The Blood's Flame (The Dragons of Flareia Book 1)

Chapter 5 - Louin

The Anemasi Pearl Palace

26th Year of the Ocean

1st Moon

"No." The King said with finality.

The Spirit Dragon paced around the throne room, her pearled scales shimmering in the light that fell through the skylight above her. She cocked her head to the side. I don't believe you're in a position to be refusing me. Deus commented. You've never refused me and Cantier before.

"You've never requested a Princess as a Cantier before!" The King growled, scratching at his silvery beard. He shook his head. "And what do you mean, not in a position to be refusing you?"

A pure white dove flew down from high in the rafters and landed lightly on the Deus's shoulder. Deus lent in towards the animal with comfort. Tenebrille of the Shadows has chosen a Dragonheir.

The King froze. "I beg your pardon?"

Deus knew he had heard her nonetheless. Lymphario of Avalona has chosen Princess Olivier as his Dragonheir instead of the Crown Prince. For now, the country is in uproar, but who knows what this means for the future.

The King squeezed his lilac eyes shut, his bushy eyebrows threatening to swallow his eyes whole as he did so. "What of the other countries?"

Blissé of the Air has chosen a scholar boy called Davri as her fifth Dragonheir, and has also chosen four-year-old Varille of Sophos to replace the late Queen. Deus went on. In Ignisia, the Fire Dragon disrupted his Sacrifice and saved the sixth sacrifice from the lava, instead, naming her as his fifth Dragonheir. She paused. There is no word yet from Gaiamere.

The King's brow furrowed. "Odd, considering Gaiamere are usually the first to hold their Choosing." He muttered. Then he glanced up at Deus before him. "Did you say two dragons have chosen female Dragonheirs?"

Deus nodded. Princess Olivier of Avalona and Flae of the Ember from Ignisia, Your Majesty.

King Aspha shook his head in disbelief. "Blasphemy. Women Dragonheirs?"

I will remind you that there was never a rule against the dragons choosing female Dragonheirs, King Aspha. It just so happened that the previous Dragonheirs of all six dragons were male, and foolish humans believed it to concern male supremacy.

He laughed. "Does that mean you wish for my daughter to be your Dragonheir, under the guise of a Cantier?" He said the words lightly, as if he were joking, but Deus could see the worry in his eyes.

If I wished to have Princess Annalissa as my Dragonheir, I would have told you as much.

The King chewed on his lip beneath his moustache. "Do you intend to choose a female Dragonheir?"

Deus closed her eyes. I intend to choose a Dragonheir through which citizen of Anemasi has the strongest spirit – just as I always have. If that citizen is a woman, then so be it.

Then the King sighed. "Why do you want Annalissa as a Cantier, Dragon of Spirit?" He asked. "Why is she of such importance to you? She is the lone Princess of Anemasi, I cannot let her go that easily."

Deus rolled her eyes. The Princess will be under even greater care on the Isle of Deus than she could ever be within the palace walls, Your Highness. She said simply. The power of spirit runs through her veins. My magic runs through her veins. If she does not learn how to properly harness this power, she could put every male in the palace – every male in the country – in grave danger. Princess Annalissa becoming a Cantier is beneficial for everyone.