Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1511 - 110 : Potential for Peace

*Rhys*

Dragons or wolves... Dragons or wolves...

There was no great answer to the turmoil swirling in my mind. Once again, I wished that Saoirse was with me. While I knew she would never allow me to make a deal that impacted the dragons’ safety, I loved having her around to soundboard off.

Knowing her, she would think of some perfect solution that would please everyone.

I let out a sigh as I thought of my beautiful wife and her wisdom. I knew what I had to do and prayed that it would work and not come back to haunt me. To start with, I would have to get the man in front of me to agree to the terms.

"I will work with you, Pyroth," I began, interrupting the long silence that had passed between us. "I will ensure the safe return of your offspring to the Dragon Realm."

Pyroth’s face lit up, looking victorious, but I continued.

"However, I have some conditions for my cooperation," I said slowly so he could understand every word. "Axureon must be involved in this."

For the first time in our conversation, Pyroth’s face twisted in a negative emotion. It looked like rage, but I couldn’t be sure as he quickly masked it again. I continued regardless, needing to get out my demands.

"Axureon will act as mediator and guarantor of the agreement," I insisted. "There will be a series of safeguards and protocols that I will set to ensure the transfer of the dragon offspring is carried out in a manner that minimizes risk and upheaval to both Egoren and the Dragon Realm while simultaneously making both parties as happy as possible."

Pyroth turned and looked out of the small barred window. I realized how ridiculous it was that he was in this small jail. If he wanted to leave, he could have easily done so. The silence went on long enough that I started to wonder if dragon fire was hot enough to melt metal bars.

Finally, Pyroth turned back around to face me, the polite and controlled smile back on his face.

"If this is what it takes to get my children back, then I agree to your terms, King Rhys," Pyroth said. "Your plan of action sounds wise and fair. I can’t fault your approach, so there is no reason I should not follow your lead. Thank you."

I tried to hide my surprise at his cooperation. After hearing tale after tale from Axureon, I couldn’t seem to correlate the man from the stories and the man standing in front of me. I smiled and held my hand out to shake his hand, which Pyroth willingly shook without hesitation.

After making arrangements for Pyroth to be released, I hurried to make my way back to the palace, anxious to get back to my queen and our babies.

Traveling left plenty of time for thinking, and I found myself overanalyzing every word of my conversation with Pyroth. There was a mix of hope and trepidation building the more I thought about it.

Either way, the conversation had gone much better than expected. At least Pyroth seemed like a reasonable leader. The path ahead of us had the potential for a peaceful future, even though it was sure to be fraught with challenges and uncertainties along the way. If Pyroth truly sought only reconnection with his children, then the dragons and people of Egoren could maintain the fragile coexistence and mutual understanding we currently held.

Axureon would have to be part of the solution if it were to truly work. I sent him word to meet me at the palace when I returned and then focused on the excited feeling of seeing my wife and kids again soon.

As king, I was busy, but this was the first time I had left in a long time. I couldn’t wait to see them.

I was so excited that I didn’t even wait to debrief my men and the team when I reached the castle. I went straight to the nursery, practically sprinting up the stairs, taking two or three at a time.

When I reached the nursery door, I slowed and peeked inside.

Saoirse, looking as beautiful as ever, sat on the floor with the two babies lying on the soft carpet in front of her. I could tell from her tense back that she was still stressed, but she lifted a small rattle above Adelaide anyway, smiling as her curious eyes blinked as they tried to see the noise-making object.

A longing to enter the room and enjoy the moment with my family took over me, but I forced myself to take a step back.

I knew Saoirse well enough to know that if I walked in now, I would be sucked into a well-earned chastisement that lasted until she finally got out all of her frustration for me leaving without a word to face a dangerous dragon. And I would take the lecture, admitting my faults, but I wasn’t sorry for what I had done.

And I didn’t have time for it.

A mindlink had come through that Axureon was at the castle and waiting for me in my meeting room. I didn’t want to leave him waiting too long. Saoirse deserved as long as she needed to unleash her thoughts, and I knew that once I had the babies in my arms, I wouldn’t want to leave again.

