Page 115 of Beautiful Beast

The Elders reared their heads, and I threw myself into my mates’ arms as all six Elders opened their mouths and burned the dragons to ash.

Heat washed over us, so hot I wondered if my clothes would once again burn. Even a dragon could not withstand the flames of the six most powerful dragons in Viria.

Zovai wrapped himself around me, the others shielding me as best they could. The roar of fire blocked out anything else. And still, though there was nothing but silence and flame, the air was filled with satisfaction.

The Elders’ satisfaction.

They punished those responsible for their perceived mistake, so in the eyes of all the dragons they could claim innocence. A subtle burst of power flowed through the air, sliding over my skin like phantom fingers.

Silence reigned.

No more music and no more flames. Only retreating footsteps and the flap of wings as dragons flew away.

Zovai stroked his hand up and down my back slowly. What I felt from them was tense and alert. They hadn’t expected this, which wasn’t a good thing.

I felt the other’s warmth behind me as they stood close, instincts telling them to make sure I was behind them.

That’s one way to end a celebration, Sirrus said.

Beimani snorted. They did not have to leave. It was their choice.

For some reason, I didn’t believe him.

I didn’t dare move to look around and see if all the other dragons had left or even if there was anything left of Soza and Siolli. Instead I kept my eyes closed, face pressed to Zovai’s chest, inhaling the soft scent of his shirt and the underlying earth and fire that was all him.

You never do anything without a point, Endre growled. We understand. You needed to vindicate yourselves, so you held the celebration to spread the word. If that’s all, we’ll be taking our mate home now.

No. Aeghi said. Not yet.

My hair stood on end. What did they have planned now?

You are young enough to not remember the mating customs, Eloith said. For true mates at least. It is tradition that the Elders bless the union, which I see you have finalized.

Zovai’s grip tightened on my waist. None of us imagined you would be willing to bless our mating.

Slowly, I turned in his arms and saw nothing but charred black on the marble. And the combined weight of the Elders’ stares was on the four of us. No one was here. The circlet was entirely empty. Now that the sun had set and there was nothing but the dragonfire lights and the shadows of the trees, it was eerie.

You have given us little choice in the matter. That was Cieso.

Endre growled. You have given the three of us no choices for centuries, I would think you’d be used to the treatment.

I hoped he felt the pride bursting from my chest at his response. They’d done so much to him. There was nothing left to say.

And I had hoped that after these centuries you would have the sense to turn from your traitorous ways. But you have not.

Not wanting to end human kind without remorse is not traitorous, Zovai snapped. Your age has made you callous and blind. Idroal spoke correctly. You insist on damning an entire species on the actions of a few instead of wondering if they are capable of change.

Varreo’s long neck snaked down in front of us, coming to look at all of us in the eye. The Elders truly were enormous, and staring into his giant golden eye reminded me of the fear I had when Zovai had looked at me exactly like this in Rensara. But there was no chance of Varreo not wanting to kill me.

You are very quiet, human.

“I did not know you wished me to speak.”

He tilted his head, and Varí curled tighter on my shoulder. Your mates accuse us of untold cruelty. Have you no thoughts?

Endre took my hand. A silent sign of support and encouragement. “I am new to this world,” I said. “I am still learning the true history, because so much has been lost to time for humans. It would be unwise for me to draw conclusions without understanding the whole picture.”

Hmm. He raised his head and stared down at us.

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