The Dragon Kings' Forbidden Witch

”There is one more matter,” Cedric said, moving on deliberately, giving the kings space to move away from the dangerous topic of Morgana.

”I have received word that Lord Carrick Greythorne will be arriving at the palace today, and that he has requested an audience with you.”

The name hung in the air for a moment.

Then Draeven simply nodded.

”Lord Carrick is cunning,” Cedric said carefully. ”He will come with proposals designed to save face for House Greythorne. With leverage he believes will serve his interests. He will want recompense or restoration for what happened to his daughter.”

He paused, assessing the kings’ reactions.

”Though I have no doubt you can handle him. House Greythorne, while powerful, is not beyond the throne’s ability to manage.”

Draeven’s expression showed something like satisfaction.

”Carrick will discover that actions have consequences,” Draeven said. ”And that House Greythorne has a debt to pay to the throne for the damage his daughter caused.”

Thorne spoke from his position by the wall.

”The debt will be substantial,” he said quietly. ”Both financial and political.”

Kaelen nodded his agreement, his pale eyes showing something that might have been anticipation.

The three kings were clearly prepared for this meeting. They had already determined how they would handle Carrick. They were confident in their ability to extract payment for Isolde’s crimes.

Cedric understood: House Greythorne would be significantly poorer and significantly weaker by the time Carrick left the palace.

***

Draeven stood, indicating the meeting was concluding.

”Send out notifications immediately,” he said to Cedric. ”The Selection is ended. The noble daughters are to be returned to their families within the week.”

”It will be done, Your Majesty,” Cedric said, rising as well.

He moved toward the door, understanding his dismissal, ready to return to the council and manage the political storm that was about to break.

But Draeven’s voice stopped him.

”Cedric.”

The lord turned back.

”The council’s speculation about our ward should be discouraged,” Draeven said, his golden eyes fixed on Cedric with absolute clarity. ”I trust you understand what I mean.”

”Completely, Your Majesty,” Cedric replied. ”The council will be reminded that certain topics are not appropriate for discussion.”

”Good,” Draeven said.

Cedric bowed and departed the office.

As the door closed behind him, he understood what had just happened in that room.

The kings had ended the Selection.

The kings had shut down council interest in Morgana.

The kings were protecting her from scrutiny and investigation.

And he, who had come armed with questions about the girl from Ashford, was leaving with no answers, but with a clear understanding of what the kings’ silence meant.

***

When the door had closed and Cedric’s footsteps had faded down the corridor, Thorne spoke first.

”He knows something.”

”The council knows about Morgana,” Kaelen said from his position by the window. ”That much is clear.”

Draeven settled back into his chair, his expression thoughtful.

”But they don’t know if she is ours,” he said. ”And they won’t, as long as we keep her protected for now.”

Thorne moved to stand before the fire, his dark eyes reflecting the flames.

”By refusing to discuss her, we’ve made her more mysterious,” he observed. ”The council will speculate. The council will try to understand. But without information, their speculation will only go so far.”

”And if Cedric sends someone to investigate her further?” Kaelen asked.

”Then we handle it,” Draeven replied. ”Morgana is under our protection. Any attempt to move against her becomes an attempt to move against the throne.”

Kaelen turned from the window, his pale eyes showing satisfaction.

***

*LORD ALDRICH’S ESTATE*

The evening was cold when Cedric’s carriage arrived at Aldrich’s estate.

The old elder’s home stood apart from the palace, removed from the constant scrutiny of court life. It was a place where real conversations happened, where secrets could be spoken aloud without fear of being overheard by servants or spies. The gates opened without question, recognizing Cedric’s carriage, understanding that this was an expected arrival.

Aldrich was waiting in his study when Cedric entered.

The old man sat in a high-backed chair before a fire that burned steadily in the hearth. His white hair caught the firelight, and his ancient eyes...eyes that had seen decades of political upheaval, of kings rising and falling, of kingdoms shifting beneath the weight of prophecy and curse, fixed on Cedric the moment the lord stepped through the door.

”The Selection is ended,” Aldrich said. Not a question. A statement.

Cedric stopped, surprised that Aldrich had anticipated this news before hearing it directly from his lips.

”Yes,” Cedric confirmed, moving further into the study. ”King Draeven made the announcement this morning.”

”I have been expecting it,” Aldrich said, his voice carrying the weight of someone who had seen the patterns long before others recognized them. ”The rumors have been circulating for days. The nobility has been whispering. I knew the kings had made a decision that would reshape everything.”

He gestured to the chair across from him.

”Sit. Tell me what the king said.”

Cedric settled into the chair, and the fire crackled between them.

”The Selection is concluded,” Cedric said simply. ”The noble daughters will be returned to their families. Notifications are being sent immediately.”

Aldrich listened without interrupting, his ancient eyes tracking Cedric’s words, his mind clearly working through implications that extended far beyond the simple ending of a competition.

”They did not find what they were looking for among the noble daughters,” Cedric continued. ”Or they believe they have found what they were seeking elsewhere.”

”The girl,” Aldrich said, stating it as fact.

”Yes,” Cedric confirmed. ”When I raised her in the meeting, Draeven shut down any discussion immediately. He made clear that Morgana is not the concern of the council. That she is the kings’ ward and nothing more.”

Aldrich’s weathered face showed no surprise, only a kind of knowing satisfaction.

”Which means she is exactly what we suspected,” the old elder said. ”Not ordinary. Not a servant girl simply elevated by circumstance. Something more.”