Page 83 of Retrograde

“I’m not picking on anyone—though I’m less than thrilled how some people have treated me for not knowing theirdragons,” I said, and tried to keep my voice even. “Butit made me realize that we introduced our people to each other and yes, we should meet our dragons. IfIhad been in charge of all of this, both would have occurred before candidates were assigned to me.”

I focused on Rigel, basically making my point that he would never have made it past the introduction.

Dray stood and held up his hand to hold off everyone else. “What are you saying, Your Majesty? Are you saying you wouldn’t have—what are you saying?”

I smirked at him. “I’m saying I would have had lunch or dinner withallof your single male family members and gone from there, Alpha. Flown with them as my dragon and seen who could have maybe been someone that could fit or had a chance. Instead, all ofyoudecided you knew me so damn well that you picked based on yourpride.”

“And most of you blew the chance because of it which is why there’s no chance she’ll matesevenof the sixteen here,” Maple drawled. “Even if there are seven decent ones that are worth mating the Queen of Thovudin, their personalities won’t match. You should have checked that first.”

I tapped my nose and pointed to her.

“Women really should rule the world,” Belinda cracked. “Well, at least one does Thovudin now.”

I wasn’t the only one who laughed at that… Which was kind of horrible given how I’d gotten the job.

Oh well.

21

Sagan

“I’m a bit confused as to why we need to be here for that, Your Majesty,” the Alpha of Clovergarde said as he glanced around. “I agree it should have been done—I think all of this should have been done before the candidates were announced—any of it done more quietly. I’m just confused why we should… Interfere on this? It feels very…”

“Intrusive,” someone suggested.

I nodded and focused on the Alpha. “Thank you for caring about that—truly. And yes, I wish we’d done it that way and worked as an actual team instead of too much selfishness, but we can’t change the past. What Icando is stop giving chances to people who don’t deserve them.”

“You want witnesses,” Dray muttered. “Why?”

I snorted and glanced at him. “Besides I’ve already had one try to drug me?” I snorted again when several people winced. “But yes, I want someaccuracyon this because…” I looked around and found Wilder from Nevelyn among the candidates. “What exactly did you leak to the media?”

I was going to ask hypothetically and not call him out with specifics… But Myriam had other ideas, clearing her throat.

And reading it from her phone.

I really did love her.

“‘Sources tell us the date with Wilder was the most romantic of introductions. The queen was taken with him and the feeling was mutual from the laughter and looks people caught. We heard the conversation was flowing and it even ran longer than the scheduled time. It’s clear that he will probably shoot to the top of the list of the prospects given the chemistry between them.’”

“So complete bullshit,” Velle drawled.

I shot the Alpha of Nevelyn a look to watch it. “No, I’m done playing nice. He leakedliesto the media and you are annoyed we’re outing them in a closed meeting like this.” I walked over to him when he opened his mouth and shoved my finger in his chest. “I’mtiredof these overinflated egos and rising above. It just makes you all bolder and stupider.”

“And why should Rigel be the only one called out when he’s not the only problem?” Myriam added. “All of them should be called out in this setting given they run their mouths to the others aboutyou. They tell liesabout youand you only tell the truth.” She said more under her breath, but I wasn’t close enough to hear.

Whatever it was amused Belinda, Velle, and Treena though who looked like they were about to laugh.

“What really happened?” Dray asked, shaking his head when several people chuffed. “No, I agree on this. Enoughlying. There was no good way for the queen to mate and this wasn’t a bad idea, but I’m with Vex now that this was the stupidest fucking idea ever because no one has done it in good faith. Yes, I want Ayao to be her mate, but Iknowhe is anasset.

“Yes, it will benefit Jade Creek, and that’s good because we had a rocky relationship with Rhys and even his father.” He stared the other Alphas down. “But Ayao istalented. Fine, he blew his lid but yeah, okay, none of us have done that ever.” Hesnorted and wasn’t the only one. “I would swear to the gods that I could see him being a good mate to the queen.”

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me, Uncle,” Ayao muttered.

Dray sighed and scrubbed his hand over his head. “Because I’m an asshole and overloaded too often. You’ve always been a good kid and—I love you even if I’m a pain in the ass.” He gestured to me. “She’s going to have so much fucking crazy and you’re very grounded. You’re organized and smart and you know how to play the game here in Thovudin. You could work.”

He wasn’t wrong, but Ayao just didn’t see mating the way I did and it would ruin us both.

I decided to move past that and answer him. “I barely said two words the whole meal.” I nodded when he blinked at me. “Wilder basically forgave my upbringing and not being normal, how I’d have to practically be trained to be a proper mate, and then laid out how things would be when we mated.