27. Tiamat

Chapter 27

Tiamat

As I stride purposefully through the crowd, my heart pounding with determination, I'm abruptly halted as my father sweeps me up into his arms. His touch is firm yet gentle, his voice a soothing murmur in my ear as he guides me away from my intended destination.

"Not here," he whispers, his expression grave as he leads me towards the meeting room. I shoot him a questioning look, my dragoness seething beneath the surface, her anger simmering dangerously close to boiling over.

He meets my gaze with a steady look, his eyes filled with concern. "Your mom is bringing King Tao Qin here, along with his daughter Jade and your brother," he explains quietly.

I draw in a deep breath, attempting to rein in my turbulent emotions and calm my enraged dragoness. "Fine," I reply tersely, taking my seat at the head of the table and waiting impatiently for the others to arrive.

Before long, my brother Ladon appears at my side, his brow furrowed with confusion and concern. "Sissy? What is the meaning of this?" he asks, his voice laced with uncertainty.

I sigh heavily, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. "I'm fixing things," I tell him, my tone resolute. "A true mate or a fated mate trumps all betrothals. What he is doing, I am considering an act of war."

The deep rumble of my dragoness echoes through the room, a tangible presence that fills the air with tension and anticipation. I can sense the apprehension in Ladon's eyes, but I know I cannot back down now. The stakes are too high, and I will do whatever it takes to protect my family and uphold the sacred bond of mates.

As we wait for the arrival of our guests, the atmosphere in the meeting room crackles with tension. Each passing moment feeling like an eternity as we brace ourselves for the confrontation that lies ahead. The air is heavy with anticipation, every breath tinged with uncertainty and apprehension.

Finally, the door swings open, and my mother enters, followed closely by King Tao Qin and his daughter Jade. My heart clenches at the sight of them, knowing the difficult conversation that awaits us.

I rise from my seat, my gaze fixed on King Tao Qin as he approaches, his expression guarded yet curious. "Your Majesty," I say respectfully, inclining my head in greeting. "Thank you for joining us."

He nods in acknowledgment, his eyes flickering with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Queen Tiamat," he replies formally, his tone polite yet cautious. "You mentioned you wished to speak with us?"

I nod, steeling myself for the difficult conversation ahead. "Indeed," I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within me. "I have grave concerns regarding the betrothal of your daughter, Jade."

King Tao Qin's brow furrows with concern, his gaze flickering to his daughter before returning to me. "What concerns do you have, Lady Tiamat?" he asks, his tone guarded yet receptive.

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before proceeding. "I believe that Jade and Ladon are true mates," I explain, my voice tinged with conviction. "Their bond transcends any betrothal arrangement, and I cannot stand by and allow their happiness to be sacrificed for the sake of political convenience."

There is a moment of stunned silence as my words sink in, the weight of my declaration hanging heavy in the air. I can feel the tension in the room mounting, every eye fixed on me as I await King Tao Qin's response.

To my surprise, he doesn't react with anger or hostility, but with a thoughtful contemplation. "I understand your concerns, my Queen," he says at last, his tone measured yet sincere.

King Tao Qin's expression shifts from guarded to incredulous as he processes my words, his eyes widening in surprise. He opens his mouth to respond, but before he can utter a word, I feel the power of my dragoness surging within me, a fierce and primal force that demands to be acknowledged.

With a confident smirk, I reach up and remove the pins from my hair, allowing my snowy white locks to cascade down to my waist in a shimmering cascade. As I do so, I feel the bone plates beneath my skin shifting and sharpening, my features transforming into those of my dragonic lineage. Opalescent scales line my eyes, their iridescent sheen reflecting the light in dazzling patterns.

Sensing the tension in the room, my father steps forward, his expression calm yet authoritative as he places my great-great grandmother's crown upon my head. It serves as a potent symbol of my lineage, a reminder of the power and prestige that comes with being a descendant of the Blood Queen.

"You're right," I say, my voice low and resonant as I meet King Tao Qin's gaze with unwavering intensity. "My brother may not be a royal Chinese dragon, but he is a direct descendant of the Blood Queen, Skaldi Atriox Nyx."

I lean forward, my eyes locking with his, the silent threat of my dragoness simmering beneath the surface. It is a warning, subtle yet unmistakable, a reminder of the formidable forces that stand behind me.

"You should be honored," I continue, my voice laced with a hint of challenge, "that my brother's dragon has aligned his bloodline with yours. It is a testament to the strength and prestige of your lineage."

There is a palpable tension in the air as my words hang between us, the weight of their implications echoing through the room. King Tao Qin's expression is a mixture of surprise and uncertainty, his eyes darting between me and my father as he struggles to process the magnitude of what I have revealed.

For a long moment, silence reigns in the room, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the steady rhythm of our breathing. I can feel the weight of expectation bearing down upon me, the pressure to assert my authority and defend my family's honor.

