Page 7 of Connor and the Dragons

Oallian laughed. “They don’t let dragons inside, for obvious reasons. Size constraints, tendency to snack on people, that sort of thing.”

Connor let out a choked sound.

“Don’t worry, I mostly think I have that under control.”

I did not let myself think about the alarming nature of the word ‘mostly’ in that sentence, but I walked faster, just in case there was a time limit on his control. Oallian had been patrolling the skies above Feravael for a few weeks now, but his mission had mostly been the purview of the Grey Guard, and I had done my best not to interfere.

Queen Delsynarea was aware of my opinions on the matter, but hope of finding the missing king had overridden her usual sensible decision-making, despite my protests.

At the Queen’s receiving chamber, I nodded to the guards posted outside. They stepped aside, well aware that I was the only person in the realm who could barge into this room unannounced. I reached for the door handle and frost bloomed across the brass under my palm, and I took a slow, deep breath before turning it the rest of the way.

I tugged the door open, shaking out my hand, hoping Delsynarea had not seen the frost. That would mean she’d have questions.

Delsynarea sat beneath the tall windows with two ladies-in-waiting arranged on the settee to her left, both of whom I disliked. Delsy didn’t much like them either, but she was playing some political game with them, pleasing high-ranking families by bestowing the highest honor upon their daughters.

I bowed. “Your Majesty. May I present Connor Liang, newly crossed from San Jose. And Oallian Vyranthos, restored this hour to his human form.”

“So we see,” Delsynarea said, her eyes on Oallian. “So Mr. Liang carries the gift?”

“He does, Your Majesty.” My shoulders loosened for the first time in weeks. Delsy could reach exactly one dragon in all the world, and he was missing, which had left us with a fire dragon in the crown’s service and no one at court who could wake the man inside him.

Her mouth tightened and let go, as she studied Oallian, and I was sure she was noticing his resemblance to his brother.

“He reached me on the first try.” Oallian beamed at the room in general. “I plan on keeping him.”

“I’d like a vote on that,” Connor muttered.

“Mr. Liang, please step forward,” Delsynarea said. “And state your intentions.”

“Your Majesty, I’m only here to find my brother, Sky. I’m told he’s in a place called Liminia.”

“Ooh! I can fly him,” Oallian said, clapping his hands. “He weighs almost nothing.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “We cannot send a dragon to Liminia. The nature of our treaty with them is tenuous at best.”

“Oh, don’t worry! I won’t eat anyone!” Oallian said. “Promise. Though I am a little peckish at the moment, not for eating people, just for, soup, maybe?”

“I really don’t need to ride the dragon,” Connor said. “I can travel by boat, or whatever.”

“Oh but it’ll be so fun! We can solidify our bond.”

“Enough.” Delsynarea’s voice dropped flat and final, and both of them stopped. “You will not be traveling to Liminia.”

“But—” Connor started.

“You will be held here while we decide on a course of action. You will find the apartments in the high tower comfortable and secure. And Mr. Liang, you will keep the dragon in his human form. Guards!”

“Your Majesty,” I said. “Do you wish to question them first?”

“We are finished for now, Lord Frost.”

She was not looking at the newcomers anymore. She was looking at me, and her knuckles had gone white in her lap. I dropped it.

The guardsmen stepped in to escort them out. Oallian went happily, gathering his robe with ceremony. Connor stepped closer to the Queen.

“About Sky. If a letter can reach him, or a bird, or whatever you use here…”

“Take him to the tower,” Delsynarea snapped.