“If Draeventhall knows those men came from Vosgaarde, it’s only a matter of time until they make an alliance to descend on us. I need you in Fyrenow,Donavyn. Find out if they received the same message. Measure the undercurrent. Listen to those in power—they’ll share with you. Use Kgosi. The monster is impressive, and it will be much harder for them to deceive him. Whatever it takes—we need to know who works against us, and who stands at our side.”
My stomach sank. He was right. “I expect to hear the assessment team has reached Fyrehold tomorrow. I’ll send messengers today. Fliers. They’ll call them to return so that we can enter with the dragons by the end of the week,” I said reluctantly.
Alexi cursed, but waved me off, urging me to see it done as swiftly as possible.
I marched out of the palace, muttering and uneasy.
‘Is there any chance, Kgosi? Any evidence when you look back that those dragonfuries could be dark-hearted? Is it possible that they are in on whatever that squad was doing? That this disappearance is just part of the plan?’
I was surprised when Kgosi didn’t immediately soothe me.‘I do not know. But I can attest to this: Though our dying friend has not been forthcoming, he has allowed me glimpses of his journey. I can tell you with confidence,thatdragon is not a dark heart. But unless others return, I can’t measure them. And at this point it seems they are either dead, or abandoned us.’
Dead, if they were honorable.
Fled, if they were not.
‘When we get to Fyrehold, will you be able to measure the dragons there? Will they open their minds to you?’
‘We can only pray so. The choice will be theirs—and will depend on their Primarch. It’s their leadership that I will approach first. But with caution. It is not my place to undermine another Primarch.’
Under other circumstances, I would have chuckled. The idea of Kgosi showing up andnotundermining another dragon’s authority was laughable. But I understood his intent.
My dragon was noble and humble, and wouldn’t dominate another leader, simply because he could.
But, dear God, we needed help.
None of this made sense. And I feared being stuck in Fyrehold, dancing with dangerous Courtiers, while the true battle was being fought elsewhere.
‘So, no improvement on our wounded friend?’I sighed.
‘None,’Kgosi growled, as if the fact offended him.‘All I can be certain of is that something isn’t right. I await the Creator’s insight on precisely what bubbles around us.’
28. Ushered In
~ BREN ~
The next morning, sitting outside the queen’s parlor where I’d been told to wait until I was invited in, I stared at the ceiling, praying, wondering if this whole idea was a mistake.
I won,I reminded myself.She knows I won. And she offered to help me.
But what if it was some petty plan?
The ornately paneled door creaked slightly as it opened. My heart leaped into my throat as I shot to my feet, yet it wasn’t the queen on the other side, but a footman who stared down his nose at me curiously.
“Please, follow me,” he said quietly, bowing only his head, then turning on his elevated heels to walk into the room.
I hurried after him, pausing to close the door, then I stepped inside and took in the room beyond.
The floor space was almost as big as Donavyn’s apartment, though I’d been told this was the queen’s private parlor. The place she received personal visitors.
The ceiling soared to double-height. The ornate panels on the doors extended throughout the room, highlighted in gold trim, with thick, velvet drapes framing the windows and draped into deep sweeps where they were tied with gold cord.
Although the windows were tall to allow in a great deal of sunlight, there were also lanterns and mirrored candles in sconces around the room, blazing despite the bright morning light. The queen would not suffer for light to read any of the hundreds of books that filled the floor-to-ceiling shelves on two sides.
My mouth dropped open at the sight of all those books. And this was only her private room, not even the library?
“Most women who enter this room are taken with the gold, but you stare at my books. Interesting.”
I startled, suddenly realizing the room extended into an alcove along the righthand wall. It appeared the queen had been standing at the fireplace which was marbled in white, and large enough for Donavyn to walk into it without stooping. I hurriedly bowed—then turned it into a curtsey when I faltered, uncertain what was correct when attending the queen in a jacket and trousers.
