Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Since Ciel was the least threatening creature in the room, Rimi had to laugh. The others joined in, and the tension eased a bit from Rimi’s shoulders. At least this part was going to be fun. She turned and looked out the window where the dragons stood together.
Aurora pointed at the youngest dragon as all of them launched into the air. “Slate is almost as big as Keres! Dragons grow fast.”
“They do. Having control of all their powers takes a while to understand. Flying without running into something while you flap your wings, targeting prey with your flame, or grabbing at something with your talons is challenging,” Rimi said.
“That sounds more complicated than some of the old video games,” Brooks pointed out.
“I was always bad at those,” Ciel confessed. “I just ran straight into the bad guys and died. Shortest games ever.”
Laughter filled the dining room as everyone found their chairs. Keres’s staff brought in fancy teacups for everyone and filled them with fragrant tea.
“I thought we’d have an almost traditional British tea. I hope that’s okay with everyone,” Rimi said hesitantly.
“I enjoyed afternoon tea in Scotland once. It was amazing. I ate so much I rolled out of the restaurant,” Brooks shared.
“I’m crossing my fingers that you’ll enjoy this as much. You’ll find some of the traditional goodies on the displays as well as items I had the cook make for us,” Rimi said.
The staff brought in three layered serving displays and placed them on the table between the mates to share. Everyone leaned forward to admire the display.
“Who knows what we eat first?” Lalani asked. “Brooks?”
“You eat the savory items first. Those are the items on the bottom here. There are two of everything, so each person gets to try everything,” Brooks said. “Unless Rimi suggests a different way?”
“Heavens, no. I’ve been living in a cave. I just read about tea in a book and someone mentioned a tea party…” Her voice dwindled away. Had this been a good idea?
“This is so fun. Everything’s so pretty. I hate to eat anything,” Aurora said.
“No way. I’m starting with this one.” Brooks helped himself to what appeared to be a cucumber sandwich. He took a bite and chewed with a happy expression.
That broke the ice. Everyone dug into their treats. “Mmm” and “Yum” sounded around the table. A few mates practiced drinking their tea with their pinkies out, provoking giggles around the table. The room grew quiet as they ate.
Rimi checked out the sweets displayed at the top and slumped against her chair back. She couldn’t eat another bite. A heavy thud against the window made Rimi spin to see what had struck it. A purple eye stared inside. She jumped to her feet and ran toward the dragon pressed to the glass. “Slate! What happened?”
Her son’s eye rolled back inside his head, and he disappeared from view. Her heart rate skyrocketed with immediate panic. Peering out the window, she searched for her offspring. Rimi’s tiara tumbled unheeded to the carpet in her panic. Slate had collapsed in a pile on the grass below. She turned and ran toward the door, explaining, “He’s hurt!”
Everyone leapt to their feet inside the room, knocking a couple of chairs over in their haste. They immediately followed Rimi.
Outside, she ran to Slate’s side and dropped to her knees beside him. Running her hands over his scales, she couldn’t find any injuries, just something gritty. Looking down at her palms, Rimi rubbed at the powdery grit. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. Her head drooped down onto her son’s body as she fought for consciousness.
Skye! Get everyone back. There’s something coating…
Chapter 15
A deluge of cool water splashed over her skin. Rimi blinked, trying to figure out what was happening. Where was she?
Rimi! Slate! It’s poisoned powder. We’re rinsing it off. Don’t drink any!
Skye’s mental message echoed in her mind, and Rimi pushed herself up on an elbow. Immediately, the liquid streamed between her and Slate’s bodies. Realizing she needed to get away from him so they could rinse off Slate’s scales, she heaved herself backward, away from the dragon.
Good job, Rimi! That helps. Hold your hands out.
She followed the young woman’s instructions. In a few minutes, the fog inside her brain cleared slightly. Getting that off her skin was working.
Skye, have someone run for brooms. Scrubbing this off Slate might help him. Don’t touch him with your hands. It must absorb through your skin.
Breathing it in is dangerous as well, Skye told her. I remember Daddy telling me that before. If we keep the water on it, it won’t be airborne.
Slate’s groan was magic to her ears. He struggled to his feet, allowing the gathered mates and staff to scrub the powder from his scales. His thoughts were a jumbled mess that Rimi struggled to decode. Finally, her son’s words made sense.