“I had not decided. Tell me your name.”
The dragoness’ lips curved into a humorless smile. “You do not remember me. Why am I not surprised? I am Yvette, the eldest and only surviving daughter of Yvonne and Pyrrhus.” She tossed her black hair defiantly as she added, “And, I shall answer nothing more of your questions unless you banish Tancred and order the execution of the human. She knows far too much about us to be allowed to live.”
Tancred’s grip tightened around Damaris’ shoulders as he pulled her closer. “My king. Have her remove the curse, and you will see that Damaris is of far greater fidelity and wisdom than that displayed by the dragoness Yvette today.”
The dragon king’s hood was turned toward the dragoness and the sense of magic filled the air. “How many curses have you placed in the Five Kingdoms, Yvette daughter of Yvonne and Pyrrhus?”
Sweat beaded her upper lip. Her body trembled beneath the weight of his magic. Nevertheless, she remained defiant. “You do not deserve to know. You are not my true king.”
The dragon king growled a single word in draconic and she dropped to her knees, dark hair spilling forward like a waterfall to brush against the ground. Then, the dragon king approached them. He touched Damaris’ forehead. Her wide eyes went vacant as he murmured, “Where are the shoes?”
Tancred reached under his cloak and pulled the shoulder pack out. He’d meant to leave it in his chamber at the inn, but had brought it with him instead. Thank Shaddai. He dug out the slippers and then slipped them onto Damaris’ bare feet.
His king murmured softly in draconic, too low for anyone to hear, before he pulled his hand away. “I cannot break it. My gift isn’t strong enough to counter a curse laid with so much . . . emotion. However, the taimana will help. Give me a moment more.”
He stepped closer, cupping Damaris’ face in his hands and leaning in close until the edges of his hood obscured her face from sight. Tancred watched even as he kept an ear out for anyone approaching. If they were caught now, there would be no hiding the magic being worked. All he could hear in the distance, however, was the shouts of the people spreading the news about King George.
Tancred turned his attention back to the dragoness kneeling on the ground, and he stepped closer to her. “It was not your right to interfere with us.”
Yvette lifted her head, a wry smile curving her lips. “You didn’t live through the dragon wars. You don’t know how cruel these humans can be or what loss is, not truly. Dragons should never mingle with humans again. Not by sharing the land and most certainly not by marriage.”
“You would put yourself as judge over an entire race? As though you were Shaddai?”
“Shaddai didn’t hear my prayers,” she hissed. “So, I answered them myself. Just as I answered my own pleas when your king failed to do so.”
“Silence,” came the king’s low command. “You will not speak save to answer my questions until I bring you before the court for judgement. Yvette, daughter of Yvonne and Pyrrhus, will you release the curse you have placed on Damaris Desrosiers, betrothed mate of Tancred?”
“No. I completed the curse properly. There is a condition for breaking it.”
“What is that condition?”
Yvette’s emerald gaze sparkled with ire as she glanced up at him. “You, Tancred, must renounce your love for this woman and then her memories will be restored.”
“I will never do so,” he breathed. “Not even if she cannot remember me or what passed between us for the rest of our days. I will fight to win her heart again, instead.”
“I remember enough, Tancred.”
He spun to see Damaris, his Damaris, watching him with only a hint of confusion. Her appearance had been restored. He strode toward her and then stopped short as he looked to his king. “Her memories?”
“The shoes ease the severity of the curse, though they cannot fully negate its effect on her.” The dragon king gestured to them. “Join hands, and I shall finish settling this matter. Since a dragon wrongly separated you, it is only right that a dragon reunite you.”
“You want to marry us?” Damaris asked, brow furrowing.
Tancred stepped closer to her even though he forced himself to keep his hands at his sides. “Only if that is your wish. How much you remember is . . .”
“Enough.” She offered a slight smile. “A little confusing and hazy at times, but I remember you gave me roses. And, I told you I wanted to seize the time we had because we cannot guarantee tomorrow. There are pieces I don’t remember. Meeting Eve, Yvette, the first time. Or the shoes. But what I remember, I want to keep and what I remember is you. I want to fly with you, Tancred.”
He grabbed her hands, bringing them to his lips, as he murmured, “I promise I will fly with you wherever you wish to be carried. And, I will protect and love you forever, my treasure. I will be your memory whenever you need it. But, I will also make new memories with you. Enough to fill those empty places to overflowing with new happiness and new arguments and an ever growing love. I only need you to let me stand by your side.”
