Page 21 of A Kingdom Restored

“You were right,” Heath assured him. “And you were right that I’d be glad to offer you a place to settle for as long as you need it. I’ll speak to my father about it.”

Reka inclined his head in regal acknowledgment. “I think I will return to the manor to await you,” he said. “The city is too full of human deception.” His face twisted in distaste. “It is unpleasant.”

Without another word, he took to the sky, the resultant wind causing Laura to put her arms protectively over Jacqueline’s face. Heath watched him disappear, then turned reluctantly to see Laura’s accusing expression.

“He’s pretty high and mighty about human deception for someone just thrown out of his own colony for refusing to answer their questions,” he said, in a lame attempt at deflection.

Laura ignored his words completely. “Answers,” she said curtly. “Now.”

Heath gave a helpless shrug. “What do you want to know?”

“For starters, what’s all this about you having unprecedented dragon magic? When did that happen?”

Heath sighed. “Gradually,” he said simply. “Over the last few years. I was as surprised as anyone.”

“But why don’t we all know about it?” Laura demanded.

“It’s…complicated,” Heath told her vaguely.

Laura glowered at him for a moment, but as Jacqueline stirred in her arms, her expression softened abruptly.

“Not that complicated,” she said, looking down at her daughter in evident unease. “Let’s not mention to anyone official about Jacqueline’s so-called concealment magic, all right?”

Heath nodded. “Agreed.”

Laura gave a small gasp, comprehension crossing her features. “That’s why the physicians couldn’t tell there were two babies in there!” she said. “She was hidden from them…because of her magic, whatever it even is.”

Heath raised an eyebrow. “It was already operating that strongly before she was even born?” He gave a low whistle. “It must be strong.”

Laura clutched Jacqueline a little tighter. “And Germain’s is already showing up, too. Edmund thinks I’m just being a fond mother, but it’s not that. I can actually feel his magic when I hold him. He…makes things better.”

Heath nodded slowly. “I remember,” he said. “You made me hold him after I’d fallen from the cliff at Wyvern Islands, and the pain noticeably lessened. I didn’t even try to understand it at the time—there was too much going on. But now you say it, it makes sense that it was Germain’s magic.”

He studied his sister’s face. “If Germain has some kind of healing power, why do you look so worried? Isn’t that a good thing? Who could argue that was dangerous, or disloyal to the crown?”

“That’s not what I’m concerned about,” Laura told him. She sighed. “Has it occurred to you that having our magic feared and rejected is only one of two possible extremes, both equally dangerous to us?”

Heath’s frown grew as he took her meaning. “You’re worried about him being exploited,” he guessed. “Used for his magic.”

“It sometimes feels like Father has been,” Laura muttered. “All his life he’s served the crown, identifying threats no one else would have discovered, giving Valoria a formidable reputation in diplomatic negotiations, using his magic for his kingdom without ever asking for anything in return. And this is how the king repays him?”

Heath ran a hand through his hair, suddenly weary. “I’m as upset as you are about Percival’s predicament,” he told his sister. “But I’ve seen the evidence, and even I have to admit that he looks guilty. King Matlock is wrong, but he believes what he says. He’s not looking for some excuse to kill power-wielders.”

“I didn’t say he was,” Laura responded. “But if we can’t convince him he’s wrong, what then? Will we let Percival die for diplomacy?”

“Of course not,” Heath said quickly. He glanced around to make sure they were alone, then lowered his voice to tell her about the meeting he’d just attended in the barracks.

Laura listened with furrowed brow, then gave a curt nod of approval. “If it comes to that, we’ll be ready,” she told him. “We’ll all flee to Kyona, so Father won’t pay the price for the king’s pigheadedness any more than Percival will.”

For a moment she was silent, then she cast Heath a sharp glance. “What was all that Rekavidur said about Merletta? I think it’s time for you to tell me plainly what her history is.”

“Never mind that,” said Heath firmly. “You let me worry about Merletta. We’ve got more than enough to contend with on Percival’s account.”

“Heath, this isn’t something you can brush off with a vague answer,” Laura said sternly. “The dragons were angry at the Winter Solstice Festival. They said there would be a reckoning. I have nothing against your Merletta, but is she going to bring dragon fire down on us all?”

“Of course she isn’t,” Heath protested. “It’s her world that’s in danger, not ours.”

“But you brought her world into ours when you invited her here and paraded her in front of the dragons,” Laura pointed out. “Can you really be sure you can control the repercussions?”

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