"Don't you think you should be helping to comfort Kestrel right now?" Condor asked frantically. He was pacing around the throne room with obvious distress. From her position facing the royal architect, Scarlet could watch his shoulders sag. It was strange to see someone who was usually so calm and in control worried.

"I'm sure she's fine, it's just special dragonets being born. There are more important things in Pyrrhia." Scarlet replied, scribbling notes on a scroll with a declaration of more taxes. The cost of building supplies had to come from somewhere, after all.

"More important than the building of your new arena?" Condor asked through gritted teeth.

Scarlet flickered her tongue in annoyance. "If you care so much about some little dragonets, then why don't you go help her?"

"Just leave? I can't abandon my duties as the queen's guard." Condor's loyalty could be such a pain sometimes. It seemed that the qualities that had once drawn him to Scarlet seemed to cause a rift between them. At least he still had his good looks, Scarlet couldn't help but remind herself...

But his lovely smile and love for Kestrel were the only things Scarlet had ever seen in him. Maybe she should have chosen a better mate. After all, the commander of the army, Altitude, was really handsome.

"You can either go help Kestrel or stay here with me. But keep in mind that everyone can be replaced. If you leave I'll make Altitude the new Queen's Guard. And..." Scarlet stopped for dramatic effect, lip curled. "I'll make him the new king."

Condor didn't need to think twice. He burst out of the throne room and didn't look back.