Page 75 of Dragon Throne: Part One

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After dinner, we all stopped in the hallway that led to the stairs to our rooms, so Imogen could say her goodnights and return to her house in the hidden city.

“You should stay on the sixth floor with me and the rest of the Elevated Warriors,” Kingston offered, glancing at Evie for confirmation.

“Of course,” she immediately agreed. “You are Braxton’s mentor and First Commander of the Sky Legion. You belong in the castle.”

“You can have my old room,” I added, seeing the chief nod in approval.

A pleased smile curved her lips, and she bowed her head in acceptance. “Thank you, Kingston. Prince, and Princess.”

Part of me wanted to tell her to stop calling me that, but those titles meant something to our people, a whole lot of tradition. The other part of me was proud, because it represented their veneration of my mother, the Princess of Caelisium. So, I just smiled at her, grateful for the respect she chose to show me.

“It will just take me a couple of days, honey. I want to make sure I leave Mila with everything she needs to care for the Dragon babes.”

“Eli’s sister?” Evie asked, reminding me of the adorable little boy who had gone with us to the Dragon daycare the first time I was ever there.

Sky, the baby blue Dragon, had chosen him that day. Aeramen, my bronze baby, had become attached to me that day too, which reminded me. I needed to go visit him.

“Yes. She has taken Eli every day to see Sky, and began helping me,” my mentor replied. “She has become very familiar with how to take care of them. It comes pretty natural for her, and if I’m honest, I think it gave her a purpose. I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking my place.”

“That sounds like the perfect choice,” Evanna agreed with a smile.

“Very well. Then, I shall see y’all tomorrow morning. Same place, same time.” Imogen turned to leave, but something stopped her. “If I may, Princess. I recommend you cut ties with Lachlan Battlesky and ask him to leave your kingdom. His disrespect to you and animosity towards your mate are unacceptable.”

“Ask him to leave?” Evie repeated, shocked. “We grew up together. He was my closest friend, I—” She shook her head, seeming disturbed by the notion. “The people who follow him are my subjects too. They deserve my protection. Iwill notput them out in the cold and leave them vulnerable to Raithian’s wrath.”

“I do not mean to distress you, Princess Evanna,” Imogen offered, carefully assessing her reaction. “I have seen a lot of things in my life, so I hope you will be open to listening to my wisdom. I know his kind. He strongly believes he isentitledto you. That you belong to him, and that will become more of an issue the longer you let it stand. Cut him out of your life or put him in his place now, while you still can.”

I mean… where is the lie?

Evie’s form tensed next to me, but a settling breath made its way through her lungs, and she finally nodded. “I do appreciate your advice, Imogen. I am open to listening to your wisdom, so I will reflect on it and discuss it with my advisors—Kingston, Willow, and my mate, Braxton.” She glanced at me briefly, taking my hand in hers for support, and I was relieved to have been included.

“Thank you for your consideration. You are a wise ruler.” With one last bow of her head, Imogen turned, winking at me before heading out of the castle.

The burden of Evie’s decision fell on my shoulders too as we made our way up in silence. It didn’t take a magic ball to know what my opinion was. I couldn’t stand that pretentious and disrespectful asshole.

He thought he wasentitledto Evie? Yeah, he needed to go.

Reaching the sixth floor, the warriors said their goodnights to us, but before they entered their rooms, Harrison faced me. “We don’t think you have anything to do with Raithian’s plan, Braxton. Regardless of your relation to him.”

“Our silence after Lachlan’s accusations was only to protect your secret,” Islay added.

“We know who you are, Brother,” Fletcher offered, and everyone else echoed their agreement. “We just wanted you to know that.”

Relief coursed through me like a wave. I was honored to be one of them. “Thank you.”

Squeezing my shoulder, Elijah smiled, and they all left to go to their quarters.

Evie and I proceeded to our room with Kingston and Willow accompanying us. After entering the space, Evie stopped in the center, holding her hands before her.

“So, what do you think of Imogen’s advice?”

Her posture betrayed how uncomfortable she was with this, so I refrained from being the first one to speak. From the look on Kingston’s face, the topic weighed heavily on him too, and I had to remind myself that Lachlan had been his right hand. His commander, and probably like a son to him too if he had trained him and seen him grow so close to Evie.

It was hard to be objective when someone was part of your life for so long. The irony was, people you loved could still be toxic to you, even if they were your family.

“I will speak first,” Willow offered, breaking the silence. “I think Lachlan has changed. He is not the same man you once called a friend, Evanna. And Imogen is right about him feeling entitled to you. It is the only reason he hates Braxton, because he sees him as a threat. The one who stops him from taking his ‘rightful place’ next to you. He does not respect you, which is a considerable issue since you are the princess and are about to become his queen.”

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