Page 30 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Volker swished his tail.That would be acceptable for most of us, but I doubt the slayers will agree to it. They are incapable of such behavior.
Of course, the Shadowan had a point—though a frustrating one.
No. They are an exception, but their numbers are few, and they should not prove to be too much trouble.
I have heard…Volker narrowed his red eyes.That you have mated with a slayer and that she lives among you. Of course, I initially scoffed at the idea since it shouldn’t be possible, but more stories have come to me in recent weeks, making me think there is some truth to it.
Aidan tensed. He and Bailey didn’t hide their mate status within their territory, but they didn’t advertise it beyond their border either, aside from the Faegud. He could only guess that word may have gotten out by another method, perhaps through spies. Could the Shadowan be using humans? Stranger things had happened with the pure dragons, so the prospect couldn’t be discounted. While the larger beasts had fools among them, they also had highly intelligent members. They wouldn’t have survived to become the dominant species otherwise.
It was only too bad the news couldn’t have waited until after the war.
Unwilling to lie under the circumstances, he decided on the truth.My mate is a slayer.
How can that possibly work?Volker asked in shock.He must have hoped Aidan would give him a more plausible explanation.
I met her when we first arrived on Earth, and she had no idea of her birthright. With much guidance and patience, she learned control of her urges and now lives among my people without difficulty,Aidan said plaintively.
Volker shook his head.Your toriq accepts this? She has not attacked any of them?
She takes great care to avoid circumstances that might lead to it.Now was not the time to get into Bailey attacking Ruari once or what happened with the sorcerer and orb five years ago.It took some time for the Taugud to accept her, but most do now. She has even given me a son.
Aidan didn’t see a need to hide information that could come out in the future anyway. If the Shadowan spies knew about Bailey, they’d surely learn about a young golden dragon before long—if they hadn’t already. It worked to his advantage to reveal the news now. The more the pure dragons knew about Bailey and her willingness to ally with them, the greater the chance they would accept her and the other slayers who would fight in the war.
A child?The pendragon’s mate entered the conversation, glancing between them.I didn’t think it was possible.
It is for shifters.
Aidan gave him the summarized version of how his kind came into existence. He’d learned about it while on the orb quest with Bailey and the others. The first mating happened thousands of years ago between a pure dragon who was turned into a human by a sorcerer and then trapped with a slayer.
Due to a powerful spell, they were forced to live together for many years yet unable to cause harm to each other. Eventually, a strong bond formed. They also went on to have several children that formed the shifter race. Until recently, their origins had been lost to time.
All the present Shadowan listened with unexpected interest to the full tale.
My son can shift into dragon form, but he does not trigger his mother’s slayer instinct to kill him, so she and the others of her kind have no difficulty being around him,Aidan added at the end.
Is there any way you can convince your mate and the other slayers living in your territory to stop attackingmypeople?Volker asked.
Aidan snorted.You know as well as I that slayers must kill dragons frequently. Those I allow to live in my territory can suppress their instincts for short periods, but they cannot refrain for more than a week before battle lust will consume them. I can tell you they prefer targeting dragons who attack humans over any others, if that helps.
Volker let out a low growl.Hardly.
Edythe swished her tail impatiently.Perhaps it is time to discuss the truce's finer details because we cannot afford any confusion while we work together. The Taugud’s control of slayers is minimal and not up for negotiation. Even under thesedifficult circumstances, they rule themselves, and we can only promise they will fight alongside us in the war. They will target the Kandoran—and only them—during that time.
Aidan was more than happy to hand over the tedious work to Edythe. She had proven wise in the time he’d known her and would obtain the best deal for them. Nearly an hour passed before she finished, Falcon adding a few points of his own during the conversation concerning human relations and defensive measures.
When it was done, Aidan felt confident they’d gained a committed ally for the war. Volker had even promised to speak with the other nearby toriqan about joining them.
I will send word in a few days with details for a gathering of all the pendragons and other top leaders in our alliance to make our union official and discuss preparations,Aidan said in conclusion.We have been studying the Kandoran, working to find their weaknesses. It will benefit us to share what we have learned, and we must coordinate our strategies during that time. We will have a large safe zone where we can do everything without fear of spies.
Volker dipped his chin.Very well. My senior warriors and I will see you again soon.
Aidan bowed his head to pay respect to the other pendragon. Then he turned to Morgan and gestured to drop the shield. The sorcerer lifted his hands and whispered a few unintelligible words. A moment later, their ears popped as the bubble burst. Full sunlight and the harmonious sounds of birds and insects returned.
With their meeting concluded, Aidan took off into the air first. Edythe, Falcon, and Sabryn broke away to return to thefortress. The guards stayed with him and followed close behind as he headed east. It would take more than two hours to fly to his next destination and would take time he could hardly spare, but it was a matter he’d promised Bailey and his son he’d settle.
***
They arrived at the Bogaran border, where one of the Taugud guards who patrolled the area waited for them. Aidan telepathically messaged him, telling him he could resume his duties. Their group wouldn’t cross, so there shouldn’t be any conflict, at least not with the toriq on the other side. They were confirmed allies.
