A Pet for the Dragons

142.

IVRET

"I didn't think I'd see you so soon," Ceikalyn smiled at me, but it didn't reach her eyes. I found her in her private garden, surrounded by guards, as she enjoyed her morning blood tea. "Certainly not this early in the morning. Everything alright?" She asked with a knowing look in her eyes.

I'd been too much in my head to notice it immediately, but it felt odd for her to be here at this hour. Usually, she'd be in her study early this morning, working on her journals. It was as if she'd been waiting for me.

"You've been waiting for me," I told her as she sipped her blood tea. She smiled at me, but it reached her eyes this time.

"I'm always waiting for you. You know that," Ceikalyn said darkly as she put away her cup and poured some tea into another cup. "Come, have a seat. I can tell you are troubled about something. Otherwise, you'd be in with your bond now,"

I eyed her for a second. Something felt off about her. I couldn't tell what it was, but something about her demeanour unsettled me. Ceikalyn always had a soothing aura that calmed me, especially as a child. It was one of the reasons why I was pleased when she chose me as one of her disciples. However, there was something different about her today, and I couldn't put a finger on it.

"You're right," I told her, sitting opposite her when all I wanted to do was pace. But I didn't want to show her how troubled I was today. I had a feeling she'd use it against me. "I'm in a bit of trouble," I told her. "Mavie appointed me as the Arch Healer and an advisor,"

"Congratulations," Ceikalyn smiled, but it was unsettling this time. She didn't sound surprised. I was sure she knew about this already. She had her eyes and ears all over this place, after all. For some reason, this made me comfortable all of a sudden.

"You know, I don't want that," I told her.

"What do you want me to do about it?" She asked, pushing a cup of blood tea towards me, but I ignored it. I could rest until I found a way out of this.

The official dinner was tomorrow night, and Mavie invited Arika and me. I didn't want to take Arika to the dinner. She was best hidden from the scheming nobles.

"Search for reasons that disqualify me to serve Mavie," I shrugged. "You're good at these sorts of things, after all,"

"And you think it'd stop her from having you under her thumb?" Ceikayn cocked an eyebrow at me. She had a point. Mavie would have her way one way to the other. I couldn't do much here. "And I'm sure you didn't come here for this," She cleared, making me straighten up. Of course, she knew. She had to know. She must've known this even before me.

"I don't want to take Arika to the dinner," I cleared up after a tense silence between us. I thought I almost saw the corner of Ceikalyn's mouth curve into something sly at my confession. It made me wonder if I made a mistake coming to her for help in the first place.

Something about this whole situation didn't feel right to me. All of this felt... manufactured. I didn't like this at all.

"There's nothing much I could do this in case. My hands are tied. You know that," Ceikalyn cleared up.

"I don't want you to do anything. Just tell me what I can do to avoid this... because this will be dangerous. I don't want to take her to the dinner because I know Mavie will do something. She's been planning this all along. This is a setup because Arika has no business being at the Court Dinner where only Court members are invited."

Ceikalyn laughed at me while I grew more tense.

"You're talking as if Mavie will present her on the table like a roasted basilisk. It's just a dinner party. It's all about having a good time." Ceikalyn shrugged, solidifying the strange feeling I had about her today. She knew what could go wrong at a dinner like this.

At official court dinners, guests who were not part of the court were usually on the menu. I shuddered, reminiscing about similar Dinner parties I had attended. It was one of the reasons why I not only worked hard to leave this place but also gave up my titles. I didn't want to be associated with anything like that again.

"Arika is not part of the Court," I reminded her grimly this time. "And this is a Court Dinner. You've been to many such Court Dinners to say that, Ceikalyn."

"I have," She finally acknowledged what I meant, "But I cannot do anything because it's an official invitation. Did she send the green wingers with the invitation?" Ceikalyn asked.

"Yes,"

"Hah! Then, nothing can be done. You have to show up with your human pet and let her be part of the show," She shrugged, pouring another cup. I felt more and more unsettled by her responses. "And you know what happens when you don't show up."

"I know, but I can't take her there. Please... there has to be some way. I'm willing to do anything to keep her safe."

"Anything to keep her safe?"

"Yes," I gritted. "Anything,"

"What does anything mean to you?" Ceikalyn asked darkly. "Where exactly do you draw the line?"

"There are no lines,"

"So much for a mere human? I'd say it's not worth it. You can get more like her from the slavers." Ceikalyn suggested darkly. I swallowed hard.

"I don't want more like her. I only want her," I told her darkly. "And I thought Mavie banished all slavers,"

Ceikalyn laughed at my words.

"Why would she do that? Especially when it keeps the coffers fat?" I clenched my jaw at her words. If anything, it was another reason to get out of here and never look back.

"That human is my bond. I'm willing to do anything to keep her safe," I pressed.

"Anything?" Ceikalyn asked.

"Anything," I gritted.

"Anything?"

"Yes,"

"What about treason?" She offered darkly.

"Even that," I answered without missing a beat.

Ceikalyn's hand with the cup froze midway to her lips. She gave me a cold and sinister smile.

Did I walk into a trap?

~

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