I noted most of the guests soon joined the riders in their chant. Those that weren’t sure, took a quick glance at their neighbors and fell in with the rest.
Ansel stood and held up his goblet. I smiled as I recognized it was the ceramic goblet I had made for him for his eighteenth birthday. The one with the two dragons wrapped around the bowl, their tails entwined down the stem. He offered me his hand, which I took as I rose and stood close to him, raising my own goblet.
The attention of the entire hall drew to Ansel and me. My mouth went dry. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. If I kept my focus on my fellow dragon riders, I could actually manage an outward calm.
“Thank you, my esteemed guests,” Ansel began in a resonant voice. “My bride and I are very pleased that you could join us in our celebration.”
He turned to me, we toasted and drank, which was then repeated throughout the hall.
Ansel scanned the tables, a radiant smile on his face. An air of regal grace emanated from him. I gazed up at my husband with utmost pride.
“Lords and ladies, my fellow dragon riders have initiated a request for the tale.”
The rider’s table broke into shouts and clapping. If there is one thing my brotherhood of riders can do, it’s adding an atmosphere of revelry to every occasion. I had no worries this would be a stuffy affair.
“As requested,” Ansel continued, “we’ll recount the circumstances of our meeting and what brought us to this most special day.”
He turned to me. “If you’ll allow me to start my lady?”
I nodded.
“The tale began for me the day I awoke to find myself shackled and chained in a cell in the dungeon of this very castle.”
Most had never heard the story. Expressions of shock spread around the room. I marveled at the way Ansel could stir up emotion.
“I awaited my execution. It was my fortune Galtero happened to be away at the time of my capture, else I’d not be telling this tale. I paced the filthy chamber — my chains only allowed three steps in either direction — and cursed myself that my own foolishness had been the cause of my situation. Hope did not shine brightly in that cell. Not that I’d given up, but my outlook was bleak. The future of Teravinea did not bode well.”
Ansel paused. I blinked back a tear.
He took a breath and went on. “A racket down the corridor put me on my guard. This meant either they’d come to take me to my end, or it could be my last chance of escape. I dropped down and took a position sitting on the floor, with my knees drawn up and my head resting on them. Someone unlatched my cell door and entered. He whispered my name. I stayed silent. Again, I heard my name, but didn’t answer. This time it came from a closer distance.
“I watched out of the corner of my eye. It was a young boy who’d entered. He put his weapons down and approached slowly. Here was my chance. When he came close enough, I leaped up to strangle him with my chains. His speed surprised me. He evaded my attack, and turned to counter me.”
I took my eyes from Ansel to survey the room. All the tables were silent. Even the serving people slowed their tasks, hanging on Ansel’s words.
He continued, “Burning with anger that this slight boy could best me, I challenged him to unchain me and fight fairly. He, instead revealed my aunt, the Healer, had sent him to my rescue.
“To my shame, I broke foul on him. Cursing him, I accused him of lying and said my aunt wouldn’t have sent a boy to do a man’s job.”
Ansel turned to me and nodded. I took up the story. “He was correct. His aunt didn’t send a boy, she sent a girl ... me.”
Heads tilted, eyebrows raised. A small rustle of whispers ran through the hall, like fallen leaves blowing across cobblestones.
“Don’t fault your king for not recognizing a female.”
I smiled at Ansel. The riders laughed.
“I was disguised as a male. Very convincingly, I’ll add.”
Words of affirmation came from my friends, stares of disbelief from my audience.
“It was my duty to get the Healer’s nephew safely to where my dragon, Eshshah waited at the Castle Outpost. Between his stubbornness and mine, it’s a wonder we actually survived. Only because of Eshshah were we able to navigate the corridors under the castle.”
Ansel took over. “Of course she would leave out the fact that through my fault she was grievously wounded. We inadvertently found ourselves in a chamber occupied by a ferocious black lizard. The same you probably saw wandering the grounds at the ceremony.”
Echoes of fear came from our guests. A woman stifled a scream.
