Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 131

Ria

It had been a very chaotic day to be sure. There was seriously fun stuff, and I was so incredibly proud of my kids, but that many dragons, especially young ones, were a bit much. It had been a bit harder to get them to go back than to pull them out. Thank goodness we had some strong dominant dragons to help command them to go to sleep. So, now, finally, it had all calmed down, everyone was shifted back to normal, and most of the younger ones were asleep.

I was in the solarium and sitting watching outside just absorbing the peace and quiet after so much noise and chaos. I heard steps and turned to see Brand walking into the room. I smiled at him and patted the chair next to mine. He smiled back and came over to sit. 

He turned his head and looked at me, “So, does he know everything about the girls?” 

I nodded, “Yeah, I just told him, and he punched your dad by the way.” 

Brand snorted, “Good, sometimes with all of that I honestly wanted to myself, but he’s my dad you know, well they all are, but you know what I mean. So, I’m glad somebody could finally do it.” 

I nodded as I sure as hell wasn’t going to scold him for feeling that way. Lord knows I have wanted to punch the living shit out of them many times, but was unable to. So, he needs to know that his feelings are valid, fuck appropriate. 

He reached over and pulled on the cuff on my wrist, “Are they going to take it off?” 

I took a huge breath, “I think so, but until they actually do, I can’t say for sure one way or another. That however, is not something you need to carry around on your shoulders okay.” 

“Yes, they will take it off, one way or another, it will come off Brand.” I heard David come into the room, and he went to the windows, looked out for a moment, and then turned to look at Brand.

“How long have you known about that bracelet and what they were doing to your mom?” He watched Brand grit his teeth.

“I heard them arguing about stuff a couple of years ago. Elizabeth and I talked about it. She wanted to get Mom out, but we knew we couldn’t at the time. We can’t take that fucking thing off.” I knew he was upset, but I didn't want him to feel responsible for me. 

“Baby boy, I have told you before, you are not responsible for taking care of me, that’s my job. So, you being you, right now, right here, and me seeing the amazing man you have become, that is what gets me through every single day. Knowing that I made a difference and I taught you better, that is what is important and matters. So, let's just hang onto that, and let me and your grandpa figure the rest out okay?” he nodded, got up, kissed my forehead, and left the room.

“I didn’t know he knew anything until the day of Desi’s funeral. He told me then he’d overheard us arguing, he knew we were attempting to be quiet, but he has very acute hearing, so he heard us anyway. I have worked to keep my shit from being around my kids. I never wanted them to feel how I felt growing up with her so sad all the time and feeling like I wasn’t good enough to help her be happy. I swore I wouldn’t let that happen.” I brushed away a tear that got away from me. 

David walked over and sat next to me, “Do we know which witch they used for that bullshit?”

I nodded, “Her name is Arabella, she’s not here anymore. There’s a cottage about 2 miles from here where there’s a representative of the witch council, and you can tell me if you know if that's legit or not. They work with the guys on missions, so either they are clueless as well, or they are complicit, so not sure which. She spelled the bracelet and only she and Drago can take it off. I met her once, and she thought about removing it, but Drago’s presence kept her from doing so. She left a couple of days after that.” 

I saw David rub his jaw, “Well, I knew there was such a thing as the witch council, but I had no idea they had gotten dragged into all of this bullshit. So, I guess along with the U.S. Senators, that’s another area we are going to have to look into.”

I nodded, “Ria, it’s commendable the way you have sheltered those children. That you didn’t want them to feel they had to fix you. However, I can guarantee that if one of them knows, more of them do. It may be something that needs to be addressed at some point, maybe just with the older ones, as it’s a hard subject, but I don’t ever want those boys to think what they have done to you is in any way acceptable.” 

I nod, “I know, and I hope I have taught them better, and more respect for others.”

“So, what about the whole town? Did they know or anything?” He looked confused at that.

I snorted in derision, “Fuck yes they knew, I told them often enough. The lead law enforcement officer sat and ate pie after I told him I had been kidnapped, raped, and was being held against my will. So, that should tell you right there what the mentality of that fucked up place is. In my opinion, if they got blown off the map I wouldn’t really care. I hate those people.”

“Okay, he did what now?” David was livid and I agreed so much.

“The first day I met Officer Roman, he came into the cafe, which is where I am paraded at least twice per month before their adoring fans. He came in and sat at the table, he reminded me of a sheriff back in the States because of his uniform. I told him I was being kept here against my will. He just looked at me and put his hand on mine, absolutely nothing else, so I knew he already knew and wasn’t going to help me. I called him a corrupt cop. He asked me what they had exactly done, I told him they had kidnapped me, raped me, were holding me prisoner, and had ripped me away from everyone I had ever loved. After that, he ate his pie and drank his coffee.” 

“Wow, I am so not wanting to help these people survive.” He just shook his head and gritted his teeth. I nodded in agreement.