Burn (Dragon Souls) (7 page)

Daniil squeezed her arm. “We have a problem.”

“When don’t we?”

The tip of her tongue bitten between her teeth, she boosted onto her toes and peered past the grand doors leading to the feasting.

At the angle she stood Koen was visible.

She smiled seeing the empty seat next to him. Her seat. She loved being close to him. His heat, his scent, his sheer presence affected her in way no male ever had or would.

“May we deal with this later?” she asked.

“No.” Keeping his hold firm, Daniil drew her to the side and slightly behind the pillar. The banner kept them concealed and dampened their hushed voices. “This cannot wait.”

“There’s always a problem that seems urgent....” She trailed off at the anxiety pinching his features.

As she stared her mind floundered.

Daniil was beautiful for a male. His appearance didn’t appeal to her as Koen’s ruggedness did, but had she met Daniil first she knew her heart might have been lost to him instead of the Dragon King, because despite his considerable physical attributes, he was as kind as he was attractive.

Square jawed with a proud uplift to his nose, warrior braids that gleamed dully in the torchlight framed Daniil’s handsome face. His glacial blue eyes made her wonder if the ice plains were similar in colour.

Giving him the entirety of her attention, she patted his hand on her arm. “Alright, I’m listening.”

“I received word from Yaakov, the Regent’s aide. Tomorrow morning Myron and his personal physician will be verifying the Chosen as pure.”

She puzzled out why that was a bad thing. “You’re not talking pure of heart, are you?”

“I mean
untouched
.”

Losing colour her eyes rounded. She nodded slowly in comprehension then shook her head more forcefully in outright refusal.

Tapping his fist against his thigh, Daniil nodded stiffly. “You see the problem?”

What an inane question. He must have been worried to ask a rhetoric that would be considered sarcastic if she hadn’t known it wasn’t his style.

“They can’t expect to find anything,” she said tightly. “A physical barrier of innocence with the life a Chosen leads?” Marina placed a hand low on her stomach. “We’re all so active. Running, and jumping, and riding ... straddling Dragons.”

Happy with her shoddily conceived lie, she shook off the momentary panic.

A teeny bit of deception never hurt anybody.

Peeking past the silky banner, she sidled from behind the pillar. “All sorted?”

“The physicians touch is not physical. The exam is mystical.”

Material whooshing behind her, Marina swerved back around. The dangly ornament had Pasha speared into her hair slapped across her face with a crystalline tinkle. “Come again?”

“He will lay his hands on your back and will be able to tell if a male has ever marked you with his essence.”

Marina flushed. “Well that seems invasive. I’m not sure I like the idea of a stranger touching me that way.”

“So your objections are in no way influenced by Koen having already plundered your virgin cave?”

She stared aghast at his crass remark. “You are such a
guy
. Can you
hear
yourself right now?” She smacked his chest with the back of her hand. Scoffed when he merely cracked a shit-eating grin. “How am I getting around this? What does it mean if I am declared–”

“Well-broken in?”

She gaped at him. Then she stamped on his toes. Nearly broke her damn ankle doing it too since the stacked heel skidded on the uneven ground. “Will the humiliation end?”

Lifting his leg to rub his trampled foot, Daniil couldn’t keep the smirk from his face, even with the threat of another stomp. “We must speak to Mikhail.”

“We are not talking to him about this.” Marina’s rigid forefinger jabbed damningly at the floor since there was no one else in the hallway to tag as an offender. Except herself, that is, and she wasn’t into self-flagellation when it could be avoided by blaming everyone and everything else. “Not only is it embarrassing as hell it’s just
weird
.”

“The Dragon Council must be aware of your predicament.” This was said absently, Daniil’s expression thoughtful. “I wonder why a representative was not dispatched to warn us.” His tone turned musing. “Or perhaps they never foresaw this complication.”

Her fingers curled under into fists that clenched even tighter. “No one thought to tell me there’d be a test? I could have foreseen this problem myself.”

“With everything else it slipped my mind.”

“The last time we grazed this particular topic Mikhail challenged Koen.”

“As was his right.”

Marina scowled. “Well. I’ll have to come clean and tell the Regent Koen and I were intimate before I entered Aver.”

Daniil made a strangled noise. His head swung side-to-side making his warrior braids fly. “Marina, Chosen must be pure.”

