But thank the Egg, Tonio was unusually quiet, staring at his nails as if they held valuable secrets.
Marlies met Lars’ frank gaze. “It’s a strong bonding experience. It would have been difficult not to have a physical relationship after sharing emotions by mind-meld. Under the circumstances, I think they’ve shown remarkable restraint.”
“Lars,” said Hans, “this rule was established to prevent a relationship that could endanger the realm. These two have done nothing but good. And besides, before Ezaara even arrived, Handel says he’d received a prophecy that they should be together.”
Tonio shot Lars a meaningful look. “Anakisha’s prophecy has yet to be fulfilled.”
Something passed between them, then Lars turned in his chair. “My honored Queen Zaarusha, Roberto has pledged fidelity to you and to the realm, even though he has loved your rider while training her. What is your verdict?”
The queen lowered her head and Lars and Tonio placed their hands on her forehead. “She thanks Roberto for his service and apologizes for his suffering in Death Valley,” Lars said.
Tonio grinned. “She also wants to know when the hand-fasting celebration will be and says, the sooner the better, because war is coming.”
Roberto knocked his chair over as he leaped to his feet and hugged Ezaara, kissing her. Her joy rushed through him and his chest felt as if it would burst wide open.
“Wait until later,” she melded, “then I’ll really kiss you.”
Tonio cleared his throat. “When you’re done, we’ll move on to discussing Zens.”
Ezaara blushed, right to the tips of her ears.
“Pink suits you.” Roberto laughed as they sat down, holding hands.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Be serious. This is war.”
“No, this is love. War will come later.”
“Focus, you two,” Erob said.
“Marlies,” said Tonio, “tell us more about these crystals.”
“We’ve found only three so far,” the master healer said. “Sofia had a crystal, which Fleur implanted after the knife accident.” Ezaara mentally flinched. Roberto squeezed her hand as Marlies continued. “Unocco had one under his wing. And Roberto, could you please explain the effect yours had?”
His face heated. Now it was his turn to blush—but in shame. “Shadows wreathed my mind, driving me to seek Ezaara’s life.” He swallowed, remembering. “I had coherent thoughts, moments where I admired her. And surges of anger against dragons, even Erob. I could move and talk, but darkness stalked me. I … I …” He shrugged, overwhelmed by his memory of Ezaara bravely trying to distract him as his blade pricked her soft skin, blood dribbling down her throat. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply.
An image shot into his head: him and Ezaara feasting on fish by the lake in summer. “That’s what I want you to remember every time that other horrible memory pops to mind,” Ezaara said.
Hope surged inside him. With her, he could face down his darkest demons. “Thank you.”
He addressed Tonio. “Zens wanted to break me. He knew if I killed Ezaara, I’d be filled with self-hatred and be useless to the realm. It would’ve only been a matter of time until he coerced me into abusing people with my mental talents.” He shuddered.
Tonio scratched his head, looking awkward. “I personally apologize for leaving you in Death Valley, Roberto, and for the grudge I’ve held against your father. If these crystals had such an awful effect, maybe your father had a similar crystal. Zens could’ve driven him to do what he did.”
The spymaster looked disconcertingly humble. “I agree.” That was odd, too, understanding his father, instead of hating him. Gods, he had to tell Adelina about Pa.
“What about Zens’ creatures?” Tonio asked.
“I saw his workroom. He grows tharuks in tanks, hundreds of them. And he’s growing something else too. Large black creatures the size of a haystack with strange dark cloth draped around them.”
“Cloth? Like a cloak?” Tonio frowned. “Do they have tusks, like tharuks? Any horns or claws? What are their jaws like? We need to know how they can harm us.”
Gods, it was hopeless. He’d spent weeks in Death Valley and hardly discovered anything. No, he knew they were big. He knew where they were, and how to get into that cavern.
“No. You’re not going back again,” Ezaara melded.
“They were suspended in liquid in glass tanks, all curled up, so they were hard to see. I saw a flash of a horn or tusk, something that was a limb or a tail, and that strange cloth that hung around their bodies. I couldn’t risk lingering, because Zens and a whole lot of tharuks were in that cavern.”
Elbows on the table, Tonio steepled his fingers. “As big as a haystack? Something the size of Erob, then? Or Zaarusha?”
