Page 75 of The Last Syphon

The fact that the princess had told her so openly, so willingly, trusting Inara with a secret that could see the end of their reign…Well…Shit. Any residual feelings of anger disappeared almost instantly.

“You do know your brother and I are liable to kill each other, right? I mean…I’ll protect him from other people, but who the fuck is going to protect him from me?”

The princess smiled. The tension in her shoulders dissipated. “You are no longer angry?”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Inara grumbled under her breath.

“She can hold a grudge for a long time,” Felix added quickly. “She’s still pissy at me for eating a pastry biscuit from when we were youthens.”

“It was a chocolate biscuit!” she blasted. “I was saving it for a special occasion!”

“Yes…Well…How was I supposed to know that?”

“I told you!”

“I don’t remember that.” He winked at the princess, causing her to laugh.

Grumpy Kronan stepped in front of her protectively. “What you have learnt here today is never to be revealed. Ever. Vow it. Or die.”

Inara and Felix laughed, thinking the man was joking to help lighten the mood.

Kronan drew his sword and stared them down.

Or not.

“You can’t kill me, remember? I’m important. I’m a Chosen.” Inara flicked her hair over her shoulder in a showy manner and gave a haughty look.

“Oh, Fates. She’s going to be so unbearable now.” Felix groaned.

“Vow it!” The Shielder thundered.

Princess Phaedra laid a hand on his shoulder. “It is okay, Kronan,” she murmured.

Inara felt a little bad now. It was clear that the man was worried they were going to tell people about the princess’s Powerless status. She stood. “I vow it.”

Kronan’s piercing gaze moved to Felix.

He rolled his eyes and released an exaggerated sigh as he, too, got to his feet. “I won’t tell a soul.”

Kronan nodded, returned his sword to the scabbard, and stepped back once more.

Fraener flew down to the ground and started eating the sweets that had spilled on the floor. Were sweets even good for dragons? He seemed to like them.

“Thank you for your secrecy.” Princess Phaedra bowed. “It is much appreciated.”

Inara shrugged. “We don’t care about the fact that you’re a Powerless, but we know a lot of other people do. They can be…cruel.” There were several Powerless in Deadhaven, and although it was a village full of criminals, drunks, and outcasts, the Powerless were still treated unfairly.

“Princess, it is late,” Kronan said, eyes on the night sky out the window.

“Yes. Yes, it is. I did not realise. I shall leave you to rest. Make sure to report to my brother’s bedchamber at dawn.”

“Wait, what?” Inara squawked. “Dawn?”

Princess Phaedra nodded. “Yes. Your position requires you to guard your Charge from the moment they wake to the moment they rest. My brother wakes at dawn every day to begin his duties. You must be waiting outside his bedchamber for him, and then return him to his room at the eve of every day.”

“Oh, no.” Felix laughed, and Inara growled at him.

The Princess’s gaze moved between them. “Is that a problem?”