“Are you telling me First Chosen ascend their thrones intact?
Virgin Queens
?”

“Most definitely.”

“Most definitely,” she parroted sarcastically. Her lips twisted in a snarl. “I can’t believe this crucial piece of information escaped everyone’s attention. New rule. Tell Marina
everything
and let her decide what’s relevant, worth remembering, brooding, or panicking over.” She darted a covert look around the banner realising people must wonder where they were. “I am in no way pure. Koen dealt with that problem. Twice.” She inhaled then exhaled, using her hands to expel negative chi through her torso. “What will happen?”

“Myron is a stickler for tradition, however, I doubt he will disqualify you for slaking Koen’s ... lusts. If we spin it to seem as if he, ah, planned a seduction when you were vulnerable....”

“Won’t Koen be in trouble?”

“Nikolai has deflowered more virgin Chosen than there are drops of water in rain. He is still alive. What do you think will happen to Koen?” Daniil shrugged it off. “The Dragon King is too powerful to challenge.”

“There are a few Dragon Lords who could hurt him in a fair challenge. Mikhail is a Phoenix.”

“So is your mate.”

Marina pressed the heel of both palms to her forehead.

She was uncomfortable with casting a sinister light on a defining moment in her life – very uncomfortable.

Finding no other solution, she cringed. “I don’t have much choice, do I?”

“The Houses will not stand for a wanton Chosen. They will grudgingly accept a ravished one. Even then I expect repercussions.” After a pause, Daniil nodded, confident. “It will be possible to mitigate. I shall prepare.”

“What business is it of theirs anyway?” Switching to rubbing her temples, she felt a migraine coming on. “How will they even know?” At his wince her stomach clenched. “Wait. The results of these tests aren’t
announced
, are they?”

“If I say yes will you hit me?”

“Ugh.” Gnashing her teeth, she spun a circle. “We need to go over this again.”

“Do not worry, I shall take care of the details. Relax and–”

“Not good enough. I can’t keep relying on you to do these things for me. You’re my friend, not my lackey. I just need time to process. You’ll meet me at my apartments later?”

Easing from behind the pillar, Daniil caught and rubbed her shoulders. It was mostly to hold her still in case a servant walked past and saw her spinning like a madwoman. Rumours run amuck during such a large gathering of Houses. No one needed to hear of her being so openly upset.

“Of course. Forget it for now. Try to enjoy your meal. Smile so the Courts do not suspect you are troubled.” As her scowl deepened, he rubbed with more vigour. “Come on. Smile. You have waited for an opportunity to see Koen all day. Take comfort from him.”

E
ntering the feast, Daniil whispered encouragement at Marina’s back. They separated, heading to opposite ends of the food-laden table snaking through the vast hall, seating hundreds dignitaries, Dragon Lords and their mates.

Marina dropped into her seat and bobbed polite nods at the nobles in her direct line of sight. She fiddled with her water goblet and silverware trying not to look ‘troubled’ as Daniil put it.

She only had three more deadly quests in Aver to complete. Assassins hunted her. Unexplainable, a lusty, growly voice spoke inside her mind at inconvenient moments. She had no clue how to protect her inquisitive best friend at Court, the hostile environment resembling bloody, shark-infested waters. Her son was adjusting, but kept doing weird things that drew unwanted attention like making sharp objects disappear from sight on his person. Starting tornadoes that tore through his rooms leaving behind devastation. Slicing off the thumb of a boy from an opposing House, calling it an accident, and then acting confused when everybody was upset. His rebutting argument when accused of going to far a simple “He will learn to write with the other hand.” On top of this, her meddlesome Sire tried to make up for over two decades of missed parenting and wouldn’t take no for an answer. If one more jewel encrusted necklace appeared on her dresser she was going to hit the roof. She obsessed over a surly Dragon King whose tempter was about as predictable as dynamite. He made her so hot thinking about him derailed her concentration at the most inopportune of times making her seem thick as a brick. Oh, and she was about to be declared to all and sundry as ‘impure’.

Why, there was nothing at all for her to be ‘troubled’ over.

Koen leaned closer. “You look white as a ghost.”

“That’s because I’m no longer a virgin,” she hissed back.

He grinned slyly. The happy emotion invoked by the memory of their frantic coupling died at her tight expression. He did not understanding why this made her upset.

