Claude pulls back to examine him. “Let me look at you. Audric said you were fine, but what does he know?”
“I’m lucky if that’s all he said.” Bellamy pats her shoulder. “Let me greet Mother.”
“Of course, my dear.” Claude kisses his cheek and lets him go as Margot reaches them.
A plump, petite woman, Margot carries an unshakeable sense of power behind her gentle smile. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” she says, taking Bellamy’s hands. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m fine, Mother.” Bellamy pulls Rakos closer by the hand and doesn’t let go. “Thanks to Rakos.”
Margot lifts her chin, fixing Rakos with a calculating stare. “So I’ve heard.” Her attention returns to Bellamy. “I look forward to hearing the tale of your journey from your own lips. Julien’s letter was rather colorful.”
“As if he has room to judge,” Claude mutters.
Margot laughs, and tension eases from Bellamy’s shoulders. If Mother is laughing, everything will be all right.
Her attention returns to Rakos. “Rakos Tem. I’ve heard much about you.”
Rakos bows, more formal than Bellamy has ever seen him—though the proper form is marred when he doesn’t let go of Bellamy’s hand. “Your Majesty. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Bellamy squeezes Rakos’s hand and takes a deep breath. “Mother, Claude, I’d like you to properly meet Rakos. He’s the one who protected me in Draskora and brought me home. I’m very in love with him, and I intend to keep him.”
Margot brushes a fallen leaf from Claude’s shoulder. “To think, I thought Julien’s little assassin would be my greatest trial as a parent this year.”
“Julien has always been like that.” Claude glares suspiciously at Rakos. “This is Bellamy, though.”
“My darling,” Margot says, and Claude subsides, obviously suppressing the rest she wants to say. Margot continues. “I am delighted to meet you, Captain Rakos. What mother doesn’t wish to see her children happy? And putting aside family matters, the information you offer is worth the diplomatic inconvenience.”
Bellamy knowsinconvenienceis putting it mildly.
Rakos’s hand twitches in Bellamy’s. “I’m not a captain anymore, Your Majesty. Just an inconvenient fugitive.”
“For now.” Margot lifts her hand as Rakos opens his mouth to protest. “I know, you don’t want to fight. However, consider whether Sandrelle harbors as much scalestone as Bellamy claims. If we uncover it, what are the chances that dragons will migrate to Silaise?”
“Did you find it, Mother?” Bellamy asks in excitement as Rakos stares stunned.
“Yes. It isn’t beneath Sandrelle itself, but our mages have found hidden veins in the northern mountains. There’s a barrier around it, which is why nobody’s sensed it before. Except you.”
“How much is there?” Rakos asks.
“A mountain’s worth,” Margot answers.
Rakos whistles. “You’ll have dragons within five years of unsealing that, Your Majesty.”
Margot’s smile deepens. “Then we’d best be ready for them.”
Bellamy’s eyes widen as he follows the queen’s leaping thoughts. The idea is extraordinary. Provocative. House Dire will hate this, but it’s perfect for Rakos. “You want Rakos to command a Silaisan dragon corps.”
Rakos glances at him, startled. He clearly hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.
“Of course not,” Margot says. “Lucien Vaire will command the Silaisan dragon corps. But I want Rakos to assist with training—and you as well, Bellamy.”
Bellamy blinks. “What?”
“I can hardly put the Shadow of Draskora in charge of a Silaisan military branch,” Margot says serenely. “As for your role, Bellamy, you now have more experience riding dragons than anyone else in Silaise. I believe you could excel at this if you’re willing.”
Bellamy can’t shake his astonishment. Mother has never offered him this much responsibility. Then again, before all this, Bellamy never thought he was capable of anything this important either. “I’m willing, if Rakos is.”
Margot turns towards Rakos, her smile gone. “Of course, I can’t pretend we wouldn’t use Silaisan dragons to defend our home, should the need arise.”
