Page 40 of The Fire Dragon's Mate
He looked equally worried. “They want to talk. They’ll send someone ashore and expect us to send someone to meet them.”
“Gods…” I rushed around the mountain to the hidden entrance with everyone else.
Could we trust them? Anyone we sent to speak with them could be captured or killed on the spot. I wasn’t the only one asking that question as we all crowded around Cighyss and explained what we’d seen.
“Are they from Xanthous?” Gilda asked.
“Yes,” Tennyson answered, “and the king’s flag flies with the country’s.”
Gilda nodded and handed Fraser off to Coral. “Then I’ll speak with them. Imelda, if you’ll help me dress?”
“No!” Phineas cried and stepped in her way. “I won’t allow you to risk your?—”
“First!” Gilda yelled and stepped right up to him. “You do not allow or disallow me to do anything. Second, I am still the princess of Xanthous, the king’s daughter, and those men down there may hear me above anyone else.”
Phineas exhaled hard and took a small step back as he ducked his head.
“It is a risk,” she said softly and took his hands. “I’m willing to take that risk to protect all of us.”
“And she won’t go alone,” Cighyss offered. “I’ll be right there watching over her in full dragon form.”
“I’ll go as well.” I touched Phineas’s shoulder. “You’ve seen what I can do with a crossbow.”
Tennyson cleared his throat. “Perhaps I-I should go as well? In case they ask about what happened?”
“Excellent idea,” Cighyss said and clapped Tennyson on his shoulder, nearly knocking the boy over.
We all looked to Phineas.
He sighed again and nodded before pulling Gilda into a tight hug. With the two of them resigned, the rest of us backed off and gave them some time. Tempest took the children off to get dinner, while Tennyson and I headed for baths one level down to rid us of the death still clinging to us.
In no time at all, the three of us were ready. Dressed in what I assumed she’d been sacrificed in, Gilda shone like the princess she was in white silk bedecked with pearls and diamonds. She even had a tiara sparkling amongst her ginger curls. Tennyson and I were but rough swaths of leather and wool beside her elegance.
“Stand somewhat behind me,” she said as we walked out. “Not so close as to be intimidating, but near enough that you would be a threat should the need arise.”
I nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”
She made a tiny growling sound. “Gods, I’m an idiot to volunteer for?—”
“Oh, no, dear sister, you are the epitome of bravery. Don’t for one second forget that.”
I liked to think she stood a little taller because of my words,but it was entirely possible that was just the steel in her spine and the courage in her heart. She was a wonder to behold.
As was the midnight dragon who clung to the side of the mountain and announced his presence with a mighty roar to all who had come here today. I could see the way the men walking toward us faltered for a moment and liked that they hesitated.
When we were within ten feet or so of each other, Gilda stopped, and I fell back with Tennyson.
It was instantly apparent when the high-ranking military man at the front recognized Gilda. His eyes went wide and his bushy eyebrows disappeared under the rim of his red tricorn hat. “Your… Your Highness?”
She put her nose in the air. “General Lindberg.”
The aide beside the general clapped an arm across his chest and bowed, prompting the general to do the same. Neither of them had recovered their surprise by the time they stood straight again. Hopefully, this reaction would be an advantage for us.
“Have you come out of retirement,” Gilda continued, “to threaten us?”
The general stood straight again, glanced at his aide, and cleared his throat. “Your Highness, I have been tasked with ending the conflict between the dragon and Xanthous.”
“A conflict begun by sailors under a Xanthous flag who tried to kill the dragon’s mate.”
