Asha hissed, her forked tongue tasting the air. “He attached himself to me for the better part of this week, even insisting I should take him along to Prithvi. Hatchling royalty can be so ridiculously tiresome!”

Venkat started to point out that she was a hatchling princess, so maybe not one to talk, but the doors to the hall had opened again, and a reverent hush cascaded out in waves until the archives almost rang with it.

Nayan swept in, the council emblem of eight snakes entwined in an ouroboros glimmering from the cobalt-and-gold dupatta draped over his broad shoulders. Though he was no taller or larger than the other nagas, Nayan’s proud bearing somehow felt grander, more substantial, enough that the shadows themselves seemed to sway like snakes in thrall as he passed.

He smiled slightly before announcing, “I bear news from the council. Our scouts have learned of another attempt to breach the gates to the realm.”

The garuda army. Venkat couldn’t imagine what Garuda thought he stood to gain from attacking Nagalok. Wasn’t it enough that the nagas had been forced to retreat here from Earth two centuries ago, when his forces had resumed their ancient onslaught? Now even Nagalok wasn’t safe?

A susurration of alarm flooded the archives, and Nayan, night-black eyebrows drawing together, waved it off. “Calm yourselves. This is the reason we shelter underground. I know many of you miss traversing the mortal realm, and the nagaraja and I both intend for our people to one day be able to return to Prithvi. But for the time being, it is imperative we remain under the sky of our own world.”

Though no one dared openly question King Vasuki’s trusted advisor, Venkat didn’t miss the disquiet glistening in the many gold-brown eyes around him. The nagas of the court had heard this speech often during the past two hundred years, and cabin fever had long since set in.

That was why Nayan had first suggested brokering dreams. It gave those who wanted one a substitute for interacting with humans while the council and its scholars searched for a solution to the garuda threat.

“The nagaraja and nagarani,” he continued, “along with the council, will hold an audience this afternoon, which I encourage you to attend and where you might voice any lingering concerns you have.”

The disgruntled mutters grew louder, matched by dark looks. “The council!” someone mocked. “Always so eager to talk. What are they actually doing to stop the breaches?” When Nayan faced him, the man sputtered. “I— Naturally I did not mean you, my lord.”

“I understand,” Nayan said, unperturbed. “You did not ask for our predicament, and yet you languish because of it. It is unjust. Nevertheless, if you cannot trust me that we will endure, then trust your liege. King Vasuki and Queen Naga Yakshi desire nothing more than security for their entire kingdom and its revered inhabitants.”