The Spare Dragon

4. Compromise

***Remus*** (a few hours earlier)

We arrive at the palace in record time, Azos very pleased to have seen his mate but annoyed that I had not brought her home. Naomi also seems suspiciously cheerful as she waits for me to dress into my clothes again.

“What are you all giggly about?” I mutter as I button up my shirt, Naomi grinning back at me.

“Vanessa said yes,” she says, skipping away up the pathway to the palace.

My heart falls to the pit of my stomach as I run after the little girl who breaks out into a full sprint, giggling with glee while I chase her around.

“Naomi!” I shout, ignoring the many servants who snicker as I chase after her. “Naomi, what do you mean she said yes? What did you tell her?”

“Nothing!” Naomi squeals as I trap her in my arms and carry her to her room.

I ask nothing more out of fear of what she might say until I’m sure we’re alone in her room.

“Naomi, don’t lie to me,” I warn, the little girl climbing on her bed and looking up at me fearlessly. “What do you mean she said yes? What exactly did she agree to?”

“Well, you like her,” Naomi shrugs. “So I asked her to go on a date with you.”

Azos bursts into laughter as I remain frozen in place, processing the unbelievable error she’s just made.

“A date?”

“Yup,” Naomi nods. “Tonight at 8 o’clock at the pub.”

My dread turns to violent anger and I have to take several deep breaths to not lose my temper with the child.

“Do you have any idea of what you’ve just done?” I whisper in quiet rage, the little girl shrinking back on her bed. “I can’t go on a date with her! The council will never approve of a waitress becoming my Queen. She’s not a princess. She’s a wolf.”

“But Vanessa looks like a princess!” Naomi protests. “And don’t be angry with me! I was just trying to help! You don’t speak good to people!”

“Well, you’re not helping! You’re giving me a headache!” I finally snap, tears filling Naomi’s eyes as she looks up at me.

I take a few more deep breaths, pinching the bridge of my nose to once again calm down. Naomi is only six after all.

“I’m sorry,” I sigh, getting down on my knees so I’m at her eye level and not towering over her like a monster, the little girl turning away to avoid my eyes.

“You’re a mean old lizard!,” she whimpers, angrily wiping at her eyes.

“I never said I was nice,” I mutter, resting my chin on her lap. “But you still like me, right?”

She shakes her head at me, but bursts into laughter when I tickle her sides. Finally at peace with each other, I lay beside her and try to come up with a solution to our problem.

“What are you going to do now, Remus?” Naomi asks, laying her head on my stomach. “She really likes you too.”

“You think so?” I ask, feeling my cheeks heat up at the idea of kissing Vanessa again.

“Mmmhmmm,” Naomi giggles. “I don’t know why, though. You suck sometimes.”

I glare at her, Naomi throwing her head back in laughter. We lay on the bed for a few more minutes, when there’s a sudden knock at the door, Naomi’s instructor calling out from behind the door.

“It’s time for Lady Naomi’s piano lessons,” she calls out, Naomi groaning with dissatisfaction.

“Do I have too?” she mutters as she sits up. “Can’t I stay and help you get ready for your date? You’re not very smart.”

She grins cheekily as I scowl at her. “No. Music is very good for your brain and you have a very small one,” I mumble, Naomi sticking her tongue out at me. “Off you go, then,” I say, pushing her off me as she whines. “You have lessons to take and I have your problem to fix. Go. Please, before I lose my mind.”

“Fine!” Naomi mutters, storming out of the room and slamming her door shut.

Women, I mutter.

Humans, Azos retorts.

I head to my office where I find a thick folder containing the dossiers of the ten contestants sitting on my desk. I skim through them, growing frustrated to find that they’re all pretty much the same, a beautiful woman with a specific set of skills, a noble title, and unbelievable wealth. None, however, could even compare to the beauty of my mate, nor did they possess the kindness in their eyes like Vanessa does. I watched as she talked with Naomi, admiring the gentleness with which she spoke to her. She even acknowledged her title, though only playfully, and did so without being condescending or rude.

