Page 7 of Heart of the High King
“I wish to know everything about them,” Dravyn remarked.
“With all the books you read, you will be an expert in no time,” Madeline assured him. “Will your plants make a trip across the ocean?”
“They must. I have cultivated them for too long to leave them behind. What do you think North America is like? Could it be as grand as Europe?”
“I am sure they’re equally grand, just different,” Noirin commented. “Why do you think we must leave everything we know behind?”
“Strange, is it not? Why would forming an alliance and joining the Council of Sorcery have everyone packing to leave the continent?” Aleksander asked. “It must be quite the shock for other courts. They have lived for millennia in the same spot.”
Larissa snorted. “Yes, while we’ve moved so much, I long ago lost count. We’re well used to it. Meanwhile, I wish to make it known that I’m keen to meet every kind of sorcerer there is.”
“His Majesty says nothing about what kind of powers they have,” Aleksander responded, as eager as Larissa to know magickind.
“I wonder if it is as spectacular as the sorcery in books,” Dravyn mused.
“I do not suppose anyone wishes me to write Emperor Chrysander to tell him we do not wish to join the rest of the dragons on this epic journey?”
“You must be not quite lucid to even suggest a thing, Aleksander,” Noirin teased. “I haven’t been this excited since the day we stormed out of Court Ethelin.”
“I don’t know that I would say we stormed our way out.”
“You may recall it however you wish, Cousin, but I remain steadfast that we strode out of there with our heads held high because we moved on to a better life.”
“All of you were courageous to follow me when King Ethelin kicked me out. I would not have survived without you. This new stage of our lives I believe will prove to be even more exciting than the last few centuries.”
Larissa stood fast and hustled to the door. “Let’s get our things packed. I wish to have no delay in meeting the new people we will be allied with.”
“Larissa,” Aleksander stated. Hating to dash her hopes or wipe away her smile, they must always deal with the reality of the situation. “I do feel it necessary to remind you that although there are dragons now willing to do business with me from afar, these sorcerers may have the same unfavorable view of a bi-color dragon as do our people.”
Noirin laid her hand on his. “Someday, Aleksander, everyone will know what a prize you are and why Fate chose not only to give you a court but to make you the only king who bears gold in his eyes. It is only a matter of time until you change the world with your honor, integrity, and kindness.”
“As ever, all of you are simply too good for me.”
Brogan got to his feet and straightened his navy waistcoat. “Come along, let’s leave our king to his maudlin thoughts. I do not wish to spend my whole day being thanked for doing what my heart and mind wanted. We’re each proud to be D’Vaires and quite happy to be uniquely different.”
