It had once again rained the previous night, but the sky had opened up to reveal a few weak rays of sun through a small patch of pale blue. Anna left the muddy path, instead picking her way over fallen logs and sodden leaves. In the distance she could see the low hills that lay beyond the wilderness, hiding at points behind curtains of mist. She rucked up her skirts and tucked them into her belt, revealing her booted feet. The forest lay before the hills, and then there was the brook. She had never crossed the stream before, but she knew that once she reached that point, the ground was flat until it reached the gently undulating hills. Arms swinging, she hastened her step, determined to reach her goal and return to the palace before it grew dark.
The forest smelt of damp leaves and mulch, a rich, earthy smell. A bird chatted in a tree above her and then fell silent. She could hear the fall of her feet against the soft forest floor, and the rustle of dead leaves when the air stirred slightly. A large bush of holly grew at the base of a tree, its crimson berries a splash of color against the gray forest. Anna remembered a time when she had collected holly with Keira to decorate the halls of Storbrook. Garrick was there, and they had a snowball fight. And when they returned to Storbrook, she had met Max for the first time. She glanced up at the sky, wondering if a dragon was circling overhead as he had been that time, but all she could see were gray clouds against the small patches of blue.
The trees started thinning and she could see the clear outline of the hills again. The stream was hidden from view, but she knew it cut across the flat ground a little beyond the forest. An eagle screamed above her, and she looked up to see it diving to the ground, then lift itself back into the air with a small animal in its talons, its strong wings carrying it towards the hills. She reached the stream, which was far wider than she remembered, swollen from the winter rains, and she paused at its banks, wondering whether she could ford the small river. A large rock lay in the water a little further upstream, and she walked towards it, looking at it with consideration. The distance to the rock from where she stood on the bank was about two feet, but from the rock to the other side was further. Stretching out her leg, she sprang from the bank onto the rock, tipping slightly as her foot touched the slick surface. She leaned forward, thrusting her arms out to regain her balance and twisting about as she found her footing. She took a deep breath and considered the opposite bank. It was a lot further than she realized. Lifting her skirts above her knees, she rolled the extra fabric into her belt. The rock was too small to take a step backwards, but she inched back as far as she could and pushed herself forward, stretching her leg as far as she could. Her toes touched the other bank, and she pushed her weight forward, falling onto the damp and muddy ground. Her back foot splashed into the water, and grabbing the weeds at the edge of the stream, she hurled herself forward. The water had not seeped into her boot, but beneath her knees her gown was muddy and wet. She pushed herself to her feet and shook out the grubby fabric, before turning to face the hills. They were still a short distance away, beyond a meadow of long, damp grass, and she set off once more, determined to reach them. The sun had disappeared behind the clouds while she was in the forest, but a few rays broke through, bathing the meadow in soft light.
By the time she reached the hills the sun was already halfway to the western horizon. She would not be able to stay long. But the low peaks were drawing her, insisting that she at least reach the first height. They were not very high, but even so her forehead and underarms were damp as she gained the elevation, and she was glad of the cool air. She had to scramble the last few feet, and she used her hands to haul herself up. She rose to her feet, turned and looked over the valley, rubbing her muddy palms against the soiled gown. The palace looked squat from this height, with thin trails of smoke rising from its many chimney stacks. The army camp lay a mile beyond the palace, a smudge on the horizon. Weaving its way into the distance was the river, separating the palace from the city, while closer she could see the shadowed forest and the narrow stream she had almost fallen into. There was a wide, low rock near where she stood, and she sat down, glad for a few moments of rest before she started her descent. She lifted her face to the weak rays of sun and closed her eyes, listening to her heart as it settled back to its usual pace after the exertion of gaining the summit.
A slight breeze blew over her as she sat on the rock, her eyes closed. There was a rustling sound, and she wondered what little creature was scurrying around. She was too lazy to make the effort to look, however. The sound came again, followed by the swish of something sweeping over the ground. She opened her eyes, suddenly concerned about the possibility of snakes, but what met her eyes was something quite different. A huge, bronze dragon was settling on the ground behind her. His tail wrapped around the front of the rock and rested against her feet, while his long neck stretched around the other side, his eyes locking with hers. She could feel the heat wrapping around her as she stared back at him.
“Lean back,” Max said softly. His huge body was pressed against the rock, his side a heavy wall behind her. She stared at him for a moment, then shifted herself and leaned her back against his side.
“I have to get back,” she said. “It will be dark soon.”
“I’ll carry you,” he said. His head was at her eye level, and reaching out a hand, she touched his neck. It was covered in scales that gleamed in the light. Her fingers glided over the warm surfaces, smooth as polished stone and just as hard. His yellow cat-like eyes held hers, while his hot breath washed over her. She dropped her hand and turned back to the view.
“Do you know I was with Bronwyn when she first changed?” she said. He turned and followed her gaze.
“Bronwyn? Favian’s daughter?”
