by T. G. Ayer
As we walked closer, I slowed my steps and Sienna, looked over at me. She was stunning in a gown of white dragon scales, each connecting stitch adorned with gleaming crystals. The shocking white blouse was also fitted with silver thread and beaded with crystal. I could understand why she’d received the room’s attention when she entered. She was a particularly stunning woman.
The beauty of it was that she had no idea.
She gave me an inquiring look, probably worried that I was uncomfortable. So I went with it. Without looking at her I said, “Your solicitor . . . Andyr. He makes me feel a little uncomfortable.”
She laughed softly. “He tends to make a lot of people feel that way.” Then she rolled her eyes. “At least those people don’t have to worry about having to live with him the rest of their lives.”
My mouth dropped open. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
She shook her head, amused at my anger. Sorrow bloomed in her eyes. “We marry on my 21st birthday.”
“Why?”
“Because it has been decreed by the queen that we join the experience of the law of the country and the technology of the country. My knowledge has turned out to be quite a curse.”
“But why him? What’s so great about him that they have to force you to marry him?”
“He’s rich and powerful. He chose me.”
“Does that happen often here?”
“Kai, here in Drakys, you will find that women are no longer treated with respect, the way they are in your land. Here, the men prefer a patriarchal way now. Historically, all queens were seen as the mother of the land. Despite the queen being a woman, her right to rule was never questioned. More because she bore the burden of queen along with her brother. Thus the land was ruled by an equal pair. One closer than that of a mated couple.
“Since the death of Queen Shrya, much of the traditional ways have been put aside. The new queen tries, an example being me, a female tactician, in her court. But forces have worked around her, around us, every step of the way.”
“I just can’t fathom . . .”
She nodded. “Perhaps after two decades of having a Regent in control, one who isn’t as powerful as a true queen, one who isn’t as respected, the Senate have become used to finding ways to manipulate things to their own liking.”
“That makes me think of someone else I met recently.”
“Who?” she asked with a smile.
“Prince Elan of the Winter Court.”
“You met a fae prince?” she asked, her eyes wide and sparkling with excitement.
I nodded. “Definitely destroys the stars in one’s eyes when one meets a hot-as-sin, sexist fae prince.”
She snorted and her excitement dissipated.
“Anyway, why can’t you just refuse?”
“Because I am nothing. I’m a mere human servant. I bring nothing to the table beyond my knowledge and experience. I’m sure my brain is the only reason I am still alive.”
“You trying to tell me that the queen will have you killed if you don’t do as you’re told?” I stared at her, aghast.
“Not the queen.”
I knew what she was saying. The queen was a mere pawn. My gaze drifted around the room, pausing for a moment on a flash of white before I looked back at her. “And I’d bet every cent of that dowry I’ll never have, that a certain influential solicitor is the one moving the chess pieces.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You catch on fast.”
“It’s a privilege of being a woman. It’s called instinct.”
Sienna giggled and slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow. “Come. Before people start talking, let me take you to the Queen. He’s been glaring at me.”
“Yeah, I saw that. Let’s go.” I walked with her, then out of the side of my mouth, I asked, “You think it would cause an inter-realm incident if I were to punch him in the face?”
Her laughter turned into a choke, which she suppressed as fast as she could. She was good, because within seconds she’d removed all trace of amusement from her face. She drew me toward the queen and bowed before leaving us alone.
If one can be alone with having your every step dogged by the beautiful Andyr.
He took my hand and bowed low over it. “I believe compliments are in order, Kailin Odel, Emissary of the Elders. Your beauty is almost incomparable. You have turned a few heads and surprised many. The Elders have chosen wisely in sending you to us.”
I raised my eyebrows and glared at him. “I believe you are implying that I will get what I want from you and the queen just because I’m appealing to the eye?”
Queen Lyra clicked her tongue. “That’s exactly what he is trying to say. Andyr here believes a woman gets her way by using her looks and her body.”
Her tone was bitter and angry, and even though he stared at her with fury, she didn’t budge an inch. Her smile surprised me. Genuine, even warm.
“Come walk with me, Kailin Odel.”
One does not deny a queen, so I walked with her.
Chapter 39
What is his problem anyway?” I asked, trying hard not to look behind me because I knew he’d be standing there, staring at us.
“He thinks he has more say in the running of this country than I do.”
“Does he?” The question popped out before I even thought to stop it. Terrified I had offended her, I gave her an apologetic smile.
Queen Lyra simply nodded, shocking me further. “To be quite honest Andyr has made inroads with many of the council members. Much of the Senate give him their support. Maybe it’s his money, or perhaps he has a power we are unaware of, or maybe he is right, that looks get you everywhere.” She sighed and stared off into the distance. “I’m outvoted at every turn, reprimanded at every opportunity. Every year that passes I grow more weary of it.”
I felt strange. I’d come here thinking Queen Lyra was the bad guy, that perhaps she’d orchestrated her sister’s death in order to ascend the throne, but it seemed that she was just trying to do her duty and was up against a whole Senate full of people who wanted to oust her.
