Dovidan was tall, with a well-toned, muscular body. He was dressed in all white like the rest of the conclave, illuminating his clean-shaven face all the more.
I couldn’t deny the attraction. He was the strongest member of the conclave, with eyes like a hawk circling the skies. His dragon form was even stronger, more powerful than mine, even. But I was still convinced that I could defeat him in my humanoid form in any fight.
And last but not least in the conclave was my father, the king, who sat at the head of the table.
Suddenly the butterflies in my stomach went limp.
King Orelus cleared his throat and uttered my name flatly. “Lucyna.”
“Father,” I replied softly, remembering my place in power. I greeted him with a deep bow, trying to hide the rage in my voice.
“Don’t you see we have guests?” he uttered, and before I could say a word, I heard the door open an inch behind me.
It was Lady Saphyra, sliding to my side and pardoning herself for being tardy. “My apologies, but I have found the princess!” She bowed to me gracefully, welcoming me to the parley. The blonde self-loving vixen was putting on a real show, words of praise spilling from her lips in front of her audience. But then I realized it was her angle of cozying up to me to whisper in my ear, “Would it kill you to smile?” she hissed. “Please, Lady Lucyna, do not make a scene. And most importantly, don’t test the king.”
Her nervous chuckle was half convincing as she drew away from me and said, “Ah, we have wasted enough time now, haven’t we? How about we move along with the show?”
The three lords on the other side of the long table all stood up to bow to me, as well as the Red Goblin. As for his warrior servants, they all scurried to my feet, dropping their knees and their weapons to the ground and whispering something in their native tongue.
“It is an honor to finally meet you in person, Lady Lucyna…” the Red Goblin said in a nasally squeaky voice as he approached me. His warriors immediately got up on their feet and peeled back, giving the both of us some space. I hesitated to stretch my hand out for him to kiss, a gesture that came with my stature. However I had no choice in the company of my father, and I was expected to do as I was told.
The greasy Red Goblin took my hand politely and pecked it, his large nose casting a shadow over my hand. My knuckles felt the clammy texture of his lips, the smell of clay and dirt swarming all over his body. Up close, he was no taller than four feet, his weight taken up mostly by his wrinkly thick skin. He had long and big pointed ears and a tribal robe over his narrow shoulders, his big yellow teeth jutting out of his crusty mouth.
A shiver ran down my spine as I looked at the grotesque creature with small beady gold eyes in front of me. But I had to uphold my appearance, and I couldn't let my disgust show. “The pleasure is mine, Your Highness,” he beamed.
“Likewise.” I said, trying my hardest not to snatch my hand away.
When he released me, the Red Goblin introduced himself. “My name is Tog, and I am the head of the Ugaku goblins. Here are my men,” he pivoted, his arm reaching out to introduce them, “Mitgork, Ug, Gabad, Ruja, Smugnok, and Gragglebeard.”
“A Red Goblin and his entourage. I must say, I wasn’t aware of this gathering. If I were, I would have brought my private defenses as well.”
He chuckled at my subtle bitter tone. “Ah, you are as charming as they say, Lady Lucyna! But don’t worry, my warriors mean no harm.”
“I expect not.”
“We are here to make peace, and I am glad that we can finally begin our negotiations in earnest.”
“I trust that we can come to an agreement that will be mutually beneficial to both Dradersi and Dokumbe.”
The Red Goblin leaned forward, his eyes staring at me intently. “Yes, I believe that we can. But before we begin, there is something that I must ask of you.”
I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What is it?”
“Will you accept this gift from Dokumbe?”
“What gift?”
Tog slipped his two fingers between his lips and whistled, the door on the other side of the hall opening up. I heard muffling and rattling chains, before a short, dirty, blonde girl walked out with my titan guard and Matissa escorting her inside.
My eyes blew up with amazement.
“May I present to you Jezz Valentine! The notorious fae wolf!”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Red Goblin's smile grew ever wider. He knew I was interested in his gift, which meant that he knew that I was searching for the lone hero of Senterra…
But what I couldn’t comprehend was how they captured someone as slippery as the ice wolf…
“Ah, I could see the sheer marvel in your beautiful eyes, princess! I take it you accept this token of good faith?”
I was rendered speechless, trying to suppress the excitement bubbling inside of me. This was exactly what I needed, seeing how empty-handed Matissa had been these past few days. My attention kept on Jezz, her battered and bruised state firing questions in my head. She had a long metal rod in her mouth tied to the back of her head, and shackles along her wrists and ankles. The chains were blessed with an unfamiliar spell that made them glow black, and from a quick glance, it looked like they were accursed objects to limit her powers.
They may also be the reason why she hadn’t transformed into a wolf yet…
Matissa shoved her to her knees, Gerald reacting slightly at her gesture. From the corner of my eye, he looked slightly distraught as he stood there with his spear, but I didn’t give it a second thought. I was distracted with the ice wolf, Jezz grunting with a hard breath as she spilled on the floor. When she picked her head up and sat on her feet, she glared up at me.
Those yellow honey eyes pierced my chest with a furious anger that nearly made me hold my breath. She made my blood run cold, but I was happy to see her at my feet nonetheless.
The Dragon Conclave whispered among themselves, and at the corner of my eyes, I could see my father sitting there with a stoic expression on his serious face.
Slowly, I approached the fae. Two steps forward didn’t make Jezz flinch one bit, the girl continuing to chew at my soul with her intense stare.
I brought my agape lips together and gave her the same look, then asked. “Where did you find her?”
The Red Goblin chuckled. “Let's just say that the ice wolf isn't as cunning as she thinks she is. My men were able to capture her, and I figured you out of all dragons would appreciate a fine and rare catch such as herself.” He grinned ear to ear. “But I must say, it was a trial for me not to keep her for myself. She has been a thorn in my side for far too long! I had plans for her, a slow agonizing death that would surpass your standard. Then I thought of the extended suffering she may endure with you. I hear you have been searching for the hero of Senterra and his traveling companion.”
“And what of Silas Bruer?”
