"You humans never mean to, but you do." He snorted hard enough a puff of smoke trailed from his nostrils.
"I really am sorry, Draco."
"Enough. Evelyn, I didn't mean for you to find the dragons. I didn't think you'd go exploring. At least not soon."
"What's wrong with me knowing about them?" I asked.
"Nothing. Really. I just prefer not to have them known to the world."
"Why?" I asked.
"The last time the world knew of the dragons, people hunted them. They were nearly killed off," James said, stroking Draco's neck.
"Our eggs were smashed. Our hides adorned castle and manor walls. Men were given high ranking titles based upon the size of the dragon he slew. It was dark times for us," Draco added.
"I don't understand why. If you're so helpful to James and civilized, why did they hunt you?" I asked.
"They were ignorant to our kind. They cared not that we could help you."
"Why do you help James?"
"His father was kind to us. He rescued our eggs and put them into hiding so that they may hatch and grow. He provided a sanctuary for our kind when nobody else would. That is why we take riders and fight along side the Scottish army."
"Have you thought about reaching out to other countries?" I asked.
"No. It's not worth the risk to my kind. James takes good care of us now that his father is unable to lead the army."
"How many of you are there?" I asked.
"A few hundred. Our eggs are in a secure location, unfortunately there are only a dozen or so at any given time and not all hatch."
"I'm sorry."
"It is the way of life. The strong survive."
"I suppose," I mumbled. "Can I see the eggs?"
"You want to see them?" James asked. "They don't scare you?"
"Not at all! I find this all very fascinating."
James pursed his lips together so hard the edges turned white. "I'm not sure."
"If I'm going to be your wife you need to trust me."
"Yes, but this is something that nobody else knows about."
"I know."
"Alright. You can see the eggs. We leave at dawn."
He turned on his heels and left quickly.
"Are you sure you're prepared for this? Once you see the eggs and you know more of us, you can never speak of it to anyone. Not even your parents."
"I understand. I do have a question."
"What?" Draco asked.
"How does one become a rider?"
"You need not worry about that."
"What if I want to be a rider?"
"A princess? A rider?" Draco shook his head and snorted at me again. A small fireball about the size of a fox landed near my feet.
"Really? That is uncalled for."
"A princess cannot be a rider."
"Why?"
"You're a woman! We ride into battle. People and dragons die."
"So? Now who is being unkind? Do you know what I am capable of?"
"What can a woman do?"
I sighed heavily and scanned the darkened room. Hanging on the wall were various swords and blades. I walked to it, examining each one before choosing a few small blades and a beautiful windlass. I stood in the center of the room and closed my eyes before moving in fluid motions.
"That's all well and good, but can you be lethal?"
I clenched my teeth and threw the windlass as hard as I could at a wooden post at the far end of the room. It stuck tight in the wood. I pulled the throwing knives out of the belt around my waist and proceeded to hurl them at the same post one after the other. They landed in a row down the post one above and two below the sword.
"I can handle my own."
"You can handle a sword. It is much different when a person is involved."
"I know that."
"Do you think you could use one of those against a human? It's much different than a wooden post."
"I think I could."
"You can't think. You have to do, Evelyn."
I crinkled my nose up and furrowed my brow as I contemplated taking a human life. My mother had plenty of times. She was an actual assassin. I tried asking her about her time doing it, but she always changed the subject or refused to speak of it. Father always told me it was a dark time for her.
"I could do it. I've been trained by my mother. If she can, so can I."
"Ah. Queen Joselyn. She is formidable. She will make a great ally once you are married to the prince."
"Do you ever think about getting another rider?"
Draco shook his head. "We have one rider. Once our rider dies, that is it. We live our lives without a human companion."
"That's very lonely."
"We have each other as company," he said.
"Do you normally live together? Or is that because you're part of the army?"
"We used to live with our own specific kinds. Fire with fire. Ice with ice. Now we've realized how much we need each other. If anything good came out of the killing of my ancestors it brought the rest of us together. Now we can repopulate."
"Where do the babies live?"
"The hatchlings? They remain near the nest. Their mothers stay close until their wings are strong enough to carry them. There are human tenders who help protect them and ensure the eggs are warm."
"Fascinating. What is it like to fly?" I asked.
"Flying?" A look came upon his face. One of peace and freedom. Something I still longed for completely. "It is the only time I feel whole."
"I envy you, Draco. Having even that as your freedom. I'm kept prisoner practically. Followed everywhere. Never alone with my thoughts. There's always a guard nearby to 'protect' me from this or that."
"Hmm. Would you like to fly?" he asked.
"Would I like to fly? That would be the most amazing thing ever."
"I haven't had another person on my back since my rider died, but I'll help you. I'll give you some freedom."
"You will?"
He nodded his head, lowering it to the ground. "Get a harness from the room in the back. I'll talk you through how to put it on."