I shook my head and shot a reprimanding glance at Ansel, “No need to fear the Black Lizard. He’s as gentle as the other dragons. Charna was an experiment gone poorly. Created by Galtero in an effort to breed his own species of dragon, the poor lizard had been starved and mistreated. When live meat walked into his chambers, he sought to take advantage. I nearly lost my foot to him. Instead, his venomous bite, like a hatching dragon’s bite, linked me to him.”
I gestured for Ansel to continue.
“Even in her pain, Amáne kept up her ruse as a male. I couldn’t help being impressed with her fortitude, or his fortitude,” he shrugged, “as he tried to hide his pain and get me to safety. Unbeknownst to me, Eshshah directed us through the maze of passages several levels below. While admiring my rescuer’s perseverance, I also questioned his sanity. He spoke with his dragon out loud instead of using thought transference. I was convinced he thought he heard voices.”
“It seemed an impossible task, but we made it to the Castle Outpost,” I said. “Since there had been no dragons in Teravinea in our lifetime, Eshshah and I decided we would introduce her to Ansel ... King Ansel ... slowly, so he wouldn’t be alarmed. In retrospect, he deserved to be scared witless at that point.”
Ansel and I turned to each other at the same time. A corner of his mouth lifted.
Laughter rippled through the hall.
“I was pleased to see his shock at coming face-to-face with a full-grown dragon, and at his look of incredulity when I removed my helmet and he realized I was a girl. But, then the surprise turned on me when my dragon bowed before my troublesome charge. Eshshah, being of the royal dragon line, recognized King Ansel as a Drekinn, true heir to the throne.”
“I don’t know whose eyes went wider, hers or mine,” said Ansel. “Eshshah has remarkable healing powers, but could only give Amáne a quick treatment to subdue her pain. We had to leave before daylight. She endured a stressful three-hour flight back to the Dorsal Outpost where the Healer waited for us. It was during the day-and-a-half when my bride lay unconscious, that I discovered I was falling in love with this remarkable girl.”
He pulled me close and kissed my forehead, then my lips. His kiss was like fire. The riders clapped and whistled. I blushed.
“To my vexation, she refused my advances and continued to reject me for quite some time.”
My eyes scanned the hall and I couldn’t mistake the disbelief reflecting on the women’s faces, as if I couldn’t be more of a dolt for refusing Ansel’s attentions.
I jumped in, “I had a duty to protect King Ansel, and to train for an upcoming quest. We needed our kingdom back and I had to put my efforts into our mission, before I listened to my heart.”
Ansel laughed at my defensive retort.
“In truth,” Ansel said, “it wasn’t easy for her. I saw her turmoil. I knew in my heart she loved me, but she insisted on holding me off until she completed her quest to procure a dragon egg. It turned out to be Sovann’s egg. He hatched shortly after Amáne’s return and linked with me. After that, she had no choice but to surrender to her feelings.” He gave me a smug look. “... and to me.”
I took over. “He proposed via dragonback. It was the most brilliantly romantic betrothal ever brought off.”
“And she said, ‘yes,’ and here we are.”
The room exploded with cheers, clapping and laughter.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The musicians struck up a lively tune as tables were cleared and moved to the edges of the room. Ansel led me to the center of the hall where we danced the first galliard, a courtly processional dance, which included leaps and skips in time to the music. Ansel had been helping me learn this dance for the last several weeks. He was graceful. In comparison, I was inept. I held my breath through the first few steps, hoping I wouldn’t trip over my feet. The guests were invited to join us. I relaxed under Ansel’s expert guidance.
The afternoon swept by. The dancing, the music, even the ballads about me, all made for a magical day.
I stood in conversation with one of the guests, Lady Eidel of Tramoren. Our discussion was interrupted by a middle-aged lord who staggered up to us, the smell of ale, like a cloud, surrounded him. His bloodshot eyes wandered from Lady Eidel to me.
“Whish of ye wenches wanna have the honor of the nex dancsh?”
“Lord Feyr!” admonished Lady Eidel. “That is no way to speak to your queen.”
“Why? I happen ta know shees common-born. Same class as a ssserving girl.”
