Keeper of the Flame: Dragon Knights, Book 7

by Bianca D'Arc

  “Milady, are you well? You had us all worried when you disappeared.” To his credit, he did look truly worried about her welfare.

  “As you can see, I am well. Thank you for your concern, Counselor Orin.” She turned to Hugh, aware of Orin’s interest in him from the looks the older man kept darting to her side. “Allow me to introduce Prince Hugh of Draconia and his brothers, Prince Collin and Prince Trey.” She indicated each in turn. “They have been helping keep me safe.”

  “Tales of assassins have been spreading through the city,” Orin said, with a deep frown furrowing his brow. “I am glad to see you have such fierce and noble protectors. Were you the man who saved milady at the tavern, Prince Hugh? If so, Helios is in your debt.”

  “You are well informed, Counselor.” Hugh nodded.

  A flutter of giant wings from the opposite end of the room caught everyone’s attention. A gryphon had landed.

  Miss took one look at the dark gray form stomping into the room and dove for cover behind Lera’s throne. It wasn’t very effective. Her tail and the tips of her wings stuck out from behind the chair and her paws were clearly visible under it. Her entire body shook with terror and Hugh wondered why the sight of this particular gryphon had caused such a marked reaction.

  Hugh turned to face the newcomer, as did Lera. She noticed as she turned that the twins had moved close to Orin, securing him while everyone assessed this new possible threat.

  Lera recognized the gryphon. It was Ylianthror. He was a distant relation to Hyadror through his sire’s line, but there was very little similarity between the two gryphons except that they were both big brutes that fought well. Their fighting styles were very different and their coloration was on opposite en

  ds of the somewhat limited raptor spectrum. Where Hyadror was brownish and tawny with a whitish underbelly, Ylianthror was dark gray with some lighter speckling on his underbelly. His wings were a dark, uniform gray and his talons were almost black.

  His hooked beak swept from side to side as he took in the occupants of the throne room. His feathers ruffled at the sight of the dragons, but he showed no fear. When he laid eyes on Lera, she felt a cold sort of dread creep down her spine. His eyes were not friendly. In fact, he looked mad—both angry and somewhat unhinged.

  Unconsciously, Lera reached for her magic. The magic of the eternal flame might protect her if the worst should happen. Hugh squeezed her hand and she looked at him, realizing that she wasn’t alone in this. His magic tingled against and along with hers. He’d probably felt her call her power and had done the same in response. They were a team now and it would take more than one enraged gryphon to harm them. After all, she had a dragon prince and all his allies on her side.

  Chapter Twelve

  Hugh felt the tension in the air as Lera called her magic. First Miss had gone running for cover and then Lera had tensed. Hugh recognized the big brute of a gryphon who’d just crashed their party, uninvited. He was the same one who had dived at him while Lera was on his back on their way into the city. Hyadror had run him off that time.

  This time, Hugh would have something to say to the ill-mannered bird.

  “What is his name?” Hugh asked Lera silently. She hadn’t mastered the skill of speaking back to him this way yet, but he could at least ask questions and give direction, if necessary.

  “Wing Leader Ylianthror,” she answered Hugh’s question and addressed the gryphon. “What brings you here unannounced?”

  “I wisshed to ssee if you were unharmed, milady.” The gryphon’s voice was smoother than most Hugh had heard. Hugh didn’t like the bird’s tone or the way he moved closer, looking around the room as if measuring the odds.

  “She is fine, no thanks to you. Did you not see her on the dragon’s back when you dove at him?” Hugh could not contain his anger.

  “Who are you to quesstion me, human? I am a Wing Leader. You are a sstranger here and would not undersstand the wayss of gryphonss.”

  Oh, Hugh didn’t like that answer at all. This beast was angling for a set down and Hugh was ju fn>

  “I understand more than you think, gryphon.” He wouldn’t give the insulting bastard the dignity of his title. “I am Hugh of Draconia and well acquainted with the etiquette of the skies. One does not dive on another unless you wish them harm. You dove on Lera and the dragon who flew her. Your actions suggest you are no friend to the Doge of Helios or her allies.”

