The back door banged open, and Baden flew in, landing hard on the table, sending food flying everywhere.
Gabe and Trinity stopped arguing. Odin froze, and the whole room went quiet.
Aspen jumped up, her anxiety spiking. “Baden. What’s going on?”
He and collapsed. “Food and water first.”
“Is he alive or dead?” Aspen asked, ignoring his request.
“Alive.” Baden drew in deep breaths. “But he’s imprisoned. I can’t get him out. I’ll go back tomorrow, but I needed to come home and let you know that this will take longer than planned.”
Sid didn’t know what to say. Everyone in the room had gone quiet except Odin, who chattered on and banged on his plate. This was something everyone wanted to hear.
“How did you get in?” Sid asked.
Baden stood up tall. “Oh, there’s a story. I watched the back door. A girl was bringing in snow for their icebox, and I followed her in. No one saw a thing. I’ve mastered my camouflage.” The room erupted with chatter and questions. Baden snatched up a roll and ate it.
Sid chewed on his bottom lip. If Baden could get in, Liam could get out. He didn’t have the skills Baden did, but he had others.
“We want to know about the castle and the queen. Surely, you explored the castle,” Aspen said.
“Wait a second,” Sid said. “Let’s focus on what’s important. How is Liam being treated?” His son was the most important aspect of this whole story.
“Good, he’s being fed regularly, and he’s made friends with the servant girl who brings him his food. He’s in high spirits.” Baden snatched up a few grapes from the fruit bowl.
“Did you talk to him?”
“Yes. He’s confused.”
Liam had a good head on his shoulders. If Liam was confused, then he must be hurt. Sid’s stomach twisted.
“What do you mean?”
“The queen is the one who rescued him, and so he thinks she’s not a bad person.”
Sid clenched his fists. Liam had been hoodwinked by her. Maybe she had magic like the white witch. “But she killed our dragons.”
“He didn’t know about that, and when I tried to explain that to him, he seemed to think we’re mistaken. That she was not the one who ordered it.”
Sid moved his food around on his plate and thought for a moment. Murmurs broke out around the table, and Baden helped himself to fried chicken.
“He saw Felix die. How can he think she’s good?” Sid asked.
Baden dropped a chicken leg. “I asked him about that. He said she only killed him because she thought he was a threat.”
“Has she bewitched him in some way?”
Baden bobbed his head up and down. “She’s very pretty. It’s possible he’s just infatuated with her.”
Ruby snorted. “Typical.”
Sid wanted to lash out at her. That wasn’t true at all.
“No way,” Damon said. “That’s not Liam. He likes girls, but he never lets them cloud his judgment.”
“Anything else?” Sid asked. Baden had given him a lot to think about.
“I don’t think so. Once I return, I will stay there until I have news to report or I bring Liam home.”
“I want you to report to me once every two weeks even if there isn’t news. That way I will know you are still alive, and if we don’t hear from you, we’ll send out someone to find you.”
Baden nodded and turned to Skye. “Is there dessert?”
“Yes, pie. I will bring it out.” She laughed.
Aspen gripped Sid’s hand and he allowed himself to relax for the first time since Liam disappeared. “He’s still alive.”
Lying in bed was useless. Even though Baden had brought good news, Sid still couldn’t sleep. Yes, Liam was alive, but he was still in the dungeon of a dragon who slaughtered several of his people and somehow had convinced Liam that she’s not the bad guy.
He checked his phone one more time. Two-thirty.
He got up and was surprised to find lights on in the kitchen.
Rowan and Ruby sat at the table, both with coffee cups in hand.
“Coffee’s hot,” Rowan said.
Sid poured himself a cup and sat with them. “What are you two doing up?”
Rowan gave Ruby a wink. “This is the only time of day when she and I can get any peace. A few times a week, we’re up at the same time and we just sit and listen to the quiet.”
Sid chuckled. “I guess with ten kids, quiet is hard to find.”
Ruby groaned. “You have no idea. I’m not having any kids.”
“What are you doing up?” Rowan asked.
Sid sighed and ran a hand down his face. “Thinking about Liam.”
Rowan gripped Sid’s hand. “Liam’s going to be okay. I promise.”
“You can’t make that promise.”
“I know. But Liam is resourceful, and he trained under the best. Once he realizes he’s in over his head, he’ll come home. Baden will make sure of that.”
“And if he can’t?”
“Let’s not think about that.”
“I want to help,” Ruby blurted.
Sid stared her straight in the eyes. “No. I will not have more of you kids involved. One’s enough.”
Ruby let out an exasperated sigh. “Not like that. I’m great at researching. Let me see if I can find any information out on the European dragons and their queen. After what I saw in Buidseach, I can’t just sit around doing nothing. You have a decent library, but if I need to I can check out the library cave as well.”
“The library cave?”
Rowan chuckled. “It’s what my kids call Everett’s cave. They never knew him, so it became the library cave. But Ruby, you’ll have to make do with Sid’s library. School is here.”
She sat taller. “I can go home on the weekends.”