“I’m really sorry to hear that. Perhaps you need a new solicitor.”
“I fear we do not have much hope of ridding ourselves of our beautiful lawmaker.”
I shook my head as we turned a corner at the end of the room. “Where is he from? He doesn’t look like he’s from Drakys.”
She laughed softly. “You are beyond astute.” Admiration edged into her voice. “He comes from your world. But sometimes I can’t quite believe it.”
“Why is that?”
“Just something about him. He seems magical, as if he can control the emotions of people around him. Not saying that he can levitate things or walk through doors, but there is an odd power about him.”
I nodded. “I know exactly what you mean, I felt it the first moment he touched me.”
Crap, Kai. Talk about oversharing.
I shouldn’t trust her so easily. There was too much at stake.
She smiled and touched my shoulder. “It is a woman thing. Which is something that I most admired about my sister. She was powerful, yes. Her DragonFyr was like nothing anyone had ever seen. But beyond that, even beyond her intelligence, it was her instinct that I admired the most. She could tell a lie from a mile away, and I often wish I had that power.”
“You miss her?” I asked softly, deciding to take advantage of the moment.
She nodded and then we took another corner, heading back along the other side of the room. People had moved around, combinations had changed and Andyr looked like he was heading Sienna’s way.
“They would make a beautiful couple,” I said.
Queen Lyra snorted. “If there was a heart somewhere in that well-defined chest, then I would probably say she deserves to have him. But Sienna doesn’t deserve a man so uncaring. I would rather she die an old maid than to see her marry a man like him.”
The Queen turned to look at me. “Some would say that I’m against
the marriage because I want him as my husband. But that is untrue. I have reigned for two decades. I have done my duty in the memory of my sister. But I grow weary. Weary of having no support, weary of men trying to push me out in order to gain control of a country that has no leader.” Her tone was derisive yet still filled with hurt. All these years and those who were meant to support her were merely using her.
“The trade agreement would make you more powerful,” I said. “You would have the full support of the Elders, and even though you’re not the queen they want, you can be the queen they need.”
She studied my face, her expression flitting from confused to relieved, and then to guilty. “I had thought of it. The moment you arrived I wondered if the Elder’s offer would be my saving grace. But I don’t deserve the help of the Elders,” she said softly, turning to look out of the window. “There are things I have done that cannot be undone.”
I shook my head. “What you’ve done in the past is just that - the past. You can always change your future. And you can always try to repair the damage.”
She shook her head. “In this case there is no reparation.”
“Then at least make a way forward that is better for your kingdom.”
I smiled, hoping to temper my words but my audacity didn’t seem to matter because Queen Lyra simply waved a regal hand at the table. “Come, it’s time to eat. Our chef will not hide his displeasure if the food gets cold.”
We both laughed softly and headed to the far end of the table. Andyr came to help the queen take her seat, before taking the place at her right hand. I slowed my steps, hoping I wouldn’t end up looking idiotic having no idea where I was meant to sit.
But a hand on my arm saved me the worry. Sienna guided me to the chair at the left hand of the queen. “Here is your seat. As the guest of honor, your place will be at Queen Lyra’s side. And I will be right here beside you.”
As she sat, I let a sigh of relief escape. The grandiosity of the room and the decor was a little overwhelming and despite my rest, my body was rebelling. I was still healing after all.
I swallowed hard and sat as elegantly as I could as a light buzz of conversation began to simmer around us.
Andyr sat not six feet from me, his eyes drifting across the three women before him. The first course was served; a delectable ice which Sienna advised was made from kish, the fruit of a tree that was similar in taste to a grape. Unfortunately, it bore a striking resemblance to a clam.
Course after course appeared, thankfully each portion was only large enough to qualify as a few bites. Which was perfect for tasting the delicious variety of foods from fish to game to poultry. Drakys had plenty of meat and vegetables which resulted in an impressive table. As it happened I made it to the end of the dessert course with a mere bite to spare.
I’d been afraid that the tightly bound corset would stop me from enjoying the meal but it too had proved kind on my stomach. Just when I thought I could not put anything else into my mouth, Andyr got to his feet and tapped his fork against his crystal goblet. The sound sang through the great room, bringing everyone’s smiling attention to his commanding gaze.
“Queen Regent Lyra of the house Yl would like to thank you all for attending this dinner, held in honor of the arrival of Kailin Odel, Emissary of the Elders of the Supreme High Council, Guardians of the Realms.” Then he faced me, flicking a finger at the servants around the room, who surged forward with silver trays of tiny glasses containing what looked like port or sherry.
Dark and red were all I could tell.
They rounded the room, serving each guest. A separate server brought a platter with a single glass and handed it to Andyr. He passed the glass to me and raised his own, forcing me to stand in order to be polite. I never enjoyed being the center of attention.
He cleared his throat. “Kailin Odel, a toast in your honor. May your stay here be comfortable and fruitful.”
A round of cheers went up and Andyr downed his drink. Others around the room, including the queen and Sienna, did the same so I followed suit, barely registering the sweet liquid as it made its way down my throat.