Most nobles turn their noses up when Naomi enters a room because she is human and it seems only the servants and my mother have the patience for her. I suspect the Queen candidates will struggle to accept Naomi as part of my family but I will not allow Naomi to be cast aside. She is my daughter and my future wife will have to love and respect that little girl as I do.

Seems to me the choice is clear, Azos says. You just have to say the words now. Say it. My Queen is Vanessa.

It’s not that simple, I sigh, Azos roaring in return.

You are the King! He snaps.

And what am I a King of? I retort. We lost several alliances when I took over as King, including the Devrouxs. The prices of many goods have increased exponentially with the loss of our trading partners and the value of our currency is on a slow decline. Our army has decreased significantly in size and we must use all the remaining Knights we have to protect the borders. Merchants won’t travel without knights and the knights can’t leave the Kingdom unprotected.

We need a Queen who can provide us with more knights, new trade agreements, and help me fix this economic crisis before it tumbles out of control. I snap. The council is right. I need to choose a Queen carefully, and this game seems to be the only way.

Azos remains silent as I look more carefully at the five foreign women Duke Kuvro mentioned earlier. The women come from different but powerful kingdoms, all which have the potential to aid Alderon in a number of ways. Even as harem members, all of the contestants will be valuable to the kingdom, and yet, I find myself unable to see anyone else at my side but Vanessa.

Why did she have to be a wolf? I mutter, knowing the council will reject her on that simple fact alone.

It’s not against the law for a Queen to be of a different species, Azos reminds me. And nowhere in the rules of the game did the Duke state that the contestants had to be dragons.

What are you talking about? I snap. Of course he did. They must be of a dragon-

No, Azos corrects. His exact words were, ‘It is against the law for a non-dragon to sit on the Alderon throne. The heir must be of Royal Alderon blood and a dragon’. But you are the only monarch sitting on the throne; your bride is a …

A consort, I reply, finally piecing it all together.

Exactly. A consort does not sit on the throne. They do not make laws or sit in on the council meetings. They are not royal by blood, only by marriage, Azo explains. Your heir must be a dragon, but so long as the child is yours, your Queen can be of any species. All you need is a dragon to lay an egg for the child to become a dragon.

But the council will not accept a non-dragon Queen, I insist, Azos chuckling to himself.

They can throw a fit all they want, but the law has not changed since Guinevere stepped down as Queen consort. Vanessa can be your Queen so long as your heir is a dragon. That is the law.

Despite this clear path, I still hesitate, a fear lingering in the back of my mind that this is all a mistake waiting to happen.

You fear Vanessa because of Elena, Azos sighs.

The last time I wanted someone I couldn’t have, she paid the price, I reply. I refuse to let that happen to Vanessa. She needs to stay as far away from me as possible. It’s the only way to protect her.

That’s not protecting her, Azos replies. Has it ever occurred to you that resisting what is meant to be is your problem? You tried so hard to fight your feelings for Elena, but it only deepened your desires for her. You tried hiding it in the shadows, settling for stolen kisses in the hallways, and seeing her only in secret but it backfired. You were a coward with your love. Don’t be a coward now. Learn from your mistakes and embrace this mate bond with Vanessa. Fight for her this time. Love her. Freeze the world in its tracks for her, but don’t let her slip through your fingers like you let Elena.

I shake my head at the dragon.

Life is not as simple as you put it. How can I risk it all for a wolf I don’t even know? I don’t even know this woman! I argue.

And yet your heart yearns for her, Azos teases. It’s no different than a betrothal, except you’ll be marrying your soul mate instead of a stranger you share nothing in common with. Wolves work differently than we do. They are gifted these bonds by their Moon Goddess and we will never get to experience that on our own. If this she-wolf has been given a bond with us, who are we to question their Goddess?