“Well, those will suffice for the vows,” the king interjected. “As king of the dragons, I pronounce Tancred has taken vows with his mate, Damaris. May your hoard grow, your clan prosper, and Shaddai fill your wings and your hearts with joy.”
Damaris grabbed Tancred by the tunic and tugged him close. Their kiss seared his bones. When it ended, she breathed, “You took too long.”
He chuckled and pressed another kiss against her lips. “I apologize.” Recalling his audience, he turned to the king. “What will you do with her?”
“The dragoness, Yvette, will return to the Burnt Lands with me.” A touch of censure entered the dragon king’s voice as he continued, “I will discover exactly who else her curses have touched and then . . . She will face the consequences. As for you, return with your mate to Silvermere. Continue on as you have been. I will send you further instructions on the matter of Huon after I have dealt with Yvette.”
Tancred inclined his head. “Yes, my king.”
“Now go, and keep the other king from seeing us leave.”
Tightening his grip around Damaris’ shoulders, he gladly guided her away from the dragoness who had caused so much damage. She waited until they had put some distance behind them before she whispered, “What did he mean by the matter of Huon?”
“Huon is a dragon also. And, a spy who kept informing the king about our relationship and then where to find me it seems. Although, I might blame Alastair as well. He did not appreciate the fact that I revealed myself to Helena and Reed.”
“Did I know any of this?”
“No.”
She nodded slowly. “That is actually somewhat reassuring.”
“We still need to deal with George. He is going to have questions.”
“Distract him with Mary.” At his quizzical look, she laughed. “Trust me. They’re already in love. They just need some encouragement to act on it.”
“A royal wedding would be a good distraction from our own union.”
“And from the fact that Demi has disappeared since I apparently looked different.”
Tancred chuckled. “Very different, and I much prefer you in your original form and beauty.”
She wrapped her arms around him, making him miss a step, then brushed another kiss against his cheek. “I may not remember everything, Tancred, but I know I love you.”
He stopped and tugged her close. “Know I love you, Damaris.” He leaned in close and then breathed in her ear. “Never take those shoes off again. Do you understand me?”
She pulled away, laughing. “I suppose you warned me and something happened. All right, I promise. I will wear these absurd yet comfortable slippers for every waking moment of every day for at least two years.”
“Good.”
“Tancred? I want more silver roses.”
He grinned. “As many as your heart desires, my beloved treasure.”
* * *
Note from th
e Author
This story is one of my most challenging yet satisfying books I’ve written to date. Even though Tancred and Damaris didn’t make it easy for me to figure out their journey at first, I loved revisiting the other southern kingdom of the Five. Dragon’s Maid, like the rest of the series, can stand on its own when reading yet it is also a bit of a sequel to Cat’s Gambit. Something I absolutely loved because I was able to bring back some of my favorite characters, Helena and Reed, and dear Sir George finally got a girl who isn’t already taken.
One of my favorite things about this series of fairytale retellings is I get to find ways to turn the story around and play with the what ifs. For Cinderella, I really wanted to make her relationship with Tancred strong enough to endure their trials but still a little fast and impulsive like in the original. Damaris and Tancred ended up being this young, practical, yet very much impulsive couple, which was fun to write.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped and encouraged me. I would not have been able to complete this story without you. Special thanks goes out to you, the readers, who have taken the time to join Damaris and Tancred on this adventure into the world of Sonera. I hope you have enjoyed it!
Love’s Enchanted Tales features retellings of classic fairytales and myths in an interconnected series of stand-alone books, which is why you will see cameos by other characters. As mentioned above, Helena, Reed, and Sir George are from Cat’s Gambit, which is also where we first met Tancred and King Stephen. Yvette will be featured in the final entry of Love’s Enchanted Tales, Dragon’s Bane, which will release later this year. The dragon king will also appear in his own story in the spinoff series, Love’s Further Enchanted Tales, which is set to premiere in 2020. And I have the perfect fairytale in mind for him.
My favorite author-related meme on Facebook would have to be the one that says, “Feed an author! Write a review!” Reviews can be an author’s lifeline. I love hearing what readers think about my stories, my characters, and anything else you care to mention. It doesn’t have to be a long, detailed review. Just a few lines about the book will do. If you enjoyed Dragon’s Maid, please consider taking the time to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
If you would like to connect with me and be the first to learn about book updates, sales, and behind the scenes peeks, sign up for my newsletter and/or join my readers group on Facebook, Readers of Kimberly A. Rogers!