“Yes. We were out riding when her horse fell, crushing her beneath its weight.” Max lifted his head as a thin stream of flame blew from his mouth.
“Did she hurt you?”
“She would have, but Favian reached her before she could do anything.” Max brought his head closer again.
“That must have been terrifying.”
“It was. But I feel worse for Bronwyn.”
Max lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “She could have killed you, but you feel bad for her?”
Anna nodded. “She has to live with that knowledge for the rest of her long life.”
He turned back to the view in silence. She could feel his chest moving as she leaned against him, the sound of his heart like a wave rolling against the shore and crashing against the rocks, over and over. She had only seen the ocean once, when she had been imprisoned by Jack, but she remembered the incessant sound of the crashing waves. Max had been there, too, protecting her, although she did not know it at the time. Or rather, she had refused to admit it to herself. She glanced at him again. Sharp horns rose from the top of his skull, and down the back of his neck were spikes, curved like the thorns of a rose. They grew smaller as they descended down his neck, disappearing altogether where it joined his back. From the side of his long snout she could see a hint of his teeth, sharp enough to rip raw flesh from an animal. She had never seen him hunt, but he was a dragon, after all. Which also meant he ate other things, too. Humans, for instance. She pushed the thought away.
“I was also the first person Bronwyn carried,” she said.
He turned to look at her. “You were?” he asked, and she could hear the amusement in his voice.
“It was almost as terrifying as when she changed. She raced a waterfall.”
Max laughed. “You were the first person I ever carried, too,” he said.
“I was?” Anna was surprised. Max was many years older than Bronwyn.
“Yes. I practiced lifting a log until it was steady before I offered you a ride.”
Anna grinned. “Well, you were very good. I would never have guessed.”
He grinned. “And then you wanted to have a snowball fight. With a dragon!”
Anna laughed. The snow had just melted against Max’s hot hide. But he had gotten his
own back when he shoveled the snow over her with his tail, burying her to the waist. “I remember,” she said.
She looked back at the palace. Could they see the dragon perched on the hill, she wondered? Max shifted slightly, and she looked down to see that his tail had inched forward and was now stretching in front of her feet. It was armed with fierce-looking spikes, far more dangerous than those on his neck, and even at its narrowest point was too thick for her to wrap her hands around. She nudged him slightly with her foot, and the tip of his tail swished over the ground.
“You’re like a dog, with a wagging tail.” He dropped his head and rested the tip of his snout against the rock.
“All dogs need petting,” he said. He inched forward a little and bumped the side of her leg, his eyes wide. She laughed and stretched out a hand.
“Who can resist such a piteous creature?” she said. She stroked his snout.
“Quite pathetic,” he agreed.
She leaned her head back against him as she ran her hand down his neck. “Did you hear the rumors about Rupert?” she asked.
“I did,” he said. He drew away from her touch and looked into her eyes. “But I was still right to speak to Alfred. Rupert would have ensured you met his demands before the week was out if I hadn’t.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I was so angry.”
“So am I.” He brought his head closer. “I am usually a patient man, but no one rouses me to such heights of annoyance as you do, Anna.”
She grinned. “I can say the same for you.”
He looked away. “Is that why you accepted Garrick’s proposal? Because you were annoyed with me?” She pulled away, startled. “I will admit I was rather rude,” he said, “but I was taken aback by the strength of his feeling for you.” Anna looked away.
“He proposed while I was still at Storbrook,” she said.
“And you didn’t accept his offer until now?” She didn’t reply. “You cannot marry him,” he said. She remained silent. “Anna, listen to me. Garrick will not make you happy.”
“I don’t see what it has to do with you,” she said, with sudden irritation. He leaned closer, and when she turned to look at him the yellow of his eyes had been swallowed in a blaze of flames. She drew in a sharp breath as her heart began to pound in her chest.
“Oh, Anna,” he said softly, “it has everything to do with me.”
“He’s a good man,” she whispered.
“I know he is,” he said. She could smell the flames on his breath. “But he is not the man for you. I told you once that you were made to love wildly and passionately. Garrick loves you, that much is clear, but his calm and steady devotion will quench your spirit.” She stared at him until she felt as though she were drowning in an ocean of fire. Her fingers itched to touch him, but she forced herself to look away.
“I should get back,” she said. He pulled back, turning away as a blaze of flame spewed from his mouth and spread through the air around him. She rose to her feet and shivered at the loss of heat at her back. He had risen to his full height and towered over her. His tail snaked around her, wrapping around her waist, and she could not resist reaching out her hand and feeling the warm, smooth surface. He stared at her for a moment, then lifting her into the air, gently placed her on his back. She leaned forward and wrapped her hands around his neck as he spread out his wings, opening them like a paper fan, and lifted himself into the air. He rose higher and higher, until the rock she had been sitting on was nothing more than a speck, and then they were surrounded by thick mist. Steam rose from his hide, and she wrapped herself tighter around him.
