Running his hands lightly through her blonde tresses, the dragon’s voice returned with a single utterance.
Mine.
For the first time in his life, Conner and his dragon were in perfect agreement.
Chapter 38
Amelia awoke sprawled across her lover’s chest, one long leg intertwined with his. She found Conner had been watching her sleep.
“You looked peaceful,” he explained. “Didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
Amelia flashed a radiant smile and offered a chaste kiss, different from the passionate ones of the day before.
She snuggled down and pressed against his warmth as he maneuvered the bedding more securely around them.
After a brief pause, Amelia inquired, “Conner, may I ask a question?”
“Sure.”
“How did you learn to appease your dragon? I mean, did someone teach you? Your mother isn’t a shifter so, I was curious…”
“Trial, error, and a lot of practice. I’d be happy to teach you a few techniques that work for me, if you’d like.”
“That would be helpful, considering…” She waved a hand toward her face, indicating her eyes.
Conner nodded. “I’d be happy to.”
“Thanks.”
“I was trying to figure out—”
“Conner!” a feminine voice called.
Jumping from the bed, Conner scrambled to the closet. “Crap!” He pulled a shirt, inside-out, over his head.
“Who is it?” Amelia asked, heart pounding.
“She can’t find us like this.”
Conner’s panic caused her heart to plummet. Did he have a girlfriend all this time?
“Conner!” the voice came again, this time from inside the cabin.
“Hold on!” he shouted, pulling up pants as the door flew open.
“Conner, is everything all right? I heard them say…”
The words died as Chris spied Amelia lying on the bed.
“Well, now I know who the other dragon was that the travelers reported seeing.”
“Chris!” Amelia exclaimed, in a mixture of relief at recognizing her friend, and horror at being found naked in her son’s bed.
“I see you two have found your way to each other. Was starting to have my doubts.”
“What?”
“Mother!” Conner said crossly. “I’ll be out in a minute!”
Chris nodded, flashing Amelia a smile before turning from the room.
Conner closed the door, pressing his forehead to the wood with a groan, then he chuckled as he turned back to Amelia, whose entire body had turned red with flushed embarrassment. “Sorry. I’d make an excuse, but…”
“It’s all right,” she answered, mortification giving way to laughter as the two exchanged an awkward glance.
Five minutes later, both were dressed. When Conner opened the door, Amelia paused, prompting him to reach for her hand. “Not like she doesn’t already know.”
She gave a bashful smile. “True.”
Fingers interlaced, they entered the room together when Amelia stopped dead in her tracks. Chris was not alone.
Beside her sat a woman. She had wrinkles around her eyes and sparse gray strands disrupted her once lush auburn hair. But her eyes held the same childhood spark.
“Kelsie?”
The woman stood and walked toward her.
Amelia dropped Conner’s hand at her approach.
“Amelia, it’s been a long time.”
Swallowing hard, Amelia gazed into her friend’s pale green eyes and nodded, unable to find words.
The woman stepped forward, embracing her lost friend. “When I first heard they’d sent you to the temples, I thought you must have chosen to go.” Kelsie shook her head. “But when Kaliyah announced Stephen would be her new consort, I knew something was wrong. I tried to find out where you’d been sent, but everyone was so secretive about the location. No one knew anything, other than you had been chosen to become a voice of the goddess.”
“What are you doing here, Kelsie? How did you find me?”
“I have a cousin who works a trade route covering all of the non-shifter allocated lands. On a recent visit, he told me a story about a band of thugs, and the blue dragon who saved a village. Your coloring is so rare, I knew it had to be you.”
Amelia pulled back, shaking her head in wonder. “Wait.” She moved her gaze to Chris, who stared blankly before turning back to Kelsie. “Why did you want to find me?”
Kelsie drew a breath. “I need your help, Amelia.”
“With what?”
“I have a daughter. They took her.”
“Took her to the temples?”
Kelsie shook her head, miserably.
Glancing back at Chris, understanding dawned. “Not to the temples?”
“No.”
“If your daughter has shifted, she’s been restored to full status. Heir to your parents’ rank and wealth. No doubt it’s difficult to be separated from her, but you have to admit her prospects are far better than life in the villages.”
“Only she wasn’t.”
Amelia attempted to better read her friend’s expression. “Wasn’t what?”
“Restored to full status.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Shifters born of those who are not are no longer being granted full status. You have to prove a pure bloodline, at least three generations back.”
“Since when?”
“The day your sister took the throne.”
“Wait…” Conner’s voice interrupted the conversation. “Sister?”
Eyes squeezing tight, Amelia struggled to draw a breath, and with it, addressed Kelsie, “I’ll ask again, what are you doing here? My sister sent me to the temples, to be turned into a mindless drone for the remainder of my life. Do you expect the queen will listen to me? Have your parents speak to her.”
“They tried, but the queen refused their pleas. Chris brought me here because she agreed, you’re my daughter’s last hope.”
Amelia shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t—”
“When she comes of age, they’re going to force her to serve as a concubine to Stephen’s brother.”
