The Dragon Kings Chronicles: Book 3

by Kimberly Loth

  Jude handed the stick to the old man, who held the red-hot end close to Liam’s face. “Care to change your answer?”

  “It’s the truth.” Sweat formed on his brow. This was it. He was going to die.

  The burning tip pressed against Liam’s forehead. Pain burst from his head, and he screamed. The stick was removed, and Liam took deep breaths, his forehead searing. The man gave the stick to Jude, who stuck it back into the fire for a few moments and returned again.

  The old man leaned on the table in front of Liam. “Who is the leader of the rebels, and where can I find him?”

  Liam swallowed. He didn’t have these answers. “I don’t know. I told you I’m not with the rebels. I just came to warn you about their plot with the American dragons.”

  “Wrong answer. Again.” The man grinned. He pressed the stick down on the back of Liam’s hand.

  The pain was worse than anything he’d ever felt before.

  Chapter 14

  Grace found an empty room that hadn’t been cleaned in a while. She wasn’t a maid, but she had to clear her head, and nothing did that better than a pail of hot soapy water and a filthy floor.

  She cleaned the floor, but her mind kept drifting to her conversations with Liam about Aspen, their queen.

  Liam spoke as if he knew her quite well. Either that, or she was just that well-loved in their world, and everyone knew her story. What Grace couldn’t figure out was that if Aspen was a wizard, then why did she marry the dragon king?

  Sure, they kept themselves close to the dragons; otherwise, their magic would fade, but their sole purpose was to protect the humans from dragons. Aspen couldn’t do that if she was a queen.

  Grace shook her head. Actually, that made sense. If she married the dragon king, she could protect the humans. If the king ever breathed a word about hurting them, then Aspen would be in the right place to kill him.

  Sort of like Grace and Isa.

  Grace scrubbed at the floor harder. She never thought she’d find another person like her. She wasn’t a hundred percent sure that Aspen was a wizard, and Liam hadn’t said anything about magical powers. But if Aspen was in hiding like Grace, she wouldn’t reveal her powers either, so maybe the dragons didn’t know she was a wizard. But Aspen had a dragon slayer, and Liam knew about it. And only wizards had those.

  Grace wanted to meet Aspen, but that would be impossible because she couldn’t leave the castle.

  Unless.

  No. She couldn’t think about that. She would never betray Isa.

  The door to the room banged open. “There you are.”

  Benjamin bounded over to her with Marissa in tow.

  “I never get to talk to you anymore because you are either with Isa or the prisoner,” Benjamin whined. He wouldn’t look at her. She was so tired of this.

  Marissa flung herself into a chair, and Benjamin grabbed another towel and kneeled next to her. This was typical. He’d work so he could talk to her without having to look her in the face.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.” She understood that Benjamin might want to see her, but she didn’t understand why Marissa was here. Most days, she hardly gave Grace a second glance.

  Benjamin looked around. “Pretty sure we don’t need this room.” His eyes widened, and he looked at her for the first time. “Unless they are moving the prisoner here. Are they?”

  “I needed to clear my head.”

  They were right though. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d set foot in here. Covered chairs and couches were flung around the room, and it had a wide fireplace. It’d make a nice sitting room. But they already had three of those they used.

  “Well, clear it with us instead,” Marissa said. Grace was skeptical of her intentions. Marissa usually reserved her comments toward Grace as short commands. “We want to know everything about the prisoner. You’ve been spending an awful lot of time in the dungeon. I heard he’s gorgeous.”

  “Where did you hear that from?” Grace was certain she and Isa were the only girls who had laid eyes on him. But now she understood Marissa’s motives. She probably had to talk Benjamin into hunting her down.

  “One of the guardians mentioned they were worried Isa would fall for his charms.”

  “He is nice looking, but no more so than the younger guardians.”