I stare at the files containing all the information I’ll need about the contestants, knowing that if I don’t act now, I’ll lose Vanessa forever. The thought of never seeing her again or feeling her lips pressed against mine fills me with a numbness I haven’t felt since Elena died.

I call Philip, my assistant, to bring me a copy of the current Alderon Constitution, reading the latest amendments as well as the laws regarding Royal lineage and consorts. While I was on tour, the council could not alter any laws without my consent and the only new laws put in place were those I approved myself to provide legal rights to the concubines. There are, of course, many pending amendments, but none that have been presented to Parliament or signed into effect. In other words, I have a chance and I’m going to make it count.

Fully expecting the council to reject my proposition to declare Vanessa my Queen, I begin drafting a proposal and make a number of phone calls to some old friends so that no matter what the council throws my way, I will be prepared to counterattack.

Hours melt away as I work and rework my proposal, until I feel even Sun God himself could not argue against me. It’s past 7:30 pm by the time I stand before the council, and I pray to all the gods I finish this quickly in time to meet with my mate.

I take my place at my throne as Duke Kurvo walks to the stand and opens the council session.

“Gentlemen,” he begins, several of the council members acknowledging him in return. “We are here today to discuss the nature of the games. As you are all aware, we have called upon a Ludus Electia. Her Majesty, Queen Mother Evelyn and I have worked diligently to ensure the games are fair for all ten contestants who are on their way to the palace as we speak.”

“Pardon the interruption, your Grace, but I have an announcement,” I say, rising from my throne and facing all the council members. Duke Kuvro raises an eyebrow but steps away from the podium so I may speak. “There will no longer be a need for the Ludos Electia, as I have already chosen a bride.”

Murmurs erupt among the council members while Duke Kuvro looks at me in disbelief.

“Your Majesty, why are we only now just being informed of this decision? The invitations to the other kingdoms have already been sent out. The contestants are on their way at this very moment!”

“I’ve only met her this morning,” I reply, the Duke furrowing his brows in confusion. “So I’m afraid I couldn’t give a proper heads up about the change of plans.”

“If I may be so bold, your Majesty, who exactly did you meet this morning?” Duke Kuvro asks.

“My future Queen,” I answer, the Duke frowning at my response. “Her name is Vanessa. She is a wolf from the Earth Realm.”

The council members are on their feet in an instant, objecting to the idea of a werewolf Queen.

“Your Majesty, surely you understand the council’s reservations against a werewolf Queen,” the Duke smiles nervously. “Given our history with the previous Queen, we urge; no, we demand you reconsider. The people will not accept a werewolf for a Queen and we certainly won’t accept it. A dragon Queen is a must during these trying times, your Majesty. It’s not a suggestion.”

I silence him with a glare and clear my throat.

“The Laws of Alderon have not changed, your Grace. A consort can be of any race or species so long as they provide a dragon heir,” I reply. “And as you well know, the child need only be mine and born within wedlock for it to be considered a dragon and my legal heir. I would also like to point out that Guinevere was not the only non-dragon Queen Consort of Alderon. Queen Nala of the 3rd century was a Griffin and Queen Ranea of the 9th was a Phoenix. That’s only the queens of the first 10 centuries, but looking over records of the last six millennia, there have been at least four non-Dragon Queens, soon to be five.”

“Well, things can certainly be changed!” the Duke insists. “We already have the amendment written, we just need to present it to the court and I can almost guarantee it will pass unanimously.”

“Were you not the ones who insisted on preserving Alderon’s long standing traditions?” I reply, the Duke glowering at me. “Besides, no laws can pass without my approval and I can assure you gentlemen, I will not enforce such a law. I will marry whom I choose.”

The duke shakes his head and places his hands behind his back as he stalks over to me.