The lady’s eyes widened in shock.
I offered a reassuring smile to ease her worry, then glanced around for a dragon rider to help with the inebriated lord. I didn’t think it would have been proper for a bride to wrestle down a guest. I saw Gallen already making his way over. I sighed in relief.
Before Gallen arrived, the lord grabbed my wrist. “I shoose you.”
Lady Eidel cried out.
I glared at the obnoxious baron and said, “Lord Feyr, kindly let go of me.”
“Or wut?” He tugged me closer.
I had no choice but to deal with the situation so it wouldn’t escalate before Gallen could get to me. Rotating my captured hand, I locked onto his wrist and twisted it. With my other hand, I shoved down on his elbow. He bent forward in pain.
Gallen arrived. He eyed the subdued lord and smiled.
“Remove this man from the feast,” I said as I propelled him over to Gallen.
“Well done,” Gallen said, and he led him away.
The crowd parted as Ansel rushed up, his eyes taking in the scene.
“Amáne?”
Adjusting my gown, I said, “It seems the good Lord Feyr attempted to drain a barrel of our DragonScale Ale single-handedly. He’ll be spending the rest of the day confined to his chambers.”
He put his arm protectively around me.
I turned to apologize to Lady Eidel. Her face had gone ghostly white. Attendants had rushed to her.
The lady’s husband pushed his way through. “Eidel, my dear. What’s going on?”
“She’ll be fine,” I said. “It’s a wonder any of us females can breathe in the gowns into which we’ve been trussed.”
He relaxed his concern and ushered his lady away.
At that moment, Fiona made her way to me. Concern showed on her face until she saw my smile.
Ansel turned to her. “Please tell me I can be alone with my wife before another man tries to steal her away.”
Fiona laughed. “That’s exactly what I’ve come to tell you. But, truthfully, I believe it would take more than a drunken lord to steal her away.”
She led us to a corner of the hall. “The sun will be setting shortly. We’ve come to your final obligation, and then you may be excused.” She threw a promising smile at Ansel.
“Here’s the plan. There hasn’t been a Drekinn dragon rider in many generations, let alone one that married another rider. This is historic. What better location to celebrate your royal wedding night than the Castle Outpost? As their gift to you, the dragon riders have created a regal wedding suite there. And I assure you, it is magnificent. This was Avano’s idea. The riders and their mounts have been ousted. There will be no one but you two.” She squeezed my hand in excitement.
A shiver of nerves shot through me.
“But first, Amáne,” Fiona said, “I’ll assist you into suitable riding clothes.”
“At last,” I said.
“Sovann and Eshshah are waiting for you on the south lawns,” she said. “Kira, Mila and Rio will be off to the side with a basket of flower petals. Amáne, you are to walk over to them and receive the basket before you get into the saddle. Then you’ll both take a short flight over the city, including the outskirts. In this way you can connect with your people. They deserve a view of their king and new queen. You’ll fly low and scatter the petals throughout the city, after which your dragons will deliver you safely to the outpost. And that is where I end my responsibilities.” She beamed.
“What a brilliant ending to a perfectly-planned celebration, Fiona.” I hugged her tightly. “You’ve done an amazing job. Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you Fiona.” Ansel hugged her and kissed both of her cheeks.
“You are most welcome. I love you two. Now let’s go change. The riders will line a path for you out of the hall.” Our eyes locked. Her face glowed with emotion.
CHAPTER NINE
Again, Fiona created a work of art in my elaborate riding clothes. Instead of my usual tights, she’d crafted a slim gown with a split skirt. I could sit astride a saddle without anyone raising their eyebrows. And best of all — I could breathe.
She helped me don a new breastplate constructed with Eshshah’s iridescent red scales. Unlike my other one, this one molded to my body in a definite feminine style and shape. The scales were left exposed in all their beauty.
A new pair of dragonscale boots completed my ensemble.
“Fiona, why didn’t you let me change into this before the feast? I could have eaten so much more.”
She giggled. Her hand made a circling gesture so I could turn for her appraisal. Pleased with the results, she led me back out to Ansel. His eyebrows lifted in approval.
