Page 83 of The Flame King's Queen

As if hoping to clear the air at least a little, the Temple Crone steps forward. “Dragonmaster Stesha, you have proven yourself worthy of the title of…”

There’s a panicked gasping sound, and someone breaks away from our group and dashes toward the dragongrounds. Zenevieve. I wonder if she’s running to Nilak, but Zenevieve races toward Calyx. The sleepy dragon raises his head and lifts his wings in greeting as she reaches him. Zenevieve climbs up onto his back, and a moment later the pale dragon takes off into the skies, Zenevieve’s long hair streaming behind her.

The Temple Crone frowns at the young woman, and clears her throat. “As I was saying. I declare our dragonmaster the winner of the Dragon Games. Step forward and…”

But Stesha isn’t listening. He pushes through the crowd and chases after his former ward, drops of blood scattering in his wake. He pounds across the dust, leaps onto Nilak, and soars into the sky in pursuit.

We all watch as the two dragons disappear from view. There’s a long, confused silence as everyone looks at each other, not knowing what to do or say.

The Temple Crone claps her hands once. “Well, I suppose we must all celebrate for the dragonmaster in his absence. It has been a fine Dragon Games, and I for one am thirsty.”

It feels a little anticlimactic as we slowly return to the castle. Zabriel holds tightly to my hand.

“I thought Zenevieve would be happy that Stesha won and throw herself into his arms, not run away. But perhaps she is too overwhelmed that he nearly died.” I wonder what words of comfort he will offer her when he reaches her. That he fought so hard to win the Dragon Games to prove his worthiness of her, or that he merely holds her dear because she is his dead friend’s daughter?

Despite Stesha’s untimely departure and a lukewarm atmosphere without a victor to toast, the celebration warms up as the ale and wine start to flow. Many, many cups are raised to Stesha, Zabriel, and even me, along with all the other dragonriders and dragons.

Zabriel, his cheeks flushed with wine, picks me up in his arms and kisses me. “The people will talk about these games for centuries to come. History will remember the name Queen Isavelle and her quicksilver dragon.”

I smile as I wrap my arms around his neck, and my heart begins to lighten as I realize he’s right. The games are over, and they have given the people what they craved. Excitement. A spectacle. A victory for Maledin. “There will be songs sung about the fair and righteous Alpha king and his black dragon.”

“There will be one or two, but I have a feeling that white-haired bastard has stolen all the best songs.” But he’s grinning as he says it.

The revelries continue long into the night. I go to bed when the moon is setting, amid declarations from the dragonriders that they won’t finish celebrating until the dragonmaster returns and they can toast him.

I wake an hour after dawn to an empty bed, and smile to myself. Zabriel must still be with his dragonriders. After I get dressed, I peek into the Great Hall and see him singing along with a rowdy crowd to a song I haven’t heard before. If Stesha doesn’t return soon, they shall all fall down and sleep in the straw.

I walk along the battlements, enjoying the morning sunshine and the view over Lenhale. The dragons are resting this morning, all huddled comfortably together and grooming each other.

I’m smiling to myself when I see a familiar figure farther along the battlements, also watching the dragons. It’s Ravenna, the sunlight burnishing her red curls. I wonder if she’s looking for the wild flare. It must be a relief not to see them.

As I join her, I ask, “If Kane had drunk the poisoned tea, what would have happened to him?”

She glances at me and thinks for a moment. Her eyes are shadowed, and I wonder if she hasn’t slept all night. “Same as last time. Made his guts cramp and vomit so hard that he wished for death.”

“A clever way to deal with an Alpha like him. He’ll always be a little afraid of you.”

Ravenna looks down at her hands resting on the stone battlements. “I don’t feel clever. I feel very stupid, and I’m ashamed of myself. Sickeningly ashamed.”

I turn to her in surprise. “But why?”

“Zenevieve and the dragonmaster. I saw how she was sobbing as she ran for Calyx. She loves him, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, but unfortunately the dragonmaster’s feelings are more obtuse. He cares about her, but as a lover or friend I don’t know.” He could be breaking her heart right this moment, and the thought makes me want to shake him until his big stupid teeth rattle.

“I didn’t realize,” Ravenna says mournfully. “I said and did all those stupid things around the dragonmaster so I could make Kane angry, and now people are saying she has killed herself.”

“They’re sayingwhat?”

“The talk is that the Alphas were fighting over me. I couldn’t help being rescued by the dragonmaster, and I am so grateful for his kindness. I’m grateful to him as much as I am to you andMa’len, but I’ve made everyone believe the dragonmaster has intentions toward me, and now Zenevieve believes it too. I’ve behaved badly. I’ve never been around people much, so I’m not surprised this has been a disaster. If something happens to Zenevieve, it will be all my fault.”

I stare at the horizon in horror. Zenevieve wouldn’t, would she? Is that why she flew away on an inexperienced Omega dragon, so he wouldn’t be able to stop her if she threw herself from his back?

Stesha followed her, I remind myself. Nilak would never let anything bad happen to the previous dragonmaster’s granddaughter. But to want to die over a broken heart? My insides ache with sadness for Zenevieve.

Ravenna glances at me sadly. “Which brings me to what I need to talk to you about. I must leave Lenhale. Today.”

I reach for her hands and grasp them. “Whatever is happening between Stesha and Zenevieve is not your fault. He has ignored her for months while making Zabriel swear to protect her. He has driven her to despair, not you.”

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