Regent Myron was seated opposite. He smiled indulgently at the couple. “Marina, my physician and I will call upon you at midday tomorrow. That is agreeable?”

Her return smile trembled. “Uhhuh.” Hand shaking, she picked up her goblet and took a gulp of cool water.

Koen studied her, not sure what was going on. She didn’t look sick, just upset. “Are you unwell?”

Paling, she shook her head.

His eyes narrowed. “Then why do you need a physician?”

Lord Tyr sniggered. “Surely you jest, my King. The chastity,” he leered, “of the First Chosen is being assured.” He eyed Marina with evil glee. “You look peaked, Lady Zar.”

“
Princess
,” Myron corrected. His gaze sharpened on Marina then flickered in realisation. His expression turned wrathful. “Withhold your insinuations, Artur. This is a celebration.”

Jaw clenching, Koen’s sun bronzed complexion leeched of colour until he looked as sickly as Marina felt.

She raised her glass in sympathy. She took another greedy mouthful, wondering where the wine bearers where at. “At least I’m not the only one surprised,” she muttered. Turning to the Dragon Lord seated beside her, she held out her hand. “I’m Marina. You are?”

No older than fifteen the male stared adoringly. He took her hand in his then squeaked.

He turned crimson.

Marina’s lips twitched. “I’m sure that’s not your name.”

“Ryu.” The boy seemed relieved to have spoken normally. His words were hindered by a sigmatism, and made worse by a nervous stammer. “Viktor of House Ryu.”

Koen’s voice was low and hoarse in her other ear. “Marina, I did not realise this would be a problem. When we are on Earth I had no expectations of you following me here. Forgive me.”

Smiling at Viktor, flashing a palm to request he wait a moment, she twisted in her seat to glare at Koen. “Forgive you?”

“I never intended to cause you shame.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” She was annoyed at this arrogant ‘male’ reaction. “It takes two. Don’t worry, Koen. Daniil has a plan.” She softened, realising why he’d felt compelled to apologise. “Sorry for snipping at you. I was stunned and took it out on you.”

“I should have remembered.” He rubbed the nape of his neck. “I avoid Aver. I am usually scouting for hiding places at this stage of the tournament.” His jaw clenched. “You should not have to go through this.”

Fighting the urge to dip her fingers in a pitcher wine and scrawl the letter I for ‘impure’ on her forehead, Marina settled. She gave Koen a genuine smile. Dramatics wouldn’t help the situation, and her reaction was making him volatile. “It’ll be fine. Daniil’s all over it.”

“Regardless, I shall come to the examination and explain. Myron
will
listen.”

“Throwing your weight around isn’t going to help.” She hesitated. Decided he better know all of it sine he’d be asked to verify or deny her claim. “We’re going to say you ravished me. I doubt you’re going to want to be in the same Kingdom let alone the same room when Mikhail and the Regent witness my hysterical sobbing.”

“That,” he began slowly, fighting laughter, “is a dreadful plan.”

She grinned relieved he wasn’t offended. “I suggested telling the truth but Daniil thinks the Courts will look more favourably upon a set upon woman than a wanton one.”

The noise at the table had kept their quiet yet intense conversation under wraps. However their shared laughter and warm smiles drew attention.

Eyes began to turn their way.

Marina steered the conversation to safer waters then left Koen to ponder their latest obstacle.

As she spooned a mound of delicious smelling fish onto her plate, she remembered the Dragon Lord patiently waiting. She offered him the serving ladle. “Smells good, doesn’t it?”

Viktor took the spoon. He flushed deeper as their fingers grazed. “It is my favourite.”

“Tell me,” she airily waved her fork, “how come you’re sitting up at this end with the old folks instead of down there with the young cool people?”

“My Sire.” He sighed. To Marina that forlorn sound said it all. “He wishes me to make connections. Be seen. I am his heir. It has been a long time since our family was connected to the upper Houses.” He shot her an indecipherable look. “Not since the days of Emperor Mikhail and his Treasure Almeria.

Marina nodded politely. It sounded as if there was something else she was supposed to take from his words, but she refrained from asking. It was a pleasant conversation and she wanted it to remain so. “You’re from the Ice Realm. Are you liking the Fire Kingdom?”