by Judith Post
Her voice held a question. Some lords rid themselves of wives who couldn't give them an heir. Silly. Christian beamed and reached for his child.
Brom and Ignisia leaned into each other, happy for them. Christian knew Ignisia would prefer a son. Funny, since she—mistress of dragons—would never submit to a man, but she was devoted to Brom and wanted to please him. As for Brom, his biggest concern was that his wife have an easy delivery.
Christian walked to the arched window of their room and threw open the shutters. He showed himself to the soldiers and witches gathered in the courtyard. "It's a girl!" he called. "Mother and daughter, both healthy!"
The witches raised their palms. Energy shot into the skies, letting the serfdom know that a celebration was in order. His soldiers cheered. At the noise, Lothar and Scarlet pushed away from the turret spire they clung to, spreading their wings and soaring skyward. Even the dragons seemed to be happy. But, no, just as Christian turned back to his friends, the winged serpents roared a challenge.
Christian whirled to stare. The people in the courtyard gazed skyward to watch.
Ignisia hurried to the window. Her dragon, Scarlet, darted forward with Lothar. Together, they hovered above the high, stone wall that surrounded the fortress. In unison, they bellowed a warning to a dark spot on the horizon that was quickly approaching. Christian took a deep breath. Ignisia's bloodred dragon, flapping beside Brom's black beast, would be enough to make him think twice, but whoever it was kept coming.
Brom came to stand behind his wife. "Another dragon with rider."
Ignisia's eyes narrowed. When the intruder neared the wall, close enough to identify, she glared. "I know that dragon. My sister, Regnia, has found me."
"Found you?" Brom frowned. "I thought she was older, took the rule of your kingdom when your father died, and left you to find your own destiny."
Ignisia gave a grim nod. "All true. But mostly, I left so Regnia wouldn't arrange an accident to rid herself of me. Rumors swirled that she'd helped in Father's passing."
"What threat could you be?" Christian asked. "As first born, the rule went to her. You'd have no claim to it."
Ignisia rested her hand on her protruding stomach. "My sister can be devious and ruthless. There were those who'd be happy to put me in her place. I didn't want them to use me as a pawn."
Looking thoughtful, Brom bent to kiss Christian's daughter, cradled in the crook of her father's arm. "We welcome you, little one." He slid an arm around his wife. "Our children won't be like you and Regnia. They'll love and support each other, but I'm guessing your sister won't turn around and leave. We'd better go out to greet her."
Ignisia pulled back. Christian had never seen her uncertain, but it was clear she'd close the shutters and hide if she could.
"If you'd like, I'll go with Brom," he volunteered. "I'll invite your sister inside and you can meet with her here."
A heavy sigh escaped her. "If I have to deal with her, here would be better. She'll realize I have allies. She'll reconsider her purpose for coming."
Christian and Brom locked gazes. Had things changed in Ignisia's home land? Had her sister come to eliminate her as competition for their land's rule? Not necessary. She obviously had no interest in it.
Lady Enid took the baby from Christian. She cradled her gently and beamed at Brina. "We'll remain up here instead of joining you. Ignisia's sister will understand. Brina needs time to regain her strength. I'll stay with her."
Cook lifted a bucket filled with bloody water and rags. She turned to Ignisia. "I've been kept busy. Nothing's done in the kitchen. If you'd help me lay out a lunch, I'd appreciate it."
Ignisia's eyes widened in surprise. Her dusky features warred to remain pleasant. She didn't make a habit of mingling with servants. Brina often helped Cook, enjoyed working with her. But then, she'd been raised in the castle's kitchens, scuttling between the bread ovens and the storage rooms. But Ignisia wasn't known for her domestic skills…or her patience. She frowned at Christian, uncertain how to respond. She didn't want to offend him.
Cook's question surprised him, too. He raised an eyebrow at her, studied her determined expression, and gave a thoughtful nod. "We'd consider it a favor."
Even more surprised, Ignisia glanced at Brom. He motioned for her to follow Cook.
"Very well then." The words were forced, stiff. Posture rigid, Ignisia started after the short, plump witch.
