by a loving dragon family all these years.But there was no use in looking back.And if things had been different, she never would have gathered the court—her new family—and the emperor and the syndicate would still be terrorizing everyone in this quadrant of the U.S.like it was all some sick game.
Robin was meant to be here.We were all meant to be here, together.Even if the road that led here was paved with hardship and sacrifice for all of us.
“Thank you,” Robin said to the dragon elder.“You have no idea how much that means to me.”She glanced over her shoulder at her court.“To all of us.”Then she met the elder’s eyes again.“But steel is forged in flames.I wouldn’t change anything if it meant giving up what I have now.”
Ryota bowed his head in acknowledgement.“You are a wise woman, and a strong alpha,” he said solemnly.I let my connection to the animals fade and my vision return to light and shadows, closing my eyes at the gentle, refreshing wave of water magic that flowed over us as Ryota gave the court his silent blessing.
We met with a few other influential people and received compliments and exchanged greetings with various members of our growing community as we waded through the crowds.We even paused briefly to speak with Richard, who had become the unofficial dhampir spokesperson in the community, now that he was free of Acacia.
At the last moment, just as we were crossing the stage toward the elevators beyond, a shrill shriek reached my ears and a solid weight barreled into me, knocking the breath from my lungs as I was squeezed so hard I wheezed.I felt Sadavir’s amusement and fondness down our bond and I knew no one was going to save me.
“Ruya!”the girl said happily—Charvi, I think, though it was hard for me to tell the twins apart sometimes.“Oh, Ruya, thank you for inviting us.Aarif didn’t come because he’s too busy moping around.He broke off his engagement, did you know?Apparently he found something out about Dimitri that had to do with Sadavir and no one will tell us anything and it sucks being so old but having everyone treat you like a kid still.Oh!And we got to go on an airplane.And we’ve been all over the city today on a tour.Daddy said we had to blend in, but I don’t think anyone else cared and there were all these vendors on the streets selling stuff for solstice and—”
Another equally excited female voice chimed in, picking up where her sister left off as I was engulfed in another fierce hug.“…and we had roasted candied almonds and cotton candy shaped like pine trees and theseamazingpastries.There were somanyhandsome boys and pretty girls.I get faint just thinking about it.And the lights!Have you seen all the lights?The whole place is like magic and I never want to go back and live under the stupid ground again with nothing but other naga for company ever again.And—”
“Girls!”Aradhya said firmly, calling Charvi and Divya to order.“Stop assaulting your poor aunt and calm yourselves for once in your lives!”The girls were shooed away and I was pulled into yet another hug, this one less crushing but no less thorough and heartfelt.“It’s good to see you, daughter,” she said to me, pulling back to hold my upper arms as she no doubt looked me over.“I hope Sadavir has been taking good care of his omega.You look a little thin, dear.Is he feeding you properly?I’ll make you dinner tomorrow night.”
I grinned, unable to keep from laughing.This was a whole new side of Sadavir’s queenly mother, which I never tired of seeing.She was so different whenever she visited us, away from the eyes of her clan and able to be nothing more than a mother fussing over her son and his new mates.
Yukio’s cold voice cut through her inquiries as the air temperature dropped a few degrees around us.“Ruya isnottoo thin,” he snapped.“She is perfect.”He took my hand, peeling me away from the fussing naga woman and dragging me toward the elevator.“Come on.I’ll make us cocoa.And theres still some of those cookies you like leftover from yesterday.”
My laughter couldn’t be contained now, at Yukio’s blatantly obvious attempt to defend his skills as resident chief.He had always taken it as his personal duty to see me well fed, ever since I first came to the court starving and malnourished, and nearly skeletal.Even though I was perfectly healthy now, he showed no signs of ever stopping.If it weren’t for my paranormal constitution and the increased metabolism caused by my magic use, I’d be so fat they’d have to roll me through the halls, rather than merely “well padded,” as I was now.
I heard Sadavir’s conversation with his mother as Yukio dragged me away.“Oh no, did I say something to offend him?”She had been trying for months now to make friends with Yukio.She didn’t seem to understand that he liked her just fine, this was just his personality.
Gurveer huffed at his wife.“Of course you offended him.You offended all of them.Implying they aren’t taking care of their mate.”I could almost see the way the naga king’s chest must be puffed out right now, his own alpha instincts offended on my court’s behalf.
“Yukio is a Gamma,” Robin said in a bored tone.“But he has these strange beta tendencies.He thinks it’s his job to keep our omega plump and happy.”
Yukio paused and I felt him do something, probably making a rude gesture at his dragon alpha.“Shut it, princess.I’m not a beta.I just refuse to eat the scorched drivel the rest of you would try to pass as food.Cooking is self-preservation around here.And I don’t want toeverhave to stomach the disgusting sight I saw when you idiots first dragged our mate home with you.Intolerable.”
I patted his shoulder and made sure to infuse my voice with aheavydose of syrupy love.“You’re so sweet, Yuki.”I teased, but I knew he was only doing what he did best—using cold words to hide the fact that he cared about my happiness and wellbeing.He cared so deeply it scared him.He was already thawing a bit, especially when we were alone, or when it was just the court.One day he would completely defrost and be comfortable letting his emotions show around other people.But it was a work in progress.
He snorted and the elevator dinged, alerting me that he had already pressed the button to summon it.He was serious about escaping.
I turned back and waved over my shoulder in the general direction of Sadavir’s family.“It’s good to see you and I’m glad you had fun touring the city.We’ll talk more tomorrow!”They were staying in the guest wing, and they’d be here another day or two.Plenty of time to catch up then.
Right now, Yukio’s cool magic was dancing over my skin in tingling, tantalizing swirls as he silently urged me to hurry up and get in the elevator so we could be alone.
“Hold the door!”Martina groused as she joined us.“I’m not getting stuck up hersocializingwhile the rest of you morons steal my girl.”
I felt Dusek materialize in a swirl of tantalizing fear and darkness.“I’ve got it.”
Martina pulled me away from Yukio and into her arms, turning to press me up against the smooth paneled inside of the elevator as she went up on tiptoes to steal a bold, hungry kiss.I looped my arms over her shoulders and moaned softly, drinking her in as the rest of the court crowded into the elevator with us.
Chapter 19 - Epilogue
Ruya