“If only ruling were as simple as doing what you please,” the duke says, a tired sigh leaving his lips. “But you’ll come to find out that ruling requires a lot of sacrifices on your part, and plenty of compromises. The Lords of Alderon are powerful men,” he says, gesturing to the council. “And right now, they don’t see you as their King. They see you as an enemy sitting on the throne. A foreigner who has long forgotten the ways of the Dragon. They will not fight for you; they barely want to pledge allegiance to you. You need them, but they don’t need you. So my suggestion is rather than aggravate the few allies you have left by forgoing the games, insulting their daughters, and dismissing the traditions they have long protected, I would focus more on building a partnership with them. Compromise. Give them something. Anything to make them see you as a King, their King. Not a threat to their livelihood. These games are not just games. They are a tool to help you build a relationship with your nobles.” He furrows his brows in thought. “However, if you are as determined as you claim to be about your… Queen, then perhaps you can enlighten us on her qualifications.”

“Qualifications?” I ask, feigning confusion.

“Yes, of course,” The duke smiles. “Why is SHE the right fit for Queen? Does she, perhaps, have a dowry?”

“No,” I reply, the Duke humming to himself.

“Is she educated?” the Duke pries. “Or perhaps, she has experience in managing finances? Any political background?”

“Not that I know of,” I reply, the other nobles scoffing.

“Does she have any knowledge regarding our Kingdom, or even our species?” the Duke demands.

“No,” I answer through gritted teeth. “Not that I’m aware.”

A smug smile stretches across the Duke’s lips as he looks at me straight on.

“Then how can she be our Queen, your Majesty? You yourself have little training, my King, and you will no doubt stumble as you learn to rule. You need someone to guide you, not bring you down with their own lack of experience. The noblewomen we have selected are all highly skilled and capable of leading this great kingdom with you,” the Duke says calmly before turning back to the council. “We shall proceed with Ludos Electia so that the best Queen presents herself to us,” the Duke announces, looking over his shoulder at me. “Perhaps your little wolf pet can be a highly ranked concubine, if you so choose.”

Azos roars at his snide remark but I remain calm, knowing I still have a leg to stand on.

“You mentioned compromises, your Grace,” I say as the council settles down for the meeting. “So I propose a compromise.”

The Duke raises an amused eyebrow, but gives me his undivided attention.

“I propose that Vanessa enters the games and competes against the ten other contestants for my hand in marriage. If she can defeat all other contestants, then I’ll claim her as my Queen.”

“Your Majesty, I do hope you’re joking?” the Duke chuckles, his face growing grim when he realizes I’m not. “My King, these women are among the wealthiest and most well educated Dragons in all the Realm. Do you truly think it is a good idea to pit a wolf against all of them?”

“If these women are, as you claim, far more equipped to be Queen than Vanessa is, then I believe you have nothing to fear,” I shrug. “She’ll lose and the games will proceed until the last woman is left standing. Surely a wolf with no royal or political background will easily be eliminated amongst the carefully selected noblewomen, don’t you think?” I smirk, the Duke and other council members eyeing me closely. “However, if Vanessa wins, then I will have chosen the woman best fit to be our Queen. It’s a win-win for all.”

The Duke eyes me suspiciously, my confidence in my mate baffling him. I don’t know anything about my mate and her wolf, but I will do everything in my power to help her get through the challenges.

“You do realize this woman could get hurt in the challenges?” the Duke asks. “A wolf is nothing compared to a dragon.”

“And yet a pack of wolves brought your former King down on his knees,” I retort. “Do not underestimate their strength, your Grace. A wolf is just as powerful as a dragon so I expect you all to give Vanessa a fair chance in the games,” I reply. “If she cannot prove herself, then she is not right for the crown.”

The Duke turns to the council members who murmur among themselves, a few offended by the suggestion that a commoner can compete against the upper class candidates. Others are intrigued by the idea of a wolf competing against dragons, going so far as to place bets on when exactly Vanessa will be eliminated.

