I Married A Dragon (Prime Mating Agency)(56)

“Couldn’t they stand on a hover platform or something?” Kaida argued.

I smiled. “Yes. Specific hover platform models have recently been authorized for use here. The type of tools people can bring here are strictly monitored to avoid abuse and unfortunate accidents.”

“But it looks like that still didn’t convince people to give the stalactite a go,” she said teasingly.

“It certainly hasn’t. You’d still waste your time getting nothing but dust. While it has its purpose, you mainly want good stones. The Council is considering allocating an extra hour to whoever consents to mine exclusively from the stalactite.”

“Oooh, now that sounds like a nice incentive,” Kaida exclaimed.

“Indeed. Once they do, people will fight for those spots. And I can already tell you that miners will charge a premium for working there.”

“Seriously? I guess price gougers exist in every world,” she mumbled.

I chuckled. “Yes, but it will also be to discourage their clients so that they can use their own time carving for themselves with that extra hour.”

I landed on an obsidian outcropping a few meters away from Hezin, one of the top Master Miners of Dramnac currently working for a noble. His focus was legendary. As long as we remained discreet, our presence wouldn’t disturb him.

“See how fine the cut is?” I whispered to Kaida, pointing at Hezin’s laser, slicing a tiny piece of obsidian off the face of the mine.

“Why so small?” she whispered back.

“You can only cut the size of an actual portal stone at a time. First, to control the quantity people harvest, but also because smaller pieces have less risk of triggering an accidental rift, and especially a bad one.”

“A bad one?” she asked.

“One that would open a portal into an area infested by void beasts,” I explained. “That’s why there’s always a Shadow Lord nearby. This female over here, and that male down there are both Gate Masters. Their job is to close any accidental rift the minute they open.”

“Does it happen often?” Kaida asked while openly eyeing the female who was slowly roaming around the cave, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble.

“Bad portals are rare. They require someone to attempt to cut a huge chunk. Or something very heavy would have to fall on an already frayed piece of shadow obsidian. But small rifts—basically phase shifts—are frequent,” I said. “Considering people have to report every rift they accidentally open here, they are quite careful. If it happens too often, they could lose their mining privileges, and either be forced to take a rather costly mining training course, or hire a Master Miner to work in their stead.”

“Ugh, brutal,” Kaida said, before chewing her bottom lip, her wheels spinning. “This place seems pretty much under control. There are too many eyes here and supervision for anyone to be conducting their shady business right from the mine. Who else is likely to open accidental portals? And I don’t mean to create a phase shift, but an actual portal that an off-worlder could see and enter?”

“Aside from Shadow Lords, the only other people capable of opening portals without stones are Gate Masters, as well as Elder Scribe,” I said.

“Do they mess up often?” Kaida asked, perking up.

I snorted and gave her an apologetic look. “No, my Kaida. They are masters and elders for a reason. However, their apprentices mess up all the time. It takes years to earn their professional title. But…!” I added quickly when she grew far too excited. “Like here, the apprentices are under strict supervision when training. There is always a Gate Master nearby.”

Kaida glared at me as if I was conspiring against her, which made me laugh.

“I’d still like to have a talk with those masters,” she mumbled, her face taking on a mulish expression.

“As you humans say, your wish is my command,” I said with a flourishing curtsy.

Kaida gave me a playful tap and let me fly her back out of the mine. While I could have safely cast a portal to the Scribes Conclave from inside the mine, it was standard procedure never to open a portal from there, not only to avoid random people from sneaking in outside of their allocated times, but also to avoid any confusion as to whether another incident had occurred.

I opened it right outside the Scribes Conclave located on its own massive plateau on the twelfth level—prime real estate that many considered wasted on such an institution instead of residences. Kaida feasted her eyes on the massive fortress-like building, made of beige stones similar to those in my lair, but with far fewer windows. Statues of a male and a female Derakeens, carved directly into the stone, framed the imposing doorway of the academy.

Its heavy metal doors always sat open during the day. A few apprentices, standing on the lounge outside, stared with surprise at the sight of a Shadow Lord here, but also with envy at the ease with which I dismissed my portal. Their curiosity then shifted to my mate when I set her back down on her feet before taking her hand possessively to lead her inside. I wanted to slip my arm around her waist instead, but it felt too bold in this setting.

Only a few steps in, Headmaster Aldyr came rushing out of his office. His welcoming and deferent expression did nothing to hide his curiosity as to what could bring a Shadow Lord and a human to his establishment.

“Welcome to you, Shadow Lord Cedros, and to your lovely companion. I am Headmaster Aldyr Semyer. How can I be of assistance?”