Dragon Blood (Completed)

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Chapter 25

Once Maze was sure Paige was suffering from Heartsbane poisoning, Paige didn't hold her morning translation sessions, claiming she needed her strength to focus on other things. Those other things were all about Dean, such as tutors for his education and training from the guard to teach him to fight in both his mortal and dragon forms.

It was the topic of conversation in the dining hall, where the royals were in a tizzy. Most royals were not encouraged to fight unless they were Redbloods, or like Zane, who insisted their personal guard teach them once they were of age and couldn't be stopped.

The thing she did that Zane found most amusing to talk about at dinner was that she also invited the castle staff to send their children around Dean's age to participate in his lessons—both his educational and fighting lessons.

He knew from speaking with Paige about it that she didn't take the issue lightly. Every family of children that desired to attend had to be put through a rigorous screening process. They would first have to pass an interview process by Alva's team, where their references would be checked. Then, if they passed Alva, they would have to be seen personally by the queen so she could use her Yellowback power on them to determine if they were the right fit for Dean.

She was insuring that Dean and the children who attended would have an excellent education. The process was going to take several weeks, and Zane wondered what would happen if during her Desma, she was joined with someone who was adamantly against all she was trying to do.

"Paige, why are you starting all this now? You know it's unlikely that this school will ever see the light of day," Zane had asked her since he was choosing to help her for a few hours every day. During this time, Zane and Lavender seemed to be healing the rift in their relationship as they tried to figure out who was trying to frame her for the attack, but there was still a tension that Zane found unsettling.

"One day, most of those children in class with him will be working either in the castle, or have a close connection to it. I think it would be wise if I helped foster friendships and loyalties as early as possible." Paige spoke thoughtfully in a low voice. "Bluescales have been far too vulnerable over the years, so it's better if Dean is able to defend himself as best he can. If no one comes to save my life, Dean will be the only Bluescale. He needs the best chance I can give him to survive. I don't want Dean to forget the people he'll one day be in a position of leadership over. He must think of them as real people, not just numbers on paper or far off dragons he will never see. If not, I fear he will be easily corrupted."

She was silent for several breaths while Zane processed her logic with skepticism. "I think it's a win-win," she said simply, while Zane was still mulling over her well thought-out idea. Zane could only think that this was highly unorthodox, but he knew that statement wouldn't be enough to deter Paige from this new school of hers.

She also spent time going over the staffing needs of the castle, meeting with the heads of each area to learn what projects they were working on. What repairs were needed, and how much help they felt they needed, since Theo had let so many dragons go. Sitting in on these meetings, it was a wonder that the castle was running as well as it was once he'd heard of all the issues that needed attention.

"You need a personal assistant," Zane told her.

"I know." She rubbed her head, like she had a headache.

"Can I get you anything?"

She gave him a small smile. "No, I'm fine." Since her last attack with the talon gas, she'd been speaking to him again. He didn't want to question her about it and cause an argument, so he simply accepted her changed attitude.