“Fancy a little ride before I take you back?” he said. He didn’t wait for an answer, but angled himself upwards, speeding faster and faster.
“You could crash,” she shouted, but he just laughed.
“Into what? The clouds?”
“Another dragon!”
“I won’t crash. I promise.”
“How do you know?”
“I just know. I can sense when something is approaching, even if I cannot see it. I could walk back to the palace with my eyes closed, and not bump into anything.”
“Even as a human?” He turned to look at her.
“I’m always a dragon, Anna. You know that. Taking on the form of a human does not change what I am.”
“I know. You are always a monstrous beast.”
He grinned. “And you are always a shrew.” She kicked her boots against his hide, and he laughed. “Is that supposed to hurt me?”
“No,” she said, “I am well aware that it is impossible for me to hurt you.”
He turned to face forward in silence. They rose above the clouds, and suddenly the sun was shining brightly on them, making his scales gleam and glimmer. She could see patches of green-blue countryside through the gaps in the cloud, and the twisting, silvery ribbon of the little stream she had forded. He turned to her with a grin.
“I thought I would have to rescue you from the water,” he said.
“You saw me?”
“I did.”
“And you didn’t come to my aid?”
He gave a dry laugh. “I wasn’t sure you would welcome my help.” Anna didn’t reply. The clouds were blocking her view again, but when another patch opened up, she saw they were circling above the wilderness, close to the treetops. He dropped to the ground, landing as lightly as a feather. She slid off his back and walked around to his front.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said.
“It’s always my pleasure,” he said. She stared at him for a moment, her gaze locking with his, then turned and walked in the direction of the palace. Dusk was approaching, and the light was low. Her gown had dried with Max’s heat, but the hem was quickly becoming damp once again, and the cold crept through the soles of her feet. She glanced up, once, to see Max circling above her, just beneath the clouds. He puffed out a small flame as she looked up, and she quickly averted her glance.
She was near the courtyard when she saw someone approaching her, and her heart sank when she realized it was Frank, the guard. His arms were crossed over his chest.
“I saw you,” he said. “What were you doing with a dragon?”
“I think your eyes are deceiving you,” she said, glancing around. “I see no dragon.”
He gave a dry laugh. “You think I am fooled so easily? I’ve wondered before what you are up to, when you go on your rambles. The king will hear of this, and a few coins cannot save you this time. A monster like that always means trouble.” She took a step towards him.
“Go and tell the king,” she said, “and let’s see how much credence he gives to your words.”
He nodded. “I will. And if he ignores my warning, well …” The words trailed into silence. He gave another nod, then turning on his heel, strode away.
Chapter 31
The next few days rushed by in a blur of activity. In between accompanying the queen in her duties, the ladies were expected to help with the planning of the ball. They applied to Rupert for the names of his officers so they could be included on the guest list, and the queen insisted that all plans be presented to her for approval.
There was also the added concern about the royal children. Influenza had swept through the nursery, forcing two nurses and all the children to take to their beds. Matilda refused to enter the sickroom, but the concerns for her health did not extend to her ladies, and they were expected to check on the children a few times each day and deliver a report on their progress to the queen. The physician attended the patients daily, offering tonics made of lungwort and laurel, and within a few days the patients were starting to improve. Anna came back one afternoon with a message from Prince John that he wanted to see his mother, but Matilda shuddered slightly and shook her head. “Take a message to the king,” she told Anna, “that his children wish to see him.”
“Yes, my lady,” Anna replied.
A few enquiries gave Anna the intelligence that the king was meeting with his war cou
ncil in the council rooms, and Anna made her way down the stairs. The door to the chamber was made of solid wood, but as she drew near, she heard the sound of raised voices shouting in anger. She paused, but as she slowly stepped away from the door, it swung open violently. She pulled back against a pillar as Rupert stormed from the room with Lord Hindley on his heels. “Even John could make better decisions than that,” he threw over his shoulder, sending an angry glance at the man scurrying behind him. The action brought Anna into his line of sight. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Are you eavesdropping?”
“What?” she said. “No! I was sent to give the king a message.”
“What message? Are you here to tell him that someone tried to give you a kiss?”
Anna flushed angrily. “His son would like him to visit the sickroom,” she said.
Rupert laughed dryly. “I would like to watch you deliver that message, but I haven’t time for such foolishness.” She watched as he marched away, Hindley a step behind, before turning and heading back to the apartments, her message undelivered.
“How goes the training for war?” Anna asked Garrick when she saw him a few days later. As before, he had waited in the courtyard while a message was delivered to Anna in the palace.
“It goes well,” he said. “My men can hit a target from a hundred feet.” He glanced up at the clouds. “They are eager to put their training into practice, but the king has ordered we wait for the spring storms to be behind us before we start the march.”
Anna grimaced. “Men are always so eager to die.”
“No,” he said. “Just to prove our worth. We can’t all be dragons, after all.” A frown crossed his features. “The men at the camp have been talking about a dragon that was seen close to the palace a few days ago.”
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