Bane of Dragons

by Clara Hartley

  “I shook his hand. It was a friendly gesture. I was accepting bread for my father. And then he wailed, just as that maid earlier did. At first people thought the baker was ill, but the rumors had already started then. And when it kept happening to people who touched me, then we knew for certain it was a curse of mine. That was when the shunning began.” Was the maid all right? I hoped the healers in the palace could give her the right medical attention. I’d given Gaius a few angry glares. I hoped the short-haired prince hadn’t noticed.

  Kael walked toward us out of nowhere. He had sent the maid to the infirmary that quickly? “What did I miss?” he asked.

  “Nothing much,” Gaius said. “Just that Rylan and Micah don’t feel any pain when touching Sera either.”

  “Would have been more fun otherwise.”

  “Would have, huh?”

  “I like you, Sera,” Kael said.

  My gaze spiked toward him. “What?” His words sent a jolt through me.

  “There’s a spunk in you that’s refreshing. I think you’re going to be entertaining.”

  “Do you ever think of anything else?” Gaius said.

  “Do you always have a stick up your ass?”

  “I dare you to say that again.”

  “Enough,” Rylan said. “You need to stop bickering. You’re royalty, not children.”

  “And you”—Kael pointed at Rylan—“have two giant rods up yours. Thick ones. You both need to loosen up a bit.”

  “Why do you keep talking about having things up asses?” Gaius asked. “Sounds like you want one.”

  “Because you both walk funny. Too straight, with your heads held so artificially high.”

  I thought all of them looked perfect when they walked. Graceful—except for maybe Gaius. He had a clunky quality about him, with his footsteps a bit too heavy, and his movements wider than they should be. But I was holding him to a high standard. He wasn’t as nimble as his brothers, but he exuded strength, and it looked like just a punch from him could crush a boulder.

  “Anyway,” Rylan continued. “Sera, I can’t let you off so easily. This ability of yours can be useful.”

  My heart sputtered in my chest. “Useful? Like, as a weapon?”

  “Possibly.”

  “I just want to help in the intelligence department.” And lead it at the same time. But they didn’t have to know about my ambitions. It was often to my advantage to maintain an image of doe-eyed innocence, especially amongst people of power.

  “You’re a new kind of human, as well. There are strange natural phenomena happening in Constanria, with the recent increases in darmar being born, and the high summers growing longer. This might be related. Are there others like you? We need to run some tests. How far do your powers go? Is it able to kill? Are there other aspects of it which we’re not aware of?”

  “I don’t want to test that, Your Highness. With all due respect, I don’t think anyone deserves to feel such pain and be tortured to death.”

  Rylan nodded. “That is a respectable concern, but we have to delve deeper.”

  “And who do you presume I shall kill, should my ability be able to do so? I don’t want that on my conscience.”

  “It will be on mine.”

  “I’ll be the one doing the deed, placing my hand on the poor soul. Even if you let me touch a convict or the like, does he deserve having his last minutes in agonizing, seemingly endless pain?”

  “Perhaps we can leave the torturing for later,” Rylan said. “We still haven’t explored how your powers relate to us.”

  “To you?”

  “Yes. Why we’re immune to them. I believe we might spend a considerable amount of time together, so we ought to get along.”

  He smiled at me when he said that, and I gave him an awkward smile back.

  “This means we get to see more of her, yes?” Kael added, smirking.

  Rylan ignored his brother. “Should a person with your curse be walking about freely in the palace, however?”

  I stiffened at that question. “I’ve had my gloves on since I’ve entered the palace, and, until now, have kept my powers a secret. You have nothing to worry about, Your Highness.” I licked my lower lip. “I still have a lot work to do. Maybe I should go.” Before he decided he should keep me locked up in a cell. Plus, I wasn’t sure if I should be spending so much time with the princes. Would that look good in the council’s eyes? How would it affect my vote? It might work in my favor, but then again, it could also look like I was getting favoritism, and pulling strings might backfire when dealing with votes like this in Raynea.

