Page 36 of The Dragon Queen

Soren grinned like a boy, his smile, mine, turning to laughter until we finally pulled apart.

“I think a clean up is in order.”

Brom had already gone to the night stand and retrieved several damp towels, having seen to himself and Draven, before turning to me. I was laid back on the bed and he worked carefully to wipe away all traces of our excesses as I reached up and stroked his hair.

“Thank you, husband.” Brom’s smile, when it came, was so beautiful my heart hurt. I couldn’t help but stare until he met my gaze, a question in his eyes. I didn’t answer it, not until he lay down beside me on the bed, snuggling into me. “There will be no divorce.” I half mumbled that, my eyelids getting heavier. “I won’t sign the papers, Draven. I won’t.” Brom’s arm went around me, holding me tightly, and I could feel the rapid exhale of his breath against the nape of my neck. “I won’t.”

“Not even to be my queen?”

There was pain in Draven’s eyes and I hated that. No matter what I did, I always seemed to be hurting someone, but right now that was a burden I’d need to find a way to carry another day. In my mind I saw Cynane fly down to Wyrmpeak, going down, down into the hatching sands that lay at the very base of the mountain. She and her mates snuggled into the hot ground, the males positioned strategically around her.

She was precious to them, and her satisfaction in that feeling was the same as mine as my men collapsed down onto the bed beside me. That feeling of bliss was enough to carry me off to sleep, forgetting all about my problems.

That was fine, they’d be there waiting for me in the morning.

“Rise and shine, cadet.”

My eyelids felt like glue, unwilling to separate as I heard him prompt me again. A groan that wasn’t mine made clear I wasn’t alone in my exhaustion. Open my eyes, I did, though, to find Draven standing there in his dragonrider uniform. A small smirk made clear he knew exactly how painful he was being.

“You’re all a laggardly lot, and while I would love to leave you all in bed waiting for me.” He looked us over with a proprietary eye. “I need my wing with me this morning.”

“Why?” Ged asked, flopping onto his back and scrubbing at his face. “Why in all the gods?—?”

“This morning we’re going to send a message to my uncle, making clear what a mistake this war will be, so get dressed. You’re about to see history in the making.”

Chapter 19

“What history?” Flynn asked as we all walked out of the palace. Our dragons waited for us there, looking far too bright eyed and boisterous. Ged grumbled as Cloudy nudged him in the ribs, obviously keen to get going. “What history, Draven?”

“My king.” Draven said that in a tight voice. “I apologise, but beyond the suite walls, I’m going to have to insist on my title. The fact we have no time for a coronation and I’m facing a threat from my own family means I need to use whatever else I have to confirm my position.”

“And does that include what is about to happen today?” Brom asked, looking Draven over with a speculative air.

Our answer came once we went outside.

“So,are we ready to start blowing things up?”

Stefan appeared beside us with a wide grin on his face, standing in the courtyard outside the palace. It was eerie sometimes, looking at him. It was as if I was seeing a Draven that had been allowed to just grow up as he was, unconstrained by palace politics. Would theking have looked this boyish? We’d never know, because Draven was perfectly serious.

“The harbourmaster will have towed the old hulk out to sea by now.” Draven peered at the bay far below as if he could see it amongst all the ships moored at the docks. “It’s been made clear to all the fishermen that they best steer clear of the ocean this morning. Ready, lad?” He turned to Darkspire, who nudged his rider gently. “Let's go show the bloody Harlstonians what a mistake they’re making.”

But not us, apparently. We got no explanation other than an order to mount up. Stefan jumped on Darkspire’s back with his cousin, while Glimmer had chosen Glacier as our mount for the morning.

“With me?” Flynn performed a courtly bow. “This way, my queen.” He helped me into the saddle, Glacier’s breath exhaling in cold, gusty blooms as he waited for us to get situated.

Do you know what’s going to happen today?I asked Glimmer.

Dragonfire, she replied, some trepidation.Aisenbran helped determined the fate of Nevermere in the past, we see now if he does so again.

Find the balance or see all of Nevermere burn.I recalled Tanis’ words then, wondering at what that meant, but before I could ponder further, Glacier took flight. I was caught then by the power of his wings, the way they carved through the air, gaining altitude, only to spiral back down again what felt like seconds later. We landed on the docks, a sizeable crowd already having formed and more arriving. Dragons always caught peoples’ attention, but never more than now. Perhaps because they never landed en masse on the docklands. While we slid from the saddle, I got a front row seat to watch the spectacle from the perspective of the people.

A large ceramic pot had been left on the docks, closely watched by palace guards in livery. Darkspire swooped down, people muttering and crying out as he dove down. I’m sure some of them thought those outstretched claws were reaching for them, but instead ‘Spire grabbed the webbing of ropes that had been tied around the pot.

“Steady, cousin!”

I saw Stefan lean from the saddle, staring at the pot, watching it swing back and forth with Darkspire’s wing beats.

“Gods above…”

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