Amelia’s mind struggled to comprehend. “That makes no sense.”
“He had wanted me, but I didn’t transform. My daughter, though…”
“Why wasn’t she taken back to your parents? Why would someone of your bloodline not be granted—”
“They’re rounding up the non-shifters, distributing most into forced servitude. Young and pretty ones, who once belonged to noble houses, are being gifted.”
“Gifted?”
Kelsie nodded.
Amelia drew a breath. “No. She wouldn’t.”
“She has. Stephen he—”
“Don’t.”
“Amelia, please…”
“I don’t know who you think I am, or what you believe I might possibly be able to do.”
“You’re of the royal bloodline.”
“I’m an outcast—in exile!”
“Amelia, please, if you would but listen…”
“I hear you.” Anger flared, coming clearly through Amelia’s tone.
“You don’t know what I’m asking.”
“Oh, I’m fairly certain I do.”
“Amelia—”
“You show up years into my sister’s reign, just as her rule becomes challengeable? Should I take a wild guess at what you’re asking, or should we cut the pretense?”
“Amelia, she’s my child. They’re going to do horrible things to—”
“There are worse fates than being a pampered concubine to a powerful lord. And now that you’ve proven you can bear shifter children, I’m certain you will be taken back into the palace yourself, where you can be closer to her.”
“Please—”
“I am not challenging my sister.”
Chris now stood, walking toward her with a gentle expression. “My lady,” sh
e said softly, “what your friend has told you is difficult to hear, and likely more difficult to process. We’ll give you time to think.”
Overwhelmed by the multiple eyes, Amelia stepped back, her dragon rising in response to her agitation.
“Everyone step back,” Conner advised. “Don’t crowd her.”
A tremor raced down her back as she turned and met her lover’s gaze. “I’m sorry,” she finally addressed his earlier question. “I should have told you.”
“You’re a princess.”
“I was, once.” Tears burned her eyes. “I have to go.”
“Wait!” Chris called as she fled the room. “You have to—”
“Let her go,” Conner advised. “She’ll return when she’s ready.”
The three watched her vanish from the room, their uneasy silence broken by a dragon’s roar.
“Should you go with her?” Kelsie asked.
“Amelia can take care of herself in that form.” Conner turned to face his mother. “Why didn’t you tell me who she was?”
“Wasn’t my place, or the right time, to do so.”
“But now?”
“Now the situation has become dire. Non-shifters born into high families have always been treated as less than those who shift, but what happened to me was a rarity, not the common practice. Most non-shifters live their entire lives in happiness, in villages protected by the crown, as opposed to persecuted. The stories this woman has told,” she nodded to Kelsie, “are horrific. The queen seems intent on protecting pure bloodlines at all costs, and her new consort is no better.”
“The consort…” His eyes moved to Kelsie. “Why did you know something was amiss when you heard who the consort was?”
“Stephen was Amelia’s lover. The day after Kaliyah became queen, Amelia was sent to the temples, and Stephen took his place at the queen’s side. Rumors of the betrayal reached even our village.”
“Wait, he left Amelia…for her sister?”
Kelsie nodded, causing Conner’s heart to constrict.
Betrayed by her family, and lover. Condemned to the life of a mindless drone at the pleasure of corrupt temples. No wonder she had chosen absolute solitude.
Conner looked at his mom, putting the pieces together. “You knew who she was when you sent me to watch over her.”
“After all she’d been through, she could use a friend.” When Conner raised a dubious eyebrow she added, “And yes, I like Amelia, and hoped that more would bloom. Seems it did.”
“She’s a princess of Kalleen. Don’t you think I should have known before we…”
“If I had told you, would you have helped her?” Chris shook her head. “You’re a child of Kalleen as well, whether you choose to acknowledge such lineage or not. Your great-grandfather was a prince of the dragon realm. You have grown up despising that world, in part because of what they did to me, but Conner, Kalleen is your heritage and birthright, as much as hers.”
“You should have told me.”
“You would never have given her a chance if I had. And you needed to, Conner, for both your sakes.”
“My dragon knew she was in danger. Do you know how the dragon knew? Because I don’t.”
Chris met her son’s gaze. “I will answer your question, however I must ask you something very personal first. It’s important for you to answer honestly.”
“Fine.”
“I mean it, Conner. It’s important.”
“Okay.”
“When you took the princess to your bed, was it you, or your dragon?”
“Mother!”
“Answer the question.”
Conner drew a breath, heat crawling up the side of his neck. “The dragon wanted her, but so did I.”
His mother nodded, a slight smile on her lips. “I didn’t tell you, Conner, because I wanted it to be your choice. A choice not generally afforded to one of your bloodlines. For it is both of your bloodlines, Conner.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’ve never been interested in your Kalleen line. If you had been, you would have learned you’re from a line as ancient as the royal one. Dragons often have fated mates. The line from which you are descended, and Amelia’s line, have long been intertwined. When you appeared the first time, during the ice storm, and found Amelia in the woods, I realized your appearance was likely no accident. Your dragon knew she was in trouble, and compelled you to help her. You say your dragon knew she was in trouble later as well? This doesn’t surprise me in the least.
