Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 1437 - 36 : Flight and Fight

*Saoirse*

My eyes darted around as I wandered the palace. I had just returned for the day and was getting ready for bed, but Rhys still hadn’t come back to the room. He had been up late working on negotiations between the two realms, but it couldn’t be sustainable for him to do multiple nights in a row like he had been.

I decided to go and find him, hoping to make sure he ate dinner. I also went because I was certain we hadn’t had more than a five-word conversation in days.

I went to the throne room and was unsurprised to hear Rhys’ voice mingling with Axureon’s. From the sound of the conversation, they were just about through wrapping up their meeting.

I wandered away from the door, not wanting to look like I was eavesdropping, and stood against a nearby pillar to wait for Rhys. It took a couple more minutes for him to exit the throne room.

I watched as he exited, waiting to catch his eye, but he didn’t notice me as he started to head down the hall leading to our room.

“Rhys,” I said, rushing to catch up to him.

He stiffened before turning to face me. I furrowed my eyebrows when I saw that his expression was wary. I hesitated. “How did the meeting go?”

Rhys looked away for a moment, seeming distracted by something before glancing at me again, not facing me fully. “It went fine, but I have a lot of work to do tonight. Was there something you needed?”

I bit my lower lip as I gazed up at him. Something was wrong. He was still refusing to look at me fully. He had his body slightly angled from mine, looking like he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

“I don’t really need anything,” I said finally. “I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner together. I feel like you’ve been skipping meals lately, and that can’t be good for you.”

I smiled slightly, remembering how early on, he had been concerned whenever he wasn’t sure if I had eaten or not.

I ducked my head slightly, trying to meet his bright eyes with mine, but he just turned away from me. “Thank you for your concern, but it is unnecessary. I will eat when I find time later on. Right now, it is imperative that I begin the work I have to complete for tomorrow.”

I opened my mouth to protest, to tell him that he really should at least break for dinner before going back to working on things, but I could tell he wasn’t going to budge.

I felt a feeling of deep concern spread in my gut. I wondered if this could have anything to do with me but forced myself to push the thought away.

“Don’t be so full of yourself,” I told myself internally. This had nothing to do with me. I was just being paranoid because Rhys and I hadn’t been able to spend much time together. I gritted my teeth, telling myself sternly that I wasn’t going to let my fears get in the way of our relationship.

“I understand,” I told Rhys finally. “I’m sorry things have been so busy lately. Please rest and eat when you can. I’ll see you later.”

Rhys nodded and turned to go without another word. I watched him until he disappeared down the hallway.

I couldn’t bear to eat alone, so I decided to leave the palace and eat dinner at one of the restaurants in the main part of the valley. Somehow, that proved even more lonely as I sat with my food in the corner of the restaurant, nibbling on my food and watching the other shifters with their friends and families.

“Hi, Miss Saoirse.”

I looked up from my food at a shifter who looked about my age. However, due to the nature of the dragons, she was likely centuries old. She had straight dark hair and eyes the color of amethyst.

“Hello,” I said politely. I could hear the shock in my voice at having someone approach me.

“My name is Saphira,” the girl said. She seemed a little shy as she looked around as if debating how to continue. “I just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve been doing for us. My whole valley is forever in your debt.”

My face reddened. “I appreciate it, but I haven’t truly done anything yet,” I said lightly. “I can only hope that I will be able to be the savior that you all are hoping for.”

“That is just it though,” Saphira said, her eyes shimmering as she looked at me. “You might not have saved us yet, but you have provided our valley with a hope that we now survive on. It is what keeps us going these days.”

I looked down at the table between us for a moment. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I smiled up at the girl. “Thank you for the kind words,” I said sincerely. “I will continue to do my best to help in any way I can.”

Saphira smiled. I could tell it was genuine by the way it touched the edges of her eyes. “Is it true what they say?” she asked suddenly. “Can you really accomplish just about anything with the ancient abilities you now possess?”

I laughed, suddenly embarrassed. “I definitely wouldn’t say I can do anything,” I said, hoping my face wasn’t too red. “I’m still learning how to harness my powers. There’s a lot that I can’t do. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fly like the rest of you can.”

Saphira tilted her head slightly, studying me. “Would you like to?”

I blinked up at her. “Would I like to what?”

She grinned at me. “Fly, of course,” she said. “It truly is an exhilarating sensation. I would be happy to let you ride on me if you’d like.”

I felt my jaw drop. “Oh, I couldn’t impose on you like that,” I said quickly, waving my hands around.

Saphira giggled. “Oh, I insist,” she said. Her amethyst eyes grew a bit serious. “I would love to as a way of thanking you for all you’ve done for my people so far.”

