Nero's Dream

by Deborah Cooke

  She laughed a little. “Rise,” she commanded. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  Nero straightened and restrained the urge to tug at the hem of his tabard. He was woefully underdressed to be speaking to a princess, and not as fastidiously groomed as he would have preferred. He could feel the weight of the astrologer’s glare. “I am not frightened, Highness.”

  Peri surveyed him. “I imagine not. You look as if you have been on an adventure,” she said, and he heard unexpected yearning in her voice. Then she laughed and shook a finger at him. “Don’t disappoint me by admitting otherwise.”

  Nero folded his hands behind his back, taking the posture of the architects who consulted with the king. “I had the honor to be dispatched by the viceroy to follow the princess Drakina.”

  Peri’s eyes widened. “She went after Canto, didn’t she? What happened?”

  Nero showed her the signet ring and they both stared at it for a long moment of silence.

  “This is very bad,” she whispered.

  Nero didn’t think it prudent to agree.

  Peri considered him. “You are courageous to bring such tidings to my father.”

  “It is only right, Highness, to fulfill the task I’ve been given.”

  “But valiant all the same.” She surveyed him again, and he had a sense of her quick mind. “Why you?” She winced and he felt a commonality with her, for he was oft in the situation of speaking his mind and giving offense when he meant none. “I mean no insult, of course, but you are not in my father’s livery. I would have expected him to send a clerk or a guard.”

  He shrugged. “Perhaps I was expendable.”

  “Never!” The glow in her eyes made his heart thump.

  “Perhaps he thought it fitting to send me because I had brought an unwelcome prophecy.”

  Peri’s smile faded and wonder lit her features. “You are an astrologer?”

  Nero nodded, wondering why she doubted it.

  “What was the prophecy?”

  He pointed to the gaping hole in the roof.

  “Truly?” Peri was clearly impressed. She indicated the court astrologers. “They didn’t have a hint of it, and we were taken completely by surprise as a result.” Her disdain was clear. “You must bring these tidings of Drakina’s deed to my father.”

  King Ouros raised his voice again, his frustration having returned. Perhaps the repair would be more expensive than he might have hoped. Nero knew that the messenger might pay the price due for the message, but having Peri by his side made it imperative that he behave with courage.

  “You advise correctly, Highness. I simply did not wish to interrupt.”

  “Of course. What is your name, astrologer?”

  “Nero, Highness. From Mola.”

  “You journeyed all that way!” She sighed. “And seen half the world. I am envious.”

  Nero was shocked when Peri seized his elbow. Her touch was light, her hand small and fair. He had been touched by a princess, who had also spoken with him.

  If his life ended in the next few moments, he would not consider it wasted.

  “Father!” she called. Kraw and the royal pair turned to look. “This man returns from Kraw’s quest with tidings.” The architects fell silent and faced Nero. “His name is Nero and he is an astrologer.”

  A man cleared his throat, and Nero saw that the astrologers had trailed behind them. “He is no astrologer, Highness,” the old one said in an indulgent tone. “For he has not studied at—much less graduated from—the Royal University for Astrologers.”

  Peri turned a glare upon him. “Yet he foresaw this day’s outcome as you did not,” she said, her tone scathing. “I would suggest, Father, that you add Nero to your advisors. His loyalty is beyond question. He journeyed alone all the way from Mola to tell you of this, then immediately followed Drakina as Kraw bade him.”

  “But what tidings,” Kraw demanded, stepping forward. “What did the princess do?”

  Nero held out his hand, Canto’s signet ring cradled in his palm.

  Kraw paled, then plucked the ring from Nero’s palm.

  King Ouros’ eyes flashed fire. “She will cast us to war!”

  Nero didn’t think it wise to suggest that the princess had tried to mitigate the damage. “My chart, Highness, does indicate a tribunal court finding in her favor.”

  “The chart that he will not let any of us examine,” the astrologer sniffed.

  “The chart that was right when you were wrong,” Peri retorted.

  “The chart I did not learn about in time!” Ouros roared. “I will hear no more of this on this day!” The King of Incendium shifted shape in a blaze of light. He leapt into the air and flew in a tight circle high in the royal chamber, then shot through the hole in the roof to rage fire at the sky.

  “It will be good for him,” Queen Ignita said, sighing then squaring her shoulders. “Ouros is no diplomat, to be sure. Kraw, you must send an official apology to Queen Arcana. The negotiations will be difficult, though perhaps you can suggest this notion of a tribunal court to her.”

