Under His Reign

GALEN

“What the hell was that about?” Cyrus’s question echoes exactly what I’m thinking. I purse my lips and watch Adelle lead the young women out of the room. Irritation rises inside of me as the shock of Drago’s actions subsides. I’ll figure out what he’s hiding; there are no secrets in this castle that evade me.

“Why would he accept that offer?”

I ignore Cyrus’s murmured thought. “Why would you let the sorcerer leave?”

My brother turns to me, a crease between his brow, and he answers, “You told him to. We don’t contradict one another.” Cyrus stares at me with his forehead pinched in confusion. “To be honest, I’m still shocked you allowed him to go.” He runs a hand through his hair in exasperation.

“I shouldn’t have.” I shake my head, pissed at myself for not thinking clearly. “It wasn’t wise.”

“No it wasn’t.” Again, he stares toward the now closed doors. “He’s going to tell everyone what happened. They’ll know it to be true.”

I nod my head in agreement with his statement. “But we did not agree to war.”

“We may as well have,” he states matter of factly. With a heavy inhale he rises and I follow. We walk out of the throne room, and I smirk as we both walk toward the study.

“Are you intending on looking her up as well?” I have to ask him.

He raises a brow and smirks. “I’m not competing for her affection, if that’s what you mean.”

“It’s not.” Although a deep part of me is grateful for him bowing out, that wasn’t what I was getting at. “Do you think she really exists? A woman who could carry our line?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I haven’t thought much of it.” He looks away as he speaks, and I’ve learned that means he’s lying.

“You haven’t thought at all about having a mate?” My question is laced with doubt.

“Why would I? Our kind died out long ago, and the possibility of another species carrying dragonlings is”—he breathes heavily—“impossible.”

I admonish him. “That’s a strong word, Cyrus.”

“It is the truth. It’s best to accept it and live life to the fullest.”

“To the fullest? As in constantly having a new woman in your bed?”

He scoffs at me. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Ah I see.” No, I don’t. I don’t understand how one could live life to the fullest without a mate. I’ve wanted one for as long as I can remember. I thought I had her once, and my chest aches in memory.

“You’re thinking of her, aren’t you?”

I peek at my brother with a side-eye and nod. We know each other too well to hide from my brothers.

“She would have made you a wonderful mate. I liked her very much.” Before I can read too much into his words he adds, “for you. She would’ve been good for you.”

A familiar ache and pain flow through me, proving I’m not as numb to the past as I thought I was.

“I agree. But she’s gone.” It hurts to say the words. I think back to my sweet, innocent Kiera. I should have made her my mate as soon as I was able. We were so young though. Neither of us had truly learned to live yet. I remember kissing her in the towers. She’d pull away and smile shyly when things were just getting good. A small smile appears on my lips. If only I could turn back time, I’d never let her leave me. I would have loved her with everything I had.

“There’s no use in regret.” Cyrus’s normally playful tone is gone. His hard voice breaks the happiness of my memory. “They’re all gone and they’re never coming back.”

“When did you become the serious, cynical one?”

He huffs a laugh, “You were the one getting all glassy-eyed.”

“You don’t know what it’s like to have loved and lost.”

“Sure I do. Just as well as you.” A grim look passes quickly over his face. I know he’s thinking about the purge. About the betrayal. My blood runs slow and cold as the memory consumes me. I remember the screams, and our mother locking us in the room. I’ll never forget how the door shook and how Drago stood in front of us, prepared and fearless and ready to fight them off. That day we united as we were meant to. The day greed nearly brought an end to our species. “You may have another one to love if this woman Victor speaks of actually exists.”

I’m grateful for Cyrus’s words as they bring me back to the present. I snort in response and push the doors to the study open. “Let’s find out who this Isabella is. I’m sure our scouts know something.”

“What about Drago?”

“What about him?” My dragon rises and paces, daring him to question my claim to Isabella.

“What is with you two? So fucking possessive all of a sudden.” He shakes his head with a smirk. “What the hell happened back there with Drago and that girl?”

I relax my shoulders and my dragon settles. “I have no idea. It’s been a long time since he’s shown any interest.”

“That was more than simple interest. I wonder what it is about her that caused him to take her and run like that.” I take my seat, worn leather that holds both comfort and memories at the desk, and type in my password as Cyrus takes his seat across from me. His expression is one of contemplation. “She doesn’t look familiar to me. Do you recognize her?”

I shake my head with a frown. “I’ve never seen her before.”

“Well, what the hell does he want with her?”

“I can only imagine one thing.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I question them. He hasn’t taken a woman in years that I know of. My finger taps against the keyboard aimlessly as I consider Drago’s motive. “Perhaps he’s fond of her. Maybe she reminds him of someone.” I think back to Kiera. If I’d found someone who reminded me of her, I’d hold on as tight as I could.

“I don’t buy it.”

I quirk a brow at him. “Why don’t you go ask then?”

A smile slowly forms on his face as he rises. The seat he’d taken no doubt still cold. “You know, I think I will.”

My brow cocks as his wheels turn and he paces around the desk. His hand comes down on the back of my chair and he leans forward. “But first, let’s talk to our contacts at the Authority and see who this Isabella is.”

My thoughts are almost spoken, but I swallow them down. I hope she exists. I’ve wanted for so long to feel a connection with someone. Even if she doesn’t love me back, I’ll at least have our children. She will grow to love me, I’m sure.

I do my damndest to bury the hope deep down. It hurts worse and worse each time I’ve tried to bond and mate. But I can’t help it blooming in my chest with a fire that will never go out. I want her to exist. I need to cling to the possibility of this Isabella being my mate.