  Rylan drew his brows together. “Yes, it is likely a waste to keep someone with your talents locked up. We will meet for only an hour a day. I have my duties, and you have yours. Gaius will be able to advise us on your powers, hopefully. I feel like it’s related to soul magic, and Gaius is the best at it amongst us. Perhaps Micah, too.”

  “He uses it?” I asked. “But soul magic is banned.” I hated looking at Gaius. The way he gazed at me made me feel smaller, somehow. Perhaps it was that incessant sneer ruining his handsome face. The frown on his brow was knitted too tightly and gave him too many wrinkles.

  “Our father has more secrets than the court knows,” Gaius replied. “Besides, even if he were against it, what can he do after finding out? Sentence his own sons to death? You won’t be sharing this with anyone, Sera. Or else.”

  I tried not to let his warning bother me too much.

  “That actually sounds like something Father might do,” Rylan said.

  “He wouldn’t,” Gaius said. “He’s hard on you, but that’s about it. We’re still him and Mother’s sons.”

  I caught a brief change of expression flickering through Micah. That’s right. Micah probably seemed walled off because he was born out of Gisiroth’s extramarital affair. That rumor had spread throughout the whole palace. Perhaps he didn’t feel like he belonged…

  Or maybe I was making assumptions. Maybe that change in his expression hadn’t meant much, and my mind was making things up.

  “Too harsh, sometimes,” Rylan said, referring to the king. “Regardless, Sera, you can meet us tomorrow at our training courtyard at noon. We’ll be there. We can look into this further, but today, I need to go through more letters from the magistrates, then check on the military later.”

  “The royal training grounds?” I asked. “But isn’t that only reserved for those of high rankings?”

  “I will send a note to the guard to let you through. There’s a cafeteria next to it. You can enjoy your lunch there.”

  “Oh, I usually have lunch with a friend.”

  “Then he will be allowed through as well.”

  A royal lunch, watching the princes themselves spar? Most women would kill to have such an experience. Frederick was going to lose his gods-damned mind. I smiled. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  “And I need to take a nap,” Kael said, stretching. He let out a huge yawn that was entirely un-princely.

  Gaius rolled his eyes. “It’s midday. Didn’t you sleep enough last night?” Did that scowl on his face ever go away?

  “Sleep is a sweet nectar you can never have enough of.”

  “You could help Rylan and I with the logistics.”

  Kael’s expression slumped into one of utmost boredom. “Thanks, but no thanks.” He groaned, as if the mere act of talking about work brought him pain.

  Rylan shook his head. “Kael? Going through the ledgers? Have you hit your head on something, Gaius?”

  “Maybe I am losing it,” Gaius said.

  “How about Micah?” I blurted, trying to drag the crimson-haired prince into the conversation. He somewhat reminded me of myself during my interactions with my family. “I mean, Prince Micah. His Highness.”

  “He’s a great help,” Rylan said.

  Kael swung his arm around his brother’s shoulders. “Micah here’s a savant. He’s ridiculously good with numbers. Hey, Micah, what’s a thousand and sixty-tw
o multiplied by seventy-eight?”

  “Eighty-two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six,” Micah replied without even blinking. I was the most intrigued by him.

  My brows rose. “That’s impressive.”

  “Isn’t it?” Kael grinned.

  “Don’t use Micah’s abilities for your games,” Gaius said.

  Kael waved away Gaius’s comment, continuing, “Seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-nine—”

  “You’re dismissed now, Sera,” Rylan said.

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” I said, bowing.

  “I can escort you,” Kael interrupted.

  Rylan pulled the back of his brother’s white ponytail. “You’re staying here. With us. I want Sera back in one piece tomorrow, and I don’t know if any of your tricks are going to end up with her dead.”

  Kael pouted. “I wouldn’t hurt her.”

  “Says the trickster.”

  “Have any of your pranks ended with people dead before?” I muttered, more as a question to myself. I forgot the princes had heightened hearing, and they made out every word I said. I was worried I’d spoken out of line.