  The gryphon’s head reared back in a clear show of anger and surprise. His feathers ruffled all around his neck again and his expression—what Hugh could interpret of it—seemed altogether too hostile for Hugh’s liking.

  “You dare greatly, dragon lover. You would not speak so if your ill-conceived companions were not here to back you up.”

  Hugh refused to take the bait. The gryphon was goading him into an argument—probably to divert attention away from his actions. Hugh would have none of it.

  “You do not deny diving on the Doge and her dragon from above?”

  Ylianthror’s beak clacked shut. He hadn’t expected Hugh to meet his anger with fire of his own. At length, the gryphon found something to say.

  “I do not answer to you, human.”

  “No,” Lera said from behind Hugh’s shoulder. “Since I am Keeper of the Flame, you answer to me, Wing Leader. Is what Prince Hugh said true? Did you intend to harm me when you dove out of the sky?”

  “Harm was never my intent, milady.” The gryphon made a courtier’s bow that Hugh had seen before. Suddenly, things began to fall into place in his mind. Now all he had to do was trap the bird and cage him in his own words.

  “No,” Hugh agreed. “You intent was to kill her. Only my flame, and Hyadror’s intervention, prevented it, you traitorous bastard.” Hugh advanced on the gryphon. Simple mental commands sent the dragons to Ylianthror’s rear, to keep him penned. The twins had the Counselor under control and that only left Lera. “Stay put this time, my love. I have a grievance with this bird and I intend to have it out with him.”

  Hugh was glad when Lera remained behind him, even backing off a few feet, moving toward Mace, who’d come closer to be ready should he be needed. Good man. Hugh knew Mace would protect her with his life if necessary. Right now, that was good enough for Hugh.

  “You accusse me?” The gryphon’s voice rose in outrage, then he seemed to gather his control. “Under our lawss, you cannot, ssince you were not there. You have no true knowledge of the eventss, sso you cannot sstand in protesst.”

  Hugh smiled evilly. “Oh, I was there, all right.” So saying, he released his magic, bringing on the change from human to dragon. “You tried to kill my mate, gryphon. And I believe you threw your own child out into the storm to die. For that alone, you should stand trial.”

  Hugh was sure to broadcast his words to all who could hear him. Everyone needed to know what was going on here.

  “Miss,” he went on when the gryphon seemed about to burst with mounting anger. “Come here, little one. I do not want you near that bad gryphon.”

  Hugh held out his wing and wasn’t surprised when the child dashed out from behind the poor concealment of the throne. She ran to his side in a blur of gray and white stripes. He noted with satisfaction when Ylianthror laid eyes on her.

  “You!” Ylianthror sh kYli graouted, clearly out of control. Rage boiled over behind his raptor eyes as he lunged. Hugh blocked and the sound of talons scratching along impenetrable dragon scale resounded through the throne room.

  The moment the gryphon attacked Hugh, the two dragons moved in unison to subdue him. They were all about the same size and the odds were not in the gryphon’s favor. Jenet and Nellin pinned Ylianthror to the ground and held him immobile with their talons and tails. Between them, Ylianthror couldn’t move.

  Hugh changed back to his human form and crouched down to comfort the gryphlet who crowded close to his legs.

  “He can’t hurt you anymore, sweetheart. I promise. Will you tell us who he is?” He tried to be as gentle a
s possible with the traumatized child, but he needed her to acknowledge his suspicions.

  “Papa,” she whispered, but all within the throne room could hear her. The room had been built with acoustics in mind and Hugh was glad the confrontation had taken place here for that reason. He wouldn’t have to make her repeat her fearful testimony.

  “This gryphon, Ylianthror, is your sire.” Hugh spoke the words with finality and looked up at Lera. Tears streaked down her face as she stood with Mace guarding her, off to one side, away from Orin and the twins.

  It was all out now. They’d found a least one gryphon who was a traitor to Lera. There could be more, but there had only been one set of gryphon footprints in the orchard, according to Father Gregor.

