Page 51 of Wrath of the Dragons
“I don’t want to leave Finnian on his own after losing Aestilian and having Saskia here will help me plan the wedding more efficiently. It makes me happy to have the others close.”
He groans as he looks into my eyes and grumbles his answer. “Fine.”
Ryder’s laugh bounces off the walls. “Gods, this is too good. We should’ve had Elowen around ages ago.”
A wide smile parts my lips as Finnian whoops triumphantly and Cayden’s exterior cracks slightly. “How do the wards work here? I remember you mentioning the manor is protected but I’d like to invite Asena over to ask some questions about the dragons.”
“As long as she doesn’t mean you harm, she’ll be able to get through. The wards included you once I put your name on the deed.” He moves toward the door, glancing over his shoulder as he opens it. “I won’t be long. Don’t leave the estate without me or a dragon.”
“What do you have to do in Ladislava?”
His only answer is a smirk before he disappears from sight, leaving me alone with our friends and some servants carrying their trunks down the hall. I’m assuming Finnian will claim the room he had when we were here last, and Saskia and Ryder will do the same. Not only do I want them close for personal reasons, but each has a role to play in the battles to come, and living together will prevent sending sensitive information through letters.
“I stopped into your chambers to ensure everything you requested in your letter to Finnian was packed,” Saskia says, coming closer to lower her voice. “And I already informed Asena to come here midday. She doesn’t know why. I’ll leave that up to you, but it’s best if we figure this out as soon as possible.”
“Agreed.” But I don’t say anything further as a servant approaches with a pleased smile on his face, deepening the age lines around his mouth. “Welcome home, Your Majesty. My name is Cyrus, the head of the staff. They’re so pleased you and the king are taking up residence here.”
He has a kind, round face and short stature. He’s the type of man I’d pass on the street and wouldn’t be suspicious of, which is a rarity. “I’d love to introduce myself if you’ll escort me. I’m still learning my way around.”
“Of course.” His smile widens as the others make their way down the hall to get settled. “His Highness informed us of your love for gardening and ordered you some equipment. We’ve stored it in the stone shed at the back of the home. The greenhouse is also nearly done being built.”
My heart flutters in my chest, and I have the same urge I did last night to pinch myself to make sure this is real. I didn’t think he’d remember our conversation at the inn. Most promises I’ve received have been empty, but Cayden finds a way to fill each oath to the brim and spill over the top.
The morning passes quickly with Cyrus introducing me to the staff and showing me around the different wings of the house. Allequally beautiful, mixed with light and dark, wood and stone, gothic and delicate.
I finish off in Cayden’s office on the upper floor. He keeps the key in his nightstand because it’s the one room in the manor servants aren’t granted access. It’s both for his privacy and their safety, so they don’t see something not meant for them. Unlike our shared chambers in the castle, being in this room makes me feel as if I’m surrounded by Cayden wherever I turn. Dark leather furniture is complemented by deep shades of blue and black, matching the stained-glass imagery of the night sky at the center of several paneled windows overlooking the river that runs behind the property.
A portrait I sat for hangs above the fireplace, and the only mercy of staying put for several hours was that Ryder made me laugh throughout the painting process. I didn’t know it was meant for Cayden’s office; I thought it was going in the royal gallery. My ornate gown fashioned in the colors of House Veles matches the equally decadent crown on my head, and a silhouette of a dragon spreads its wings behind me. Unable to resist snooping, I stride toward the large desk that faces the room, and I wonder how often Cayden’s eyes drift to me as he works. My fingers grace the polished surface, and I yank open the top drawer, jolting back as if struck by lightning.
A tremor travels through my hand as I reach forward, not caring if Cayden never meant for me to see this. The first thing I grab is a stack of letters I wrote to him while he was at the border. It’s tied with a ribbon I had discarded after untying my hair—thinking nothing of it—and at the center is the now-dried flower he tucked behind my ear at the bakery. The flower I did miss. I thought one of the servants threw it away when cleaning my room. The ink on the letters is smudged and creased in a way that makes me believe he folded and carried the parchment in his pocket.
Beside them is a sharpened and cleaned knife I never thought I’d see again after throwing it at a netherwraith for him. A chill rocks my body when I think of him in the darkness, those chilling eyes locked on my blade, laced with the unrelenting promise of finding me.
He kept it.
I can’t believe he kept it.
I keep rummaging, unable to resist my curiosity, and pull out a second stack of papers riddled with smudged ink.They’re music sheets.Several notes are crossed out and written down the margins as if he didn’t want to waste time finding a new piece of parchment.
The door abruptly opens, and I shove the items back inside before shutting the drawer and smoothing my hands down my gown. Asena enters with Saskia, glancing in awe around the room as she comes to a stop in front of me to curtsy. “Your Majesty. It’s an honor to be invited into your home.”
“Priestess.” I smile, escorting her toward the seating area. She claims the chair closest to the blazing fire, and Saskia and I sit on the couch across from her. “Would you like anything? Tea or food?”
“No, thank you, Your Highness.” She smiles shyly and brushes her tight coiling curls behind her shoulders. “Lady Saskia told me you have some questions regarding the gods.”
“Can I count on your discretion?”
“I will not betray you, blood oath or not. You were born from the fire of the gods, and my loyalty is to you.”
I exchange a glance with Saskia, who subtly nods. “What do you know about dragons during the time of the gods?”
My education was less than limited while growing up, and it’s one of my largest insecurities. It’s also something Ailliard never failed to hold over my head, reminding me I couldn’t venture out into a world I knew nothing of. But perhaps he’s the one who should’ve stayed locked in his cage of cowardice. Maybe then he’d still be breathing.
I’ve always known there are ten gods in Ravaryn Legends, but I didn’t know the vastness of their power. None of them simply presided over one thing. Five of them were dedicated to the elements among other things: the God of the Sun and Light, the God of Earth and Harvest, the Goddess of Air and Storms, the God of Water, Death, and the Moon, and the Goddess of Flames, Life, and Stars. The latter two are the gods Asena and Ophir believe blessed Caydenand me. The other five gods are the Goddess of Souls, Mercy, and Destiny, Patron of Seers; the Goddess of Love, Marriage, and Fertility; the Goddess of Grief and Sorrow; the God of War and Strategy; and the God of Illusion, the Mind, and Memory.
“It’s said the first dragons were born from the stars to light the world when the night became too dark. I worship the Goddess of Flames but not the God of the Sun, although his power is fire. There are four forms of fire: sunfire, starfire, dragonfire, and earthly fire. The God of the Sun wields his power from the sun, obviously, and the Goddess of Flames can wield the other three, hence the triple flame symbol I wear around my neck. Only gods can conjure elements from nothing, while mages and priestesses like myself can merely wield what’s around us.”
“Why couldn’t they wield all forms of fire if they’re fire gods?” Saskia asks.
