She let her Talent sink deep into the land once more. The soil under the gravel lane was tightly packed, but the roots of the lime trees lining it formed tendrils of life, while creatures too small to be seen and earthworms burrowed through it. She could sense the weight of the magic moving from the dragons around her, spiraling into the land.Accept this Talent, she told the land,which will protect those who live here.
Her Talent tingled as it raced through her feet. Keeping her attention in the earth, she nodded to Rowan.
The red dragon spread his wings, and the other two followed suit, creating a dome of gleaming scaled leather that surrounded their circle. Elizabeth’s skin prickled as a vortex of power formed in the center, resolving into a glowing golden rune floating in midair. Slowly it sank down and touched the earth.
Elizabeth staggered. It was as if a giant bell had tolled, sending reverberations through the land. The links Rowan had created earlier were all joined now, full of power, a ring around Pemberley.
It was done, and surely such strong magic would keep them safe from the High King. Elizabeth reached out again with her Talent. The land was still the same, full of life, of dormice nesting beneath the grass, a rabbit racing through the shrubs, the deep roots of the lime trees undisturbed. The earth radiated its usual busy contentedness, not troubled by this massive work of dragon magic.
Georgiana’s timid voice spoke up. “Is it true? He cannot come here now?”
“Not unless you or Companion Elizabeth grant him access. Not the Wicked King nor any of his minions.” Rowan’s tone held a reassuring rumble, his aura shining with pride.
“It is well done, youngling,” said Sycamore judiciously. “It is not easy to set a ward on such a large area.”
The red dragon ducked his head. “I never anticipated having to do such a working beyond the Nest, but I am glad of the opportunity.”
“Indeed,” said Sycamore. “It is a fine thing for the young to have a place where they need not be in hiding.”
Elizabeth studied Granny’s dragon, the one who had left the Dark Peak Nest for another where dragons were more accepted among the villagers. What was it like for dragons to be forced to hide their true natures except in the Nest? The Great Concealment had kept them safe, but at what price?
If Pemberley could be a refuge for them, that would be a fine thing. Just like it was now a safe haven for Georgiana – and for Elizabeth herself.
The dragons transformed and took flight. Georgiana chattered happily as they walked backed back to the house, as if the wards had set free a newside of her. Elizabeth shared an astonished glance with Roderick at the girl’s changed behavior. She must have been truly terrified that the High King would come to her.
Inside, Georgiana went off to the music room to practice while Roderick accompanied Elizabeth to the drawing room, an unusual spring in his step.
“What was it like, serving as an anchor?” Elizabeth asked him.
“Energizing,” he said. “Fulfilling. Despite a lifetime among dragons, I have never been so entwined with one before.”
“Were you ever considered as a possible dragon companion?” It was something she had wondered about often, but been afraid to ask.
“To my everlasting regret, no. Dragons prefer female companions. Less warlike, you see. My sister almost became one, but the bonding did not work.”
“It would be a difficult thing for a dragon, I suppose, if their companion went off to war,” she said thoughtfully.
“They will not take the risk of bonding to a potential killer, even if it has been several generations since we have had to fight. Still, I would have loved to be a companion,” he said wistfully.
“I am glad you had the opportunity to experience the lesser bond, then.”
“It is a memory I will treasure. And to see another Nest, to meet with dragons who have not known me since infancy – it is a privilege I never hoped for. Much less expected, when I was sent here to fetch you back to Wales.”
And Rowan thought it a treat to be able to come to Pemberley and be among humans. “Perhaps someday, when all our crises are past, you might come to visit again, both Pemberley and the dragons.” It would be odd to bid farewell to him; he had become such a part of her life in the last few months.
“I would like that.” He gave a rueful smile. “Though perhaps not when Lady Frederica is here. I thought she might burst with fury when she learned I would be included in the ward setting and she would not.”
Elizabeth eyed him with sympathy. “I cannot believe she blamed you for that, though she does envy our connection with the dragons. Perhaps if you told her about what we did, it might ease matters.”
His lips tightened. Clearly this was a painful subject. “Though I wish her well, it is unlikely I will ever see her again after I depart.”
Chapter 6
“Ihave been thinkingit over,” Granny told Elizabeth and Roderick the next morning after breakfast. “If Miss Darcy was created out of mortal hair, then most of her must be mortal as well. I wish I could consult the Eldest in Gwynedd about this. She has made a study of the stories of the High King.”
“She would be the one to ask,” Roderick agreed. “Though she has not been the most helpful about this situation with Cerridwen.”
“That was of her own making,” Granny sniffed. “She favored sending Cerridwen to England and would not send anyone to help Lizzy with the process after my daughter died.”