"We must go." Brom started toward the servant stairs. "Let's meet our guest."
High, narrow windows let shafts of light fall on the stone steps. He and Christian hurried down them and stepped outside into the courtyard. Regnia's dragon had reached the fortress wall, but had come no farther. It circled in the air, waiting for permission to land. Brom pressed two fingers between his lips and gave a sharp whistle. Lothar and Scarlet turned to escort the new dragon to the courtyard, herding it between them.
The witches and soldiers who'd stood watch for news of Brina's birthing stepped aside to let them land. The witches took fighting stances. The soldiers's hands went to their weapons. If they had to, the witches could throw up enough invisible barriers to protect everyone, and they'd magicked the soldiers' shields so that dragon fire couldn't penetrate or melt them. Each sword was forged of special metals, capable of penetrating the beasts' scales.
Regnia dismounted and looked at the courtyard full of people. Taller than Ignisia, and full-busted, she'd perfected an air of authority. Her hard, dark gaze swept over the raised palms and ready weapons. "These serfs aren't frightened by dragons?"
"Not serfs," Christian corrected. "Friends."
Lothar lowered his head toward Christian and Brom. They each dutifully scratched his chin. Christian said, "We've learned enough dragon magic from your sister to find ways to defend ourselves. Besides, Ignisias's dragons are our allies."
"Allies? Is this not my sister's kingdom?" Regnia took a deep breath, clearly fighting for patience. Angry, she placed her hands on her hips. "I asked my seer to look into his pond and find Ignisia. He saw her here—wherever this dumpy, little kingdom is—so I thought…."
Christian's lips curled in amusement as he interrupted her. "This is my serfdom. And welcome."
"I came for my sister," Regnia barked. "Where is she?"
Brom stepped forward. "What's the purpose of your visit?"
Regnia looked him up and down. As tall as Christian with the same broad shoulders, Brom's dark, brooding looks contrasted with Christian's open, friendly manner. "And you are?"
"Her husband."
Regnia grimaced. "She married beneath her?"
"I'm her partner."
"I doubt you're her equal, but my sister's here?"
Brom nodded.
"Take me to her."
"What is your purpose?" Brom repeated.
"I'll have you flogged for your insolence. I gave you an order. Obey it."
"You're in our lands." Christian stood, shoulder to shoulder, with Brom. "You'll give us a purpose or leave."
Regnia stared. Her words came out clipped. "Our kingdom's in unrest. She's needed there."
A breeze whipped strands of Brom's thick, black hair across his face. He pushed them out of the way. "I'll take you to her."
"Are you sure?" Christian studied his friend. Brom would be devastated if Ignisia left here.
Voice brittle, Brom said, "Ignisia must decide for herself. It's not my choice."
They started toward the castle. Regnia glanced at its thick, stone walls and heavy, iron gates. "Does she live here? Under someone else's rule?"
"No, we're visiting our friends." Brom crossed the courtyard toward the massive, double doors that opened into the Great Room.
Christian turned to follow behind, but stopped when Sabina, one of his witches, called, "My lord, a daughter?"
Christian couldn't stop his grin. Sabina's son wasn't quite a year old yet. Against his wishes, the witch had fought beside him when she was pregnant. "Your boy had better not trifle with her," h
e teased.
She laughed. "Have you chosen a name?"
"Brina favors Elysia."
"Elysia, she'll be then." They all knew that Christian usually bent to his wife's wishes.
"We're following tradition," he told them. "The feast will be three nights from now. Spread the word."
They slowly started to depart, talking among themselves. Christian took one moment to watch them. He felt blessed that his people supported him so much. Then he shook himself and sprinted toward the castle. Brom and Ignisia had an important guest, someone they were wary of. He hurried to play host.
He walked fast enough that he entered the Great Room along with Brom and Regnia. He was surprised to see his mother, Lady Enid, sitting in the chair next to Ignisia's. Both sat in front of the fireplace. Lady Enid caught Christian's eye and smiled. "Brina's resting. Lynet's with her. I chose to continue my visit with Ignisia."
