Page 39 of The Forgotten Throne

My brain took a moment to understand what he was telling me. “King Cardon made those rooms for me?”

“Well us technically if I’m understanding the man right,” Paxton corrected. “We know that he had a vision, who knew maybe he saw all of us too—I mean there are just the right amount of rooms. Look there are even two on the outer edge that are more separate for the girls that exit out into the main hallway. They are still there for you as guardians but are set apart from where we’ll be intermingling.”

“I need to sit down.”

Someone wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me tight against their chest holding me up instead. “I think we should call it a night, who knows what dealing with that much power did to drain her,” Jade instructed the others. “If we are going to see the dragons tomorrow, we’ll need our rest.”

Before anyone else could comment I was swept up into his arms and carried out of the room and towards the door. “Jade, I can walk,” I argued.

“I have no doubt about that, but I still want to carry you all the same,” he answered, cradling me tighter. “Never thought I would wish for you to hurt your leg again so I can hold you like this more often.”

“Don’t even joke about that, it took long enough for me to be able to walk on it and it still aches after a long day. The last thing I need right now is to not be able to walk.” I huffed, but allowed myself to tuck my head against his neck.

There was something about Jade that always made me feel safe. I knew he’d killed people as a job and that I shouldn’t feel this way about him but I couldn’t help what I felt. He was my dark knight who always had my back appearing just when I needed him most. Just as the spirit dragon had said back at the castle these men completed me in a way that no other could. We reached Marta’s house all too soon and he set me back down on my own two feet, but I wasn’t ready to let go of him just yet so I intertwined our fingers as we entered the house.

“Oh you’re back, I wasn’t sure if you would be,” Marta said as she rose from her chair by the fire. “Can I get you anything, Your Majesty?”

“No, we just came from dinner with the viceroy,” I assured her. “Please there is no need to wait on us, you’ve done so much for us already giving us a place to stay and wonderful food to eat.”

“It’s a pleasure, this house has been so quiet since my son got married and they built their own house. I told them they could live with me but they wanted something of their own to build their new lives in.” She sighed, returning to her seat. “Oh don’t let me keep you as I blather on about the good old days, it’s just been so lively having you lot around.”

Looking at her I had an idea but no clue if this was the right call to make. “Marta... how would you feel about coming to live at the castle and being our head cook? We would obviously find more people to help you but I’ve never had better food in my whole life than what you’ve given us the past two days. It won’t be right away so if you need time or you’re not interested just say the word.”

She blinked at me a few times in surprise, which I wasn’t all that shocked about since I just blurted it all out. “That is a wondrous offer, Your Majesty. Can I take a day or two to think it over? I’m just not sure I would be cut out for that kind of thing.”

“Of course, take the time you need. Helena is helping me with the staffing of the castle so if you have any question or have people in mind you want to work with if you decide to take the job,” I said, bumbling over my words.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, I will reach out to her if I think I need to, and again I’m so extremely flattered you would ask,” Marta answered with a soft smile.

I bobbed my head and offered a quick goodnight and headed back to the room I’d slept in the night before. Flopping on the bed I covered my face and groaned in embarrassment.

“Finally, our queen has a weakness,” Cole announced as he followed behind me. “She can take down Clan Leaders, save Crown Princes, tell off a murderous Lord, but don’t ask her to hire a cook.”

“My mother would be horrified if she saw that,” I muttered.

The mattress beside me sank and my hands were pulled away to reveal Cole looking down at me. “Ah little mouse if this is the only thing you struggle with in life then I think you’re doing just fine. Marta is a fine choice for a cook and I think you made the right call, just give her time to think it over. Serving the queen is high praise. I think you just caught her off guard.”

“After this I’m going to let Helena do the job offers and if I like someone I’ll just tell her to do the deed,” I stated.

Cole leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose. “You know you’re awfully cute when you’re flustered like this. Your cheeks get all pink and you wrinkle your nose just like the little mouse you are.”

“Don’t you think it’s time to change the nickname? I mean I am the Dragon Queen after all, your little mouse has gone and changed into a lion.”

A look passed over Cole’s face that I couldn’t quite read but he just dipped his head lower and sealed his lips to mine. My whole body went lax at the attention and I wrapped a hand around the back of his neck to hold him there. All too soon he pulled away and smiled. “You will always be my little mouse who I stole in the dead of night. Pleasant dreams my queen, we have another busy day tomorrow.” With that he slipped out of the room.

Chapter Twenty-Five

An Alliance with Dragons

The following day was clear, and the sun shone brightly as we flew. Vasin knew the best place to meet with the dragons, but it would be deeper into the dragon lands than we’d ever been before.

“Cass, you trust me to always keep you safe. Why are you questioning my choice to take us into the dragon lands?”

“It’s not you that I don’t trust but the other dragons. Last time we were just on the border and they attacked us, what will they do when we are further into their kingdom?”

“Things have changed since yesterday. All the dragons know what you did. That new oath was felt across all the kingdoms and even some you don’t know about. What you and I did effects all dragons that are living and yet to be born. This is a cause for celebration not anger, besides it’s time I took up my mantle as you have taken yours.”

“You mean as leader of the dragons?”