Page 51 of The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley
Valeraine stepped around Lelantos’ wing, coming to Papa’s side and offering him her hand. “Would you like to take a flight with us?”
Papa slowly got to his feet. “No dives. These old bones can’t take abuse like that.”
“It will be smooth as honey, I promise.”
Valeraine harnessed the dragon by herself, and then helped Papa climb up to the two-person saddle. She led them both out of the nest, those two old men in her life, pulling her in different directions.
“Up, let’s go,” she whispered, nudging with her knees. “Let’s do this slow and gentle, for Papa.”
Lelantos took to the sky, as easy as another breath. He rose carefully, barely jostling as they reached his preferred altitude, higher than the typical dragon.
The farms stretched out before them, golden from the autumn leaves and the harvested crops and the twilight illuminating them. The sun hung in the west, dipping down and giving the landscape a final glow. They could see lakes and hills, their land unfolding and welcoming Valeraine home. Welcoming Papa back to their view. They were suspended on deft wings, weightless and casually gliding.
The sky dimmed as the sun kissed the horizon, falling slowly. She nudged Lelantos, and he adjusted his course so they would go in a wide circle around the Longbourn lands.
Papa let out a contented sigh. Valeraine turned, and saw drops on his cheeks. It might just be the wind that had whipped up Papa’s tears. But she suspected it was some deeper emotion, some relief at being up in the air after so long, of the simple joy of flying over his domain, over the heart and soul of Longbourn.
“He does fly much smoother for you,” Papa mused. “It’s transcendent.”
Knowing that he liked to talk and would continue in better spirits without her interference, Valeraine merely made an inquisitive, “Hmm?”
“When I rode Lelantos, back as a young man, it was always a wrestle. Even just to bring him out to the fields. Racing was a whole other beast, especially when he was nest-tetchy. So, I stopped. It was too dangerous, and no-one was impressed with us, anyway.”
The sky was on fire. Valeraine had seen sunsets all her life, from the ground and the air, but this one took her breath away. The light was celebrating tonight, stretching until it became a work of art, painted with a heavenly brush.
“He really is your dragon, Val. I think I’ll specify that in my will, so he’ll be yours through and through. It was a cruelty to part you, and I’ll not repeat the mistake.”
“Thank you.”
“But I will not give my permission for derbies. Longbourn had its golden years long ago. It’s time to let it rest.”
Papa had given up on any dream of Longbourn living on, of reclaiming those golden years of generations past.
She would not surrender, not when Longbourn still had a chance. “I intend to continue with the derbies,” she said plainly.
“Val, it’s too dangerous. Mr. Pemberley will reveal your mask, and you will be ruined. You will disgrace Longbourn with you.”
“I have a plan to deal with Pemberley. He’s in my power now.” Valeraine had the urge to tell Papa Pemberley’s secret, but held her tongue. She was aware that a secret’s power came from how few people knew it, and the blackmail would only be effective if she didn’t spread the information. So far, she had only told Alyce, and that already felt like too many people. It was almost a foolishly kind gesture, wanting to give Pemberley the privacy he hadn’t afforded her. Well, he hadn’t told more than Papa and the Nethenabbis, so he had given her some privacy.
“What good will it do?” Papa’s voice was tinged with anguish. “You’ll risk your life, and Longbourn will still fall.”
“I’ve already registered for the Royal derby, and I intend to train until Lelantos is ready to win. I will bring home an egg, and Longbourn house will rise again.”
Papa didn’t reply. Valeraine was tempted to turn and look at his expression. Was he furious? Disappointed? Did she dare hope for impressed?
He said, resigned. “I cannot stop you from racing without causing a public mess myself. I can imagine the headlines: ‘Division within Longbourn! Master forbids racing, masked dragoneer rebels.’ But do be careful, Val.”
“I won’t let anyone find out who I am, and I have a plan to quiet Pemberley.”
“I mean, do be careful with yourself. I could never forgive myself if this led to your grave.”
It was a sobering thought. It made it difficult to celebrate her victory over Papa’s stubbornness when it was accompanied with such genuine concern for her.
“I’ll be careful, Papa.”
“It’s not like it can make things much worse for this family, can it? Alyce has already lost her dandy and people don’t expect anything from Lelantos,” Papa mused. “So it’s just you that I have to worry about, really. And your younger sisters, as always.”
Lelantos took them down, returning to the nest.