  “I wish I could see him.” Marissa waved a hand in front of her face, and Grace hid her grimace. This was the most Marissa had ever spoken to her. The snoop must really want information on Liam, and then she’d go right back to ignoring Grace after this.

  Benjamin worked as he spoke. “What’s he like?”

  “He’s nice.” She scrubbed harder at the floor. She hated all these questions. She wasn’t even sure what she should think about Liam at the moment.

  Marissa grabbed a towel and started dusting off a dresser. “Oh, come on, you can give us more than that. If you had to clear your head, something is bothering you.”

  “I guess I don’t understand why he’s locked up. He doesn’t seem to be a threat at all.”

  “He must have you under a spell if he’s got you thinking he’s not dangerous. Don’t you know the ones that seem the least likely to be dangerous are the ones you can’t trust at all?” Marissa whistled softly.

  Grace dropped her soapy rag. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s very polite and smart, and he’s here to help Isa, not hurt her.” Her voice raised a few notches, but she couldn’t help herself.

  “Oh my, someone’s defensive. Tell us more.”

  Grace sighed. She’d never clear her head now.

  Chapter 15

  A loud crash, followed by a scream woke Ruby from a dead sleep. Mom bolted out of bed, and Ruby followed her, rubbing her eyes. She slipped on her shoes and trailed her mom outside.

  The lamplight cast an eerie glow around them, the streets in chaos. The villagers were outside in their pajamas, holding bags or wooden crates. Everyone seemed terrified. A group of a half-dozen tall men dressed in heavy winter gear wandered around them. But the thing that stood out the most was the swords that hung at their hips like they were in some medieval movie.

  A couple of men stopped at the house next to the inn.

  “This is it? Surely you have more potatoes,” a man huffed.

  “I…I…don’t. You weren’t supposed to be here for another week. That’s all I have.”

  The man hovered over him. “And the queen has guests, so we need more food. I don’t believe you. Seamus, go check his cupboard.”

  The one called Seamus, who was far younger than the others, shoved past the man and through the door.

  “No, please,” begged the villager. “I won’t be able to feed my family. Please. I only kept back enough so we wouldn’t starve.”

  A young woman put her arms around him. “It’s okay, Dad. We’ll figure it out.”

  Skye rushed for the man and his daughter, and Ruby wasn’t about to be left behind.

  “Excuse me,” Skye said.

  “What?” the man snarled.

  “If you need food, I have money. You don’t have to take it from them. If you give me a moment, I’ll run to my room and get it.”

  The man gave a laugh. “Who are you?”

  She stood tall. “My name is Skye.”

  “Well, Skye, your money is no good to me. I need food.” He glowered at her.

  “Very well, then I will give this gentleman money to replenish the food you took.”

  The man took a step forward, hovered over Skye, and put a hand on the hilt of his sword. Ruby swallowed. If this man ran her mother through with a sword, she didn’t know what she would do.

  Seamus came out of the house carrying another bag full of what Ruby assumed was potatoes. He set the bag at the villager’s feet. Then he grabbed the sobbing young woman and yanked her into the house.

  The girl didn’t even scream or protest, but Ruby was certain she knew what was about to happen.

  “You’re American?” the evil man seemed to rise u
p in front of Skye.

  Skye nodded.

  “What are you doing here?” He crossed his arms and studied Skye with narrowed eyes.

  “Just visiting.”

  He flicked his gaze to the inn. “Cora, what is the meaning of this?” he yelled.

  The innkeeper ran toward them, her face white “We didn’t think you were coming until next week. There won’t be any guests then.”

  He moved away from Skye to Cora. “Your inn-keeping days are done. Do you understand? Those rooms are only for us.”

  She gave a stiff nod.

  “As for your guests, I suggest you take them to their room and lock them in until we leave. Unless you’d like to see your pretty daughter lose her head.” He pointed to the girl who had served them dinner.

  Skye looked back. “We’ll go.”

  “Good. And, Cora, this conversation isn’t over. We’ll be back later tonight.”

