Page 18 of Dragon Blood

Jori’s thumbs stroked Kymri’s hands as he smiled into her solemn face.

Astred imagined Kymri still struggled to kindle her hope, with her experience as a lifelong guardian and warrior for her people. No matter how much she loved Jori, and hoped and strove toward a brighter future, the light of vigilance would always reside deep within her.

It would, within all Aeleftherians, until proved irrevocably obsolete.

And it was exactly why this ceremony was crucial.

Astred straightened her spine.

Perhaps it’s time I take my place among them.

She’d always answered the call to defend and protect against threats, returning home to fight off attacking males seeking to control their island, rebuilding in the wake of their destruction. And then reunite with her community, nurturing the bonds of sisterhood.

Joey Kane’s hands slid away from the couple’s heads as they turned to face the crowd, hand in hand, eliciting a cheer.

Despite the solemnity of the ceremony, they were still surrounded by friends and family concerned for their happiness.

Glancing at Regina’s profile, Astred gently squeezed her mother’s hand.

I’ve left you alone in this for long enough.

TheWatcherstoodapartfrom the guests gathered in clusters across the terrace, mingling, sipping the bluest and best aged of Aeleftherian wines.

Queen Regina’s wedding gift.

Unsure if the administration of the tincture was sufficient, the tiny bottle in the hidden pocket of their formal attire seemed to bear the weight of a boulder, dragging at their guilt.

It’s for the best.

The queen had declared change coming for dragonkind. And it was, just not in the way everyone thought it was.

The watcher’s gaze slid around the room, monitoring the delegates, memorizing and listening for snippets of coveted information. Despite the celebrations, some wouldn’t be able to resist discussions of politics, and it was to those that the watcher paid the most attention.

“You’ve barely touched your wine. Relax, enjoy yourself. There will be much to do in the coming days.” Regina’s voice pulled the watcher’s gaze to the right as she approached with a smile.

Pulse ticking, the watcher nodded with an instinctive dip. “Yes, of course, Your Highness.”

“Join the others,” the queen winked over the rim of her glass, sipping as she slid away to speak with another guest.

The watcher’s gaze lingered on the glass at Regina’s lips.

Was it enough?

They couldn’t be sure. Opportunity had been scarce, and they’d had to resort to adding it to the bottles rather than the queen’s specific vessel, despite instructions to proceed with diligence. Time was sliding away and choices nil.

Should be well enough. She assured me it wouldn’t affect anyone else.

Their gaze slid around the gathered again, swallowing when Princess Astred stepped into view, praying there would be no effects there.

The dragonscale spell was meant to target the individual to whom the scales belonged, and the curation of Regina’s had been painstakingly overseen for years. The queen rarely took her dragon form.

The watcher could not know whether it would adversely affect the heir, which would be inherently counterproductive. Sweat prickled the watcher’s scalp. Lifting the glass of precious wine, they hesitated, staring into the blue wine, the scents of Aeleftheria’s aromatic berries luring them to taste.

“You look a little unwell.” Odson Blackridge’s deep voice drew the watcher’s attention from the glass.

I’m drawing too much attention standing here alone.

“Just thoughtful. Everyone is in good spirits.”

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