The Summoning [Dragon's Lair 2] Read Online Free PDF Page B

luxurious wool coat had all
been spread out across the bed for her. No underwear had been provided, but she’d
become accustomed to going without them.
    Alphonse greeted them. “Welcome,
my dear,” he said, addressing Lilly. “I trust you are recovered from yesterday’s
unpleasant ordeal.”
    “Much recovered, thank you,” she
replied.
    “Where are Dax and Farron?”
Philippe asked.
    “Under the circumstances, and
given how they’ve behaved, the council felt it would be best to meet with you
separately,” Alphonse explained. “Jacques protested but was overruled.”
    Remy nodded. “Of course he did.
It’s been his scheming and machinations that have brought us to this point
anyway.”
    A side door opened in the
opulent room, and a group of seven men entered. They didn’t appear old—most of
them looked to be middle aged and incredibly well preserved—but they carried an
aura of power about them that was impressive. Awed and a bit uncomfortable,
Lilly watched as Alphonse excused himself and went to take his seat with the
six men and women at the large semi-circular table that faced the room. A harsh
breath shuddered from her as she considered everything at stake.
    One of the council members
stepped forward and took the lead, addressing them formally. “Remy and Philippe
Mercier, you have been called before the council to answer the challenge issued
by Dax and Farron Marchand asserting that you claimed a mortal woman who
belonged to them as your mate.”
    “We have claimed a human woman
as our mate, Jacques, but Dax and Farron have no claim to her. They have never
even met her until they abducted her from our home yesterday,” Remy answered.
    Alphonse asked the next question.
“Lilly Montague, the council recognizes you as a claimed dragonswan. Did you
previously have a relationship with either Dax or Farron Marchand?”
    “No. I’d never seen them before
in my life until yesterday.”
    One of the other council members
spoke. “This is ridiculous. The challenge should be dismissed as groundless,
and both Dax and Farron should be exiled for creating this situation!”
    “Whether they’ve met her or not
is irrelevant to the fact that our laws allow one dragon to challenge another
for his mate,” Jacques said, leveling a cold stare at Lilly.
    “That is an archaic law and hasn’t
been utilized for years!” Alphonse protested.
    “It is still a law, and until
the council repeals it, it will stand,” Jacques replied, his voice unruffled.
    “The council cannot repeal a law
while it is being invoked,” the other man said. “Our rules prohibit it. We must
make a decision in this case as the laws currently stand. I don’t agree with
what Jacques is doing, but based on our laws, Dax and Farron still have the
right to challenge. However, since they did abduct Lilly, an act that has been
forbidden for centuries, following any challenges, they will still face
banishment. All agreed?”
    Everyone raised his hand but
Alphonse. “It doesn’t matter if I agree,” he said, looking pointedly at
Jacques. “You’ve engineered your revenge.”
    Jacques ignored him, turning a
steely gaze on Remy and Philippe. He looked through Lilly as if she didn’t even
exist. She knew in that moment that, to him, she did not. Her purpose had been
served; she’d been the instrument of his revenge, the catalyst that allowed him
to set it all in motion.
    “Remy, Philippe, you will meet
your challengers on the field of honor at the stroke of midnight, and in your true forms, you will fight to the death.”
    Remy and Philippe bowed to the
council and without a backward glance led Lilly from the room. She felt ill.
The heaviness in her heart seemed to radiate outward until it coursed through
her entire body. Tears threatened, but she forced them back. They were a waste
of time and would do nothing. She also didn’t want to spend the time she had
with the men she loved weeping over an uncertain future. If nothing else, Remy
and