"My elders’ concerns aside, I believe we have managed to come to an agreeable arrangement. However, that raises another question, Elion. How willing are you to help our clan in the event that war breaks out with the dragons?"

Elion put on a thoughtful expression.

"Before that, do you mind telling me why tensions are so high with the dragons? As far as I am aware, you share a border, but there is a massive mountain range separating your territories, no?"

Lucius sighed.

"For centuries, the Vampire Clan and the dragons have maintained a hostile peace. Neither side had enough reason to begin a full war, and both understood the losses such a conflict would cause."

He paused.

"However, as everyone knows, dragons are a proud and arrogant race. We are not truly in conflict with the entire dragon race. Their territories are divided between several major factions, and only one of them is currently out for our blood."

"How did that happen?" Elion asked.

"It began about a century ago," Lucius replied. "While Dreadmoor Hollow is our primary territory, we also have several smaller towns spread throughout the region. Our southernmost settlement lies closest to the Draconic Mountain Range, and that is where most of the skirmishes have taken place."

His expression became faintly embarrassed.

"As for what started this conflict, I am ashamed to admit that one of our own is said to have seduced the concubine of the lord who controls that particular dragon faction. He even went as far as running away with her."

The table became quiet.

Elion stared at him.

"A vampire ran away with a Dragon Lord’s wife?"

"So the story goes."

Dorian lifted his cup. "He must have possessed either great courage or very poor judgment."

"Likely both," Morgana replied.

Lucius continued.

"The matter began as a personal conflict between two men, but you can imagine what happens when something so humiliating befalls a dragon, especially one in a position of power."

Elion nodded slowly.

"Pride."

"Precisely. All it took was for him to rally his fellow dragonkin and begin causing problems along our border."

"And you never returned the woman or the vampire?"

"That is the greatest problem," Lucius admitted. "We have no idea where either of them went."

Elion’s lips twitched.

"So your clan has been fighting a century-long border conflict because one of your people stole a dragon’s woman and then disappeared?"

"When you phrase it that way, it sounds ridiculous."

"It is ridiculous."

Dorian grunted in agreement.

"As the skirmishes grew worse, the original reason behind the conflict was gradually forgotten. We later heard that the woman was merely one of the Dragon Lord’s many concubines, not even an official wife."

"And she was apparently unhappy," Morgana added. "By all accounts, she left willingly."

"Then he did not steal her," Mira said. "She chose to leave."

"That distinction does little to soothe the pride of a dragon; the fact of the matter is, taking another man’s wife is frowned upon, especially considering that the man in question was a figure of respectable authority," Lucius replied.

He leaned back in his chair.

"The Dragon Lord, Morpheus, now uses the incident as little more than an excuse to vent his anger. At this point, the woman herself is almost irrelevant. The conflict has simply become a convenient means to an end."

Elion felt like laughing at the absurdity of the situation. All of this had started because of one woman.

Even more astonishing was the fact that a single faction of dragons could cause an entire race so much trouble.

"It is only one faction giving us this many problems," Lucius continued. "If the entire dragon race turned against us, the Vampire Clan would have been wiped from the face of this world long ago."

The casual admission made Elion’s expression grow more serious.

Lucius then glanced toward Zenith.

"I asked Miss Zenith what it would take for her to assist us and join our forces if the situation worsened, but she refused to agree to anything without your permission."

Elion nodded.

"I understand the situation. I do not know how much my presence alone would help against a dragon faction, but seeing as we will be family going forward, it is only natural that I assist in any way I can."

Lucius smiled faintly.

Elion was more understanding than he had expected, and he did not attempt to exaggerate his own importance.

As far as Lucius could tell, the boy’s greatest shortcomings were his overly casual approach to nearly everything and his arrogance.

But considering his strength and the people standing beside him, even that arrogance was somewhat justified.

"On another matter," Lucius said, "do you require assistance dealing with Duke Dawncrest and the accusations of heresy against you?"

Elion shook his head without needing to think.

"While I agreed to help with the dragons, there is no need for you to repay me by involving yourselves in my problems."

His expression remained relaxed.

"I am confident that I can deal with Dawncrest myself. But if I need help with anything else, I will let you know."

He smiled lightly as he spoke.

Lilith cleared her throat. "If you men are finished, perhaps you could allow a mother to state her demands as well."

Lucius gave her an approving nod, allowing her to take control of the conversation.

"I only have one question," Lilith said. "And, in turn, one thing to ask of you."

Her gaze settled upon Elion. "Where do you intend to raise the child?"

Elion pursed his lips. "I have not really thought that far ahead." He exchanged a brief glance with Celeste.

"What do you think?"

Celeste looked back toward her mother instead. "What is your request, Mother? I believe I already know what you intend to ask of him."

Lilith smiled before clearing her throat once again.

"As the child’s maternal grandmother, and also as a mother who has only ever raised one child, you cannot imagine how excited I am for this momentous occasion."

Her smile brightened.

"I intend to be deeply involved in raising this child. Hence my question."

To Lucius’s surprise, Lilith wore a radiant smile he rarely ever saw upon her face. It showed just how deeply she wanted this.

However, the sight also brought a trace of bitterness to his heart, directed at no one but himself.

Lilith had never complained about having only one child. Not once, but she had always wanted the chance to raise another.

Lucius’s expression hardened with determination.

No matter what it took, he would convince Elion to allow the child to be raised in Dreadmoor Hollow.

If necessary, he would even offer the young man his own primary residence within the castle.

Elion nodded. "I understand."

Lilith watched him expectantly as he continued.

"But I do not see a problem," he continued. "Traveling is no inconvenience for me, so long as I am allowed to come and go freely. I can remain here whenever I have nothing else requiring my attention."

Lilith’s smile became even brighter.

She clapped her hands together in delight. "Wonderful! What a lovely son-in-law I have gained."

Her gaze softened as she looked at him. "This is your home now. Please, feel free to treat it as such."

Her enthusiasm brought smiles to nearly everyone’s faces; even Morgana and Oberon could not remain entirely unmoved.