  But Kael simply chuckled. “Quite a few have gone slightly too far, but no casualties as of yet. That isn’t exactly my idea of entertainment.”

  “Then what is?” I asked.

  “Something of a more bodily nature.” Kael turned to me. His eyes dropped to my lips, and I felt my insides coil from the way he looked at me.

  “Um…”

  “Like seeing people get thwacked over their heads,” he continued, spinning back around. “Harmless fun.”

  “Oh, yes. That’s what you meant.” Was my blush obvious?

  “And sometimes activities that can be… pleasurable.”

  My breath halted.

  “Don’t let us delay you,” Rylan said. “You’re one of the most productive members on the Intelligence Council. I assume that comes with its own heavy set of responsibilities. You may go.”

  The four of them stopped, and I took that as my cue to leave. Kael’s words still burned in my mind as a taunting promise. I picked up my feet in the other direction and scurried away as quickly as I could. I felt their eyes watching my back, and that made my body feel like it was heating up.

  I was entirely uncertain about this arrangement. It was interesting to watch the princes’ antics, but so far, I could see trouble splayed out around them. The incident with the maid left my skin crawling. I shouldn’t be hanging around with people like that.

  When I turned around to look at them again, they had already rounded a corner and disappeared from sight. They felt like ethereal entities. Too beautiful to be true. Would I wake up tomorrow to find out this had been one of my silly imaginings? A dream? That would make more sense to me than what was actually happening.

  I grabbed the strap of my satchel and trod down the corridor, eager to find Frederick.

  Four

  I couldn’t believe we were having lunch, right next to the princes’ training grounds. This spot was reserved for only the highest of officials and royalty. We overlooked the princes in a small balcony, furnished with only a few tables. A few other patrons were around—Vancel Gavril, leader of the Council of Fortitude, which also meant he was the military general, and some other elders from important positions.

  The princes had been sparring for the last twenty minutes, and their movements awed me.

  “You’re going to spend alone time with the princes,” Frederick said, slicing through his steak of ingor—just one steak would have been able to feed my family for a year. “I’m still beside myself with the news.” He forked the food into his mouth and let out a moan of sheer joy.

  “How do you think this might affect the vote?”

  “It’ll definitely boost your standing.”

  “I don’t think it’s that clear-cut. I think this might actually be bad.”

  “You’re getting close with the brothers now. They are incredibly attractive, aren’t they?” He looked down at the training area, where the princes were sparring. “I wish I were you. I mean, look at this place. And this food. Gods be damned, it tastes like…”

  “Exactly like inca does. You’re exaggerating because it’s expensive.” I took a sip of water. “They’re just trying to see how my abilities relate to them.” Frederick came from a noble family, but they weren’t that wealthy. They could afford nice clothes and splurge on the occasional ingor steak, but they mostly did clerical work for the wealthier.

  Frederick swung his fork around. “And love will blossom with one of them. And you’ll be a princess. Will it be Rylan? Kael? Gaiu—”

  “Not Gaius.” I corrected myself, “Not any of them. We’re meeting up for work.”

  “You tell yourself that.”

  “That’s all it is. Nothing more.” My gaze flicked down to the arena as my curiosity was piqued. Kael was up against Gaius. Kael had his two daggers drawn. They were so long and slender that they almost looked like short swords. He was taunting Gaius with his finger.

  “Why aren’t you coming at me, brother?” Kael said loudly, as if he wanted Frederick and I to hear. “Too wussy to fight?”

  Gaius drew his axe. At the same time, they both summoned wings from their back. Kael’s wings glistened with a white sheen, while Gaius’s were an onyx black. They looked so devilishly good that it was almost sinful.

  Kael lunged first. His movements were almost like a dance. Gaius countered with a swing of his long axe, but Kael nimbly dodged it and sliced up with the hilt of his dagger. It knocked Gaius back. The unfriendly brute wiped his mouth and spat at the ground. Then he attacked. They exchanged another round of blows.

  “This is supposed to be training,” Rylan shouted from the side. “Take this seriously, Kael!”