  “What do you want to do with him now?” he asked Lera privately. “We need to find out if he was the gryphon that inspected the scene in the orchard or if there’s more than one gryphon traitor we need to look out for.”

  “Kendrik?” Lera motioned to the guard by the door. “Send for the gryphon restraints.”

  “Already here, milady,” the young man replied proudly.

  Hugh was glad the guard was on top of his game. The longer this traitorous gryphon remained unfettered, the less Hugh liked it. He would not rest easy until Ylianthror had been put into a hole from which he could not escape.

  “Ylianthror,” Lera said in a clear voice as four men entered the room holding a giant collar and chain made of iron. “You will be questioned under the eternal flame and judged by your actions and the purity of your heart.” The words sounded like part of a ritual to Hugh and he realized there must be some precedent for this kind of thing, since they had the restraints available.

  As the men drew closer, Hugh felt the magic coming off the metal collar. It was very old and imbued with a foreign-tasting magic of immense power.

  Taldor and Rulith moved closer and took the collar from the men, each taking one side of the open metal ring.

  “The maker left thiss asss a reminder that to whom great power iss given, great ressponssibility followss. Ylianthror, you have abussed your power and you will sstand trial by fire for it. Accept thiss yoke now and prove yoursself worthy of the name gryphon.” Taldor’s words only seemed to irritate the trapped bird. He tried to wrestle out of the dragons’ hold, but he was no match for two adult dragons.

  Jenet and Nellin eased back away from Ylianthror’s head so the collar could be clasped around his neck. He struggled with them all the way, but Taldor and Rulith were able to snap the collar shut and Ylianthror’s struggles ceased immediately. All within the throne room felt the blast of magic when the collar snapped closed.

  Ylianthror was well and truly subdued.

  The male gryphon was led from the throne room and put in a cell at the base of the palace. He would face trial by the eternal flame after they’d had time to question him. If he would not answer on his own, it would go against him when the flame tested him. Either way, they would eventually get the truth out of the defiant gryphon.

  Lera was suddenly very weary of everything. They’d caught one traitor and it made her sick at heart to think that one of her Wing Leaders—those who were supposed to be among the most trustworthy of her gryphon warriors—had plotted against her.

  She turned to Counselor Orin, who had said nothing throughout the ordeal. He was under close guard by the twin dragon princes and seemed content to be so. His actions counted in his favor. He seemed truly shocked at the turn of events and even a little bit appalled.

  His face echoed the feelings in Lera’s own heart. She turned to Hugh and knew he read her expression.

  “I’ll take care of the rest of this, my love. Why don’t you and Miss sit down and rest while we clean up?”

  Hugh’s voice sounded in both minds as he prodded the gryphlet to walk the few feet to where Lera stood. Her throne was too far away, so instead, she took a seat on one of the comfortable benches that lined the room. She patted the cushion and Miss jumped up, snuggling against her side as she placed her head in Lera’s lap.

  “It’s going to be all right, little one,” she whispered to the gryphlet. “Hugh is here and he won’t let anyone hurt either of us.”

  Lera noted the tears in the child’s eyes and she reached out to hug the oversized kitten. They comforted each other as Hugh dealt with all the people and creatures left in the throne room. She watched him move, grateful the Lady had chosen such a capable and trustworthy man to be her mate. It was clear Hugh was well used to state craft. He dealt with Counselor Orin like a professional politician, giving the man reassurances while escorting him toward the door.

  Taldor and Rulith had gone with the guards who’d brought the collar. Of the four-footed, only Miss and the two dragons remained, sitting steadfastly by the large balcony entrance. No other creature would land and enter without challenge. Sir Mace stood nearby, guarding her. The twins had stationed themselves on the inside of the door to the hallway until Hugh went over and had a few words with them and Kendrik. A moment later, the three of them had walked out into the hall, leaving Hugh to turn back to Lera.

  His reassuring smile lifted her depressed heart. All would be well as long as Hugh was with her. He came over and crouched in front of the bench she sat on, placing one hand on the gryphlet’s fur and the other on Lera’s hand.

