The footman had not overstated the case. Trust Rana Akshaya to simply appear with no notice! But who else could possibly be in this cavalcade? She hoped the stables would manage to find room for them all.
If only she had some idea of why Rana Akshaya had come to Pemberley! How was she to avoid missteps when she could not even see the path ahead of her?
The first carriage came to a stop in front of the house, and a uniformed footman opened the door and lowered the steps. The first to emerge was a young man dressed in the Indian manner whom Elizabeth recognized as Rana Akshaya’s translator.
Without any greeting, he turned to offer his hand to a shadowy figure inside the coach.
Rana Akshaya emerged slowly, taking each step with care. As before, her face was hidden behind a veil, and her figure was wrapped in flowing embroidered fabric. She paused when her feet touched the ground, raising her head as if studying the sky. Her servants formed a line beside her.
Elizabeth moved forward and made a deep curtsy. “Welcome to Pemberley, Rana Akshaya. We are honored by your visit.”
The Indian woman spared her a glance.At a time like this, we must all stand together.It was a sending, not speech.
Did she mean they must stand together as dragon companions? “Indeed we must. I believe you are already acquainted with Lady Frederica Fitzwilliam, who is also a guest here.”
As Frederica came forward, Rana Akshaya murmured something in her own language. Her translator said, “The great Rana is pleased to –”
Rana Akshaya silenced him with a wave, and spoke in her own resonant, lightly accented voice. “Is the King’s Mage aware that you have bonded?” Apparently she could tell simply by looking at Frederica.
“I have not told her, and I do not believe anyone else has,” said Frederica. “It only just happened.”
“You are to be congratulated.”
Frederica curtsied. “It is the greatest honor of my life.”
Elizabeth girded herself to do her duties as the hostess. “You must be fatigued after your long journey. Pray permit me to invite you inside. We have prepared rooms for you according to Chandrika’s suggestions.”
“Your companion is already on her way. I will await her here.” Rana Akshaya gestured in the direction of the Nest, which no one had shown her. It was a reminder of how much her powers outstripped Elizabeth’s own.
What was the proper protocol for standing outside with foreign royalty who declined to follow the usual rules? Should she order chairs and refreshments to be brought out? It could take a quarter of an hour for a falcon-shaped dragon to fly from the Nest to Pemberley, but if Cerridwen was already in flight, it might be less. “As you wish.”
As one, the Indian servants stepped forward and arranged themselves into a neat half circle around the mage. A moment later, the welcome sight of Cerridwen in kestrel form appeared overhead. She shifted shapes in midair and glided to the ground as a dragon.
Thank heavens! Cerridwen’s presence was bound to distract Rana Akshaya. Not that Elizabeth disliked the Indian woman, but she was barely an acquaintance, and the Indian mage said the most unpredictable andmysterious things.
Rana Akshaya made her slight bow to Cerridwen. A shiver ran down Elizabeth’s arms – there was magic in use. The Indian mage must be sending to her dragon. What was she saying?
A small leather bag appeared in Cerridwen’s talons, and she held it out to Elizabeth. “The message is for Rana Akshaya, but it is keyed to you. The Eldest wishes you to hear it, too.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. It contained a familiar heavy silver sphere, like the one that had called her to the Nest along with Darcy. A sharp pang of missing her husband stabbed through her. But she had a task now, and she would do it. She poured the Artifact into her gloved hand.
Nothing happened. Cerridwen spoke in her head.It must touch your skin.
Of course. She had not been wearing gloves that first time, in Darcy’s study. Quickly she stripped off one glove and set the intricately engraved globe in her palm.
The last time the illusion that rose from the sphere had been tiny. This time it was much larger, an image of the eldest nearly as large as Elizabeth herself. She almost expected her hand to sink under the weight of it, but of course it was completely insubstantial.
And then the illusion spoke in the familiar echoing tones of the Eldest. “Greetings, Rana Akshaya. I am the Eldest, the voice of the Dark Peak Nest. We look forward to learning more about you. Under ordinary circumstances we would joyfully invite you into our Nest, but given recent events, we must be cautious. Therefore, we ask you to remain within the boundaries of Pemberley, the estate of Companion Elizabeth, and present your business to our young dragons, who will then communicate it to us. We intend no rudeness by this; but until we know what has led to the destruction of the Nests in Europe, we must take precautions. Cerridwen will direct you to our anchors at Pemberley. May our meeting be the beginning of an auspicious new era.”
The illusion faded, leaving her hand tingling.
Rana Akshaya straightened, seeming to grow an extra inch or two. “What is this about Nests being destroyed?” Her voice reverberated with outrage.
Cerridwen spoke. “Three Nests burnt and empty. They were home to the dragons who attacked the armies. None are left alive.”
This time Rana Akshaya definitely swelled with size, impossible as it might be. “Then I must meet with your dragons immediately.”
Elizabeth’s mouth went dry. What might this powerful, angry mage do to her if she said the wrong thing? Lacking any other answers, she fell back on her best manners. “Do you not wish to refresh yourself first? It is a long journey you have had.”
