Page 91 of Beautiful Beast

Zovai sighed. “I suppose we should not keep them waiting.”

“No,” Endre said. “I suppose not.”

They led me down the shining stone path and around the corner?—

Flying did not do it justice.

The tree rose in front of us, as tall as a mountain. The trees and branches shimmered in the dying light, and countless dragons flew and roosted in the branches. And at the base of the tree, the biggest dragons I’d ever seen. Rusted red, gold, two different shades of green. A dusky blue and a strange mixture of orange and violet. They loomed over the open, circular space where dragons mingled in their human forms and dragon forms alike.

Pale gold dragonfire burned around the space. Torches and candles and even flames on the palms of their human forms. Gentle music tinkled through the air. For all the world, it could have been my father’s court, if you excused the giant dragons.

Those large eyes landed on the five of us.

Immediately, the Heirs stepped in front of me, leading so they were between me and everyone else. Idroal trailed behind. After the dragon on the beach, I didn’t doubt that there were those here who would kill me on sight, and even the dagger strapped to my thigh wouldn’t help.

I nearly bowed double at the sudden voice in my head. Vast and cruel and ancient. It felt like winter wind tearing through my mind, and so much larger than the mental speech I’d heard until now.

It seems the Heirs have finally returned to us.

At the moment I couldn’t pinpoint who spoke. All six of the Elders watched us with a predatory gaze.

You demanded it, and so we came, Sirrus said.

The music had disappeared at the first voice, and the crowd of dragons retreated to the edges of the large, marbled floor, leaving us alone.

Idroal too, a different voice said. I do not remember summoning you.

And I do not remember the last time I had been forbidden to visit the capital, Idroal responded, their voice sounding nearly bored. In fact, it seems like the six of you beg me to come back to Doro Eche once per lunar cycle. Have you now changed your mind merely because I traveled with the Heirs?

No one responded to that.

Where is Pelbas?

A movement at the edge of the circle caught my eye. Relkym, in his human form. He held a goblet in his hand and watched with a gleeful smile that made my blood ran cold.

Why ask questions you already know the answer to? Your second spy is here. Zovai moved his neck back and forth like he was having a hard time keeping still.

We are being unfathomably rude, a feminine voice filled my head. At the very least, we should introduce ourselves to our human… guest.

Gasps and cries of anger rose in every direction. Most of these dragons didn’t know I’d be here.

Nonsense. What does it matter if a human knows our names?

I felt more than saw Idroal drift closer to me. “Beimani. Second from the left,” they murmured. Dark green scales nearing the colors of the trees.

She has a name, Endre’s growl rumbled through the air.

Smug victory colored the next tone. Then she should introduce herself to us, so we might see who has pulled you astray.

“Cieso. On the right. Endre’s sire.” The massive dragon was the color of rust. His father.

Zovai moved, and I sensed he would say something. Instead, I stepped forward and touched his arm. “It’s all right,” I whispered.

Terror sang in my chest as I stepped past the three of them and out into the open. I pulled every ounce of courage into my body and put on the mask I kept for court. “My name is Katalena Isabel Arslan Savea, Crown Princess of Gleira. Or I was, not so long ago. I do not hold myself to that title any longer.”

Ahh. I see. We are in the presence of royalty.

I hadn’t realized Idroal came with me, but they had. “Varreo. Center left.” A blue dragon the color of a nearly faded dusk sky.

---