  “I sent my brothers with Kendrik to scout out the path to your chambers. They’ll make sure it’s completely safe before we settle you there for the night. Drake has been in contact with me through Jenet and he’ll bring dinner with him when he comes back to make his full report. I don’t want to trust the palace kitchen just yet. So far, neither Drake nor Lady Krysta have been able to turn up anything useful. Most of the Jinn have pulled up stakes and gone. Only a few traders remain and it seems your cousin wasn’t dealing with any of them.”

  “That makes sense.” Lera hated the fatigue in her voice. So much had happened, though, she supposed she was entitled to be a little sick of it all. “There’s room k#82>

  “Good. I was hoping we could do that. Drake, Mace, Krysta and the twins will eat with us. And Miss, of course. Jenet and Nellin probably won’t fit inside, right?”

  Lera smiled at the thought. “Not with all those people. Maybe one of them.” She looked at them, considering. “They’re bigger than you are when you shift.”

  “We black dragons are the smallest and most agile of all dragons. Jenet and Nellin are fully grown but young. They have only just reached adulthood and may get a little larger over the next twenty years or so. Of the black dragons, I’m the largest in this generation. It’s proportional to our human size. I’m the tallest and widest of my brothers, so I make the bigger dragon.” He smiled as he talked about something light rather than the serious deeds of the day.

  “Is Miss all right?” He sent the thought to her mind alone. Lera nodded and shrugged her shoulders. “Has she said anything to you?” This time, she shook her head slightly.

  Lera stroked the gryphlet’s head and scratched behind her ears as Hugh shifted his attention to the child.

  “Sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Hugh asked her.

  Miss sat up a little, lifting her head off Lera’s right thigh. “Sad, Hoo.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” His voice gentled as he moved closer, surrounding her and Lera both with his arms in a loose hug. More importantly, he was warming them with his dragon heat, encompassing them within the circle of his heart.

  “Can I have my boom?” Miss asked suddenly, looking up at Lera with wide, hopeful eyes.

  “Boom?” Hugh repeated, unsure of what the gryphlet had said.

  Lera smiled gently. “Your boon? Yes, little one, you can have anything you want that is within my power to give. All you have to do is ask. But make sure it’s something you want with all your heart. Something important.”

  “Very ’portant,” she said with all seriousness. “Want Hoo be my papa. Dat make you my mama too, right?”

  Lera felt tears gather in he
r eyes. Her heart opened wide to this hurt child and tucked her inside.

  “I’ll be your mother.” That was all she could manage. She looked at Hugh, knowing tears were running down her face unchecked.

  “And I’ll be your papa, little one. It would be my honor.” He reached down to hug her, including Lera in the embrace and she felt something click into place in her heart and soul. They were a family. An odd sort of family, to be sure, but a family nonetheless.

  The sparkle of magic surrounded them as Miss purred. Her sorrow at coming face to face with her sire was erased as she forged new bonds of love with Lera and Hugh. Lera felt it all through the connection that opened between them, never to be severed. A connection of the heart. Of love. Blessed by the flame that lived inside her.

  They stayed like that for a long moment, enjoying the magic that swirled around them.

  When they broke apart, the twin princes were back, standing a few feet away. Both wore puzzled grins.

  “What was that about?” Collin asked.

  “You were surrounded by some of that magic fire we saw when we arrived,” Trey added.

  “Were we?” Hugh asked, moving back. He was smiling a kwassaw whnd Lera could tell he was touched deeply by the moment they’d just shared.

  “It was a sort of purple, pink and orange flame. Just little tendrils of it,” Collin confirmed.

  “And it sparkled. Heavy magic in the air, Hugh. What for?” Trey cocked his head in question.

  “The making of a family,” Hugh replied, getting to his feet. He took Lera’s hand as Miss jumped down from the bench and stood at his side. She seemed to want to stay very close to them both, but Lera understood. The poor child had just been through a traumatic and life changing event.

  “Miss,” Hugh addressed the child. “These two are my brothers. Do you know what that makes them to you?”

  Her head tilted and she didn’t answer right away. “What, Hoo?”