Oh, gods. “The cloth—it could be wings. A horn, a tail. Zens might be creating an army of dragons.”
“The dragon gods help us,” Lars whispered.
No one spoke, torches crackling in their sconces as they all stared at each other.
Hand-fasting
Ezaara lay in her bathtub, steam rising around her in the chill air. She huffed out her breath, the fog swirling among tendrils of steam. “I could almost pass for a smoke-breathing dragon.”
Zaarusha’s head appeared at her door. “Not by a long shot. You’d need horns and a tail.”
“And wings.”
The queen set the wood in the grate alight. Soon a blaze was crackling. “You’d better get out. Linaia’s warned me that Adelina will be here soon.”
Ezaara stepped out of the bath, dried herself, and pulled on her undergarments and a thick robe. She sat by the blazing fire, drying her hair.
The door opened and Adelina appeared with armfuls of luxurious multi-hued fabric.
“What’s all that for?”
“You.” Adelina smiled. “Don’t look so surprised, I’ve been working on your outfit since Roberto asked if you two could be hand-fasted. Although today’s come around so quickly, I can hardly believe it.” She popped the pile on Ezaara’s bed.
“The cloth’s so beautiful. Those colors look like Zaarusha’s scales. Where did you get it?”
“There are advantages to having mages in this place. Master Giddi magicked the fabric so it shimmers. He said it’s your hand-fasting gift. Now, come here and try it on. These shiny ribbons fasten the dress. See? And here …” She held up riders’ garb made of the same material. “These go underneath. The whole idea is to echo your first public flight. A similar robe and breeches, a dress over the top that you can undo when it’s time to fly, and a similar hairstyle. But better, oh, so much better.”
When she touched the silky fabric—the colors flitting through it in the torchlight—Ezaara had to agree.
Hours later, her hair in braids and coils threaded with thin shimmering ribbons, Ezaara was dressed in her elegant garb, flowing gown and matching slippers. She sat in Zaarusha’s saddle, on the ledge, her stomach a stampede of butterflies. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
“Roberto wouldn’t care if you turned up in dragonet dung.” Adelina winked, already in her own finery. “He’ll love it, trust me.”
Ezaara grinned. “Remember the first time we surprised him?”
“At your flight? It was fun to see my brother flummoxed—he’s usually so in control.”
Ezaara squeezed Adelina’s hand. “Thank you for being my friend. You mean the world to me, Adelina.”
Adelina’s eyes were bright with moisture, but Ezaara didn’t care because hers were too.
Linaia landed on the ledge, and Adelina flew off, calling, “Give me a few minutes to check Roberto’s ready.”
Dusk had come early. The moon glinted on the snowy basin, the lake a carpet of shimmering silver. A gentle breeze drifted over Dragons’ Hold, ruffling the skirts of her gown. A few moons ago, Ezaara had left her home in Lush Valley, where she’d not even known whether dragons existed.
So much had changed. And now, with the possibility
of Zens bringing war to the skies, even more would change. Life would be uncertain. She’d nearly lost Roberto already—several times—but they’d been lucky enough to have another chance. Today they’d be joined, but she’d live every day not knowing if the next battle could steal him from her. So, she’d make sure they lived. Loved. And laughed, so when he was gone, she’d have a treasure trove of precious memories.
“Rather morbid thoughts for one about to be hand-fasted.” The glowing colors of Zaarusha’s sathir swirled in the torchlight. “Time for a happier tune, perhaps?”
“You’re right. Let’s go.”
Zaarusha whipped through the chill air, entering a passage high in the main cavern. They perched inside the tunnel mouth to wait until they were summoned. Hundreds of glowing wizard lights hung below the ceiling. Torches burned brightly in sconces. The cavern was packed with mages and riders, folk young and old, their hubbub rising up the passage.
“Ready?” Zaarusha asked.
“Yes, I’m ready.” Ezaara’s heart thrummed. Roberto was waiting for her.
A haunting note pealed from a horn, echoing off the cavern walls and reverberating through the tunnel.
Zaarusha melded, “Hold on.”
Ezaara tensed, ready for action. The dragon queen bunched her legs, flapped her wings and sailed into the main cavern, circling high above the folk. Ezaara’s ribbons fluttered, her dress shimmering in the light from green mage flame.