  “Never!” Kael shouted back, looking like he was having the time of his life.

  Gaius’s expression twisted in ever-increasing frustration.

  Then suddenly, Kael stopped. His deft nimbleness disappeared, and he reminded me of a sitting target. Gaius smirked and punched Kael straight in the nose. Kael flew across the arena. A deafening cracking sound snapped through the air, and bits of rubble fell off the sides of the arena.

  My heart dropped. I got to my feet and walked closer to the edge of the balcony. That looked like it hurt a ton, and not even a drerkyn would have survived that.

  Kael waved, brushed his hair off his face, and stood up, seemingly unscathed. He said something, but I couldn’t hear from so far away. Then, with a louder voice, he shouted, “That’s cheating!”

  “Don’t complain after losing!” Gaius yelled. “All’s fair in the arena. I win!”

  Gaius sheathed his axe and ambled to where Rylan and Micah were standing. A wide grin sliced across his face. He folded his arms, sat down, and crossed his legs. Kael trudged over to where he was, wearing defeat and a huge scowl.

  Micah and Rylan were next. They both used knightly swords, although Micah wielded a sword in one hand, and a dagger in the other. He also seemed to have throwing knives strapped all over his body. Rylan branded a single dual-handed broadsword—fitting for someone as proper as he was.

  “Oh, look who’s here,” Frederick said, glancing behind me.

  I spun my head around, seeing Mei strolling into the balcony. She served the Gavril family, and was rumored to be vying for the position of head secretary, the same as I was. I sat myself back down and continued with my lunch. She was allowed in here too?

  Mei had shoulder-length, straight black hair. She liked painting her lips with a strange sparkle of gold. I thought it was weird, but she carried the lipstick well. Unlike other scholars who wore robes, she covered herself with garments that other court ladies often wore—dresses that billowed out at the bottom, with delicate trimmings that shimmered in the sun. A bright jewel sparkled on her chest, glowing in a crimson against her pale skin.

  “She doesn’t hold a candle to you,” Frederick said. “I don’t think she’s published any
papers.”

  “Then why do people think she’s going to be a candidate?” I asked, not really paying attention. My eyes were fixated on Micah and Rylan, who looked like they were playing by the rules, unlike the pair before them. I didn’t quite know if there were any rules, but their movements did feel more textbook compared to Kael’s and Gaius’s.

  Frederick leaned in. “I think Vancel Gavril is pulling the strings.”

  “In an open vote?” I said. “What good will that do? He’ll have to convince the minds of every single member of the council, and bribery doesn’t work that well with nobles who are already rich, does it?”

  “It’s not that simple with Vancel. He’s conniving. He wouldn’t straightforwardly walk up to the council and command for things to happen, like the princes might, or so rumors say. He’s working through the shadows.” Frederick picked at his peas. “And… he looks radishing, too.”

  “What makes you think the princes aren’t like that, either?” And since when is Frederick attracted to Vancel?

  Micah was edging Rylan back with his strikes, but mostly, they were evenly matched.

  “I’m just listening to the gossip. But yes, Mei doesn’t stand a chance. Word about you has been traveling around more than word about her, although that’s just my own narrow opinion. Hard work always wins out in the end. Most of us here are nobles. I think you’re the only person on the council with a commoner background. It helps you to stand out in a good way.”

  Rylan regained his advantage, pushing Micah closer to the edge of the arena. Out of nowhere, he made a speedy maneuver that was too fast for my eyes to follow. Micah countered, then they both summoned their wings and took to the skies. Their fight almost reminded me of a symphony. It was glorious to watch. The clash of white wings and black circled in the sky, enrapturing my gaze.

  When they were up in the air, they begun summoning crackles of lightning and fire from their hands. The elements whipped past them. Rylan’s long hair swept over his face as he whipped another swing of his sword toward Micah.

  “They’re absolutely fantastic,” Frederick said.

  “Truly,” I said, letting a bit too much awe into my voice. But they’re mean. Gaius especially, I reminded myself.