Page 143 of Triumph at Pemberley

“I bled on them, yes. But not on purpose. I was just a young daredevil who could not resist climbing anything high,” Jack said indulgently.

“Then we must stay,” the black dragon pronounced.

“Why?” Jack demanded. “That is the most foolish thing I have ever heard!”

The dragons stared at him, puzzled. Finally Cerridwen said, “That is simply the way it is. You belong to the Nest where you spilled your blood. Or in this case, to one of the two Nests here.”

Every time Darcy thought he understood how dragons worked, something new came as a surprise. Still, if it meant Jack had to stay here, he was not going to argue.

Elizabeth said slowly, “But Frederica spilled her blood on our Dragon Stones before bonding, and she will be joining the Gwynedd Nest.”

Cerridwen said patiently, as if explaining something to a child, “She was in this Nest first, and she and Quickthorn still will retain a bond to Rana Akshaya. That is why Quickthorn needed her permission to join the Gwynedd Nest. She can never leave our Nest completely.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed. The prickle of silent sendings moved across Darcy’s skin. Was he speaking to Gentiane?

Gentiane asked, “What are the new use-names here? Precious stones, like the High Peak Nest?” Clearly this was already settled in his mind.

“No, provinces and counties, to show our international connections,” Cerridwen said brightly. “Some of us are keeping our old names, but the Indian dragons have all taken new ones.”

“I suppose I could be Alsace,” Gentiane grumbled. “Unless Coquelicot has already taken it.”

“She does not intend to change hers,” Darcy said. “She would be glad to have a Nestmate from her original Nest.” And he would be gladder than any of them, to have Jack still so close. For once, he was grateful to Topaz for being in the way. The little dragonet’s interruption had kept Jack here.

Jack sighed. “Is there a Companion House where we could stay?”

“They are building one, but for now, the companions are scattered between homes in Kympton.” Dare he suggest it? “You could have a cottage here, away from the house. The Pemberley tenants are good at keeping secrets; they have had a great deal of practice over these last years.”

“Perhaps.” Something in his eyes suggested he was tempted. Jack had always loved Pemberley, even when he wanted to escape it.

Cerridwen stepped in. “Your new wife – she has Talent, does she not?”

“Mostly for healing, and she has Second Sight,” Jack said. “Little enough that she does not experience repulsion.”

“Rana Akshaya will want to keep an eye on her children. We have eggs to hatch soon, and will be needing companions for them in a few years.”

“Not me!” pronounced Topaz proudly. “I already know who my companion will be.”

Elizabeth said affectionately, “As if you ever allow any of us to forget it!”

Jasper burst in then. “Jack! I just heard!”

Jack jumped up and pumped his cousin’s hand. “Well met. I had not realized you were still here.”

Jasper wrinkled his nose. “First I could not leave because Granny insisted on training me, whether I liked it or not. Now I am hiding from my father. He is demanding that I take employment. Ugh.”

An unreadable look flashed across Jack’s face. “You may not be able to hide for long. The king wants to talk to you. I promised to check if you were at Matlock.”

Now Jasper looked fully disgusted. “His Majesty? Why would he suddenly be interested in me? He never asked to see me when he was here. Or did my father convince him to make me work for the King’s Mage?”

Darcy’s heart sank. He knew what must be coming, even if Jasper, poor Jasper who avoided any mention of politics, did not.

“Not exactly.” Jack seemed to brace himself. “I do not know whether this will be good news for you or bad, but you are now the leading contender to marry Princess Charlotte.”

Jasper goggled at him, then burst into sudden laughter. “You almost had me believing you there! I had forgotten what a joker you are.”

“Sorry, my friend, this is no jest. His Majesty is determined to marry her to someone with Fitzwilliam mage blood. Unless he intends to kill your eldest brother’s wife, that means you or Richard. Apparently Princess Charlotte has expressed a preference for you.”

“What? That is ridiculous! She does not even know I exist!” Jasper raked his hand through his hair.