Ansel and I walked arm-in-arm through the path of dragon riders. I smiled brightly at Avano and mouthed ‘thank you.’ He winked back.
The sun had just set as we exited the hall and crossed the lawn. I took in every memorable detail. Eshshah and Sovann stood ahead of us. Their saddles were strung with scales from Sitara, whose name means starlight. Her scales were used in every outpost in Teravinea and in many rooms in the castle. Whispering ‘Sitara’ would set them glowing, lighting an area from dim to bright. The scales glimmered as we approached, adding to the enchantment.
Music filled the air. The citizens of Teravinea were lit with excitement as they jostled for a spot to catch a glimpse of us. The twenty-two dragons from the Valley of Dragons perched along the city walls, and Charna watched from the shadows.
I spotted Kira, Rio and Mila to my right. My face turned to Ansel, whose beautiful green eyes glowed as if on their own. He gazed at me with such love, I forgot to breathe. This was the happiest day of my life.
I will never forget this moment.
Departing from Ansel, I veered toward the girls for the basket of petals.
In the next breath, Eshshah let out a frightful warning roar. At once, the three girls’ heads jerked up, looks of horror displayed on their faces. A shadow spread over us. My euphoria turned to terror.
Air forced from my lungs as large talons tightened around my body. I was jerked up into the sky. Pain and shock blasted through me. With another terrifying bellow, Eshshah leaped up in chase. A furious shriek along with a belching of flames shot from the large grey dragon who held me. I recoiled from the intense heat.
My captor growled in the ancient tongue.
At last I found my breath and screamed.
“Amáne, I’m with you,” Eshshah said. I felt her strength flow through me. “He’s told us to pull back. He said he will crush you if we come closer. We won’t leave you.”
I stifled a sob.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “This is the same dragon I told you about, that flew in before your ceremony. Sovann and I should have approached him straightaway. My neglect has caused this.”
“Eshshah, please. Don’t blame yourself. We’ve all been cau
ght up in the festivities. There was no cause for any alarm at the time. We can’t live on hindsight. Besides, Calder tried and couldn’t find him.”
“Sovann and King Ansel are keeping pace,” Eshshah informed. “The dragon is only allowing me to stay near. The others must stay far behind.”
“I don’t understand, Eshshah. Why is he doing this?”
Eshshah conversed with the dragon, but I couldn’t interpret what they said. We continued to climb. The wind whipped at me like a Valaira, the turbulent storms from my home township of Dorsal.
Eshshah had extinguished Sitara’s lit scales on her saddle. I felt her presence, but could no longer see her.
“The dragon’s name is Senka,” Eshshah said. “He’s come from the Valley of Dragons on Orchila to take you back to the island as a hostage.”
“Hostage? What do the Ancient Ones want with me?”
“It’s not the Ancient Ones that want you. Senka’s mate is in chains. She will only be released when he delivers you to ‘the Evil One.’ Senka says he regrets his actions, but will do what he must for his mate.”
“Orchila? That’s at least a seven hour flight. Eshshah ...” I couldn’t finish my thought. Fear wrapped around me.
Eshshah offered me her comfort. I felt Sovann join in, and with him, Ansel.
Pull yourself together, Amáne. There’s nothing you can do at this moment.
I tried to take a deep breath, but Senka held me too tightly. With some effort, I held my panic in check.
“Tell Ansel I love him. We’ll get out of this. I know we will.”
Hanging from the huge dragon’s crushing grip cut off much of my oxygen. As time passed, I drifted in and out of consciousness.
Eshshah tried to convince him to give me a rest. He refused.
Each time I regained my senses, my panic and anger increased, until finally I reacted. Pounding on his claws, I shouted, “Loosen your grip! I can’t breathe. Do you want to deliver me dead?”
The big grey dragon must have understood me. He relaxed his hold. But, too much. At the speed we flew, the wind tore me from his grasp. I plummeted into the darkness below.
Amáne of Teravinea - Black Castle (The Teravinea Series Book 4) Page 5