I don’t know if Vanessa has any gifts, but I have seen that even ungifted wolves are brave and courageous in the face of danger. Should she agree to compete, these dragons are in for a rude awakening.

After a short deliberation, Duke Kuvro takes to the podium to announce the counter offer of the council.

“We will permit the wolf to compete in the Ludos Electia games. If she wins, she will be crowned Queen of Alderon and your wife, Your Majesty. However, should she fail, not only will she be ineligible to be your bride or join your harem, but you, My King, will also sign our amendment declaring that from this point onward, all Consorts to the crown of Alderon MUST be Dragons without exception. Never again will a non-Dragon Consort sit beside our monarchs. Is that a fair enough compromise?” he asks, the council members nodding in agreement with the proposal.

I knew the council would try to turn this into a negotiation to end all non-Dragon marriages so I’ve prepared a counter agreement.

“If Vanessa wins, the constitution will be amended to protect the right of all monarchs to choose whichever bride they want, no matter their species, race, or religion. Naomi will also be given a Royal title which she will be allowed to pass on to her children and their children. And finally, I will not be forced to have a harem and neither will my successors if they do not wish to have one,” I declare, the council once again in an uproar. I raise my voice over their arguments so that they all hear me. “If Vanessa loses, I will sign all of your amendments and marry the winner of the games. Do we have a deal?” I ask, staring down each council member.

After yet another round of deliberation, Duke Kurvo delivers the verdict.

“We have a deal, your Majesty,” he announces, calling for a draft of the agreement to be drawn up. “And with all due respect, may the odds be against you.”

I smile at this, wishing him the same luck.

We spend another hour carefully writing out a written agreement with all the clauses and terms, before finally signing it into effect and moving on to the next order of business, the games themselves.

“Given that you, your Majesty and several of the council members are closely related to some of the contestants, the games have been designed by the Queen Mother herself and will remain a mystery to us all until the day of games. This will help ensure a fair Ludos Electia for all the contestants. I will inform her of the change of plans so she can adjust her games to accommodate an 11th contestant,” the Duke declares. “While we will not know the exact nature of the games, the Queen has informed me that there are Five Games total and they will test each contestants’ ability to lead as a Queen of Alderon.”

Duke Kuvro describes what he knows of the games.

In no particular order, the contestants will be tested on five different categories: Motherhood, Sacrifice, Strategy, Grace, and Teamwork. During each game, each contestant will be evaluated on their performance by the Queen Mother and her selected panel. The contestant(s) with the lowest evaluation score will be eliminated after each game until only one woman remains.

Knowing my mother, the games will be anything but easy and they will push all the contestants to their limits. I just hope I’m not making a mistake in believing so much in this mate bond.

It’s almost 9:15pm by the time the meeting is adjourned, and as I rush out of Parliament to my bedroom, I hear the horns announce the arrival of a guest at the palace. Knowing Phillip will be here any second now to ask for my presence, I quickly prepare my things for traveling and head out onto the balcony, shifting into my dragon just as Phillip knocks on the door.

I soar through the sky, seeing an entire fleet of knights guarding a white carriage. A woman in a blue dress steps out of the carriage, my mother greeting her eagerly with open arms.

Ignoring the scene unfolding below me, I fly over the sea, gliding through the night sky until I find myself once again in the Earth Realm, soaring over the Scottish countryside.

My dragon hums to himself as I descend into the forest, shifting into my human and changing into my clothes. I’m anxious to see Vanessa, fixing and combing my hair with my fingers repeatedly while pacing back and forth.

Just tell her the truth, Azos says, attempting to calm me down. Let her know that you believe she is worth risking everything for. Don’t let her run away. Make her listen.

You make it sound so easy, I mutter as I walk into town.

The village is quiet, the sound of my own heart beating against my chest almost deafening in the silence. I find the pub with ease, my blood running cold as I step inside and see Vanessa speaking with another dragon, and not just any dragon. Lachlan, my half brother.