Sid didn’t want this to turn into a squabble. “I think it’s a good idea. But only in your spare time. You know who’d be good to help you? Damon. He’s gonna need something to keep his mind off of things anyway.”
“No offense, but I think Damon will just get in the way.”
“He knows his way around a book and research. He and Liam were always getting into trouble. Liam was the action, but Damon was the brains.”
Ruby gave a slow nod. “Well, I’m going to go get started. See you all later.”
Chapter 29
“Should I let Liam out?” Isa asked again. She’d been mulling this over in her mind, and she couldn’t decide the right thing to do.
Grace stopped lacing up her dress and came around to face her. “I thought he was dangerous.”
Isa rubbed the bridge of her nose. They’d talked about this already. Never once had Grace mentioned he was dangerous. “Since when do you think that?”
“I don’t.” Her voice was deadpanned. “I just don’t want to be responsible if he is.”
“So, do you think I should let him out?”
Grace went back around and continued lacing up the dress. Isa wasn’t sure why she was being evasive. She thought Grace would jump at the chance to let Liam out. Isa had seen all the things Grace brought him. She obviously liked him.
“I think that decision lies solely with you. I wouldn’t want to give you wrong advice and then wish I hadn’t.”
Isa was frustrated but appreciated that she held the role of queen, not Grace.
“Okay. Well, I’m going to let him out. Will you stand with me?”
“Of course. And I would be more than willing to continue taking care of him. I will make sure he settles in well and can find his way around.”
“Thank you. That will be most helpful.” Nerves danced in Isa’s belly. She’d never done anything like this before, and it could go badly if things didn’t work like she wanted them to.
Isa wore red today, a power color. She had Grace leave her hair down, but she put a crown on. It had a silver ring with jewels that fell across her forehead. One dripped almost to the bridge of her nos
e. She rarely wore a crown, but today, she was asserting herself.
Grace took her time with the makeup, creating fierce eyes and blood-red lips. Isa stood and examined herself in the mirror. “How do I look?”
“Like a queen.”
“Will you fetch Drew for me? Then, meet me in my study.”
Grace bowed, and Isa appreciated it. Normally she wouldn’t, but today, Isa was all queen. Grace left, and Isa settled into her chair and thought about her plan.
Jude would’ve been her first choice, but he was too loyal to Pierre. None of the older guardians would work, and she didn’t like Seamus. Drew always seemed moldable. She’d never needed that particular skill before, but today, it would come in handy. If he did as she asked, she would have to keep him close because Pierre wouldn’t trust him anymore.
She took her time getting to the study, steeling herself. She had to be on top of things. She hoped Grace and Drew would already be there, but she got there first. She sat at the desk and waited. A few moments later, Drew came in with Grace. He stumbled a bit when he saw her and then bowed. “Your Majesty, how can I help you?”
Isa stood. She was nearly the same height as Drew and could look him in the eye.
“Drew, tell me, who do you answer to? Me or Pierre?” She used her strongest, most authoritative voice.
“You, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Answer me this also. If I were to tell you to kill Pierre, would you do it?”
He swallowed. “Ye…ye…yes, Your Majesty.”
“Very good. Now, go arm yourself from the weapons room. Make sure you have at least two swords on your belt as well as several additional knives. The more that are visible, the better off you will be.”
He hesitated for a moment as Isa knew he would. Grace stood behind him, smirking. She knew what Isa was up to.
“Do you want me to kill Pierre, Your Majesty?” He wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead.
Isa chuckled. “No. You will not be killing anyone today. Unless that person directly defies me. I need to know that you will listen to me if I need you to. You are my backup plan. Do you understand?”
Drew nodded.
It was time to go get Liam.
The End
Dear Reader,
Squee!!! She’s letting Liam out. Of course, there will be hell to pay, but good books are built on conflict. By now, we know that Isa isn’t the bad guy, but who is? Don’t look at me; I’m not spilling those beans yet, haha.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this book. The shorter soapy format is new for me, but I have to say I love it so much. It’s been so much fun to write.
This series will be at least twenty books, and I’ll be releasing them all super close together, so make sure you go get book four now! www.KimberlyLoth.com/TDKChronicles4.
Also, if you loved this book or even if you hated it, please leave a review. www.KimberlyLoth.com/TDKChronicles3.
If you’re new to the Dragons Kings world, and you want to know how Sid and Aspen found each other, you can find The Dragon Kings here www.KimberlyLoth.com/TDKboxset.
Love you guys! Thanks for taking this journey with me.
XOXO
Kim
PS Stay in touch!
We’re going to spend the rest of the year having one big party to celebrate all my upcoming releases. Come join us: facebook.com/groups/KimberlyLothReleaseParty
Want to discuss my books with other like-minded people? Join my FB group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/KimsBookDragons
Be the first to know about all my upcoming releases, events, and giveaways by becoming a FB fan! (https://www.facebook.com/kimberlylothbooks/) Or even better (and more reliable) join my newsletter :) (https://www.subscribepage.com/KLoth).
If you want to see adorable pictures of my puppy and my travels, follow me on Instagram. http://instagram.com/kimberlylothbooks
Want More from Kimberly Loth?