Standing on the stage with the horn in his hand and Erob behind him, was Roberto, dressed from tip to toe in black. At his waist was a sash from the same fabric as her dress—Adelina’s doing, no doubt. He glanced up, smiling. “You look radiant.”
Ezaara’s breath caught in her throat—with his broad shoulders, lean muscular frame and love painted across his face, he was stunning. “Thank you. You look rather fine, too.” She could hardly believe he was hers. “Better than fine. Kissable.”
“Trust him to see you before anyone else did,” Erob quipped.
Roberto gave a mental chuckle.
“There she is,” a boy cried, pointing. “It’s Ezaara.” Everyone gazed up.
“Now.” Zaarusha swooped toward the crowd, wings gusting their hair, then shot up to the mage lights, flipping upside down. Exhilaration rushed through Ezaara, fire burning through her veins as she melded with her lover and both of their dragons. The sathir of hundreds of people eddied through the air, but none was as strong as Roberto’s flowing river of blue and silver that danced with her own multicolored light. Zaarusha righted again and corkscrewed toward Roberto on the stage.
The crowd cheered and applause broke out. Sparks flitted from mages’ fingers, and dragons roared. Within two tail-lengths of Roberto, Zaarusha swerved and ascended, beating her wings.
Roberto tucked the horn in his belt, leaping upon Erob. “Let’s show them what we can do, Ezaara. Let’s show them we belong together.”
Erob and Roberto flew alongside Zaarusha and Ezaara, mirroring every move. People ducked as they swooped over their heads and oo-ed and ah-ed as they whirled through the cavern.
Something loosened in Ezaara’s chest. “Finally, I can love you without hiding.”
“Nothing can stop us now.” Roberto’s smile flashed as Erob zipped past them to land on one end of the stage.
Zaarusha landed at the other end. Lars strummed his harp, and a soaring melody filled the cavern.
Roberto dismounted and walked toward Ezaara, still pale from his time in Death Valley, but just as attractive as he’d always been. Better.
“Stay in the saddle,” Zaarusha warned.
She took him in, in dark garb, from his boots to his shoulders. “Adelina’s done a fine job kitting you out.”
He moved toward her with the grace and strength of a mountain cat, and smiled, his dark eyes sparkling with warmth, his love flowing through her. “Gods, your love is glorious,” he melded. “It fills me, makes me want to soar.”
Her whole being sang. Was he really all hers?
“I sure am.” His joy washed over her, making her heart swell with sweetness. If she felt any better, she’d burst.
Roberto scratched Zaarusha’s snout, then reached up to take Ezaara’s hand, his warm fingers enclosing hers.
Her heart raced. “Remember that moment when I first really saw you, at the river?”
“During the race? How could I forget? At night in Death Valley, when Zens was asleep, I took that memory out, turning it over and over in my mind. It kept me strong. You make me stronger, a better man.” He kissed her fingertips, sending a jolt of fire spiraling to her core. Then he reached up and placed his hands at her waist, lifting her down from Zaarusha.
Sandalwood and mint wafted from him. They were so close, his body warmth radiated through her thin garments. He inhaled deeply, his dark eyes reflecting mage light, and his blue sathir swirling around her, wrapping her in its soft embrace. It felt like coming home.
§
Gods, she was gorgeous. It blew his mind. How did he—the useless, abused son of a traitor— deserve someone this loving and beautiful?
“With good taste in dragons,” said Erob.
“The best,” Roberto agreed.
Ezaara shimmered with colors. The threads and braids in her hair reminded him of her first flight, when he’d already suspected she was someone special. A riot of color flitted through his mind. Her sathir was like a vibrant multifaceted jewel. Her emerald eyes were bright with excitement and her cheeks flushed. His fingers itched to trace her skin. Dragon’s claws, her smile was so sharding alluring.
§
Amid applause and cheering, Roberto took Ezaara’s hand and led her to the center of the stage to stand before Lars. Dragons roared as he held her hand high and they faced the crowd. Mage lights zipped through the air, leaving fiery trails.
Ezaara was filled with wonder. How had she gone from being an ignorant girl from Lush Valley, to this?