  Skye grabbed Ruby’s arm and dragged her inside the inn. Ruby had no idea what was going on, but she knew one thing for sure. She didn’t want to stay here another night.

  Chapter 16

  The next day, Marissa and Benjamin wouldn’t leave her alone, and Grace was grateful when it was finally time to bring Liam dinner. She rushed down the hall, the plate of roast chicken and green beans hot in her hands.

  Seamus grunted at her as she slipped through the door. She didn’t know what else she would say to Liam today. If she kept asking questions about Aspen, he might get suspicious.

  He laid on the stone bench under a threadbare blanket. All the things she’d brought him the last several days were gone.

  “Liam, are you okay?”

  He didn’t respond, and she set down the plate and banged on the bars. “Liam.”

  Still no response.

  She looked at the lock, and without thinking, she opened it with her mind. She rushed into the cell and found Liam unconscious. Dragon’s Teeth! He was covered in bruises, cuts, and burns. What had they done to him?

  He blinked his eyes open. “Help me,” he croaked.

  She sat on the edge of his stone bed and gripped his hand. She knew how to heal him, but if she did, he would know her secret. And everyone would want to know how he healed so fast.

  He groaned in pain, and she lifted the blanket. Deep purple bruises covered his bare stomach. He dropped back into unconsciousness, and his breathing slowed. She didn’t know the extent of his wounds, but if she didn’t do something, he could die. She couldn’t let him suffer. This wasn’t right. None of it was.

  She closed her eyes, concentrated, and healed his injuries. It took less than thirty seconds.

  She opened her eyes and found him sitting upright, staring at her. His chest and stomach now free of bruises and his face clear of the burns.

  “You healed me. How did you do that?” He looked at himself, wonder on his face.

  She shook her head, scared now. She’d never displayed her magic in front of anyone. She stood and paced the cell in front of him.

  “You can’t tell anyone. Please.”

  “I…I…won’t. But what are you? You said you weren’t a dragon. The only person I’ve ever seen heal that wasn’t a dragon was Aspen.”

  Grace very nearly faltered at the mention of the queen, but all she could think about was how she’d shown her secret to a near stranger.

  His eyes flicked to the open cell door, and she rushed for it, locking it behind her. She nearly tripped over the food but picked it up and slid it into the cubby.

  “Why would Isa do this to me?” He slumped against the wall, studying his hand.

  She stopped for just a second. “Isa wouldn’t. And if she ever finds out that you were tortured, she won’t rest until they are killed. But please, you can’t tell her either because then she’d want to know how you were healed. Oh, this is impossible. I’ve made a mess of things.”

  She turned her back to him. That was so stupid. She’d gone and ruined everything. She raced away, not sure what to do now. Her slippered feet slid on the stone stairs, and she gripped the handrail. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up flat on the floor with her own concussion.

  Everyone would find out about her magic, and she’d be banished or killed.

  Oh, she was a fool. Marissa and Benjamin warned her, but she didn’t listen. She’d let herself get too close. Too attached.

  She cared too much. If she didn’t, she would’ve just left the food and gone on her merry way, never even knowing he was hurt.

  But she had cared, so she’d gone to him, and healed him. Whoever discovered Liam would know she did it because she was the only one who came down here.

  She was in a world of trouble.

  Chapter 17

  Liam woke in the middle of the night. After Grace healed him, he had lain down and was out before he had time to even think.

  He examined his arms again. Every single burn was gone. He stretched. Nothing hurt. It was as if he’d never been tortured. He found a set of clothes in the corner and pulled the shirt over his head and tugged the pants up. They weren’t as warm as the clothes Grace had brought him, but they would have to do. He wrapped the thin blanket around himself and took out the plate of roast chicken and rolls Grace had left him. The food was cold now but still tasted good.

  He thought about the things Grace told him. He would have to keep her secret, but also, she said the queen had no idea of what was happening down here. Did that mean that the queen was innocent in all of this?

