His fingers crept beneath her shirt, tracing along her spine. The sensation both comforted and thrilled her.
She sighed, surrendering to the ebb and flow of emotions through their bond. Grief. Joy. Commitment.
Desire.
It was nothing like Shance’s effusive words and extravagant gestures. Instead, it was a slow, steady trickle, as gentle as the mountain streams of the Cloudpeaks. Kesia pushed away just enough to ease her fingers beneath the edges of his shirt.
She paused. How did one even say this?
He stared down at her, tracing her lips with the tip of his finger.
Zephryn chuckled, his skin flushing darker. So odd that in the Pinnacle, she had feared being naked. Right now, anything less was unacceptable.
Slowly he slipped off her shirt, and she his. She ran her fingers over his bare chest freely, without fear of punishment, enjoying his touch in return. Anxious for nothing. There was only moment by moment closeness and pleasure.
Nearness. Security.
Need.
Until all they were was joined, and nothing more could part them.
And then, rest.
Curled up in each other’s arms once more, Kesia rested her head against Zephryn’s chest, tracing his scales, the rhythm of his heartflame keeping time with hers.
He traced the edge of her hip.
She chuckled.
Kesia settled against him, and her eyes closed in perfect peace.
***
“So, how was it?”
Kesia stared at the silver clipse-mirror in disbelief. Was Countess Nula really asking this? “Excuse me? I don’t know you that well. And our sexuality isn’t any of your concern.”
“Oh, fine. I was only teasing.” The Countess leaned forward, her gray eyes sharp even from a distance. She had called to ask Zephryn a question but seemed perfectly willing to speak with Kesia as well. “Of course, now you’ll need to deal with Windkeeper. It seems he fell pretty hard for you, which is silly, considering you never were free to pursue. At least, that’s what I’ve heard from dragons with embermates.”
“Shance and I are on good terms. He isn’t an issue.” Kesia pressed her lips together. Why did her skin keep flushing all the time? There were many advantages to scales over skin, the masking of feelings topping the list. “I am not discussing this with you. I am waiting for you to tell me about the situation in the Scepter of Commerce, since that’s what you called about.”
Countess Nula looked disappointed, but she shrugged. “It goes well. After Nightstalker and Windkeeper left, General Markem brought forth the evidence he’s been collecting against Brody. The Congruency had no choice but to prosecute him, along with my parents and several other key members of the Curious Intrigue. The balance of power is shifting. Naturally, there is some backlash, but the situation appears to be well in hand.”
“And you’re fine with your parents being imprisoned?”
“It needed to happen. I now have the freedom and security I wanted, and they’re not supporting a sham war anymore. Everyone wins.” The countess paused to take a sip of wine. “And I don’t have to worry about marrying someone I don’t want to.”
“True.”
Kesia sat back in the wooden seat and played with the ends of her hair, staring at the wall. The green strands continued to multiply. As it turned out, her ability to absorb the green smoke was sought after among the rebels at the Lawless outpost. As soon as she healed, her services would apparently be in much demand.
She could live with the color. Zephryn’s quiet reassurance helped. So far.
What would Shance say? She hadn’t seen him in a few days, which wasn’t surprising, considering the size of the outpost. It was spread across different outcroppings of rock in the Edgefell Peaks, some of which were used for housing members of the Lawless, but the majority of which was a well-hidden hangar for ships.
At least, that’s what the specifications said in the Lawless information journals. She and Zephryn hadn’t left their small suite in the last few days. A time of uninterrupted rest was recommended by the caregiver. They had made the most of it, splitting their time between intimacy, reading, and sleeping. It had been refreshing, but after three days, Kesia was ready to explore. Thankfully, the general meeting was today.
In a few minutes. She needed to end this call.
“Kesia?” She turned back to the clipse-mirror. Countess Nula’s expression was vulnerable, almost sad. “I’m sorry for what I had to do in the hangar. You didn’t deserve it, and I admired how you stood up to the Congruency. It was stupid but very bold. And I wanted to let you know you could call me Nula, if you want.”
“Why?” Kesia asked. Nula flinched as if she had been slapped. Kesia quickly added, “I mean, I don’t understand the significance of this. I understand why you turned me in. And I don’t mind using your first name.”
The countess chuckled. “I forget that you are entirely a dragon, aren’t you?”
“I believe so.”
“I appreciate your bluntness. I wish humans were more like that. I don’t really fit in with them. I don’t mind it most of the time, but sometimes...”
