Page 73 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
“I know you worry about becoming queen,” he said, stopping right there in the middle of the street to gaze intently at me. “But you’re not alone. You will have me, of course, and you’ll have a staff of your own to help you to manage your duties.” He softly ran a finger down my cheek. Cupping the back of my neck, he pressed his lips lightly against mine, then rested his forehead against my own. “You’re never alone, Everly,” he whispered.
My heart warmed at his words. I was so used to being alone, it was... unexpected having someone at my side, ready to help me fight my battles.
After a moment, Alaric and I separated, and we began walking again, heading for the back of the castle. A twisting maze of streets dumped us in a place that smelled heavenly.
“This is the food court,” Shay said. He stood in line and bought a couple of churros off of a vendor, handed Alaric and I both one, then started munching on his own. “It’s where most of the restaurants and food vendors are.”
I smelled mine first, inhaling the cinnamon and sugary bread dough before I took a bite.
Oh my gosh, it was amazing! I finished mine in a few bites, and then looked longingly back at the churro line as we passed the food court, and made our way to the far side of the castle.
There was another bailey here that backed up to a lake. And because it wasfreezingin Alaska still, the lake had ice chunks floating on the top of it.
This area was quieter. Guardhouses flanked the walls, and checkpoints kept civilians out. The private bailey, I realized, belonged to the owners of the castle. So Alaric and, now, me.
Guards stood at every entrance, their presence steady but unobtrusive. Beyond them stretched gardens—vast and intricate, edged in snow and sleeping flowers. I wanted to explore them later.
Our escort led us to an enormous stable, tall as a cathedral and built from the same pale stone as the castle. Inside, rows of stalls lined the walls, ranging from pony-sized to—well, dragon-sized. The air smelled of hay, frost, and faint traces of magic.
Stable hands worked quickly, forking hay into one of the largest enclosures near the back. A massive trough already brimmed with meat, and a barrel of water stood beside it. There was no gate.
Dragons were thinking, reasoning,sentient,beings, so there wasn’t really a need for one unless he was insane. If he was... I didn’t know what would happenthen. There were so many people here at Dragonspire Keep. I couldn’t imagine that Alaric would allow him to live if he was a danger to those he protected.
Shay looked around, putting his cold hands into his pockets to warm them. He was still shirtless, and was looking a little blue. I’d caught some of the female shifters eying him in appreciation as we’d traveled through the town.
“This is perfect.” He said, turning to me. “Dreamseeker, do your thing.”
I nodded as we all filed out of the enclosure. The rest waited as I closed my eyes, bringing the dragon’s golden thread to the forefront of my mind. Once I had it pictured, and was focusing on all aspects of the dragon: where we’d left him, what he looked like, the sound he made in sleep, I pulled the thread, and opened my eyes.
It worked!
“Alaric, remind me to fan boy over your mate later,” Shay muttered in a business like tone, already inspecting the dragon. His voice softened. “But he’s worse. We need to work fast.”
“I will not be reminding you,” Alaric said dryly.
Shay waved him off. “Send someone for clothes, will you?”
“Of course.”
We left Shay to his dragon healing, and I had the thought that maybe Shiloh could come and help. If he was a healer... it might be worth a shot to ask him.
We moved through the beautiful gardens—there were several—and entered the back of the castle.
Some of the guards had split again. A few stayed with Shay, some came inside the castle with us, and still others were added to various points along the back of the castle.
It all seemed really efficient to me. Benz must rule them with military like precision.
A man in expensive-looking clothes hurried toward us.
He bowed, and Elandor, still weak from our adventures with the dragon, reigned in his power to release the man from his bow.
“Sire, we weren’t expecting you today,” the man said with a steady air. “How can I help you today?”
“Everly, this is my seneschal, Silas,” Alaric said. “Silas, this is my mate, Everly.”
If Silas was shocked, he hid it well. “Of course, sire. I’ll alert the staff to prepare the set of rooms next to your own.” He bowed to both of us and moved quickly away.
“He’s competent,” I said, and Alaric’s lips twitched in a smile.
