Chapter 475: Null As A Point, You Say

The woman at the center of a three-continent negotiation involving gold, fleets, military alliances, and the Dark Fae war strategy, at this exact moment, was catching a chiming ball in her mouth.

Nicholas set his glass down with a quiet click.

"Correction." He met Landon’s eyes. "The attacks on Nyros follow a pattern of territorial expansion. They are hitting packs across my borders in a way that suggests conquest, not retrieval. She may be part of their interest but she is not the sum of it, and the last thing that woman needs is to hear that a continent is at war because of her. So I would appreciate it if that narrative does not reach her ears."

"Seconded on both of those things," Maddox agreed. "The attacks on Velkaris follow the same pattern. They started over a year ago before I even knew she existed. It’s bigger than just her. And I will echo what Shadowfell said. That is the last thing my wife needs to hear right now."

Landon’s light pulsed once, involuntary, the tell of a man whose composure cost him something.

"I have no intention of telling her that." His chin lifted a fraction. "I’d appreciate not being spoken to as though I would. Give me some credit for that much. Whatever their long-term goals are, the Eclipse court is hunting her because she bears light. That does not change because the attacks are also territorial. Both things can be true. They are also applying sustained pressure, designed to exhaust both of your resources until one of you cuts a deal to hand her over and end the fighting."

"Not happening," Nicholas said, voice final.

"Let them try," Maddox said at the same time.

Landon’s hand came up, palm out, the universal gesture of let me get to my point before you set my furniture on fire.

"I am not implying that either of you would." Landon lowered his hand. "I am giving you my thoughts on it because I respect you both enough to do that and I would expect the same in return if the situation was reversed. None of us are handing her over. That is not the question. The question is how we make that position sustainable. And having her here, behind walls the Eclipse Court cannot breach, solves problems for both of your kingdoms and for her. Which brings me back to what I put on the table."

Maddox let out a breath. Stood. Poured himself another measure like he owned the place. It was four-hundred-year-old reserve. It was very good. Then he sat back down.

"Your offer is generous and my answer hasn’t changed. You have a sister who is my Third’s fated mate. Fated mates for dragons are very rare, Solveil. She also now wears his mark. That is what we should be discussing."

"As I mentioned earlier, she is promised to House Solandris, Drakencrest," Landon said, his voice calm. "And forgive me if I have a difficult time believing that she is his fated mate. There is no dragon in her blood whatsoever."

"Maybe he has Luminari somewhere in his," Maddox countered. "That is exactly what people said to me when I said Guinevere was my fated mate. And it turned out, she had dragon in her the whole time." He paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "But let me give you some context. A dragon marking their mate is extremely rare. The marking is driven by instinct. It is not something you just do when you decide to. Most wives go their whole lives without a dragon mark. And once you have one, it’s permanent. It is doubtful that Lord Solandris lets his son take a woman who already bears one. No high house would in dragon culture. It is seen as taking another dragon’s claim."

Something crossed Landon’s face that belonged to a brother, not a king. Maddox recognized it because Maddox had worn it. The recognition was the first moment of genuine connection between two men who had spent the evening on opposite sides of a table.

He set his glass down. When he spoke, it was in a register he almost never used. The one underneath the king.

"You care for your sister, I see that, Solveil. I have a younger sister and understand. And I am telling you man to man, that Sterling Emberfell is a good man and would treat her right."

"He was finishing inside my cousin while his fingers were inside my unconscious sister," Landon managed, his light flaring at the memory. "What part of that is good, Drakencrest?"

"That was out of character for him," Maddox replied. "And something was wrong with that entire room. My Second said the scents were manufactured. Shadowfell’s mage was mounted in front of all three of us."

He swirled his drink once. House Solandris was one of Drakencrest’s oldest alliances. They still were on paper. And up until recently, Maddox would have had a positive opinion of them. But they had abducted Guinevere and their Master Mage had used dark magic on her. Lord Solandris and his brother Eron were both completely fine with setting Dark Fae on Guinevere while she was cuffed.

"Edward Solandris II is married with children," Maddox added after a moment. His tone was neutral. Just speaking facts. "Your sister would be his second wife, Solveil."

"My sister is aware of the arrangement." Landon paused. Took a drink. "Two wives is not uncommon among the dragon lords. You know that. I know that. It is also common with Luminari high houses. So that point is null."

The room temperature changed. Nicholas and Maddox shared a look that lasted half a second and communicated a full tactical plan. Landon had just opened a door he did not mean to open.

Nicholas’s voice came out casual. "If multiple wives is standard and null as a point, does that mean you intend to take another wife alongside Guinevere? Or are you already married and she is unaware?"