Understanding settled in Kesia’s heart. “I’d like to call you Nula. And you’ll have some more experiences with dragons soon. Now that the tide has officially shifted to the Lawless in your city, additional dragons will be sent into the Scepter of Commerce to begin rebuilding relationships. Tiers Sunscaler is nearly ready and will depart after the general meeting today. He’s been charged to work closely with you to ensure a successful reestablishment of open dragon relations.”
“I see.” Nula raised her eyebrows. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to set me up with a man.”
“He isn’t a man. He’s a dragon. It doesn’t work like that.”
“True, he already has someone.”
Kesia shook her head. “Not necessarily. Not everyone meets their embermate as young as Zephryn and I did.”
Nula chuckled again. “Speaking of which, where is yours?”
“Zephryn is receiving a fresh coat of slatesheen. I’ll see him at the meeting which is starting—” Kesia glanced at the timescreen on the wall. “In one minute. I need to go!”
She clicked off the screen, then paused. She had forgotten a leave-taking! Humans said good-bye or something else when they were leaving. There were so many customs to learn. Considering the new assignment she and Zephryn had received, she would have to learn quickly.
Kesia stood and smoothed the form-fitting buttoned shirt, corset, and long, narrow skirt that fell to her ankles. Her attire was practice for the fashion of the Scepter of Knowledge, and in its current state was completely unacceptable to her. She would have to speak to someone about adding slits to the sides of the skirt. Otherwise, it would be ridiculous to run or fight in.
She exited her quarters and walked down the hallway. Minerals lined the rocks on either side, their patterns interrupted by more doorways. At the end, the passage opened into a large meeting area with tables and chairs strewn about. A large window covered an entire wall and gave a scenic view of the Western Reach.
Kesia walked to the long table in front of the window, which was already filled with members of the Lawless. Zephryn had kept the chair next to him conspicuously empty. Shance sat across from the empty chair.
He smirked as she walked over, his blue eyes twinkling.
“Decided to come up for air?” Shance asked in a low tone.
She flashed him a smile
. “I was breathing the entire time. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been enjoyable.”
“Aha.” He mock-sighed. “And to think when I first met you, you didn’t even know what sex was. The pupil has become the—”
Kesia raised her eyebrows and let a flame dance in the palm of her hand. “The what?”
“The very wise colleague.” He winked. “Who is always ready to defend her friend and brother. By the way, I see you’ve started eating more green vegetables.”
“What?”
Shance tugged at her hair. “I noticed on the ship. Is it because of the green smoke?”
“Yeah.” She sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
His sympathy almost undid the careful barrier over her feelings. Kesia laughed shortly. “As you said. Too many vegetables.”
“Indeed.”
She laughed louder, rib cage pressing against the corset. What was wrong with human females that they agreed to wear such garments? Maybe it was fitted too tightly.
She felt a wave of amusement through her bond.
Her smile widened.
Footsteps echoed through the chamber. A moment later, Commander Annabel Tegan sat next to Shance, stiff and quiet in her Congruency uniform of black tabard over a dark blue shirt. Officers weren’t required to fit in with local Scepter fashions.
Kesia cleared her throat. This would be a good time to practice conversation. “So, you are not infiltrating the Scepter of Knowledge, then?”
“At this point, no.” Her lips twitched, but otherwise her round face remained placid. “General Markem assigned me to keep watch on the ship, so that is what I intend to do.”
“And she does a great job.” Shance smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Keeps everything in line well.”
Tegan only nodded once in thanks.
Kesia mentally nudged Zephryn.
Captain Tegan’s eyes darted back and forth between them, aware of the presence of mind speech, but never able to comprehend or join it. Kesia’s heart sank. The half-dragon lived in her own isolation. Perhaps, someday, that would be alleviated, and they could talk.
“Shall we begin?” The new voice was plain and firm. A dragon stood at the head of the table, smiling faintly, his narrow eyes calm. Golden scales patterned his tawny skin. Kesia fought to steady her heart. She hadn’t even heard him enter the room.
She opened a private link with Zephryn.
Sunscaler cleared his throat. “I’ll keep this short. Lord Garishton Ironfire’s forces are already repairing the damage to the Pinnacle tower, and while we may be swaying the Scepter of Commerce, the Curious Intrigue is deeply entrenched in the other three Scepters. Only by gaining majority support in all Scepters can we issue a Declaration of Return for the Scepter of Justice, who can then officially end the war. This is clear?”