“Were you a weaker man, I might have warned you. But you have always been skilled in controlling the dragon within, better than most shall ever be. Had I told you the truth, you either would have run away from her, or toward her. My remaining silent allowed you to make a choice, as a man.”
“And if it had been the dragon who bedded her?” Conner asked, anger and embarrassment lacing his words.
“Were that the case, I would recommend caution.”
“And because it wasn’t, I should…what, exactly?”
“Follow your heart, as you have always done.” Chris smiled. “And remember, Conner, the animosity you hold toward those of Kalleen is for wrongs done to others, shadows of a past you never knew. The crimes committed against the princess are raw and bleeding. Had she been delivered to the temples, horrific abuses would have been performed upon her. It is difficult enough to bind the dragon of a lower-born child. For a woman of royal blood, it’s nearly impossible. Her sister knew this when she sent Amelia into their hands. As did the man to whom Amelia had given her heart.”
“I wasn’t there personally,” Kelsie added, “but my sister was. The princess was escorted from the palace in chains, her own sister watching from above in apparent delight.” Kelsie shuddered. “I never cared for Kaliyah, but even I would never have dreamt…Amelia’s her little sister.”
At this, Conner left the room. The women let him go.
“They both need time to process what they’ve learned,” Chris informed Kelsie.
“I understand,” she replied, “but time is something my daughter does not have.”
Chapter 39
Wanting to avoid the two women she suspected were still inside, after retrieving her discarded clothes, Amelia returned to the cabin’s back porch.
The flight had cooled her temper, for now. Apprehensions swirled through her human mind; things her dragon did not concern herself with.
Top of the list? That her sister would force the people she was sworn to protect into horrific servitude. In spite of what Kaliyah had done to her personally, she had wanted to believe her older sister would lead the kingdom with the same grace of their mother’s reign. A kind, yet powerful woman, Eliana had ruled with wisdom, maintaining a fair balance between the strong and weak.
Or had she? Chris’ personal tale jarred her long-held beliefs, causing her to wonder how the woman who had soothed her childhood fears could allow such an atrocity to take place. Forcing a non-shifter into the bed of a high ranking lord? Surely, her mother couldn’t have known.
She shook her head, wishing for her mother’s gentle guidance. “I have so many questions,” she spoke to no one. “I don’t know what to do, nor whom to believe.”
Amelia did not doubt Kelsie’s story, though a part of her longed to. However, neither did she desire to believe its truth. A contradiction within her, compounded by the simple fact she did not wish to be queen. She never had. A fact none seemed to believe.
Hearing the door open behind her, Amelia tensed, not ready to face the women again.
Her dread grew worse at the sound of Conner’s voice. “May I join you?”
Muscles locking painfully, she remained staring at the horizon.
When he touched her shoulder, she jumped. “My lady?” The words were gentle.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
Various responses came to Conner’s mind, but what he said was, “I hold bitterness over what has happened to others. My family. Frien
ds. But…” His mother’s words came to him. “None of my anger is based on personal grievances. What you’ve been through…it’s more.”
“I shouldn’t have kept such a secret.”
“I don’t begrudge you secrets, my lady, if you will forgive me my own.”
Drawing a deep breath, she turned to face him, and offered her hand. “My name is Amelia Elizabeth Castel, Princess of Kalleen.”
Accepting the offered handshake, he replied formally, “Conner Brion Ardarg, grandson of Lord Tryon of Kalleen.”
Amelia tried to smile, but faltered as deep exhaustion set in. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Especially considering how well you cared for me, I should have, long before we…”
“It’s all right,” he assured. “I understand.”
“My sister, Kaliyah, ordered me to the temples. She—”
Conner’s heart ached at the pain in her voice. “Come here.” Pulling her into his arms, Conner held her gently.
“I hear what they’re saying, but she’s my sister.”
“I understand,” Conner answered, a coldness she could not place seeping into his voice. “It’s difficult to be faced with the worst in one’s family.”
Amelia did not answer, allowing him to hold her, drawing on his strength.
He ran his fingers through her blonde tresses for a long time.
The door creaked open behind them. “I’m sorry to disturb…” Kelsie’s words ceased when she saw Amelia in Conner’s embrace.
It took several breaths before Amelia found the strength to face her childhood friend. “Kelsie, I’m sorry. I understand it’s your daughter, but…there must be someone else who can help you. I can’t return to the palace, and have no desire to challenge my sister. She is the queen. I swore an oath to follow her. And while what she did to me was unimaginable, she remains the rightful ruler.”
“Your sister is a monster, Amelia.”
“No, she’s not.”
“What she’s done to the kingdom…” Kelsie shook her head. “It’s appalling.”
“You can’t speak that way about your queen.”
“Our queen is enslaving non-shifters. Reducing some to manual labor, while the others go to fates far worse. Fates my daughter and I will soon be faced with, unless someone challenges her rule.
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