“Na, he’s definitely a guy, just an effeminate one,” Charlotte whispered back as I turned my eyes to her, then back to Charlotte. Sebastian’s assistant had a mischievous grin on her little face, as if she reveled in the two of us guessing.
“Ladies! We have much to discuss!” Sebastian cleared his throat. “But I’m to understand that you’ve heard of Roland’s recommendations to keep non-Pact Mages out of the coming conflict?” He raised his eyebrows at me as I nodded.
“Sorry Charlotte. I’ll see you at home later tonight, all right?” I tried my best to reassure her that I’d be fine, but she didn’t seem to buy it. Yet, she gave me an understanding smile, reassuring me that no matter what she felt, she accepted it.
I felt her lean in and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“See you tonight, sweet cheeks!” The assistant opened the door for her as I rubbed my cheek, embarrassment flowing to my cheeks as she skipped her way back home with a stupid grin.
I stole glances around the room, trying to calm myself. The young assistant had an almost wistful smile on her face, as if she wanted to be in my place. Sebastian didn’t seem to care at all.
He began speaking as soon as I had calmed down. “As we understand, I am to help you access Cestra’s Archives. Unless circumstances change, my assistant’s aid and I will end once the task is complete. The Acadamae is a neutral organization, and once the injustice is corrected, we shall resume our usual duties.”
I nodded, having heard all this before. “I would argue that my entire attempt at taking the crown has been an injustice. I don’t mind being the third dragon, forever unable to take the title of queen. I simply want to be acknowledged as a royal dragon.” I crossed my arms as Sebastian nodded, watching his assistant close the door. There was nobody here, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
“I have not been blind to the situation. While I cannot offer you anything definitive, I’ll do my best to accommodate you. If you want my personal opinion, I agree. You deserve to be on the throne. However, personal preferences and objectively correct tendencies tend to clash at times in unexpected ways.” His words were sharp and biting, a hound nipping at even the nicest of visitors. It wasn’t his fault, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bit ticked.
“Fine.” I relaxed a little. At least he was invested. “So, what kind of plan do you have?”
He gave a half shrug. “We have three mages in the room, and whatever additional resources the Acadamae can manage on short notice, princess. We shall prepare in accordance with your plan.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise, but his tone suggested he was one of the older people incapable of sarcasm. Or perhaps I was feeling secure after hearing the same tone of voice for several minutes. Best not to assume too much this early.
Then there was the matter of the church. Given all the bad blood that had been building up between us, there was only one thing to do.
“Simple.” I shrugged before a vicious grin spread across my face. “I’m going to walk in and demand the archives under threat of dragon. If they don’t let me pass, I’m going to freeze them alive until someone talks.” I didn’t even know I could sound so vicious. Smaller doses, Aria. Smaller doses.
The two of them exchanged worried glances. Sebastian was the first to continue. “I have an alternative, equally lethal suggestion. How about instead we utilize a spell? The three of us together. By all means threaten them with your dragon form, even kill one or two individuals. However, we would have a backup plan in place that doesn’t destroy the entire church.”
He looked genuinely worried as I pretended to consider the option. It was a good suggestion, and one that I would’ve taken in a heartbeat if I didn’t want to see his reaction to my idea of breaking the front door in broad daylight.
“I accept that suggestion, on the condition that we initiate it during daylight hours.” The bloodthirsty glint in my eyes never faded as I continued. “I have a message to send to the church, one that they won’t forget for a long time. You do not poke sleeping dragons. Ever.”
I must’ve been really bad at managing my tone of voice today, because the poor assistant ran off before Sebastian could even give her any orders.
While his assistant prepared things, Sebastian and I talked over the plan. All I had to do was create a mist over the area, making sure it avoided us three. Sebastian would alter my spell as needed to produce the spell required.
“The difference between a regular mage and an arch mage is our ability to create and coordinate spells involving multiple casters,” he explained. “While you could do it with any group of normal mages, I would wish you the best of luck. Such coordination is our expertise, and our call to fame.”
If he could coordinate spells to such an extent, something which I had only had brief contact with, then he must have a curiosity for magic itself. While every mage has that to some degree, I wondered how true that was.
I wondered if I could get him on our side with his curiosity?
“Sebastian, as you know once we break into the church, things might begin to move very quickly. I may require your, and the Acadamae’s, support without the time to negotiate for it.” I bit my lip. I was making promises before I could count my marbles, but this was the best way to ensure that I could move far faster than King Lazarus.
“Correct. However, negotiations are paramount. I do not believe it would be wise for either of us to skip them just because time is of the essence. That can be evaluated when the time comes.”
He was right, under normal circumstances. However, these were not, and I was no normal lady.
“But you can agree that all contents within Mother’s archives belong to the royal dragons, of which I am one, correct?” I pointed out.
He raised a single suspicious glance. “If any of us could access them, we would have already. What are you trying to imply?” He seemed to be catching on.
“If I acquire your support, I’m willing to trade some portion of the archives in order to secure the Acadamae, and by extension, your assistance. You have my word that it will be related to magic, and it will expand or explain portions of the craft if possible.” For the first time today, I saw a hint of expression on his face. “I cannot create knowledge that does not exist, but I am willing to give what knowledge that does exist.”
Sebastian’s eyes were wide as he stroked his chin. “…you would be planning a regicide.” It was staggering how fast he figured out my entire plan.
“There is a possibility that my brother adjudicates.” I gave a keen grin as he shook his head. We both knew that was not happening.
“The deal would be dependent on Roland’s approval, or at the very least his neutrality, though considering your willingness to get your hands dirty…” He was thinking out loud. “I find this shift in tone from interacting with people to interactions with dragons refreshing, but disturbing.”
I leaned back, my smile fading away to a focused frown before conceding the point. I was a little disturbed by it, and I was the one saying these things. Then again, it was funny how many problems can be solved by being a dragon.
“I don’t actually have any particular vengeance towards King Lazarus, but I’ve come to understand in the last few days that both of us can’t exist. The crown cannot accommodate both a dragon who seeks stability and safety above all else, and a dragon insistent on tomorrow being a better day than today.”
“What will you do if you find nothing?” Sebastian asked, leaning in as I avoided his gaze.
“Then duty dictates that I step down.” I could feel his expectations of me, as well as my own expectations of myself. Given everything that was going on, given everything I felt, it became clearer and clearer that the right choice may be giving up the crown. The Acadamae continued to crumble. Lazarus continued to be king.
I’d get a happy ending with Charlotte.
I felt my hand on my chest as a faint smile creeped over my face.
Maybe that was okay.
“I hope, for all of our sakes, that you make the right choice. The royal dragons have never disappointed with difficult decisions like these. Let’s not be the first to make a mistake, princess.” His voice was the silent acknowledgement of the weight of my choices, but a truthful one. I would always be judged not as Aria, but as one of Cestra’s royal dragons. I had to choose not what I wanted, but what my people needed.
It wasn’t long until his assistant returned, and we left the crumbling black tower. Outside, the three of us were greeted by wayward eyes and questionable stares. We did stand out.