Kesia nodded, along with the others around the table. Sunscaler picked at his tabard. He was dressed for the Scepter of Commerce, and given his usual comfort in going around shirtless—typical for male Lawless dragons in general—he was still getting used to his new clothing. At least Kesia wasn’t the only one uncomfortable in her attire. “Our latest update on the Scepter of Knowledge is disturbing. It seems Cadence Folham, our strongest supporter in the General Assembly, has lost all passion for debating the call for cessation of hostilities. Without his leadership, many of his advisors have also stopped their protests, and without their voice in the General Assembly, the Lawless cause is greatly weakened.”
“So we should find this Folham and learn what happened?” Zephryn asked.
Sunscaler passed out dossiers to each of them. “Yes, your highness. Please be advised, these are actual paper documents and are not at all resistant to water, unlike the coated documents from the Scepter of Commerce.”
“Where’s the intelligence in using lesser quality?” Kesia muttered, flipping through the files.
“Apparently paper is a large income for the area. Many tree farms are located in the vicinity of the city.”
Shance raised his eyebrows. “Um, why does that matter?”
“You never know what details could be important, Captain Windkeeper.” Sunscaler shot a glare at Shance, then cleared his throat again. “This is considered a top priority mission. The Curious Intrigue lost the first battle. They will increase their aggression, and we must be prepared.”
Kesia glanced at her file. “An elocution acolyte?”
Zephryn paged through his own file.
Sunscaler nodded. “They prize debate and public speaking highly. That title should allow you and Zephryn into all major functions. Observe and if you must engage, take care to learn the expectations first. Princess Ironfire, you will also infiltrate the scientific community and investigate the green smoke.”
His words seemed to come from a distance. Princess Ironfire. Not a convict. Not a criminal. The title was hers through her embermate bond, but most of the dragons she’d encountered since arriving at the Lawless outpost had simply avoided referring to her directly at all. When necessary, they had only said—
“Your highness?” Sunscaler studied her politely. “Did you hear me?”
Kesia nodded, shrugging off her thoughts. There were more important matters to consider, such as her association with the green smoke. The caregivers and doctors at the Lawless outpost were still examining her blood. They simply didn’t have the facilities to analyze all that Garishton had done to her. And if he had experimented on her with the green smoke, it was certain that he had done so to others. His plans had to go beyond disabling Talents.
Sunscaler continued, “Captain Windkeeper will assist you as needed, but his primary duties are contacting and persuading the local military to join the Lawless cause.”
Kesia frowned. “Won’t they try to attack us?”
Shance shook his head, but Zephryn spoke first. “What happened in the Scepter of Commerce doesn’t concern them. Each city-state has their own legal system and jurisdiction. In the Scepter of Knowledge, the ban against dragons has always been more theoretical than strictly implemented unless there is bloodshed. Even then, only the dragons responsible are prosecuted. Behave yourselves, and humans will ignore the possibility that you are dangerous, unless you are accused in an assembly. Even then, you have a right to defend yourself.”
“He’s right,” Shance added. “The Congruency holds the four Scepters together in a loose alliance, but they’ve always had individual au
tonomy. Which is why the Lawless are seeking a cessation of support for hostilities through the assemblies. There’s been enough killing already.”
Pryenil smiled faintly at the airship captain’s words, but otherwise, kept quiet. Although Kesia wasn’t one to judge. The idea of speaking out in an assembly twisted knots in her stomach.
Concern emanated from him.
Somehow, an unknown assembly seemed far worse.
Kesia swallowed more doubt. As long as she could handle any spywork and fighting, she would be fine. And the green smoke. She could handle the green smoke, literally.
Sunscaler was speaking again, “Above all else, support each other. Don’t let them divide your team.”
Zephryn raised his eyebrows. “Divide us?”
“Every possible viewpoint has a voice in the Scepter of Knowledge. And each group is actively recruiting to make their collective voice louder.” Sunscaler grimaced. “From our experiences, these groups will have no qualms creating discord in order to fill their ranks.”
Kesia winced in agreement.
“Unless there are any further questions?”
Silence.
“Good. Meeting adjourned.”
Acknowledgements
Thanks be to God. I create because I am fearfully, wonderfully created.
A huge thank you to my husband, Stephen Ippolito. Your support is invaluable and essential.
Major thanks to Julia Busko for being a tireless feedback machine during the early stages of developing this world and for encouraging me to put in all the things! Also, awesome work on the cover.
Much appreciation to line editor Sarah McConahy, who makes sure my stories are grounded, and proofreader Sarah Delena White, for stressing out over all the little details and making sure I did too.
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