Page 36 of Wild Bond

Her shoulders slumped even further, and her gaze drifted over the women that surrounded us. “Most riders,” she swallowed, “they . . . don’t think much of me. Don’t get me wrong, they are civil to my face and never openly rude, but I know they see me as someone of little consequence. If I wasn’t a member of the royal family, they would dismiss me outright. That’s why I read and study and research, I suppose,” she mused softly. And I wondered if the princess was even really talking to me anymore. It was as if she had retreated into herself as she spoke. “I’m not a rider, so I had to become this,” she finished, gesturing to herself.

It was at that moment I realized the queen had stood and was making her exit. The rest of the women slowly began to trickle out after her. Nesenya, I noticed, left almost immediately, looking relieved to be able to escape.

I couldn’t tell if the princess’s smile was forced as she stood, too. “Thank you for answering my questions. I’m sure you have a busy day. I won’t keep you.”

“Not at all, Your Highness,” I replied.

Without another word, the princess swept from the room behind her mother. The two guards left stationed at the doors followed after her.

Skye’s attention darted back to the silverware longingly. Mindful of the few remaining servants stationed around the room, I shook my head at her before she returned to my shoulder.

I smiled and thanked the servants before stepping out into the corridor. To my surprise, there was no one in sight. Backtracking, I asked directions from a servant on how to find my way out. She was all too eager to direct me, but a few minutes later, after several turns and descending a staircase, I knew I was lost.

I walked carefully down a few hallways, but they all looked the same to me, and I had yet to come across another servant to ask for directions. Wasn’t this a castle? Shouldn’t there be servants everywhere?

Sighing in frustration, I began heading down a corridor with fewer paintings and tapestries, when I came upon a room with an open door. I shot a fleeting glance inside and came to an abrupt halt, pausing in the open doorway.

The room was large, with a wooden table at its center. It was covered in glass vials filled with dark liquid and oddly shaped instruments I couldn’t even begin to guess the purposes of. Something bubbled in a pot hanging over a hearth in the corner. Herbs and plants hung from the ceiling and shelves filled with jars and jars of labeled ingredients, some grotesque, some ordinary, lined the far wall. A tall bookshelf bursting with large tomes sat against the other. It was obviously a workshop of some kind. The shutters to the one small window were closed, leaving the room in a dim, musty light.

I found myself taking a step inside, utterly fascinated. The scent of something pungent and not altogether pleasant hit my nose, and I almost gagged. Skye hissed at the offensive scent and tucked her face into my hair.

Taking a closer look, I realized there was a dead animal of some kind that looked as if it was in the process of being dissected on the far end of the table. The sight was unsettling, but weirdly enough, the source of the awful smell actually appeared to be coming from whatever concoction was boiling in the pot.

A sense of unease overcame me, and I decided I’d lingered long enough in the creepy space.

I turned to go—and nearly jumped out of my skin.

A man in long dark robes now stood in the corner, having emerged from a back room that I hadn’t noticed on my first inspection.

The man was older, with pale hair, a gaunt face, and a pointed nose. For a moment I couldn’t place him, but then I remembered I’d seen him at the Exodus Ball standing with the prince. I had never learned his name, though.

“What are you doing in here?” he demanded, his face a mask of anger and annoyance. “No one is allowed—” His words cut off and his eyes widened to near owl-like proportions when he noticed Skye poking her head out from under my loose hair.

His face broke into a sickly smile, revealing slightly yellowed teeth as he bowed slightly. “My apologies, Rider,” he stammered. “I did not realize anyone would be visiting me today.”

“I’m a trainee,” I found myself saying for some reason, “not a rider. Not yet.”

“Of course, of course,” he simpered, coming to stand on the other side of the table across from me. “My name is Mordrick. I’m the castle alchemist and apothecary. What can I do for you, Trainee . . .?”

“Darrow. Corrine Darrow,” I supplied. “And oh, no, thank you. I was just curious . . . and the door was open,” I finished lamely.

He smiled as if I was a pet who had done something cute, and for some reason that made a chill go down my spine. “Yes, I know who you are. Who hasn’t heard of the girl who bonded with the Jade Dragon? And at the age of twenty, no less?” He began slowly walking around the table towards me. I moved with him, always keeping myself facing him. “Such a mystery,” he continued. “What makes you so special, do you think?”

I couldn’t help but think how similar his question was to the one the queen asked me earlier.

“Why were you able to bond with a dragon at your age when no one else has?” There was an almost manic light to his gaze now as he regarded me. Skye’s hackles rose as he stopped so close that I could smell something sour on his breath, or maybe his clothes.

“I-I don’t know,” I said, taking a step back.

“Are you certain?” he pressed. “No inkling as to what makes your bond so different?”

I swallowed, feeling truly uncomfortable now. Skye was seconds from pouncing on the man to get him to back off. “N-no, I—”

“Mordrick, what is she doing here?”

The sharp question came from the doorway, and I turned to see Prince Pierce standing there, clearly unamused, his white dragon at his feet.

The alchemist instantly stepped back, bowing low. “Your Highness, I’ve been expecting you. Come in. This is Trainee D—”

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