  “Of course, Highness.”

  “I leave the matter in your capable hands.”

  Kraw bowed, then cast Nero a glance. “And the astrologer from Mola?”

  “Has served us better in a mere day than many who have been sworn to the house for far longer,” Ignita said, steel in her tone. “He will join the royal astrologers, if that is his will.”

  Nero’s heart leapt and he was well aware of Peri’s pleasure. “It is, Highness. I thank you for this honor.”

  The oldest astrologer again protested. “Highness, I would not challenge your choice, but I think it ill-advised. You know full well, Highness, that all of the royal astrologers have completed a rigorous program of study at the university. This man is unknown to us.”

  “And perhaps his route of education provides new insights,” Ignita countered smoothly. “He will be my astrologer, Kraw, for I need one who tells me even unwelcome truths.”

  “Of course, Highness,” Kraw and the astrologers said in unison, bowing deeply.

  The queen arched a fair brow. “Does this displease you, Nero of Mola?”

  “No, Highness. I am simply astonished to have my dream come true with such haste.”

  Queen Ignita laughed. “Then you must dream bigger, Nero of Mola.” She extended her hand imperiously and he fell to one knee, bowing his head as he kissed the ring on her finger.

  When the queen retreated and the viceroy hastened to do her will, Nero found himself alone again with the princess Peri. “You are both valiant and clever, it is clear,” she said, approval in her tone. “You did not hesitate at all, or tremble in the royal presence. That is not common amongst new arrivals.”

  “I did only my duty, Highness.” Nero dared to smile at her, and her lips curved in response.

  “You did more,” she murmured, her eyes shining so brilliantly that his heart leapt. Their gazes clung for a potent moment, one in which Nero found it hard to breathe. “I look forward to learning more of you, Nero of Mola,” she said, then offered her hand in turn.

  Nero bent deeply again. He would have kissed her ring, but Peri did not wear any gems on her fingers. He was compelled, then, to touch his lips to her skin, and he certainly didn’t mind. Her hand was soft and faintly perfumed, but he saw strength in her fingers. She could be a warrior princess if she so chose, just like her sister, but he didn’t fear her. Her heart would guide her true.

  “I thank you, Highness,” he said and she leaned down to whisper to him.

  “When we are alone, call me Peri.”

  Peri. Nero’s heart stopped cold, rather than exploding as he’d feared.

  He looked left and right, but they were alone. “I will do so, Peri, at your command.”

  She smiled, her eyes dancing with an enticing mischief. “Will you cast my horoscope first?” she whispered.

  “I should be delighted, Highness.” At her sharp look, Nero cleared his throat. �
�Peri,” he corrected, and she laughed. “The task will take some time.”

  “Of course. Neither of us is leaving the palace, Nero. Please take all the time you require.”

  He bowed again, amazed that she seemed to feel regret in parting from him.

  “I would know the identity of my HeartKeeper, Nero.”

  “I shall endeavor to discern it.” He swallowed. “Peri.”

  Her smile made his heart thunder. “My mother awaits me. Farewell for the moment, Nero.”

  And then Peri was gone, hastening across the hall on light feet, her glittering robe flowing behind her. Her hair shone and he heard her laughter as she conferred with her mother.

  Dream bigger.

  Nero felt a new yearning light in his heart. Queen Ignita’s advice was remarkably easy to take.

  One thing was certain: the horoscope he drew for Peri would be the most beautiful and the most careful one he had ever done. Who was the man who would claim her heart forever? Nero could only hope the man in question was worthy of the lady.

  The princess was not the only one curious as to what her future held.

  Watch for

  Wyvern’s Prince

  Book #2 in the Dragons of Incendium series

  Coming Soon!

  The Dragons of Incendium have their own website

  http://dragonsofincendium.com/

  About the Author

  Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called The Romance of the Rose published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, she has published over fifty novels in a wide variety of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, time-travel romance, women’s fiction, paranormal young adult and fantasy with romantic elements. She has published under the names Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. The Beauty, part of her successful Bride Quest series of historical romances, was her first title to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Her books routinely appear on other bestseller lists and have won numerous awards. In 2009, she was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America’s Mentor of the Year Award.

  Currently, she writes contemporary romance and paranormal romance under the name Deborah Cooke. She also writes medieval romances as Claire Delacroix. Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and family, as well as far too many unfinished knitting projects.

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