Page 80 of Pippa of Lauramore
Once again Ginna’s hands have stilled. I glance up at her, and there’s pain in her eyes. She lost a brother to the wars. Everyone lost someone.
Now, after five years of peace, we’re meddling with dragons again for the sake of a tournament. Not only is it unwise, it’s dangerous.
Ginna pats my unwounded shoulder. “Archer will return, Pippa.”
I clasp her hand. “He has to.”
I couldn’t bear it if he didn’t.
“You seem restless,”Mother says, setting her hand on mine. “Will you tell me what’s troubling you?”
I smooth out the cloth napkin I have twisted. “I’m still a bit tired.”
“Yuven has requested your help tomorrow. Would you consider it?” She leans in. “It will keep your anxious heart busy. I know how you worry.”
I agree. She pats my hand again and then turns back to Father.
Rigel sits on my other side. All through dinner, he’s been making small talk with me, and it seems like he has some subject he’s trying to broach. I do my best to keep our conversation light, though it’s hard. No one seems to blame him for the Errintonian bandits’ actions. I do, though I know it’s ridiculous.
The mood of dinner is anything but festive. With Espin in the physician and Yuven’s care, the bandits in the dungeons, and the majority of the men still hunting for their dragon treasure, we’re not a joyful group.
Rigel turns to me again. “Pippa, I?—”
“Yes?” I try to keep my tone light. Hoping to distract him, I say, “That’s a beautiful ring.”
He glances at his thumb. “Oh, yes. My grandfather crafted it.”
I nod, unsure what else I can say.
“He was a metalsmith,” Rigel continues. “It’s a skill that’s been handed down from generation to generation. His father taught mine, and mine taught me.”
“Errintonian armor is much sought after,” I say, and then I bite my lip. Itwasmuch sought after—when the metal was merged with dragon scales.
His sharp eyes seem to notice my discomfort, and a smile plays on his face. “The craft still exists. Our trade is a good one, even if the dragon armor is no longer possible.”
“Are there many smiths still plying their trade?”
He shakes his head.
“Why? Why have your people given up?”
Rigel angles toward me, and I must tell myself not to scoot away.
“Change is hard, Pippa. We will rebuild our kingdom. We will survive this.” There’s a fiery determination in his dark eyes. “There’s ore in our mountains—an abundance of it. I’ve created an alloy that is as strong as dragon steel and much lighter. As a people, we’ve never experimented because we’ve never had to.” His eyes bore into mine. “Now is our chance.”
I have a feeling this is what he’s been discussing so passionately with my father and brothers.
“Thank you,” I blurt out when, for the first time, Idon’t see a monster in his gaze. “You didn’t have to stay silent?—”
He holds up his hand, and I shrink back.
“I don’t wish to discuss this, and I suggest you keep it quiet as well.”
I snap my mouth shut, and I feel thoroughly reprimanded. I glance down the table, wishing I was seated by someone else. I meet Lionel’s eyes. He’s wearing that possessive expression that drives me mad. I glare back at him, and he raises his glass to me in a mock toast.
Rigel clears his throat. “I am sorry for what happened to you.”
He looks uncomfortable and stiff. Is that all he’s been trying to say? Perhaps he knows how I blame him.
