Page 43 of Taming
All because of Rime.
Chapter Fifteen
The Favorite
The guards at the palace aren’t nearly as happy about Rime’s winter wonderland. The dragon soars high above the castle gates, even going as far as to kick off the top of the bricks that readBlessed Minden,Saved by the Solstice Queen, letting the wall crumble beneath his touch as he settles down on the ground in front of the castle doors. His destruction tumbles, landing hard at his side, but he doesn’t give the heaping mess a second glance.
The showoff.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men show up at once. Huh, so that’s what it takes to get some service around here.
All I got last time was John. And he wasn’t very welcoming at all.
I leap down from the dragon, impressing even myself when I don’t stumble against the dirt. I raise my chin high with my loyal dragon at my side. Or at least … he appears loyal. For the moment.
Gleaming swords are directed our way, the guard’s unwavering and fierce attention not held on me but the silent dragon.
Rime gives them a careless look as if he doesn’t care to acknowledge their expensive weapons and shining armor.
“Good morning to you too.” My chipper voice is hardly noticed. “Excuse me, where’s John this afternoon? John?” I call out to him. It takes a few seconds before my favorite guard pushes through the iron-clad men.
“John, how are you?” His sword lowers, and he passes a sheepish look to his friends.
“I’m going to need you to start making appointments. Your entrances are becoming more and more dramatic every time I see you.”
A pleased smile tilts my lips.
“John, I have a special delivery for Prince Linden.” I give a wave of my hand to the beast at my side.
John’s attention skims up the massive frame of Rime, and his eyes widen as he takes in the creature before he finally nods and turns toward the castle.
John does know how to get things done around here. I hope the King promotes him for his quick service.
“I will announce your arrival.” He stalks away, but I do hear the mumbled words he speaks next. “Though I’m sure he’s already well aware.”
Minutes drift by and I pass the time by taunting the men. My fingertip taps against the tip of the blade poised at my face. I flick it a few times and the man’s eyes narrow on me.
These men are well acquainted with me. They’ve had to suffer through my antics about once a month for over a year now.
Ah, the poor bastards. I wonder what they do when I’m not around. It must be a boring day when I don’t grace them with my lovely presence.
John’s gait is slower now as he comes back to my side.
“He said…” John pauses as if it pains him to say what he’s about to say. “He said he’d like you and your beast to come inside.”
I tilt my head.
“Did you tell him my pet has grown a little since he saw him last?”
John nods apologetically. The men slowly lower their swords, but they keep a close eye on us as I hesitantly walk toward the front doors. It’s a wide entrance. Two doors are opened at the center for us by two pretty women who watch Rime with wide and fearful gazes.
“Be-have,” I say to the dragon through clenched teeth.
I pretend not to worry if my sweet little pet will take out the front door with his long white horns. Or if he’ll open his wings at just the right moment and wipe out the castle walls entirely. I act like he is the perfectly tamed beast that I say he is.
An open room with only a table at the center is before us. The glossy white tiles lead to a curving staircase on the left that disappears into the second floor. It’s all very shining, beautiful and, of course, expensive. The gleaming chandelier at the center of the large room is like money itself hanging from the ceiling. It’s all gold detail and too many parchels wasted just to demand attention from its viewers.
The doors close with a loud thump, and only when we’re secluded and alone do I turn to him. I double-check the massive wooden doors, my gaze flickering over every brick to make sure all is as it should be.