Once the toast was completed, the guests began to mingle again, slowly drifting to me to have a polite word. After the third delegate had shaken my hand and offered his high hopes for the success of my stay, I blinked as my vision began to blur.
I swallowed, my throat swelling making it hard to breathe. I blinked, searching out Sienna, only to find her on the other side of the room talking to the queen.
Tightening the muscles in my legs, I took a step toward her then stopped as the room began to spin. I wavered on my feet, my legs as fluffy as marshmallow.
A second attempt to swallow failed, my mouth thick and cotton-wooled, my lips and tongue numb.
Please don’t drool. Please don’t drool.
I grabbed the back of the nearest chair, blinking hard as I struggled to remain upright.
A voice beside me inquired as to my health, another could be heard calling Sienna to us.
But I passed out before she came.
Chapter 40
I swallowed, my throat tight as I opened my eyes. The room was familiar; my quarters in the Palace of Dyr.
I sighed, relieved, until I heard the rustling of fabric. Expecting Sienna, I smiled and tilted my head in search of her.
Instead I found a man leaning against the open balcony door, staring down at the countryside.
My sigh drew his attention and he turned, pushing off the wall and gazing at me, his dark eyes filled with concern.
“Logan?” I asked, blinking fast, not quite sure what I was seeing.
How was Logan with me, in Drakys, when he was unconscious in my bed back in Tukats. Could it be that he’d recovered?
“Logan? How are you here?”
He sat beside me. Taking my hand, he kissed my fingers and I watched him, frowning as his lips touched my fingers and a spark flared. A spark that was the furthest from attraction or comfort of anything I’d ever experienced.
“How are you feeling?” He traced a finger along my cheekbone and I shied away.
“Awful. I have no idea what happened to me. I hope it wasn’t food poisoning.” I found myself conversing with him as if it was totally expected that he’d be here with me in the palace in Drakys.
It wasn’t.
“I’m sure they’ll find out it was the food.” He sounded certain.
I watched him, listening as hard as I could as the volume of his voice rose and fell.
“How are you here?” I asked him again, my tone insistent, almost threatening, definitely suspicious. “You can’t be here.”
“What do you mean?” He leaned forward, his expression curious.
I frowned as the room tilted a little. Concentrating hard on my words, I said, “You’re in Tukats, unconscious. Or at least that’s where you were when I left home.” I lifted myself onto my elbows battling the rising nausea and dizziness. “How did you recover so quickly?”
He smiled gently, his face wavering in front of me as he leaned closer. “Of course, I have recovered. How else would I be here?”
I frowned, staring hard as his face swam before me, one moment in focus the next an unrecognizable blur.
“How is that even possible? Darcy said it would take time.”
I coughed and cleared my throat as I moved my legs over the edge of the bed. I had to get to my feet, had to make sure this wasn’t just some food-poisoning-induced hallucination. And a larger part of me wanted to put some space between myself and this impossible apparition.
I cleared my throat and took a few steps away from him. But he followed, coming around to block my way.
Logan smiled, his expression making me slightly dizzy as I stared hard, trying to understand what was wrong with this picture.
I reached out and he took my hand, leading me closer to the window. He pushed the silky drapes aside and led me out onto a narrow balcony, protected only by a waist-high glass balustrade.
> The wind gusted hard at this height and I wondered why they’d built a balcony when a person could easily get blown off it.
Of course, Land of Dragons.
Logan’s arm went around me and I swallowed. I was here in Drakys, which meant Logan was at home in Tukats, which meant either this was a dream or I was in deep shit.
When his arm tightened I gasped, more at the proximity to the balustrade than his grasp. I glanced up and his face shimmered, as if a mirage was layered over his features, and then it shifted.
Just for the briefest second.
“You’re not Logan.” I barely got the words out before he grabbed me by the throat and began lifting me off the tiled floor, began to squeeze the air out of me.
I kicked out, grabbing at the lapels of his coat, my fingers burning as it scraped something dagger-sharp, but his hold was impossibly tight. Shadows crept in at the edges of my vision.
A sound caught my attention, the door to my room opening with a rush and a creak. Sienna burst inside, staring at the empty bed in surprise.
It all seemed to happen in slow motion. Sienna’s hair shifting around her face as she turned her head to stare out at the open balcony door.
Her eyes going wide with shock as she caught sight of me, so dangerously close to the edge.
The glass dug into my back as my attacker pushed me back, further, closer to death. I considered the fact that I was feline and wondered if at such a height I’d be lucky enough to land on my feet.
Part of my brain registered Sienna surging into a run as she raced to save me. I tried to shake my head, to scream at her to stop but no sound or movement arose.
“Kai!”
Sienna’s voice cut through my mind so sharply that I blinked, aware that I hovered a foot above the air.
“Stop. What are you doing?” she screamed.
Her body hit my attacker’s, causing him to push me further over the edge. I choked, desperate to tell her to stop. Not to save myself but to warn her that she was now also in danger.
