by Bianca D'Arc
“Watch and learn.”
He stood a few yards from the campsite and raised one clawed hand that held two cut portions of the meat. Opening his jaw, he blew a small stream of fire at his own hand.
The sight of it made her jump and for a split second horror struck her that he might be burned. Then she remembered. He was a dragon. He was impervious to flame. She knew that. She could see it with her own eyes. But flame was so dangerous to her gryphons. She was used to being wary of any kind of fire when they were around.
Hugh closed his mouth, extinguishing the flame, and moved closer. He had another piece of meat in his other hand. It was raw. He handed it to the gryphlet with due care for her soft skin, keeping her safe from his talons. Miss took it with eager paws and sat down again, nibbling on it with her sharp baby teeth.
A moment of black fog, and then Hugh stood there in his human form, holding two pieces of sizzling meat in his hands.
“I’m sorry we don’t have any plates to eat this from. It’s probably still too hot for you to handle safely.” Hwouly.Rugh looked a bit sheepish, which Lera thought was adorable considering he’d just hunted a meal and provided for all three of them. There was nothing for him to feel the least bit embarrassed about.
“Hang on to it for a bit.” She laughed when he brought his portion to his mouth and tore a chunk out of it. He grinned at her even as he chewed.
“Sorry, couldn’t wait.” The intimacy of the shared thought touched her once again.
“Just as long as you save me some. What is that anyway?”
“Nothing I really recognized. Some kind of sheep, though it wasn’t domesticated. It was running wild with a small flock up on that hill over there.” He gestured with his portion of the meat toward a distant hilltop.
“That’s all right then. We allow the gryphons to hunt wild herds as long as they leave enough to keep each group viable.” She sat on the bedroll and Hugh followed suit, sinking gracefully to the ground even though his hands were full.
“You seem to know all about gryphons and the rules governing them. Part of your job, I expect.” The statement sounded more like a question and Lera realized the time had come for plain speaking.
“It is. Hugh, there is much I need to tell you.” She turned toward him, wanting to clear the air.
“Let’s eat first, talk later. I think this is cool enough for you to handle now.” He offered her the piece of meat.
“I don’t think I can handle all of that,” she said dubiously, noting the size of the hunk he’d cut for her.
“Don’t worry. Whatever you don’t eat, either Miss or I will. Come on.” He offered the meat once more, a coaxing note in his voice. “You haven’t eaten anything in hours. You must be hungry and with all that’s been going on, you need to keep up your strength.”
She couldn’t argue with that, even if mutton wasn’t her first choice for a hearty breakfast. Beggars couldn’t be choosers. She had to take what he offered and be grateful that she’d been rescued by someone who could not only defend her but provide for her as well. Truly, the goddess had been watching over her when she’d crossed paths with Hugh.
Lera bit into the juicy fillet, surprised by how good the salty meat tasted on her tongue. She’d been too upset to notice how hungry she really was, but things were safe for the moment and her hunger could no longer be ignored.
Silence reigned while they ate and Lera watched the baby gryphon a few feet away. Miss ate daintily for a gryphlet. Lera was impressed by her manners and the methodical way she concentrated on her task, not allowing the raw meat to come in contact with the sandy ground for even a second. Most children—even gryphon children—had more trouble with their coordination than this little misborn.
Within a few more bites, Lera began to feel full. The heavy meal wasn’t something she was used to first thing in the morning, but her starving body had needed the nourishment. As her eating slowed, she became more aware of Hugh sitting next to her. Watching her. She looked over at him. He was smiling in a way that heated her insides.
“I can’t finish this. Sorry.” She handed what was left of the meal back to him.
“Don’t be sorry.” He ripped the meat in half and tossed the larger portion to the youngster. Miss caught it with her outstretched claws and immediately dug into the tasty meal. Hugh ate the other piece more slowl she more y. “So now, what did you want to tell me?”
Now that the moment was upon her, Lera didn’t know where to begin. She supposed it was always best to start with gratitude.
“First, thank you again for saving my life. Twice. Without you and Miss, I’d be dead now and my land would be in even more of an uproar than it already is.”
“Your land?” Hugh’s eyes narrowed.
“I told you it was my job to look after the gryphons of Helios,” she began. She wasn’t sure how he was going to take this and she wanted to break it gently. He nodded, his expression receptive. “Actually, there’s a bit more to it than that.” Maybe plain out was better than beating around the bush. She took a deep breath for courage. “I am the Doge.”
“The Doge,” Hugh repeated. She wasn’t sure what she heard in his voice. Was it anger or disbelief? Or something else altogether? The moment dragged on.
Then Hugh began to laugh. Now that, she hadn’t expected.
“I’m not kidding, Hugh. I am the Doge of Helios.”
“I believe you,” he said between chuckles. “I just find it funny that I came here to learn if the Doge was true friend or hidden foe to my land. I never expected an audience with the Doge herself.”
“Or wanted one, I suppose. You’re a spy, after all.” She saw the humor and had to chuckle herself.
