How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2)

nose and thick ribbons of curly black hair. She couldn't recall his name, but met him with a broad smile. “Hey, I know you! You were one of the dragons who came with me and Kaleb to Pandling Grounds! Surely you can vouch for me, right? We're not here looking for trouble. It's just like before—we're here to ask for some help. Things back home, with the Wuffs, well... they're not so good at the moment. Do you know where Kaleb is? If I could only speak to him, I think I could clear up the confusion and put this silliness behind us.”
The dragon offered a sheepish grin, nodding. “Uh... yes, that's true, Minx... I remember you.” He gave the cuffs a little shake. “I'm sorry, though... we're still going to have to take you in.”
“Huh?” She balled her fists. “What do you mean?” Minx blinked hard, as though unable to process his words. “But... but you know me. I'm not just some invader! This isn't really necessary, is it? Just tell Kaleb we're here, will you? We don't have a lot of time for all of this.”
The familiar dragon chuckled uncomfortably. “I'm sorry, but you're technically trespassing. We have to arrest you, Minx. It's the law.” He held out the shackles, inviting her to slip them on. “Nothing personal, of course.”
“Oh, great! As long as it isn't personal, I guess you can go on and arrest us, then. That's no trouble at all!” she scoffed.
Minx, cool it, warned the Faelyr. These two aren't going to mess around, and even if we make a break for it, we're still going to be stuck in a mountain full of dragons. Don't rile them up, please...
The other dragon piped up, pointing to the bow on her back. “Remove that weapon. You're under arrest and will face trial. If you show any resistance, we won't hesitate to meet it with deadly force.” A few other guards stepped into the chamber from one of the other doorways. “Hey,” he ordered them, “take this Faelyr to a holding cell in the dungeon. Don't let it out of your sight.”
“Now, hold on!” pleaded Minx. “That really isn't necessary! I can explain—”
Her protest fell on deaf ears, however.
At the point of a sword, she was forced to place her wrists within the shackles. They were tightly fastened and she was led out of the room, to the right, while Mau was carefully coaxed by a handful of swordsmen. “D-Don't hurt her!” warned Minx, her stomach dropping as Mau was led away. “Please, be gentle with her. She's a friend of Kaleb's, too.”
W-What should I do? asked the Faelyr, her fur bristling. Wait for you in the dungeon?
Stay calm, instructed Minx. We're outnumbered... and anyway, we don't want to do anything to jeopardize our chances of aid. Go with them, peacefully. This will all be cleared up as soon as I speak to Kaleb, I'm certain. Many of the dragons don't like us—we should have expected this much.
The Faelyr gave a pathetic whimper and made no move to resist the moves of the encroaching guards. If you say so...
Minx was led out of the chamber by the familiar shifter. He kept his head low, obviously embarrassed at the spectacle, and did not treat her roughly. They ascended a narrow stair, cut across a massive plaza where handfuls of onlookers studied her with curiosity, and then started through a wide doorway. This doorway led, after a few twists and turns, to a familiar space. They'd entered the vast room outside of the War Chamber. Rather than starting into the space where Kaleb had made his appeal during their last visit, the guard led Minx past the massive wooden doors and into a smaller room fronted by a single guard. The door was opened, and Minx was brought into what appeared to be a small courtroom. A large stand and podium sat on the opposite end of the room, and a modest amount of seating for jurors and spectators was sprinkled throughout in neat rows. A few older dragons were seated about the room, locked in quiet discussions. Furthermore, across the room, stood a tall man, half-hidden by the red curtain hanging in the rear passageway.
Clearing his throat so as to alert the judge in the opposite doorway, the guard announced himself. “Your Honor, I've brought a prisoner for trial. This Fae was caught trespassing. Her Faelyr companion has also been detained. Awaiting your orders, sir.”
The judge, garbed in full military regalia, turned abruptly. He wore a red cape over his black plate armor, and his breastplate was festooned with clanking service medals. His long, black hair had been tied back neatly, giving him a stately appearance. “Bring them to the stand,” he ordered in a commanding voice. “We will commence immediately.”
It took a moment, but as Minx was brought further into the room and ordered to stand before the stand, her heart flip-flopped in her chest. That... that voice sounds awfully familiar.
The judge studied her incredulously, arching a thick black brow. “Minx?”
She looked up at him, eyes wide. He was clean and well put together, his armor decorated with impressive honors. During their last meeting, he'd been rougher around the edges, less polished. Nonetheless, when she met his gaze, she found she knew the judge's face very well. She hadn't been mistaken; the voice calling out from across the courtroom had been the very same she'd yearned to hear for weeks.
“K-Kaleb?” she stammered.

Chapter 5
Kaleb slowly took his seat. Dropping into the plush chair behind the stand, he leaned forward and cleared his throat. Of all the people I expected to find here, you're the very last... he thought as he met the awestruck Fae huntress' gaze. Her hair was tousled and her boots were caked with grime. The arduous trip all the way from Pandling Grounds had likely been a punishing one for her. Despite this, her loveliness was very much intact. He