Page 25 of Dragons & Dumplings

"I've got it." He flashes me a reassuring smile.

"All right, but don't forget to use my name to get whatever ingredients you want for yourself tomorrow," I respond.

"I'll make sure of it, Princess," he says with an amused smile.

I roll my eyes at his use of my title, knowing he's only doing it to tease me, but enjoying it all the same. "Come on, Ember, let's go make you a nice bed in my fire." I'm going to have to learn a lot about dragons very quickly, because I didn't expect her to hatch so soon. At least the delegation from Shengda is still here, and I might be able to ask them some questions about dragon care, because I'm going to need some answers.

Chapter 11

A chirp sounds from the fireplace and I look over to find Ember rearranging herself on a log. It's only been a couple of days since she hatched, but she's already bigger, and is definitely more confident. Mostly because of the information in Arthur's book, and some tips that the Shengda delegation was able to give me on rearing a dragon. Ambassador Zixin had been surprised to discover that Ember had already hatched, but he also seemed pleased. Maybe there was something auspicious about returning to his Emperor and being able to tell him as much.

I head over to the fire and use the prongs to put another log on. Ember immediately sees the need to try and set it on fire, breathing in its direction but not managing much.

"You're going to have to wait until you're a bit bigger for that," I remind her.

She gives me an unimpressed look, but I'm sure she'll get over it.

Steps sound behind me, and I turn to find my lady's maid entering the room. She dips into a curtsy. "You have a visitor, Your Highness."

"Who is it, Betsy?" I ask.

"Master Matthews, from the kitchens."

My heart skips a beat in response. "Show him in."

She gives me an odd look, but disappears to do as she's asked.

Nate appears in the doorway a few moments later and I smile at him. "I didn't expect to see you here today."

"I needed to talk to you," he says.

I frown. "Why does that sound serious?"

"It is."

I swallow hard and gesture for the two of us to take a seat in the sitting area of my drawing room.

Ember seems to realise who has come to visit and uses her limited flying skills to float across the room with a couple of sparks floating behind her. She's lucky nothing has set on fire yet, because she's definitely a fire hazard.

She lands on the table in front of Nate and chirps at him.

He cracks a smile and leans in to scratch her behind the horns. "Hello, Ember."

She chirps again.

"She likes you."

"I suppose I was there when she hatched. Maybe she thinks we're her parents?" he asks.

I shrug. "According to the book, green oak dragons often hatch alone because their parents move on. So she just likes you. And me, I guess."

"Interesting." He takes a deep breath. "Father has sorted out my apprenticeship."

It takes a moment for his words to sink in, especially with the abrupt change of topic. I lean back in my chair. "Oh."

"I'm to go to Gaullesse. He wants me to stay there for at least a year, but he's already talking about me taking another job after that and moving on to Sovranetti, and maybe Karvellos."

"He wants you to go away for a few years?" I echo.

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