“Ouch.” He winced comically, then relented. “You know, I’m not really a spy. Not the way you mean, at least. I’m just a…fact finder, you could call me. I certainly never intended to take in an orphan or rescue a damsel in distress. I don’t think a real spy would’ve so badly compromised his mission.”
“I guess you’re right. Whoever sent you here might be disappointed.”
“My brother sent me, and to be frank, I don’t think he expected much in the first place. I think he came up with the idea strictly to placate a certain woman.”
“His wife?” Lera asked. She wasn’t altogether surprised to learn that Hugh’s family was high-ranking in Draconian politics. With such abilities, it only made sense that they would be placed in the government of a land that favored dragons so heavily.
“No. Shanya is a… Well, I guess you could call her a friend of the royal family. She’s a seer of some renown. She was the one who said I had to come here and big brother went along with it. Even though I’m not known for my spy work. Most of the time, I deal with soldiers. Training. Fighting those who attack us. I spend a lot of my time in the Lairs.”
“Lairs? That’s where the dragons live, right?”
“Dragons, knights and their families,” he confirmed.
“Sounds nice.” And it did. That the dragons had human counterparts as part of their family structure—or vice versa—was something she’d never anticipated.
“So you’re the Doge.” Hugh’s tone was speculative. “I guess that’s why someone is trying to kill you.”
“My cousin, Sendra. That was her estate we landed at last night. You heard what the Eyes said. She hired them. If I die, she will most likely seize power.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“It’s not. She and I have not n>
“I don’t really understand how your government works. In my land, we have a king who makes all final decisions, though he is often influenced by the wishes of both his own counselors and the Dragon Council.”
“A Doge is sort of like your king, only the Doge can be either gender. He or she comes into power when the previous Doge either dies or abdicates. My father was the Doge before me and ruled Helios for almost ninety years. The magic extended his life beyond that of regular people, as it will mine. Father a
lways said that when I was born, the goddess gave them a sign that I would be the next Keeper as well as the next Doge. Their belief was proven true when I was tested by the Fire and chosen as Keeper of the Flame. From that day, I have been responsible for the welfare of all gryphons in Helios.”
“So the Keeper looks after the gryphons,” Hugh repeated. “I don’t suppose there is anyone like me in your land. Someone who is both gryphon and human?”
“No. Gryphons were created from two creatures already part of this world. I believe dragons are an entirely magical creation. Though both were made by wizards, gryphons came from the land. Dragons, I now believe, probably sprang from the eternal fire itself. This is something I’ve thought through over the past day since seeing you transform. Though before meeting you, I never would have imagined there were people who were also dragons.”
“The eternal fire,” Hugh mused. “I like that.”
“It is part of our beliefs and part of my knowledge as Keeper. Fire is the one thing gryphons must fear above all. Oiled feathers and fur do not have any defense against the eternal flame. And just as people have free will, so too do the gryphons. If one transgresses to the point of capital punishment, they are given to the flame. That is my heaviest responsibility as Keeper.”
Hugh frowned. “The Keeper is also executioner of bad gryphons?”
Lera could see the little one watching them with wide eyes.
“No. Not really. I only keep watch over the eternal flame. It would be up to the gryphon court to carry out any sentence on one of their own. It happens so rarely, I’ve never been called on to unleash the flame. Goddess willing, I never will.”
Hugh seemed to take that in before asking his next question. Both his expression and tone was serious and thoughtful.
“Was your mother Keeper before you?”
“Actually, no. Until me, Keepers usually came from the House of Alagar, the original rulers of this city, which carries their name. About twenty years ago, my father moved his court here after the assassination of the entire line of Alagar. It was a dark time and my family came here to restore order and catch those responsible for killing off the noble House of Alagar. It was a tragedy.”
Hugh looked like he wanted to comment, but something made him hold his tongue. Lera filed that away for later consideration, continuing her explanation.
“From what I’ve been taught, the role of Keeper used to pass from mother to daughter in the House of Alagar, though it didn’t always work that way. Sometimes it would go to a niece or re a niecfemale cousin. Since I have no daughter, my cousin Sendra is the nearest in line for both of my roles. She could be made Doge, though I expect another would be found to act as Keeper until such time as the goddess grants that responsibility to another family line. Unfortunately, that would leave my cousin in charge of the government and military for far too long. The Keeper holds a quasi-religious, magical power. She is not required to be a politician or ruler. Her responsibility is to the Lady’s sacred flame first and foremost. And to the gryphons.”
“Sounds like Sendra could cause some serious trouble for this land and others if she seized power,” Hugh observed.
“I have no doubt of it. But I never thought she’d stoop to murder. Setting Eyes on me is something I never thought of. Never dreamed of. I knew we had disagreements of late about how the country should be run, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe that she wanted me dead. She’s my cousin. My blood. I didn’t believe it until last night, when I heard that assassin say he’d get a bonus if he made me suffer before he killed me.” The horror of those moments in the vineyard came back to her. “I didn’t know she hated me so much.”
“You can’t let her win,” Hugh said softly, drawing her attention. She was heartened by the compassion and strength in his expression. “There is really only one thing you can do. You must return to the city and reclaim your throne.”
