Page 6 of Heart of the High King
“I will go with Dray.”
“Excellent. We will have our table cleared by sundown,” Noirin commented. “Go on with both of you.”
With Dravyn at his side, Aleksander strode away from the market area toward the isolated spot they’d chosen outside the castle gates for their tent. It was impossible to stay near the other courts, and Aleksander hated that he was different. And he had no idea what had gripped him while the men and women had hollered and thrown things at him, but he hoped it would never happen again.
∞∞∞
1807 AD
Draconis Court of D’Vaire
King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis was a recluse. Over four centuries ago, he’d experienced an incident of horror and unfortunately, it had not been an isolated event. More than once, Aleksander had gathered himself to help sell their wares and found himself locked inside his body as fear consumed him. His terror of these episodes had made it difficult to even manage the strength to leave his home, so now he did not. Brogan would take the three talented ladies, who for some reason were still proud to be D’Vaire, while Dravyn stayed on their land, which changed often as the new emperor moved them regularly.
For Aleksander, it was hard to understand why these wonderful men and women he called family chose to stay. Each of them had a mountain of assets to offer any court, so it would be easy for them to go, but not one had ever shown any interest. Simultaneously grateful and confounded by their loyalty, he hoped they never changed their minds, for he loved them.
Brogan waltzed into the outdated home they now shared. Although they’d built a small fortune, none of them found any merit in upgrading anything other than the basics. They would not be there long enough to grow roots, so they would not waste a single coin.
“Are you still eating?”
“I cannot decide what I am most appreciative about this morning,” Aleksander responded. “I waver between the taste of this ham and this exceptional bread.”
“I finished mine in ten minutes.”
“You need to learn to savor things.”
“A messenger from Castle Draconis was just here,” Brogan said, handing Aleksander an envelope.
Holding in his sigh, Aleksander laid his napkin down on the linen-covered table. “I suppose we must move again. It is the only time we hear from Emperor Chrysander.”
Brogan pulled out a chair and dropped heavily into it. “I do not see why we must continue to be dragged from one end of this continent to the other. We’ve seen such beauty in the land, but I grow weary of packing. Do you think if Emperor Drystan and Emperor Conley had not been murdered, we would’ve had a different life?”
“An interesting question and one we’ve debated before,” Aleksander remarked, breaking the golden wax seal on the back of the envelope. “It is impossible to say. They did not appear taken aback by me, but they could not know how others would react. I daresay Emperor Chrysander is only trying to please the other kings by shuffling us around.”
“At the very least, let us hope it is not too far. I hate flying with our things over long distances, especially with Dravyn’s damn plants. He will kill us all if we drop one.”
Aleksander pulled the letter out, and his eyes widened as he digested the words. “Well.”
“You look alarmed. Are we being thrown from the planet entirely?”
“No, see for yourself,” Aleksander said, handing it to him and getting to his feet. Giving Brogan the opportunity to digest the words he’d just read and could hardly believe, Aleksander strode into the kitchen with his dishes in hand, which he set on the countertop. “Noir, will you gather the others and meet me in the dining room?”
“Is all well?”
“We’ve received a letter from His Majesty.”
“Moving again?”
“I’m afraid so, but this one is not like the others.”
Aleksander went back to where Brogan was sitting and found his best friend with his lips pursed. “I did not expect that.”
“Noir and the rest of the family will join us shortly,” Aleksander told him, grabbing a seat. “I find myself both annoyed that I have to pack but excited as well.”
“I’m of the same mind.”
Four dragons hustled into the room, and Brogan handed the single page that would change their lives to Noirin, as she ran their household. Aleksander gave everyone a chance to read His Majesty’s words and gestured toward the ones who were finished to sit in chairs. His eyes met the faces of his family, and he was buoyed by their enthusiasm.
“Sorcerers, can you believe it?” Noirin crowed.