Kimberly Loth has published several series. Read on for sneak peaks from each one.
The Dragon Kings: Obsidian
Circus of the Dead Book 1
The Thorn Chronicles: Midnight Angel
Stella and Sol: God of the Sun
Sons of the Sand: The Smoking Lamp
Michigan Millionaires: Lukas
“May I see your tattoo?” Sid asked, startling Aspen.
“My what?”
“Your tattoo, the one on your ankle.”
“Oh, sure.” Until tonight, she’d been super careful about keeping the tat covered. Sid was the first person to see it, and she wanted to show it off a bit.
He slid onto the floor and pulled her foot into his lap.
Shivers ran up her spine. He slowly traced the words with his finger and whispered under his breath.
Aspen’s first instinct was to pull her foot away, but she enjoyed it as much as it tortured her. She bit her lip and waited for him let go. Instead, he adjusted so that he could see her, but he continued to hold her foot in his lap.
“When did you get this?” he asked.
“Um, about a month ago. It’s not really a tattoo.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“It’s gonna sound crazy, but it’s a dragon marking. It appeared when I touched that black dragon.”
He let go of her foot, moved onto the couch, and pressed the play button on the remote.
About halfway through the movie, her eyes refused to stay open. After fighting with them for fifteen minutes, she gave in, allowed them to close, and settled her head into a soft warm pillow.
Ella shook her awake. “Aspen,” she whispered. “We need to go.”
“No,” Aspen said and closed her eyes.
Ella shook Aspen again. “Come on, we’ve got to leave. You can’t stay here.”
“Yes, she can,” Aspen’s pillow said.
“I was trying not to wake you up, Sid,” Ella said. “I’m sorry.”
“No worries.” He brushed hair out of Aspen’s face.
Aspen shot up, embarrassed. She stumbled around the couch looking for her boots. Ella handed them to her.
“Here ya go.”
“Thanks,” Aspen mumbled.
Aspen fumed. His lap was not where her head should have been.
Download now: www.kimberlyloth.com/obsidian
Want the whole box set? www.kimberlyloth.com/TDKboxset
"A price for a night off would be a kiss. That’s all.”
“A kiss.”
I’ve fiercely protected my heart, and I want it to be special. I’m not kissing anyone until I know he’s worth it. Samuel is definitely not worth it.
He chuckles. “What’s the matter? You don’t want to give me your first kiss? I underestimated your need to get out of here.”
“How did you know?”
He closes the distance and runs a finger along my jaw.
“Obeah man. I know more than you think?”
“Then you know what a kiss means for me.”
“Of course. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked you for it. It has to mean something.”
A night in New Orleans meant freedom.
He drops his lips and whispers in my ear. “Surely you can see the loophole. Get off the island, ditch Juliette, and hop on a plane. What are you waiting for?”
I jerk away. “Why would you…”
His eyes are deadly serious as he puts a finger to his lips. A sign to keep quiet.
He’s helping me.
Download now:
www.kimberlyloth.com/CircusOfTheDead1
Want the whole box set?
www.kimberlyloth.com/CODboxset
I cleared my throat. Dwayne smiled a wide toothy smile and my father glowered like I’d done something wrong. Which, of course I had, but it would be worth the punishment if I got the answers I needed.
“Could someone please explain?” There. I asked the question. So out of character for me and yet satisfying in a strange way, like the way I felt when a teacher praised me for a good job. I bit my bottom li
p and tasted butterscotch, which was weird because the cake we had, contained nothing of the sort. While I knew asking questions was not an act of disobedience, I also recognized the power in the asking. As if I was taking control, even if that control was small. I took a sip of my water. Father hesitated for a moment and then frowned. He looked up and saw my mother standing in the kitchen, her eyes boring into his. He didn’t look away from her when he answered me.
“You’ll be marrying Dwayne.”
Download now: www.kimberlyloth.com/midnight
Want the whole box set? www.kimberlyloth.com/boxset
The prince entered and sauntered up the path to the thrones. He didn’t seem awed or nervous of my guards. A little too cocky for my taste.
He wore white billowy shirts that opened at the neck with a necklace that rested on the hollow of their neckline. It was a simple necklace, with no jewels.
Just before he reached the stairs to the thrones, he stopped and bowed. The prince rose from his bow and looked at my father.
“I am High Prince Leo, the fifth son of High King Ajax of Stella. I have come to see if it would be possible to join our kingdoms.”
His voice was rich and lilting. He had a devastating smile, rich caramel skin, and dark piercing eyes.
Father glared down at him. That was a bold statement for a prince in foreign territory. “How exactly would we join our kingdoms?”
His eyes met mine. “Through marriage of course. I have no kingdom of my own. Marriage would create a partnership that I think we have both longed for.”
I always knew I would have to marry a prince.
Never had I imagined a barbarian prince would seek my hand.
Download now: www.kimberlyloth.com/sun
Want the whole box set? www.kimberlyloth.com/ssbox
The Dragon Kings Chronicles: Book 3 Page 7
