The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 39 - Lord Forest

* The Castle at Drakor; The Capital of the Chromos * Just after the Royal Feast Lucian POV

My blood is absolutely boiling after reading the petition that says I have committed treason. In order for a king to commit treason he must have committed an act that is so heinous it affects the entire empire negatively. The act that I have committed that is treasonous is making indentured servitude illegal. I can't believe this. I remember the push back that my father got when he made slavery illegal. A group of people tried to storm the castle and he fought them off alongside the royal guard. But I don't ever remember anyone trying to claim he committed treason. I turn to Viola and let her read the petition and watch as a range of emotions cross over her face. I see shock, anger, and fear. I take her in my arms. "Don't worry about a thing. You take care of the children and I'll take care of this. I rub her arms trying to comfort her.

"I want to fight this alongside you. This was my idea in the beginning. I started this and I want to finish it." I don't think I've ever heard Viola speak with such confidence before.

"Okay. We'll set my trial for tomorrow morning." I grasp her hand in mine and look deep in her eyes. In that moment there is an unspoken language that only our eyes could understand but it warmed our hearts nonetheless. Now I need to go see Lord Forest. Cyprian and Quentin have made it known that they want to see Lord Forest before he is released. We're all in my study so we walk to the dungeons and approach the sheriff.

"Where is Lord's Forest cell and I need the key to his cell as well?" I ask because we have many cells with quite a few prisoners.

"He's two doors down on your right and here's the key sire." The sheriff responds respectfully.

"Thank you!" I walk to his cell as I watch the other prisoners either squeeze their faces against their bars to see what I'm there for or sneak back to the farthest corner of the cell hoping I'm not coming for them. Lord Forest has had time to sleep off his drunkenness but now he has a hangover and is feeling rather grumpy.

"King Lucian, what is the meaning of keeping me locked up down here? Do the people of your empire not have the right to free speech. This is insulting! I've served you well as I did your father. I'm dedicated to the growth of this empire and serving it's people." Lord Forest shouted before stumbling back from the bars and falling on his cot.

"You do not have the right to insult the royal family in public or privately. I'm going to release you but this is your warning. Do something like this again and I will personally end you regardless of your years of service. Also these are my

brothers Prince Cyprian and Prince Quentin. They are the ones you insulted last night." I give Cyprian the key to the Lord Forest's cell then I turn on my heel and walk back to the sheriff.

"Please release Lord Forest after Prince Cyprian and Prince Quentin are finished with him." I tell the sheriff before leaving. I truly hope I don't come to regret my decision to show mercy on the lord. Quentin POV

After Lord Forest insults my relationship with Elena she jumps up and runs away in tears so I immediately follow her. She stops at a bench in the gardens.

"Baby don't let what that man said ruin your night. He was just drunk. He doesn't matter." I sit down next to her on the bench and put my arm around her.

"Just go away Quentin. Can't you see this will never work between you and me? We're not meant to be together. You're too good for me." She tries to push me away but I grab her hand and pull her back to me.

"Who says I'm too good for you? As far as I can see you're too good, beautiful, and sweet for me. We are meant to be together and even my dragon agrees with me. You make my world complete. I can't imagine another day without you in it." I'm gently caressing her face with tears in my eyes that I'm trying to force back down.

"So your dragon talks to you?" She asks hesitantly.

"Um, not really unless it's over something really important. We don't have open daily conversations like werewolves do with their wolves. But my dragon did tell me when we first met that you are my mate." I'm hoping she's not freaking out inside or thinking that I have a dissociative personality disorder.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience—all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"I'm your mate?" She asks with hesitation in her voice.

Wolf POV

"Emily, did you enjoy the feast?" I ask as we walk away to my level in the palace.

"Yes I did but was that true about your brothers? Is one really in love with a prostitute and the other with a slave?" She seems shocked by these things and I know she's lived a very sheltered life so I'm not surprised. "The prostitute was forced into the sex trade slavery at a young age when her parents sold her to a brothel. It wasn't her choice. She's been abused for years by monsters that only wanted one thing from her and treated her terribly afterwards. The slave was enslaved by a lord whose village and manor came under our domain after we took over their kingdom. She also had been abused for a long time being sold from master to master. Her body shows horrible scars from whips, burn marks, branding, and beatings. Neither of those girls chose their lives but were sucked in by forces beyond their control. I would suggest trying to get to know them while we're here. Give them a chance and see what my brothers see in them." "Okay. I can give them a chance. I'm not being judgemental, it's just a little shocking for me. In our village there were not any prostitutes that I knew of and I didn't know of anyone owning slaves even Lord Garbg didn't own slaves. I guess I'm just a little naive and somewhat sheltered." She says while blushing. We've made it to my room and she sits down on a chaise lounge before a flaming fireplace.

"It's okay to be a little naive and sheltered. That's what I love about you." I say as I walk over with two wine glasses.

"What about the King committing treason?" She asks as she sips her wine.

"Hmmm. I haven't read the petition so I don't know the charges but I do know my brother so I know whatever it is is totally false." I put my wine glass down as Emily continues to sip hers.

Suddenly Emily's whole body starts to convulse as her eyes roll in the back of her head and she starts foaming in her mouth. I don't want to leave her but I must get help so I run outside and to the royal doctor's quarters and start banging on the door.

"Prince Wolf, what seems to be the problem?" I can tell he's been sleeping. I feel bad for waking him up.

"I believe the girl I brought with me drank some poisonous wine!" I barely get the words out and I'm already running back towards my room with the doctor in tow.

Cyprian POV

After Lord Forest's rant Molle buried her sweet face in my shirt. I didn't think she would raise her head for anything. I just held her and drew circles on her back to comfort her. After the feast was over I could tell she wanted to leave immediately. I think she is still upset over the rant. If I could get my hands on that asshole he would die a slow and miserable death. I need to talk to Lucian before he does something stupid like release him. He insulted my Molle I should at least get an opportunity to punch the asshole.

I found Lucian in his study talking with Quentin. "Brother, I know you have a lot of troubles hanging on your shoulders right now but I have a favour to request."

"I'm pretty sure I know what the favour is and I've been waiting for you to drop by. But go ahead and ask." He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest.

"I would like to meet this Lord Forest, privately of course." I smile at him so he knows what I'm talking about.

"I think that can be arranged and to be honest if Viola was in Molle's shoes I would want the same thing. But there is one problem. You'll have to share your 'private time' with Quentin." He starts laughing when he says 'private time' When we get to Lord Forest's cell I'm ready to come undone. He's lucky there's bars between us right now because I'm ready to rip his throat out. When Lucian walks away I open the cell door and take the first step inside. I immediately grab him by the throat and slam him up against the wall.

"So, you like to insult women when they, by no fault of their own, have fallen into abusive situations. My Molle was whipped while his Elena was raped. Neither one asked, wanted, or desired that for their lives. Their childhoods were stolen, they have trauma the average person could barely understand, and they have scars that will remind them everyday of the horror they have lived through." His face was starting to turn different shades of purple so I threw him to the side of the cell letting his head hit the bars with a thud..

Quentin stepped on his neck applying just enough pressure. "These are the two strongest women that I know and you dare to insult them. You dare to insult what is MINE! Lucian is letting you go today but I suggest you walk very carefully and watch where you step. One false move from you and I will have no problem with slicing your throat.

Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. You can also go to my facebook page for chapter updates and updates on new projects. https://www.facebook.com/Sammi-From-Anystories-1020524119915