Finally, King Tao Qin breaks the silence, his voice measured yet tinged with apprehension. "I... I did not know," he admits, his tone betraying his uncertainty. "I apologize for any offense I may have caused."

I nod in acknowledgment, my expression softening slightly as I recognize the sincerity in his words. "Apology accepted," I reply, my voice calm yet firm. "But know this: my family will not be trifled with. We stand united, bound by blood and legacy, and we will not hesitate to defend our honor and our kin."

There is a moment of tense silence as my words hang in the air, the gravity of our exchange weighing heavily upon us. But even as the tension lingers, I can sense a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle easing of the animosity that had threatened to engulf us.

With a nod of understanding, King Tao Qin rises from his seat, his demeanor respectful yet guarded. "Thank you, Queen Tiamat," he says, his tone sincere. "I appreciate your candor, and I will take your words to heart. I will speak with my daughter and see if this is her heart's desire."

I return his nod with a gracious smile, a sense of relief flooding through me as I realize that perhaps we have reached a tentative understanding. Though our encounter may have begun with tension and uncertainty, it has ended with a measure of mutual respect and understanding.

As King Tao Qin and his entourage take their leave, I feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me, knowing that I have upheld my family's honor and defended our legacy against any who would seek to challenge it.

As my parents offer their words of encouragement and support, I feel a swell of gratitude wash over me, mingled with a lingering sense of apprehension. Despite my outward composure, there is a knot of tension coiled within my chest, a silent reminder of the weight of responsibility that rests upon my shoulders.

Drawing in a fortifying breath, I hazard a glance at my mother and father, their proud expressions serving as a balm to my frayed nerves. My father, Alaric, offers a reassuring smile before pressing a kiss to my temple and making his way towards the door.

"I'll alert your grandfather that we may have an issue," he says, his tone laced with a hint of determination. "He may want to have a few words with the king himself."

I nod in acknowledgment, grateful for his swift action, before turning my attention to my mother, who approaches with a warm smile on her lips.

"You're a great sister and an even better queen," she says, her voice soft yet filled with pride. "You make me very proud, hatchling."

Her words resonate within me, filling me with a sense of purpose and determination. Wrapping me in a tight embrace, she kisses my cheek before stepping back, leaving me alone with my twin, Ladon.

As the door closes behind them, I turn to face Ladon, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the swirling currents of uncertainty that threaten to overwhelm me.

Ladon returns my smile, his eyes sparkling with pride. "You handled that like a true queen, sis," he says, his voice filled with admiration. "I'm proud to call you my sister."

His words warm my heart, easing the lingering doubts and insecurities that had plagued me moments before. With Ladon by my side, I feel invincible, ready to face whatever challenges may lie ahead.

Together, we make our way back to the grand ballroom, the sound of laughter and music echoing through the corridors as we approach. Stepping through the ornate doors, we are greeted by the sight of our guests mingling and dancing, their laughter, and conversation filling the air with a vibrant energy.

Taking a moment to savor the scene before us, I feel a surge of pride welling up inside me. This celebration, this gathering of friends and family, is a testament to the bonds that unite us, the ties of kinship and camaraderie that transcend borders and boundaries.

As Ladon and I make our way through the crowd, I catch sight of my children, their laughter, and joy lighting up the room like a beacon of hope. Melinoe, Garyx, and Orion are running around in their dragon forms, their scales shimmering in the soft light of the candles.

With a fond smile, I watch as they play, their boundless energy a reminder of the resilience of youth. Despite the challenges and obstacles that may lie ahead, I know they will face them with courage and determination, just as I have done.

Turning my attention back to the festivities, I spot my mates, Draven, and Knox, standing at the center of the room, their eyes sparkling with pride as they greet our guests and oversee the proceedings. Seeing them together, their love and devotion clear in every gesture and expression, fills me with a profound sense of gratitude.

Approaching them, I feel a surge of warmth enveloping me, their presence a source of comfort and strength in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty that surround us. As they welcome me with open arms, I am reminded once again of the power of love, the unbreakable bond that binds us together as a family.

Together, we stand at the heart of the celebration, surrounded by friends and loved ones, our spirits buoyed by the joy and laughter that fills the air. In this moment, all worries, and fears fade away, replaced by a sense of peace and contentment that can only be found in the embrace of those we hold dear.

As the music swells and the festivities continue, I find myself caught up in the moment's magic, grateful for the blessings that surround me and the love that sustains me through even the darkest of times. And as I dance with my mates and children, lost in the music's rhythm and the warmth of their embrace. I know that no matter what challenges may lie ahead, we will face them together, united in love and strength.

By the end of the night, Ladon is standing with his arm around Jade, announcing them as mates. He gives a brief speech and thanks me for making it possible. My mates give me a questioning look. With all the fun we were having with the babies I forgot all about telling them about the run in with King Tao.