Dragon Blood (Completed)

Findings

"Our formalities set us apart from the commoners," Ryder implied curtly.

"Yes, I suppose our extra talents as royals just aren't enough. We should act like pompous prats as well."

Ryder was visibly flustered by her statement, and Zane couldn't resist joining in on her game. "Of course. One look at the power reflecting back in our eyes wouldn't be enough either." Zane seated himself in a chair next to Dean, who grinned up at him. Zane took in the full blue of Dean's eyes, grateful to see the now rare color focused on him. Ryder sat stiffly across from Zane with a hard line on his lips.

"Dean," Paige said, setting off into their other language. After a minute, Dean made a disbelieving sound and shook his head as he looked at Ryder. Then Zane heard his own name. Paige shook her head, placing her hand over Dean's as she explained something, the only part of which he understood were the words Lavender and Desma.

Zane understood the context of the conversation as Paige let Dean know that Ryder was there for another reason than to assist with the investigation, to which Dean had expressed his preference to Zane, and Paige explained that was not possible. It looked like Ryder understood the context of the conversation as well. The sour look on Ryder's face told Zane he was offended that Dean would prefer Zane over him.

"Thanks for coming. I expect the commander will be here shortly," Paige said when she finished speaking to Dean.

Lilly Redblood entered, breezing in to give Paige a kiss on the cheek before whispering something in her ear. Paige shook her head, and for a moment, Lilly looked distraught. "I'm sure it's nothing." Lilly turned and gave Dean a brilliant smile. "Good morning. How is my favorite Bluescale prince this morning?"

"Good morning, Lilly," Dean greeted.

Lilly took the empty seat to Paige's left. With Lilly around, it was easy to make polite conversation until the others were escorted in. When Commander Byran arrived, he had several members of the guard with him.

"My Queen, these are the members of the guard who have been selected, as you requested."

Paige nodded slowly, looking over each member with her yellow eyes shining brightly. There were three women and four men.

"Who is the leader of this group?"

"That would be me, My Queen," a middle-aged female announced, stepping forward.

"Your name?"

"Alva, My Queen."

"Alva, I'm Paige, and this is my brother Dean." Dean waved at Alva with heartwarming enthusiasm. Alva beamed at the prince, then turned to greet the other royals in the room. "Princess Lilly Redblood. Princes Zane Blackskin and Ryder Orangeclaw."

Technically speaking, Ryder was not a prince. His father had been a Lord before he died, and his mother married the king of Blackskin. The Orangeclaw line was almost as vast as the Whitetails. A royal line that large would have to be nearly extinct, like the Bluescales, before Ryder would ever be officially seen as a prince. Zane wondered if Paige understood how the royal lineage actually worked. That just because he and Zane were considered brothers, and had been raised as such, he still didn't hold the same title.

"Ma'am, sirs," Alva greeted, inclining her head slightly.

"Lady Queen," Ryder said, glaring at Alva. "I fear your staff has gone too long without a true royal. Apparently, they have forgotten their manners."

Paige looked annoyed. "What manners are those?"

"They haven't bowed to you once."

"That's because I've asked them not to." It was clear that she found this topic to be a waste of her time.