“By being yourself, having courage and working hard,” Zaarusha said. “Well done.”
Lars blew a horn until the crowd quieted, then cleared his throat. “Master Roberto has requested the hand of Ezaara, honored Rider of Queen Zaarusha, to be his lifelong mate and lover, the mother of his littlings and his companion forever. Are there any objections to this marriage?”
A catcall broke out from the folk, “She’s far too pretty for him.”
“Thank you, Kierion,” said Lars dryly. “Anyone else?” Silence. “Then I request Ezaara and Roberto’s families upon the stage.”
Marlies, Hans, and Tomaaz came upstairs to Ezaara’s side. Adelina joined Roberto.
Ezaara had rehearsed this with Lars and her parents, but now it was actually happening. She stepped forward with her hand upon her heart. It was thrumming so wildly, she could feel it against her palm. She faced Adelina, raising her voice. “I pledge to love and cherish your brother Roberto to the end of my days and beyond, sacrificing my life for his, if necessary.”
Adelina inclined her head, lip trembling. “May your love soar upon dragon wings.”
They embraced, Adelina’s body shaking as Ezaara held her tight. Ezaara whispered, “It’s all right, Adelina, you’re not losing your brother, you’re gaining a sister.”
§
Roberto placed his fist upon his heart and faced Hans and Marlies. “I pledge to love and cherish your beautiful daughter Ezaara, to the end of my days and beyond, sacrificing my life for hers, if necessary. I also pledge to be a good and loving father, always tender and compassionate to our littlings.”
Hans raised an eyebrow at Roberto’s added words about fatherhood. “May your love soar upon dragon wings.”
Marlies squeezed his hand, saying, “I know your love will soar upon dragon wings. I believe it already does.”
“You’ll make a fantastic father,” Ezaara melded.
He hoped so. The only decent role model he’d had was his mother.
Hans gave Roberto a bear hug, holding on to him. “Welcome to our family
.”
Family—he and Adelina had been alone for so long.
§
Roberto held Ezaara’s hand in his, his thumb tracing tiny circles on the back of her hand, making her skin tingle.
Adelina took two green ribbons from her pocket, passing one to Hans and Marlies. She smiled at Ezaara. “These are the ribbons from your first flight.”
“Fitting,” Roberto said. “Those ribbons bound us together.”
He’d offered his life for her, bleeding on the orange Robandi sands.
Her parents and Adelina tied the ribbons around their joined hands. The crowd waited with bated breath.
Heart soaring like a dragon taking flight, Ezaara gazed at Roberto. “I vow to love you, cherish you, and help you to grow and become the best you can be. I will support you and Erob and our littlings in this life and forever once we pass beyond, into the land of departed dragons. I vow to be one with you.”
Fire seared in Roberto’s eyes. “I will always love you, protect you and hold you precious above everything else in the world. I pledge my life to you, our family, Erob and Zaarusha, and promise to serve you and love you for the rest of my days and beyond. I hope my best will be good enough. I, too, vow to be one with you.”
“You’re good enough. Perfect for me.”
He tilted his head and grinned. “You don’t mind me kissing you in front of all these people?”
“I’d mind if you didn’t.” Gods, please.
He tilted his head and, with his free hand, cupped her cheek, stroking her skin with his thumb. “I love you, Ezaara.”
“And I love you.” She placed her hand at the back of his neck, and gently pulled his mouth to hers.
Roberto’s lips were warm, soft, and, gods, so delicious.
The roar of the crowd was deafening, but Ezaara didn’t care. She kissed the man she loved, wrapped in the warm shimmering strands of their joint sathir.
Nearby, Lars blew a horn. The clapping subsided.
“We’ll finish this later,” Roberto melded.
“I hope so.”
He laughed, his face open and carefree. “I know so.”
Lars’ voice boomed through the cavern. “We, the Council of the Twelve Dragon Masters, stand today as witnesses to the hand-fasting vows of Roberto of Naobia, son of Amato and Lucia, and Ezaara of Lush Valley, daughter of Hans and Marlies. We hope that dragon fire may keep their love glowing through the years.” Lars grinned. “And I personally thank them for their service to Dragons’ Realm.”
Riders of Fire Box Set Page 94
