Page 97 of The Flame King's Queen

Stesha doesn’t seem to be listening to me.

“Stesha. I just killed what was left of my brother. You could at least look at me while I’m talking to you.”

Stesha glances up at me, his eyes unfocused and his thoughts a thousand miles away. He gets to his feet and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, Zabriel. I didn’t even ask about Emmeric. Was it awful to kill him?”

The sincerity in his voice cools my temper. “It was a relief more than anything. Did you hear what I said about Zenevieve?”

“Nothing and no one will touch Zenevieve,” he says at once with conviction.

That at least I can believe. “Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?”

His hand lingers on his dragon. “It’s Nilak.”

“She’s all right, isn’t she? Not ailing from anything?” I take a quick glance at the dragon, but she’s uninjured and her eyes are bright. Perhaps the dragonmaster can see something I can’t.

“Nilak’s perfectly well. In fact, she’s about to lay a clutch of eggs.”

“Really? Who is her mate?”

Stesha rubs his jaw. “That’s the strange thing. She doesn’t have a mate. She’s never shown any interest in the males, and she’s being stubborn over communicating with me about what’s going on with her. She’s happy about the eggs, and that’s all I can get out of her.”

I grin. “Maybe she had a fling. Maybe she doesn’t want to be mated to anyone because these males aren’t good enough for precious Nilak, but she still wants some baby dragons.”

Stesha gives me a dark look. “None of these malesaregood enough for her.”

“Perhaps you’ll have a better idea who the father is when you see the hatchlings.”

“True. I’ve noticed Lethis has been paying Nilak interest. I think it’s probably him.” He addresses his dragon. “Is that it, Nilak? You don’t want to be burdened with a mate? You need not worry. We will take care of your hatchlings between us.”

Nilak nuzzles his shoulder in answer, and Stesha smiles briefly. Across the dragongrounds, Lethis is gazing at her with what I would swear is a wistful expression. The white dragon doesn’t seem to care one scrap for him.

“You two are the most dependent dragon and rider I’ve ever known,” I say dryly. “If only Nilak had been born a woman, or you a dragon, you could have been so happy together.”

Stesha ignores me, his eyes dancing with visions of Nilak’s future offspring. “Soon the flare will be truly blessed.” He looks as proud as if he’s received news that he’s about to become a father. He’s waited a long time for Nilak to finally have dragons of her own.

I leave Stesha’s side with a pat on his shoulder, and go to tell Isavelle the good news about Nilak.

26

Isavelle

“What a terrible injury, Mr. Simpkin. Will you allow me to take a closer look?”

Master Simpkin smiles nervously at me from behind a table stacked high with books. When he doesn’t move, my eyes narrow suspiciously.

I arrived at the magical archive just a few moments ago, and instead of all the warlocks hurrying forward with happy greetings and offering me cups of tea as they usually do, the three men are keeping their distance and skulking among the shelves. Even from here, I can tell that all three of them are nursing injuries. Master Simpkin’s arm is splinted with sticks and held in a sling, and he has a swollen lip. Master Gaun is limping on his right side, and sweat has broken out on his brow as he tries not to show it. Master Artor has a cut across his nose and two black eyes.

“How did you break your arm?” I ask, circling the table. He circles as well, keeping away from me.

“Oh! Ah, I fell off a ladder reshelving books,” Master Simpkin says in a nervous rush. “Silly mistake to make.”

“And the rest of you?”

“Tripped over a cat in a dark alley,” Master Gaun calls, limping away from me with an armload of books.

“Walked into my bedroom door,” Master Artor mumbles, staring at his feet.

I glare from one man to the next, annoyed that they’re treating me like I don’t have two eyes in my head. “I do not need a witchfinder to tell me that you’re all telling lies. Who was the fourth warlock who accompanied you into the northeast two days ago? Why could you not tell Zabriel the truth? No lies, please. I would prefer silence to lies.”

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