  Maybe. Maybe Grace was misinformed.

  He hated not having all the information. But that was why he was here. Wasn’t it? To figure out what was going on.

  So if Isa wasn’t in charge, who was? The old man? Or did he take his orders from someone else? The thought made Liam’s head spin. This was so much more complicated than anything he’d trained for.

  Light flickered from the hall, and his muscles tightened. He didn’t know if he’d be able to handle another torture session. But a white nose stuck itself through the bars.

  You’re back, Liam said.

  Yes, my mistress wanted to see you. The fox had chatted with him before, but he’d been more focused on Isa.

  Why?

  To talk to you. I know you think she’s evil. She’s not.

  Then who is?

  I don’t know. But I don’t like her guardians. They are hiding something from her.

  Can you talk to her like this?

  No. She does not hear me.

  That was interesting.

  Quiet footsteps padded down the hall, and Isa came into view. She smiled at him and stood closer than last time. He let her take him in, but she didn’t seem surprised at his good health. Grace could’ve lied to him. Isa might be behind the torture session yesterday, but he didn’t think so. His instincts had always been good. It was why Felix agreed to take him on.

  “Your Majesty,” he said.

  She grinned. “You told me last time that you are a dragon.”

  “Yes.”

  “What color are you? I’ve heard there is a rainbow in the United States, but I’ve never seen any dragons but my emerald green ones.”

  “I’m gold.”

  She sucked in a breath, and her blue eyes flashed. “You’re a royal dragon. Like me.”

  “Yes. So you are silver?”

  She dropped her shoulders. “I’ve never spread my wings, so I don’t know. I just know for a fact that I’m not a forest dragon.” She took a few steps closer.

  “Why?” This was not what he expected from her. She wasn’t some bold, fierce woman. She was a scared girl.

  “Because I don’t have green eyes.”

  “No, I mean why can’t you spread your wings?”

  “It’s part of my burden as queen. I’m not allowed to be a dragon.”

  He wanted to know more, but as long as she was here and talking, he had to plead his case even though everything he was telling her was a lie.

  “Isa, you’re in danger from the Amer
ican dragons, and no one knows them like I do. Let me out, and I promise I won’t hurt you. I can’t help you from in here.”

  “I…I…can’t.”

  Liam let out a breath of frustration. “Aren’t you the queen?”

  She stood a little taller. “I am.”

  “So what’s stopping you?”

  “Fear that I might be wrong. You could kill me.”

  She was close enough to his cell that he could reach out and grab her if he wanted. He could kill her if that was his plan. But he wasn’t sure if that should be his plan or not. He needed more information first, and he couldn’t get that locked up in a cell.

  He reached for her hand, and she jumped back. She stared at his waiting hand for several long seconds. Then she raced down the hall.

  He flung himself onto his bed. He was stuck.

  Still.

  Chapter 18

  Grace caught Benjamin early the next morning as he was bringing the eggs up. “Can you do me a favor?” she asked.

  He dropped his eyes. “Sure, what’s up?”

  “Can you bring the food to the prisoner for me today?”

  “Why? Didn’t Isa ask you to do that?” He creased his eyebrows.

  “I have some other things I have to do this morning. Can you do it? Please?” She didn’t want Liam questioning her abilities. She’d never shown them to anyone before.

  Benjamin set down the bucket of eggs and searched her eyes. It was something he hadn’t done in years. “Are you okay? Did he do something to you?”

  Grace took a step back and wrapped her arms around herself. She didn’t know how to explain her fears about Liam without incriminating herself or him. “No. He can’t. He’s locked up.”

  “Did he say something that bothered you?”

  Grace swallowed. She couldn’t have Benjamin acting suspicious now too. “If you must know, Isa’s been more demanding lately, and I don’t have time to do it all. You know how she is. Anyway, can you bring him food for a few days while I deal with Isa? Please.”