Page 26 of The Silent Mountain
Cassie frowns. “I will read up on that issue,” she promises. “And see what the books suggest. Maybe I can brew something.” She pauses. “Talking about brewing and books…”
“Yes,” Favian answers before she can even ask. “Feel free to put together a list of what you need. I will order everything. We will put together your laboratory in a small hut, not in close proximity to other houses, so you can’t accidentally hurt anyone.”
Anyone else might have found that insulting to hear, but Cassie just squeals. “This is perfect! I’m starting to like it here! So, when you say anything…”
“I mean anything,” he says. “I trust you not to ask for the impossible, mind you. Use common sense.” He pauses. “We have a very well-stocked library here. Look through it, and if you need additional books, add them to the list.”
Cassie nods and beams at him before hurrying off to start with her many new tasks. I thought it would be slightly too much for her, but it seems like having something to do and being needed is rather motivating for her.
“Do we have the funds for this?” I ask Favian carefully. “If not, I could-“
“We have,” he says with a smile. “My parents left me a fortune. I have never shown you the treasury, have I?”
I shake my head.
“I will do that later today, but it’s filled to the brim. Previously, our wealth was just used for the ranked members and royals, but I would like to use it to rebuild the kingdom. I think it’s beneficial to invest some money so that we can grow. Eventually, I want to reopen the mines. Our gemstone resources have always been our main export.”
He is right; we’ll be able to make a lot of money for the clan that way. There is also hope that the dragon shifters will recover, spread out to more clans, and inhabit the entirety of the Silent Mountain once again.
I like having a goal in front of me; it motivates me. It’s been a while since I felt this type of motivation. Since I lost Ita, I have been in a huge slump, and sometimes, when I think about her or when my memories catch up with me, I still am.
I left my family and friends behind to come here, everything I’ve known, but it does feel like a fresh start. Maybe I needed exactly that.
nine
A Day Full of Work
*ALANA*
Fortheremainderofthe day, I help Barbara and Stefan with their tasks. While the first is happy to let me in, the latter is a bit reluctant. He is older than I am, and I think it’s just his pride that gets in the way of accepting help from me.
Well, at least that’s what I hope it is.
I hope it’s not because he disapproves of me.
“I’m set, Princess Alana,” he tells me politely.
“Still,” I say. “Having to organize the warriors to guard the shore has to be a lot of work. If you need me, I can lend you a hand.”
“Please don’t worry,” he says. “The king assigned me this task because he knows it’s difficult.”
Dragons and their pride. Of course, it’s important to receive such a task from their king, but they make it sound like the smallest ounce of help would diminish their work. I know they view Favian as their savior, and all their hope rests on him, which brings a whole lot of other problems, but they are so stubborn.
“Do the guards have something to eat?” I ask.
“Food?” Stefan looks surprised. He is a handsome man with dark hair and brown eyes. Like most dragons, he lost a lot during the last couple of years. None of them trust easily. Still, they are all very polite to me, and some are actually friendly. They know I am their king’s mate and probably don’t want to cross me. But I want to be more to them than just his mate.
“Yes, although they can arrive at the shore by flying, it’s still quite the distance between the shore and the clan,” I say.
Stefan furrows his brows. “Having food with them, at least a ration for two to three days, might be beneficial.”
I don’t say anything, not wanting to upset him by being too proud of my idea. “Allow me to go to the kitchen,” I offer instead. “The staff are already preparing dinner.”
“They are understaffed enough,” he says.
“I can help them.”
For a moment, we stare at each other. “Is this about me being a werewolf?” I finally ask, never one to beat around the bush.