A breath of wind could have knocked him over. His mother could hardly wait for the birth of her first grandchild. He didn't think anything could drag her away from Brina's bedside. But something had convinced her to show her full-fledged support of Ignisia. Her intuition was never wrong.
Ignisia rose. Eyebrow arched, she stared at her sister. "Regnia, I never thought to see you again. Why are you here?"
Not a friendly greeting.
Regnia looked her slowly up and down—two, dark beauties facing each other. "You're with child? You look healthy enough. You can travel, can't you?"
Ignisia lifted her chin. "No, my time's soon. I won't risk leaving here. You look healthy, too. No one's been able to kill you yet?"
Regnia threw back her head and laughed. "They've tried. Luckily for us, Father taught us much."
"Maybe too much? Rumor is you killed him."
A servant entered the room with an armload of firewood and placed a new log on the dying embers. Regnia watched him a moment, lost in thought. "Father's passing was a blessing for all, including him. He was growing old and frail, cold even when seated near the fire." Her gaze settled on Lady Enid.
"My mother's not frail," Christian told her, "simply tired. She got little sleep last night."
Ignisia crossed her arms. "You came a long way to find me. Why?"
"I meant to seek you in your own lands. I want you to return home with me."
"Christian's mother's a midwife. My time is close."
Regnia waved her answer away. "Surely you have a midwife in your kingdom?"
"Not like Lady Enid. And we feel comfortable here. Brom was Christian's general until I convinced him to rule with me."
"Convinced him?" Regnia narrowed her eyes, reassessing Brom. "You usually take what you want." Her gaze swept the well-kept castle, the servants who bustled from room to room.
"Not so easily done here," Ignisia said. "Too many witches. I couldn't resort to force, even with a half dozen dragons by my side."
Christian caught the unsubtle warning to her sister—we're stronger than you think.
"And where are your dragons now?" Regnia asked. "Do you keep them here?"
Ignisia laughed. "No, my dragons are in the keep at our serfdom. They've made this country home." Another warning.
Regnia heard it and crossed her arms over her chest. She was as exotic as her sister and more flamboyant. She rimmed her dark eyes with kohl, painted her lips bright red. She wore an elaborate head dress and long, dark gloves with gold embroidered symbols. She turned to study Christian and placed a hand on his arm. He winced when she touched him, but forced himself not to pull away. "Thank you for welcoming my sister so warmly. I've worried constantly since she fled our lands."
"Fled?" he asked.
Regnia pursed her lips. "We were never close. She listened to rumors."
"Rumors must be plentiful in your lands." He didn't doubt that Regnia had worried about Ignisia—but as competition, not as fear for her safety. "Were the rumors true?"
"Peasants love to talk. They're not happy without some form of gossip."
She hadn't answered the question. If Christian remembered correctly, dragon riders had to be honest. Dragons wouldn't abide lies. However, words could distort the truth and hide true meanings. Why was she here?
Before he could ask, Ignisia said, "You still haven't told me what you want."
"A rumor's started in our kingdom that you never left our lands, that I had you killed. It's caused some unrest. I want to deal with the problem swiftly."
A log crackled and flames hissed in the fireplace. It was warm outside, but the castle remained cool. The open doors allowed a breeze to riffle one of the heavy, fabric, wall hangings. Footsteps bustled up the steps from the basement. Cook stopped at the arch to the Great Room, and Ignisia went to stand beside her. Christian's brows rose in surprise. Interesting.
"How do you mean to fix your problem?" Ignisia asked.
"I'll take you home with me. Show the people you're alive."
Cook stepped slightly in front of Ignisia. "She can't travel now. The baby's dropped."
Christian looked from one of them to the other. What had passed between Ignisia and Cook? Ignisia wasn't known for bonding with servants.
Regnia studied them, too, with a puzzled expression. Her hands balled into fists. "My seer warned that you were with child, but your stomach was high when he saw your image. I waited too long. I thought we had more time."
Christian gave her a long, hard look. She meant to make Ignisia travel when she was with child? "And you?" he asked. "Have you found a consort? Do you have children?"
A shadow passed over her features. "I've sought love many times, but I've been disappointed. At long last, I think I've found what I need."