Thank you!
Until our next meeting,
Kimberly A. Rogers
Love’s Enchanted Tales
Romantic fantasy retellings of classic fairytales.
Cat’s Gambit
Trusting a talking cat was perhaps the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard of . . .
Helena Sheppard always prided herself on keeping a level head. But when she gives up the flock of sheep meant to be her dowry to preserve her younger sister’s happiness, she accepts a cat to appease her family despite the impracticality. When the cat starts talking and insisting on an adventure, Helena finds her path taking rather unexpected turns.
Cursed by a dragoness nearly a century ago, Reed hasn’t spoken to a human in nearly as long. When Helena proves herself worthy, he grows determined to see the former shepherdess properly rewarded even if it means leading her to Carabas and encouraging her to accept the attentions of a nice knight.
But when they discover a dragon in Carabas, what will it cost to save the people and the kingdom?
A fantasy retelling of the classic fairytale, Puss in Boots
Available Now on Kindle
Dragon’s Bane
Redeeming a dragoness is no easy task . . .
Yvette has spent over a century avenging her family’s deaths in the dragon wars through curses. Yet when the dragon king punishes her with a curse of her own, she is horrified to find herself trapped in her human form. Cut off from her magic, she is vulnerable and alone until she is rescued by a strange man.
Valerian, brother to the dragon king, believes himself unworthy to return to his former role as general. The dragon wars and further division of the dragons in the aftermath have shaken him. However, he cannot refuse when his brother calls on his help in investigating the state of the human kingdoms. Taking Yvette under his protection as he does so brings complications when he finds himself drawn to the woman. Traveling through the kingdoms leads to stronger feelings and complications as they discover rogue dragons continue plaguing humans.
When Yvette’s past comes to light, however, it will take both dragons to turn her bane into redemption.
A fantasy retelling of the classic fairytale, The Frog Prince
Coming Late 2019
You May Also Like…
Can’t get enough fairytale romances? Need more dragons? Adventure?
Check out some of my favorite fairytale and fantasy romances!
The Firethorn Chronicles by Lea Doué — A fairytale romance series with dragons, magic, and opening with one of my favorite retellings of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Firethorn Crown.
Fairytales of Folkshore series by Lucy Tempest — This fairytale romance series of interconnected tales breathes fresh life into old favorites beginning with a gender-swapped Aladdin that is perfect for fans of the new live action movie and one of the best retellings I’ve read, Thief of Cahraman.
Seventh Born by Rachel Rossano — In a world where seventh born sons are hailed for their power as talent wielders, she is a daughter with impossible power. When she meets the strongest seventh born in the land, their paths twine and soon they must each decide what will they risk for their land and their God. The first in an epic fantasy romance trilogy.
Also by Kimberly A. Rogers
Love’s Enchanted Tales
Selkie’s Song
The Storyteller’s Dragon
Masquerade
Cat’s Gambit
Spindle
Panther’s Bride
Gryphon’s Sister
Dancer
Dragon’s Maid
Dragon’s Bane (Late 2019)
The Rogue Spotter Universe
The Therian Way Novellas Series
Tiger’s Shadow
Tiger’s Paw
The Therian Way Series
Book One – Leopard’s Heart
Book Two – Wolf’s Path
Book Three – Tiger’s Strength
Book Four – Leopard’s Test (Coming 2019)
Book Five – Panther’s Trap (Coming 2020)
Book Six – Tiger’s Betrayal (Coming 2020)
Book Seven – Leopard’s Mercy (Coming 2020)
Rogue Spotter Series
Threats by Numbers
Flight by Numbers
Trials by Numbers
Hunt by Numbers
Quests by Numbers
Fight by Numbers (Coming September 2019)
Science Fiction
Remember Typhon – A Short Story
Historical Romance
Christmas Aria — A Christmas Regency Novella
About The Author
Kimberly A. Rogers has never stopped enjoying the over-active imagination originally fueled by fantasy classics such as the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. With a steady supply of fairytales, mythology, and the folklore revolving around famous cryptids such as the Beast of Bray Road, she is well-prepared to spend her days writing various fantasy series ranging from urban fantasies to romantic fairytale retellings. On the rare occasion she’s not playing in a fantasy world, you can find her dabbling in military science fiction and Regency Era romances.
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