Page 80 of Triumph at Pemberley

“So I have heard.” The resonant voice carried familiarity in Darcy’s bones. “Will you tell me what happened?”

He glanced at his mother. “Could you read me instead? You might see nuances I missed.” And he would rather not speak it aloud, lest it distress Lady Anne even more.

“If you wish it. Having a bond of sorts has changed you, Companion Fitzwilliam.”

No dragon had ever named him that way before. He had assumed it was because his bond was not a direct blood one, but the Eldest would know. “Coquelicot has taught me a great deal.” He stepped forward until he stood just a few feet from the Eldest.

In those early readings, he had been tense and uncomfortable. Now it seemed perfectly natural to have a dragon’s enormous talons against his cheek, to feel the flow of dragon power pouring into him, and the Eldest’s gentle presence in his mind. Darcy pulled his memories of the conversation with Lady Catherine to the front of his thoughts, making no effort to edit his own reactions to her.

The dragon’s concern deepened into worry. This is disturbing news. So she had been touched by the Wicked King, may he choke on his own poisonous tongue, before she bonded to Hornbeam. We will have to check every dragon and mortal in the Nest for possible contamination.

It seemed impossible. Is it so dangerous, even for those who have only talked to her?

It is unlikely, but his power is subtle beyond understanding, and the danger is immense. We must take even the smallest possibility of it seriously. I will send for your dragon, as she was the one to strip Lady Catherine of her Talent, and therefore most exposed. Except for Hornbeam, with their blood bond. A thread of fear entered her aura. Would you be willing to share with me your memories of Lady Catherine after her capture in London and your journey with her back to the Nest?

Yes. Anything that would reduce risk from the Wicked King was fine with him. He cast his mind back to that time and everything that had happened.

I do not like that you were in physical contact with her so long on your journey, especially as you already carry a tinge of the blood of the Wicked King from your blood bond with your sister. I would like to examine you further when your dragon is present.

Very well. And my mother, Lady Anne? Will you examine her, too?

The great dragon’s aura shifted to regret. There is no point. We already know she is contaminated because of her bargain with the Wicked King, may his every bone be torn from his body and gnawed by wild animals while he yet lives. She dropped her forelegs, breaking the connection, though Darcy could still feel a trace of warmth where her talons had rested.

He had never agreed more with the curses the dragons heaped on the Wicked King’s head. A mere ‘Devil take him’ was insufficient for the harm he had caused.

He turned back to his mother, whose face was buried in her hands. That was not a good sign from the imperturbable Lady Anne. He crouched down beside her, laying his hand on the elaborately carved armrest. As gently as he could, he said, “The Eldest is concerned that my contact with Lady Catherine might have exposed me to some traces of the Wicked King’s magic. She has sent for Coquelicot, and I must remain here until she comes.”

She nodded, her face still hidden, but she swallowed visibly.

“If you wish, I can send you back to Pemberley now and meet you there later.”

Lady Anne made no response, as if she had not even heard him. Then she said, so softly he could hardly hear, “I went to him for help as my last resort, and all that time, he was the one who caused the trouble. He killed everything that was good in my sister and turned her into a monster.” Her voice broke at the end.

Looking back to the Eldest, Darcy asked, “Is that something he could do, to take away part of her, to change her?”

“Only with her consent, but yes. It is within his ability to steal a mortal’s conscience, the part of their soul that knows right from wrong. Tragically, he managed to convince a child that doing so would ease her pain. It sounds as if he had met with her before, trying to earn her trust. The question is why he would put in such effort.”

Darcy took a deep breath. “Because of the prophecy. He knew the next generation of mages would include the Prophesied One, but he could not harm any of them directly without being foresworn. Instead, he found someone else to do it, tricking her into thinking it would make her stronger and better.” The damned prophecy that had stolen his peace of mind and cost many of his mage relatives their lives.

The dragon lowered her head slowly in agreement. “It is the sort of devious thing he would do to keep his own hands clean. He must be terrified of the prophecy.”

That prophecy had first been an inconvenience to Darcy, and then a danger when the Wicked King imprisoned Elizabeth in the tower. Now, with the full cost of it spelled out before him, he knew one thing for certain. He would do everything in his power to make that prophecy come true. The Wicked King must be destroyed.

Chapter 32

Coquelicot had insisted on bringing Darcy back to Pemberley after the Eldest cleansed them both, even though he had arrived in a carriage with his mother. He did not feel unwell, so most likely she had simply wanted his company.

The dragon had been unusually quiet during the flight, though, and her aura was guilt-tinged. Had the cleansing taken more from her than they had expected?

When she landed and he dismounted, he asked, “Should I drink an elixir?” Normally it was she who made that request, but their strengthened bond had comforted her in the past.

“If you wish,” she said dully, but she produced one of the little vials. Apparently she carried them with her, in addition to the supply in the ballroom.

He uncorked it and downed it, the now-familiar heat of it almost a comfort. It carried glimpses of Coquelicot’s happiest memories, of flight over her French Nest, bonding with her first companion, and the comfort she derived from Darcy. The full bond snapped back into place, making him aware of everything about her.

He leaned against her side, as he knew she liked. “Did you know that the Eldest called me Companion Fitzwilliam today? She recognizes that our bond is a full one, even without your elixir.”

“Truly?” That seemed to engage her interest, but only for a moment.