I ran to the door, picking a beautiful black and silver one from the wall. Draco instructed me on how the harness fits on a dragon and how a rider sits. I climbed onto his back, strapping my shoes into the stirrups and holding onto the reins.
Coldness ran through my body as he walked toward the door. "Why did it get cold?"
"We're cloaked from the world now."
"We're invisible?"
He nodded his head as he nudged the door open. He flapped his wings a few hard times, his body lifting off the ground. My feet dangled at his side as the wind swept around us.
"Are you okay, Evelyn?"
"Oh my! I'm-I'm flying!"
"We're not really flying yet." He flapped harder and we shot higher in the air before soaring over the valley.
"This is amazing!"
As we flew I noticed Draco's body shimmer a beautiful golden color, his turquoise disappearing for a few moments. The shimmer seemed to stick to my body, running up my legs; a fluttering sensation overtook my stomach as the color moved to my arms, finally stopping at my head.
"What was that?" I asked, shocked.
"What?"
"That weird color? It moved from you to me!"
"Was it a golden shimmer?" Draco asked.
"Yes. It felt weird."
He suddenly dropped from the sky at a quick pace, landing softly in a field a good bit away from the castle.
"You felt the shimmer?"
I nodded my head. "Yes."
"I shimmered?" he asked again.
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"I haven't shimmered for anyone. Not even my rider."
"What is a shimmer?"
"It's a bonding between a dragon and human."
"A bonding?"
"I never shimmered with my rider. Some say
that meant we weren't really bonded, but I'd been with him since I was a hatchling. We find our riders before we're grown."
"I'm confused."
"We bonded," he said.
"We did? What does that mean?"
"You're my new rider."
"What? How is that possible? I didn't spend years with you like your rider did. I didn't even know about dragons until a few hours ago!"
"I'm as confused as you are, Evelyn. I don't think this has ever happened."
"What do we do?"
"I'm unsure. I need to visit the elders," he said. "We have to go back to the castle immediately."
"What do I do?"
"You wait until I return. Speak of this to no one until I confer with them."
I nodded as he soared into the air again returning to the castle. My heart sped and my stomach turned as I slid from Draco's back with shaky legs I walked back inside. A gust of wind and swirling dirt were all I could see of the dragon leaving.
I'm a dragon rider? But how?
Chapter nine
I stumbled into the castle, my legs shaking with each step.
I couldn't believe what Draco told me. I was terrified what the elders would do
when they found out he acquired another rider. My heart raced and my mouth felt so dry.
Normal after riding a dragon?
"Evelyn?" James called from down a dark hallway.
"Hmm?" I asked, turning toward him.
"Are you alright? Where have you been?"
"Oh. I'm fine. I was just talking with...well you know."
"I see." He grasped my arm tightly, pulling me close. "You understand you can never tell anyone about him or the others, right?"
I nodded my head, trying to wrench my arm free. "I understand, James."
"I'm sorry," he said, shaking his head.
"It's fine. I know that it's important to keep them a secret. Please start to trust me, James. I know we've only just met, but I am going to be your wife. Your country is now mine."
"I know, Evelyn. Forgive me for being so anguished. With my father being so near death, anyone could try to take over the kingdom."
"But you're his legitimate son. You'll be made king. Won't you?" I asked.
"Of course, but that doesn't mean others won't try to rise up and overthrow such a young king."
"I suppose. You won't have to worry though. My father and his army will be at your side." I smiled lightly, placing my hand on his arm.
I wanted to tell him so bad I would be fighting alongside him as well, but everyone seemed so against the idea.
"Let me show you to your rooms." He held out his arm for me to take.
I nodded and accepted, following him down a hallway to large doors. He pushed them open revealing a magnificent room. The ceiling shaped in diamonds with beautiful paintings and moldings in the center, the walls were blue and gold with amazing tapestries, the bed and its golden curtains with leaves of green stood in front of large bay windows. A large fireplace across the room roared with flames licking toward the top of the flu.
"It's amazing," I gushed.
"I'm pleased you like them. My bed chambers are across the hall. Those doors right there."
"You're so close."
"You do still need protection. At least this way you can also have privacy."
"Where are Charlene and Elizabeth's rooms?" I asked, glancing around for another door that would connect me to Charlene.
"They are upstairs."
"Oh. Upstairs?"
"Yes. I thought you'd really like some privacy. There is no way anyone can get into this room except through that door there."
I nodded and sat on the edge of the soft bed.
"What's wrong, Evelyn? I thought you would be happy with these arrangements."
"I am, James. I am very happy. I'm just tired from the journey. I think I need a nap is all."
"Very well. Someone will come round for you at dinner."
I crawled onto the bed, kicking off my shoes and drifted off to a restless slumber. Visions of dragons, fire, ice, and mighty battles invaded my dreams. Soaring through the sky on Draco, looking down at a war, as the wind wiped about my body, I felt as though I was one with him. Dipping down low, knocking men off their horses, he roared, releasing a fireball from the pit of his stomach. A sword in my hand, cutting down the enemy as we flew inches off the ground. I didn't want the dream to end, but like all good things it had to come to a halt.
