Page 17 of Dragon Blood

Sons of Aeleftherian dragonesses.

Dragonkind, divided for far too long, and under the rule of someone like Jori, the males could be guided to understand the power of true partnership and forgo their instinct to dominate—which had led to the divide in the first place.

Following her mother, Astred took a seat at the end of the front row, close to the dais.

Regina sat, back straight, hands resting over the crystal box on her lap.

Astred could only imagine the weight of the Council’s iron resistance to Regina not only supporting Kymri and Jori, but appearing in person to represent Aeleftheria.

From what Zayli and Marli had told her, when she’d stolen a couple of hours after dinner with her Aeleftherian sisters, the situation back home was tense. Divided. The hopeful rallied around the queen. While those that clung to the strife the male dragons had caused stiffened their resolve, fed by centuries of fear, resentment and anger.

It wasn’t unwarranted, but if things were to change, both sides needed to work together.

The last thing the Council wanted was change.

Little more had been said on the matter; all those present were determined to celebrate Kymri’s union and the coming of her child.

The seats filled, guests murmuring to one another.

Elora and Kolina took seats in the center of the first row, Jonathan and Kai on either side of them.

Once everyone was seated, Jolena Kane stepped up onto the dais, draped in a mercurial platinum dress, reminiscent of days so long ago, they fell into realms of myth. For a split second, the surrounding air shimmered, slipped, allowing Astred a glimpse—a sense—of something ancient. Far more ancient than the eldest of dragons, stealing Astred’s breath away. Blinking, it was gone, leaving Astred to wonder if she’d truly witnessed anything at all.

Too much wine last night and not enough sleep.

Joey Kane’s gaze slid over the audience with a spark in her eye and a smile on her lips.

Astred’s heart accelerated as power mingled and flowed around those gathered under the open sky.

Stepping up from either side of the terrace, Jori and Kymri appeared, smiles tugging at their lips, eyes shining as they joined hands on the riser below Joey. Kymri wore a dress that flowed around her body like liquid gold, embroidered with the symbols of her heritage and station among the Aeleftherian people. The sun reflected off the swell of her belly, denoting the cherished status of motherhood. Jori wore a modern tuxedo similar to Kai’s, also embroidered likewise along the hem, cuffs and lapels.

They turned, eyes landing on Regina, who stood, crystal box in hand.

She approached the couple, extracting two indigo buds of the same flowers adorning her hair. At their coronation, she had gifted them seeds. They waited as she attached the buds to the fabric at their shoulders.

Regina’s previous statement, along with this gesture, was unshakable.

Both children of Aeleftherian mothers, they equally had the right to bear the sacred flower.

In her long life, Astred had never seen the flower gifted to a male. Only the highest-ranking servants of her people, which were all female.

Handing the box to Jori’s mother, Elora, who served as ambassador between their two nations, Regina grasped Kymri and Jori’s hands.

The air thickened around the trio.

“Everything will forever change after this union.” The vibration of Regina’s voice rippled along the ocean breeze.

When she turned, she met the eyes of every individual present to bear witness, including her guards lingering at the rear of the terrace.

Unbidden, tears sprung to Astred’s eyes, breath caught in her throat as the words resonated through her entire body, enveloping her heart.

This truly is the beginning of a new era.

Regina resumed her place next to Astred, reaching for her hand, giving it the gentlest of squeezes.

Kymri and Jori faced one another.

Jolena began. “I am honored to preside over the first ceremony of its like in centuries, heralding the new direction of dragonkind into the next era.” She smiled, placing her palms atop their heads.. “You have already attained the deepest bond of dragons as lovers, and the sanctity of sovereigns by right of declaration and witnessed ascendance. Here, I bestow the blessing of something greater. Destiny.”

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