I straightened my shoulders and silently made my way back down to the meeting room.

"Axureon," I said in greeting as soon as I walked into the meeting room to see him standing.

The regal man hiding the dragon inside turned and smiled at me. After meeting with Pyroth, I was suddenly aware of the similarities between the two men. They both carried themselves with confidence and a powerful presence that commanded the attention of anyone in the room. And they both were good at wearing the political mask that hid their true emotions.

However, unlike Pyroth, I knew Axureon fairly well at this point. Despite his calm exterior, I could see past his ancient wise eyes to the concern that hid behind them.

It had been hard enough on me and my people learning of Pyroth’s return, but Axureon had to be going through much more turmoil, along with his people, which I sympathized with. As with Pyroth, I walked forward and offered my hand in a sign of respect.

Axureon had surely earned it.

"King Rhys," Axureon said with a slight nod of his head as he shook my hand. "How is your family?"

"Well, thank you," I replied.

Who would have ever thought that the two of us could be so honestly cordial?

"Perhaps I could visit them?" Axureon inquired.

"I am sure Saoirse would love that," I said, but my smile faltered slightly. "However, before that, I am afraid I brought you here for a reason."

"Go on."

I opened my mouth to reply but heard the door behind me again.

"I’ve gathered the council, King Alpha, as requested," Daxton said as he stepped into the room.

"Perfect. Go ahead and invite everyone in," I said, motioning with my hand.

I greeted all the members of the council as they walked in and took their seats around us. Axureon didn’t seem phased as the members walked in. I was glad that a couple even managed to wave at him in greeting as well.

Maybe there truly was hope for peace.

"Fetch a chair for Axureon as well, please," I told Daxton, moving to take my seat at the head.

At that point, only the two seats next to me remained empty—Saoirse’s and Daxton’s. Daxton soon took his place beside me after pulling a comfortable chair up for Axureon to sit in. I remained standing until everyone had sat down and then sat myself, staring at the man in front of me.

The wise man seemed to sense the weight of the situation. The council wasn’t just called for any sort of meeting.

"I apologize, Axureon I wanted to bring the council in for this meeting as well because it is crucial for both of our people," I said. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. We are in dire need of your counsel and guidance."

There was silence all around. The council members had been filled in on the basics by Daxton, but even they didn’t know the entirety of the situation.

Axureon began to nod as he swept his gaze over every person in the room and finally coming back to focus on me.

"I understand that Pyroth has entered Egoren and seeks to reclaim his offspring," he said, his voice deep and resonant.

"Yes," I confirmed.

There were hisses of whispers around me, but they all silenced again as Axureon opened his mouth.

"Then I believe you are correct, King Rhys," Axureon paused. "This is indeed a matter of great concern, not only for Egoren but for the balance of power between our two realms."

I nodded and could feel the graveness of the situation reflecting on my face. Despite my thoughts and opinions on the matter, I realized I valued Axureon’s opinion strongly and would not proceed with the plan of action I had roughly thrown together unless he agreed with it.

This was my land and my people, and I would protect them in any way I could. First, that meant getting all the information possible.

"Indeed," I said with a sigh in agreement with Axureon’s assessment. "Pyroth requested a meeting with me to discuss the terms of his children’s return. I agreed to hear him out and went and talked to him immediately."

There was silence again.

"And you survived?" Axureon asked, looking genuinely surprised.

"Yes," I said, as if it was a real question, even though I was sitting in front of them all. "We had a very good talk. He told me that all he wants are his children back, but..."

"But?" Daxton asked when I didn’t continue immediately.

"But I fear that his intentions may not be as peaceful as he claims," I admitted, knowing that I wouldn’t have to convince the man in front of me. "I’m afraid of what he will do if or when he doesn’t get what he wants."

"You are smart in your concerns," Axureon stated with a nod, looking around at every face again. "If you give Pyroth what he wants, it won’t end until you are all laying dead at his feet."

There was a split second of silence, and then the entire room erupted.