I couldn’t really say no to that.

About an hour later, I was gripping the back of Saphira’s neck tightly as she pushed off of the ground below. I was unable to swallow the elated laugh that burst from my throat as we started to soar through the sky.

Saphira had spent over an hour coaching me on how to ride so that I wouldn’t fall off. It would take a great deal of leg and arm strength to keep from tipping off her side. She had me practice on a bench, which felt a little ridiculous but necessary. When she felt I was ready, she transformed into a gorgeous beast with near-black scales, tinted with a breathtaking violet color.

I couldn’t believe the sense of weightlessness I had as we flew through the night sky. The wind was cold as it whipped against the bare skin of my face, but I found that I absolutely loved the feeling of that same wind in my hair.

I gasped as we headed straight into a cloud, rising higher and higher. I shivered slightly, the air was much nippier as we became engulfed by white fluff. I didn’t even have time to be uncomfortable before we burst from the thick fog and were suddenly above the clouds.

I gasped, my eyes widening as a sense of unabashed freedom filled me as we soared above the world.

***

*Rhys*

I found myself spending most of my days negotiating between Egoren and Axureon. The latter, unfortunately, was becoming less interested in placating the king and much more engulfed in pinning his hopes on Saoirse’s powers.

I raked a hand through my hair as I completed yet another phone call with one of the Egoren diplomats. The negotiations shouldn’t have taken this long if Axureon would only commit to working with the Egoren forces. My father was growing more impatient as each of his different offers was shot down by the dragon shifter.

I stood from my desk and made my way out of the small office that Axureon was kind enough to provide me with. It allowed me to spend some time out of the room I was sharing with Saoirse.

I swallowed hard as I thought about the young woman. I was well aware that I was avoiding her after I heard her uttering the name of the dragon king. I told myself that I was just busy with these diplomatic matters, which wasn’t a lie because I truly was.

I looked over the plan that had been sent over by my father. It detailed fortification efforts around both Egoren borders and the Dragon Valley. It involved reaching out to special magic wielders, which made me feel like Axureon would likely be shooting this plan down as well.

Still, it was worth a try.

I froze in the doorway of the throne room, which had been left ajar.

Saoirse stood before Axureon’s throne. It was clear she had just returned from training since she was dressed in light pants and a tight-fitting black shirt that did nothing to hide her generous curves. She was smiling brightly up at the dragon king, causing me to curl my fingers into the forms I held.

“You have pleased me greatly, my dear,” Axureon said with a grin.

My jaw dropped when Saoirse giggled shyly. “I hope I can continue to do so,” she said. I gritted my teeth together.

Axureon gave a rumbling laugh. “I’m sure you will,” he said. As if he felt my eyes on him, he looked up and met my gaze. “Ah, Prince Rhys. You may enter.”

I did so slowly but kept my head high, crossing the room until I was standing next to Saoirse. “I’ve come to present Egoren’s next offer,” I announced.

Axureon nodded. “Ah, of course you have,” he said but then shook his head. “And I thank you, but I’m afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow. I’ve much to do until then.”

I hid my frustration and smiled politely. “Of course,” I said politely. I looked over at Saoirse. “We will be retiring for the night then. Come, Saoirse.”

Saoirse’s head whipped around so she could send me a confused look, but she bowed to Axureon before following me out of the throne room.

We walked in silence back up to the bedroom we were sharing. Neither of us spoke until I shut us inside the room.

Saoirse was watching me expectantly. “Is everything alright, Rhys?” she finally asked.

I considered her innocent question for a moment before realizing that things weren’t alright and hadn’t been for a while now.

“What were you and Axureon discussing?” I asked instead.

Saoirse just stared at me. “What?”

I took a calm, steadying breath. “Why did he summon you?” I asked, a little sharply.

Saoirse raised an eyebrow before crossing her arms over her chest. “He wanted a status report on my training. It’s what we always discuss.”

I watched her for a moment. It was impossible to doubt her stubborn expression. I sighed. “It just feels like there have been multiple occasions when I’ve been seeking out the dragon, and he insists on being near you.”

Saoirse blinked, and then her green eyes narrowed. “Rhys, you’re starting to sound an awful lot like Connall.”

I reeled as if she struck me before clenching my jaw. “Why would you compare me to your abusive ex?” I demanded, feeling myself begin to shake with rage.

Saoirse wasn’t affected by my outburst. “Because that is something he would say.”

I gritted my teeth together hard and turned on my heel to leave, slamming the door shut behind me.

I was angry but devastation also filled me as I realized she truly must have feelings for the dragon.