Queens once ruled all of Nevermere, she said, and it felt like there was an echo inside my head, making me think I was hearing more than one dragon’s words.I need to know more. How they were deposed. Why our numbers dwindled. How we went from the devastating power of Drathnor to…Her claw flexed and the egg went rolling free.This.
I found myself smiling despite the fact it wasn’t hard to imagine Auren terrorising Nevermere the way that Drathnor did. Perhaps that was because she dared to do what I never could. Dare to let her anger come pouring out, burning the wood to a crisp.
And anything else that got in her way.
With a shake of my head, I moved closer, ready to vow I would help her in anyway I could. What exactly, I didn’t know, but I’d work it out.
The answer is in the earth, my queen, Viridian said, his eyes gleaming.
What earth?Auren spun around to face him.Where must I dig to find the answers?
It felt like Viridian’s certainty evaporated then. I’d never seen a dragon look sheepish before, but he seemed to do that just then. Claws flexing, then set down, head swaying side by side, he blinked, trying to formulate a response, but I cut in.
If it’s history you seek, humans record all manner of things in books. I sighed, remembering walking through the keep library to my history class. If I breathed deep enough, it felt like I could still smell the musty scent of so many books clustered together.Records from hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago.
These… books.Auren stepped towards me.Where would I find such things?
And it was then I felt a pang of sympathy for Viridian. I too was going to have to give Auren an answer she wouldn’t like.
Well, the largest library in the country is back at the keep.
Her muzzle pulled back slightly, revealing a flash of fang. My heart started to race as ancient instincts tried to alert me to the danger I was in.
Then we will return to this keep.Her wings fluttered.I will order that… general to give you all of the books we need.
I would happily do this research for you, I replied.I could bring the books out for you to look at.A single flicker of flame out of her nose made me reconsider that idea.Though there is probably no need.What I read and learn, you can see through our mind link.
If anyone gets in your way, it won’t be for long,she growled.
A grin spread across my face, unable to be repressed. I was never going to be able to don a sword and cut a swathe through the Royal Riders to defend my dragon, but this was a role I was eminently suited to.
There is nothing I would like better than to discover everything you need, Auren.
Her head moved fast, startling me, but rather than her jaws chomping down on me, her forehead pressed into my body. She was as hot as a cherry red coal, but I clasped my hands around her, trying to give the dragon what comfort she might need.
Then you must eat.She plucked the rabbits Viridian had brought down and put the whole things on the fire. The air filled with the stink of burning fur, which forced me to cough and then dragons to pull back in disgust.Why do humans insist on burning perfectly good meat?
We usually do that after the creature has been skinned.I peered at the fire, then pulled back, fighting for breath.I’m not that hungry, so I’ll forgo dinner for tonight.
Thank the gods.
Viridian darted forward, snatching the rabbits from the fire and then ran upstairs to dispose of them. The air slowly cleared, though was now considerably warmer. Auren settled down, arranging her tail just so, before holding up her wing. I slipped underneath it, settling against her side, just like I had on our trip to the keep.
Sleep now. Auren’s tone was much gentler.For in the morning, we will fly back and make clear that we will not tolerate any further attempts to curtail us.They want to insist on my rider attending their cadet training?Then they will discover what happens when they try to tame a wild queen and her bondmate.
Chapter 30
Lance
“I returned to the keep,” I told my father. “Was given an officer’s commission.”
“I can see that,” he said, eyeing the too bright insignias on my shoulder. “And while I’ll freely admit the Royal Riders piss me off each time I cross their path.” With a wince, he went to settle on a stool. Part of me wanted to help him with it, the movement tentative, pain filled, but Brand Axton accepted help from no one, not unless he had to. “That isn’t what’s got you crying into your beer.”
“Not crying…” I muttered, but his low chuckle made clear I wasn’t fooling anyone. For a moment, I just watched the man move behind the bar, polishing glasses, setting them on the shelves.
“Talk to me, son.”
That softer tone had me looking sideways and sure enough, Dad was nodding in encouragement.