“But the Eyes…” She hated the fear that crept into her tone and made her hands tremble.
Hugh took both of her hands in his, warming them, stilling the fear.
“If you allow it, I will stay by your side. I will keep you safe, Lera. I promise you, I am a much better bodyguard than I am a spy.”
His rueful smile invited her to chuckle at his words. He was such a good man. And he had formidable abilities in both his human and his dragon form. If anyone could keep her safe, it would be Hugh. More than that, she trusted him. After the night they’d had, between the assassins, the mad flights from danger and the sweet pleasure they’d shared, she felt she knew him better than most of the people who’d been in her life for years.
He certainly had seen her at her worst. And she’d seen him act with courage and chivalry. He was both a fighter and a gentleman. He had treated her so well throughout their adventure. He’d cared for her wellbeing both physically and mentally. He was a man she could easily come to depend on—or love.
“Would you really come with me? We’ll be walking into certain danger. Eyes don’t quit just because a job has become more difficult. They will send ever more skilled members of their brotherhood until the job is completed. As long as the holder of the contract keeps paying. I can’t imagine Sendra will stop now that she is committed to this course. They’ll keep coming until I’m dead.”
“Or until I kill them all.” Hugh’s gaze went steely and she could well imagine a pile of dead assassins at his feet. Hugh was a warrior who would not balk at killing those who confronted her with death on their minds.
Silence reigned for a moment while his words echoed through her mind. It would be dangerous, but she really did have to return to the city. Her people depended on her. If Sendra seized power, the land would suffer greatly. She could not let that happen, no matter the danger to her personally. The land and its inhabitants had to come before her own happiness and wellbeing, if necessary.
“I must go back,” s feck,Rhe said bleakly, knowing there was no alternative.
Hugh’s arm came around her shoulders. “I’ll go with you.”
“I go too.” Miss’s simple words were punctuated by the gryphlet’s small bow. Where had she learned such courtly manners? Perhaps it was instinctual, Lera thought, but it would bear investigation, if and when she was free to look into such things.
“Thank you, Miss. When we get to the palace, there are some others like you that I want you to meet. I believe you would be welcome among their number and they would treat you well.”
“Want sstay wif Hoo.”
“We’ll talk about it when we get there, sweetheart.” Hugh tabled the subject efficiently. She could see the concern in his expression. She felt the same worry. She couldn’t knowingly put the child in danger and just being around Lera at the moment was a very dangerous place to be, indeed.
They’d have to sort it out when they got back to the city. For now, that was the best Lera could come up with.
Chapter Six
Things were moving quickly. Hugh was almost shocked when he realized how neatly events had unfolded. He’d spent the night under the stars with a woman who set his world on fire. True, she was running from assassins, but that was only a minor complication. He hoped.
Hugh would do everything in his power to keep her safe. He’d stay with her night and day if he had to. If she let him. This was her land and he’d play by her rules…as far as he could. If her life was in danger though, all bets were off.
“How do you want to do this?” he asked as they sat before the waning fire, making plans. “The last time I approached the palace with you on my back, something was definitely off. You said the guards weren’t at their posts and the gryphons were out of place.”
A worried look crossed her lovely face. “I’ve been thinking about that. We have to move in cautiously. Maybe work our way through the city a bit.”
“Very dangerous,” Hugh commented, not liking the options. “It might be better to do a little reconnaissance first. Is there anyone in the city that you can be certain of? Some
one you trust with your life?”
“I thought I could trust my cousin Sendra.” Her words were tinged with both sadness and betrayal. Hugh felt for her, but now was not the time to dwell on the disappointments of the past days. Now was the time for decisive action and carefully measured boldness.
“Is there anyone else?”
“Hyadror.” She nodded to herself, confirming her own thoughts. “He has saved my life before. He would not side with Sendra against me.”
“How do we find this Hyadror?” Hugh could work with this. If only they had at least one ally within the city, it might make all the difference.
“If we get close enough, I think he will find us. If he’s the friend I think he is, he will have noticed I am nowhere to be found and will be looking for me.”
“What good can one man do in searching an entire city? The chances seem slim to me.” Hugh had to be realistic. Lera’s chuckle took him by surprise.
“Hyadror isn’t a man. I mean…he’s male, but he’s a gryphon.”
That sounded a lot better to Hugh. “A fully grown g;vepryphon, right?”
“Of course. He was one of my teachers when I was in training.” The fondness in her voice was clear.
“All right.” He could definitely work with an adult gryphon on their side. “Let’s fly closer to the city tonight, under cover of darkness. I’ll do some scouting ahead and we’ll see what’s been going on during your absence. How does that sound?”
“Sounds about right,” Lera agreed. “Do you want to stay here for the day or can we move a bit closer while there’s light?”
“A black dragon is very visible against a light blue sky,” Hugh mused. “But we can do some trekking on foot if you’re game.”
“It’s better than sitting here, waiting all day.”
“There are other things we could do, but not with the little one about.” His wink made her blush and he found that he enjoyed teasing her.
“Behave, Hugh.” The smile on her face was his reward.
