Page 64 of Song of the Dragon Rider
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, my lady, it’s not obvious to most. It’s just obvious to me because I know your secret. You’re the only thing new here in Elaria, and suddenly we have a Dragon Rider in our midst? You’re an enigma.”
“Oh,” I murmured, feeling somewhat stupid.
Garrick stood. “I won’t tell anyone, so have no fear, my lady. But there’s a storm brewing, and you must prepare. The emperor will not calmly step aside when he hears that the twin flames have appeared.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“Very well. We’ll keep in touch. If you need anything,” he pulled a wooden whistle tied to a leather cord from his pocket and handed it to me, “call on me. This is a magic whistle. When you blow on it, no sound comes out, but I will be able to hear it.Iwill come to your aid now that Klaus is no longer in the picture.”
“Garrick!” I gasped as I took the whistle. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I know, but in case of an emergency, you’ll have it.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Garrick. For this and for coming today.”
“Of course, my lady.” He bowed and turned to leave. “Rest now,” he said softly over his shoulder. “The healing has begun, but your body needs time to adjust to the magic.”
Exhaustion tugged at the edges of my consciousness, a reminder of the ordeal and the magic’s toll. Garrick’s footsteps faded as he left the room, and I was left in the dim, silent aftermath of the warlock’s tragic story, hoping the gamble of the magical healing would prove to be worth its hidden cost.
18
DAMIEN
Hidden behind a sheer curtain in my private room at The Gilded Serpent, I watched beautiful women dance and play music. Thorne sat on the lounge chair across from me, lazily watching the dancing girls with lust in his eyes, which surprised me.
“Easy there, brother,” I muttered. “The last thing the emperor needs is for you to have bastards running around Elaria.”
Thorne chuckled and turned to face me. “Of course not. I wouldn’t dare. Besides, Father is working on arranging my marriage.”
My brows rose in surprise. “Is he really?”
Thorne nodded. “Soon, I’ll have a Crown Princess,” he said eagerly. “He announced it at the Nightwing banquet the other night. They’ll be holding a selection soon.”
Cat hadn’t mentioned it, which means it must have happened after they left.
“I’ll wager she’s a soldier from the Nightwing battalion,” Thorne pondered. “It’s probably why he announced it then.”
“The female dragons there are fierce,” I commented. “Do you think you can handle them?” I raised a brow.
Thorne snorted. “I can handle anybody. The real question is if they can handleme!” He winked and laughed.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
Thorne suddenly looked grave. “In all seriousness, I believe it's a wise move. A strong alliance within the military could stabilize our position and give us the edge we desperately need.”
“It's a practical approach,” I conceded, shifting slightly in my chair. “But what about your own desires? Does love factor into this equation for you?” I didn’t know why I was asking him such a loaded question. I hadn’t cared about love when I was looking for my twin flame. I just wanted to find the mark and gain my freedom, no matter who it was. But now… things were different. I was starting to feel things I’d never felt before.
Thorne paused, his gaze drifting towards the fluttering curtain before returning to me with a thoughtful expression. “Love would be an unexpected bonus,” he admitted quietly. “I'm primarily looking for someone who can handle the responsibilities that come with our station—someone who understands the weight of the crown.”
“And if the emperor has other ideas?” I asked, knowing our father's tendency to manipulate for his own gain.
“I'll handle it,” Thorne stated simply. “As always.”
His answer was typical Thorne—calm, calculated, and prepared for any eventuality. It was moments like these that reminded me of our stark differences, including his ability to navigate the treacherous waters of court life with a composure I seldom felt. I would always be more comfortable in the shadows.
“Well,” I said, leaning back as the next performance behind the sheer curtain began, “whomever she ends up being, I hope she's up to the challenge. Being tied to the Drakonars is no small fate.”
Thorne nodded solemnly. “Indeed, it's not just a marriage; it's an alliance that could shape the future of Elaria.”
