Page 239 of Burn Her They Said
“No, I do not perceive anything related to you or any of the Dragons to be weak, Your Magnificence,” Emperor Aldritch says, bowing his head.
“Good. Because we do not tend to concern ourselves with the matters of magical beings,” Minea huffs, sending ripples of his hot breath to ruffle the Emperor’s silver hair. “However, the Elders will be convening to discuss the massive failure you have displayed in leadership today, and we will reconsider the level of involvement we have regarding decisions made for the good of the Empire. For you have proven it may be in everyone’s best interest for us Dragons to rule this land once again.”
“Bloodshed. Singed earth. War.” Malin’s voice comes out distant, and I swivel to find his expression equally so. “The reign of the Dragons is not to be repeated. Another must take his place.”
“Are you having a vision?” I ask. “Or are the ancients speaking through you?”
Minea leans closer, forcing His Majesty to scramble backward in a mess of limbs and frenzied movements, attempting to avoid his nose meeting the snout of the emerald Dragon threatening his legacy, and possibly his life. My Guards and I move closer to my bedchamber to give the Emperor a wider berth.
“This next warning comes from me, alone,” Minea says. “Though every Dragon in Ampara Deicra will support my right to exact a consequence on you for daring to threaten my blood-bound sorcerer, twice.”
His Majesty bends into a deep bow before straightening to take his admonishment.
“I will offer you the same threat that you so often revel in giving others—should you so much as speak a word of harm to any of our blood-bound sorcerers, your life, Emperor, will be forfeit.” Minea huffs out a breath so powerful it knocks the Emperor on his back. “Proceed with caution, for it would not be wise to test my resolve. Especially after wrongfully assuming you had the right to treat my bonded sorcerer with anything other than the respect he deserves. From now on you will speak to him with esteem, or suffer the consequence of my wrath.”
“You will do well to avoid Minea’s punishment,” Sutrea warns. “Though he may seem playful, you know what they say about those who surprise you when pushed past their limit.”
“And enough with this one hundred paces of distance,” Dranea drones at him. “You will allow Imperial Lead Guard Varic to stand where he belongs, by Imperial Grand Witch Tasch’s side, or you will answer to us.”
The Emperor’s nostrils flare as his Guards actively avoid looking at us as they parade back toward my chambers.
“Raki,” Emperor Aldritch commands, pausing just past the threshold. “You will remain with my little witch to ensure she obeys.”
Tears well in my eyes, and Varic siphons my fear as the tiny spy whips through the air, showing off as he curves in a wide arc before landing on the top of my head. A shiver rolls down my body when its claws scrape over my scalp. I swallow each of the sobs building in my throat, containing the terror this beast conjures as best I can after everything we’ve been made to endure at the Emperor’s hand.
The tyrant releases a breath as he retreats with his Guards through the arched glass doors of my bedchamber.
Fray storms forward, staring directly at Sutrea’s amethyst eyes as he nears where she remains hovering. “What in the mothersnatching fuck just happened?”
Sutrea lowers her head and regards her blood-bound sorcerer with an air of amusement. “The Emperor required a reminder of his place, as even those in the highest levels of command often require a reminder that they are not all-powerful.”
Fray crosses his arms and stares back at her. “Right, like you’re not all-powerful.”
“We do not require a reminder of our place within the hierarchy.” Sutrea chuffs, sending Fray’s black hair flying straight up before falling in a tangled mess over his forehead.
Boldness sparks in my veins, prompting me to release Varic’s hand and storm forward. Raki’s talons scrape my scalp the harder he clings on as I approach the emerald Dragon, only coming to stop when my forehead nearly butts up against the flat of his broad green snout.
“If I understand correctly, the Emperor can threaten me and cause me all the harm he wishes without repercussions.”
Minea’s eyes fall closed and my pulse pounds in my ears as I await confirmation.
“You are correct,” Minea says.
Warmth casts over my shoulder as Varic places his hand there before stepping around me to address his blood-bound Dragon.
“Then have your Elders approve Tasch to bond with one of your kind.”
Minea’s nostrils flare as he pulls in a breath. “She would need to be appointed to a position requiring a blood-bond with a Dragon, as stated in the accords.”
“You’re fucking serious?” Varic squares his shoulders before advancing on the enormous beast before us. “The most powerful beings in existence cannot make an exception for the witch enduring abuse from the ruler appointed by your ancestor’s agreement with a long-dead sorcerer?”
Minea lowers his head for emphasis. “We do not need to agree for it to be the rule.”
“Fine. So these accords allow for the sorcerer in power to harm anyone not blood-bound to a Dragon by Elder approval, but what happens if any of us harm the Emperor?”
Sutrea glides closer and stares at Varic until he meets her gaze. “Those consequences are determined by your own laws.” Her wizened voice makes that fact seem so much more sinister than it is.
“Which means his heir would take over?” Varic asks, only to be met with silence.