"Princess Evelyn?" a distant voice called.
"Hmm."
"Princess Evelyn? Prince James asked me to fetch you for dinner."
"Dinner?" I asked groggily.
"Yes. Everyone is awaiting you in the dining hall."
"Oh." I sat up and stared at the young maid before me. "I must change quickly."
Standing, I untied the stays of my gown and let it slip to the floor without a care that the young woman remained in front of me.
"Oh!" she gasped, turning quickly.
I opened the great bureau that stood against a wall and scanned for something appropriate for my first night in Scotland. My eyes landed on a black damask gown. The chemise was a gorgeous dark green satin, the trumpet sleeves turned out to reveal the same satin. Lovely olive green leaves were stitched onto the satin in such exquisite thread. A black hood trimmed in lace finished off the gown. I glanced in a vanity mirror at the mess of curls that hung about my face. I tied them up with a blue ribbon and entwined a pearl diadem amongst the hair. I slipped into a pair of black slippers and ran to the dining hall.
"Evelyn!" James stood and his jaw slightly agape as he stared at me.
"Forgive me for being late. I did not intend on sleeping quite so late."
"You-you're fine," he stammered.
"Are you quite alright, my lord?" I asked as he pulled a chair beside him out.
"Fine. Fine."
He motioned for one of his servants to bring a goblet of wine for me as the kitchen maids and cooks brought out platters of food. His dinners were much less of an affair than my parents were. While he had some lords and ladies present, it was far more of a private affair than I was used to. A platter of chickens were placed in front of me, along with fish covered in lemons, bowls of cherries, apples, and what smelled like veal. A beautifully prepared pheasant was placed before James, he nodded his approval and the bird was then paraded before the lords and ladies who ooh'd and awed over it. The man who prepared it smiled from ear to ear at the satisfaction of the court. Something odd smelling invaded my senses; I glanced at a bowl of green, leafy things that rested near Charlene.
"What is that?" I asked James.
"It's cabbage and onions."
"Oh."
"Never had it?" he asked.
I shook my head as he spooned some on my plate.
"Is it good?"
"Put a bit of salt on it and it tastes good."
His minstrels appeared shortly after we began feasting, lovely melodies I wasn't familiar with drifted throughout the hall.
"How is your trip, Princess Evelyn?" a tall, broad man asked.
"It is going very well so far, thank you for asking."
He bowed his head to me and moved toward James. As the Scottish courtiers moved toward the center of the room to dance a man burst through a side door. His clothes were dirty, his hair disheveled, and he smelled of a barn. He ran up to the prince and whispered in his ear.
James's eyes grew wide as saucers before he whipped his head toward me then back to the man. "Are you sure?"
He nodded his head.
"Come with me." James pushed his chair back and grabbed my hand, yanking me up.
Nervous about what was happening, I glanced at Charlene and Elizabeth as James dragged me toward the side door. The massive barn stood right outside the dining hall.
"Is there something you wish to tell me, Evelyn?"
I shook my head at him. "No."
&
nbsp; "Nothing at all? Nothing about Draco?"
"What about Draco?"
"He has just returned from meeting with his elders and said
that you are his new rider!"
"Oh. That. I suppose that is something I should tell you."
"Really? Yes, that is something very important you should have informed me about!" James spun on his heels to stare into my eyes.
"Draco instructed me not to, at least not until he spoke with his elders. Which he did."
"I do not like secrets. You cannot keep things from me, not only as my future wife but because of the people who are after you."
"I'm sorry."
"Draco!" James bellowed.
"Sire?" an invisible voice asked.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was unsure what happened, or if it could happen."
"Is it true then? Evelyn is your new rider?"
"It appears so. The elders believe I never truly bonded with my previous rider but I did with her," he responded from all around us.
"What is to be done?" James asked.
"She and I are one now. She shall be with me for all times."
James turned towards me, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"You can never leave."
"I'm sorry, what?" I asked.
"We will have to marry as soon as we possibly can."
"Why?"
"Your bonding with Draco has solidified everything between us. He's been here longer than I. He's never bonded with anyone since his first rider died in battle over one hundred years ago."
"So he's just been sitting in the barn all this time?" I asked.
"I don't just sit in the barn. I still fight when needed. I was always riderless."
"What does this mean for me though? I have to stay here forever?"
James sighed heavily, running his fingers through his messy red hair. "Yes. As much as I don't want you to be in that kind of danger, you will now be a part of the Scottish army. I have no idea what I’m going to tell your parents. I have to send a letter immediately."
I couldn't hold back the smile.
"Please don't look so happy."
"Do you have a dragon?" I asked.
"I do. We bonded some twenty years ago."
"You bonded with your dragon when you were two?"
"Aye."
"Would it be so bad for the future king and his bride to be dragon riders together?" I inquired.
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 6