A shiver sped through Christian. What did Regnia need? What would happen to a man who disappointed her?
Brom looked alarmed, too, but quickly hid it. "I hope you've found the happiness we have."
"I doubt it." Regnia shook her head. "Ignisia and I were never alike. I'm sure what pleases her would fail to satisfy me."
"I see." Brom acknowledged the insult.
Regnia's gaze grew lustful and she licked her lips. "You're strong and comely. You'd please me in bed, but my goals and my sister's have never been the same."
Lady Enid cleared her throat, interrupting them. She turned her attention to Cook. "Are you ready for us?"
Cook nodded. "Our guest's traveled a long way. She must be hungry. I've laid out a cold meal in the kitchen, if she'd care to join you there."
"In the kitchen?" Regnia sounded shocked.
"It's our midday meal," Lady Enid explained. "Christian's wife just gave birth to his new daughter, and Cook assisted me as midwife. We're being less formal than usual."
"Your kingdom's very lax." Regnia allowed Lady Enid to lead her down the flagstone steps to the basement kitchen.
Christian didn't add that they often ate there. He loved the big, cavernous room and the worn, wooden work table. He liked being away from prying eyes. And he enjoyed pestering Cook, who was usually busy, stirring something in the large, black kettle that hung over the fire. He knew her, though, she'd be listening to every word they said.
Regnia's gaze swept the food offerings. Cold beef, slivers of roasted chicken and duck, venison, fresh fruits and vegetables, rounds of bread and cheeses. "This is your usual fare? Is your kingdom this prosperous?" she asked Ignisia.
Christian answered for her. "She and Brom are too modest, but yes, it is. Our witches guarantee that."
"I thought your country burned witches." Regnia had been reaching for a wedge of cheddar, but stopped to stare.
"Most do. Not here." Christian gestured around the table. "Each of us have different magicks. Brom and I welcome them in our lands. So does the serfdom on the other side of mine. We support each other. If someone attacks one, he attacks all."
Regnia raised a hand. She'd obviously heard enough warnings. "I only came for my sister. I have no desire to attack anyone."
Ignisia gripped the edge of the wooden table.
"After all these years, after I had to leave my country to escape you, why would I return to it?"
Regnia sighed. "You still care about our kingdom. Do you really want it divided by war?"
"Seek Jiang's help. He watched me leave. He can tell the people. They'll believe him." When Brom tossed her a questioning look, she said, "Jiang was our half-brother, born from one of my father's concubines."
Regnia reached for a bottle of red wine. "Soon after you left, he died unexpectedly."
Probably when assassins rushed his home. Christian glanced at Ignisia and could tell she was thinking the same thing.
"I begged him to come with me," Ignisia said.
Regnia sipped from her cup. "He should have."
"And Bao Yu?" When Brom's brows drew together in a scowl, Ignisia said, "Our infant sister. Mother had her just before she died."
Regnia cut a large slice off the round of cheese. "I didn't come to discuss our sad past. I came to fetch you. How soon can you leave after you give birth?"
"She's not going." Brom locked gazes with Regnia. "She's staying here to care for our child."
Regnia moved so quickly, none of them expected it. She pressed the edge of her blade against Brom's throat. "My sister's coming with me."
Behind her, Cook raised a palm. A heavy skillet flew through the air and whacked Regnia on the back of the head. Regnia fell forward, and Christian gripped her wrist, turning it painfully. The knife fell from her fingers, and he picked it up. Then he released her.
Regnia spewed anger. "You filthy heathens with your strange magicks!"
Christian gave a tight smile. "What your sister does is her choice. She won't be pressured."
He turned to Ignisia, who said, "If it's all right with Christian, you can stay long enough for us to discuss strategy, but I'm not returning with you. My place is here with my husband and our serfdom."
"Your place? You're a mistress of dragons!"
"My lands and my husband need me."
Regnia stabbed a slice of duck. "I thought you cared about Father's people."
"I do. We'll find an answer. Here."
Regnia nodded. What else could she do?
They finished their meal and Lady Enid said, "Let me show you to a room. Your visit is unexpected, but we'll have one readied quickly."
