by E E Everly
Kenrik nodded. “The creature was the color of pale skin. Yes. With talons and scales. Kelyn, you remember the picture. A giant, fearsome beast with wings like a bat’s. The sorceress sat upon her back.”
Bat wings? Seren grumbled. We aren’t related to bats, even in the slightest way.
I know. I’m sorry. “Yes, Kenrik, that’s her!” I nearly jumped with relief. Siana and Nimue had once come this way.
Kelyn inclined his chin slowly, as if considering all the ramifications. How did the ancient scribes portray Nimue? Did flames shoot from her mouth? Were her lips curled back, revealing her pointed teeth? They might think she was a monster, yet Kelyn still sought Siana out to heal his mother. He obviously didn’t think she was a danger. Even so, his apprehension waved like a leaf trapped in the wind.
I needed to crumple that uncertainty. “I came with a dragon—my dragon sister, Seren. She seems imposing, even dangerous, but she wouldn’t hurt a mouse. And I’d say she’s more like a flying lizard.”
Silence while I squeezed my fingers into the fabric at my side.
My eyes darted to each brother. Both as different in mind as in stature. Kelyn, tall and wiry, while Kenrik was my height and solid. He accepted the impossible while Kelyn wanted so much to believe me.
Kelyn’s blue crystalline eyes swirled with the questions Kenrik’s did not. Kenrik’s acceptance was almost the same attitude Owein carried for Seren. No otherworldly beast seemed to shock them.
“Where is she?” Kenrik asked.
“She’s been hiding,” I said. “We didn’t want to scare anyone. This is such a new world, and we were waiting for the right opportunity to show her. I was going to tell you about her later today.”
“But…?” Kelyn shifted his weight, as if settling in for an explanation.
“She’s on her way here, with Owein. He left.” Without a goodbye. “I told her to bring him back.”
Kenrik snapped his fingers. A guard emerged from behind a shrub. It was then I realized the royal family was always watched. We appeared to be enjoying an afternoon to ourselves, but servants and guards were just a command away.
“Your Highness?” the guard asked.
“Sound the alert,” Kenrik said.
The man nodded.
I grabbed Kenrik’s firm arm. “She won’t harm anyone. She’s my sister. I’m her guardian. She’s everything to me.”
His fingers dropped over mine, and my heart sped faster than a gallop. “I know. You misunderstood. I’m making sure no one will harm her.” Before Kenrik took off to the courtyard, the guard, who had started on his way, blew two short bursts into a horn.
“Come.” Kelyn turned me toward himself, tearing my gaze away from Kenrik’s shrinking figure, and as he did, a wash of his understanding bathed me. That’s when all the tension left. That’s when my body gave way to the peace of my spirit. Kelyn had seen the rigidness in me, and with a touch—fingertips on my shoulder—he let me know he was on my side. I was forever grateful.
“Let’s meet this dragon of yours,” he said. “Any sister of yours is welcome, even if she is a beast.”
Relief over his support filled me. “Thank you.”
I guess I had truly won the brothers over, but just because I’d healed Sorfrona didn’t mean they should have trusted me. They had only my word. They couldn’t see into my soul. They didn’t know of my integrity and couldn’t sense my core emotions, yet they trusted me regardless. Humans boggled me. Maybe being immortal caused me to miss a basic trait they possessed. A blind compassion for others. Benevolence to reciprocate but without knowing the complete truth. A quality of humans to love in ignorance.
Must be called humanity, Seren said.
I laughed—mentally. They have their own word for this quality?
A condition of being human. I don’t know how else you’d describe their good deeds despite their unawareness—their inability to perceive.
Humanity. Interesting concept. I wish I could tell Catrin and Aneirin this.
I’ve reached Owein, Seren said. See you soon.
Kelyn beckoned to the shadows, and another guard emerged. “Tell my father to meet us in the courtyard. We have a guest arriving.”
After a curt nod, the guard was off. Kelyn took my arm as we strode toward the courtyard.
Humanity. I would let him express his humanity to me. What had I been doing with Owein—every time he led me through a crowd or danced with me or even when he chose to warn me about this world?
“What’s a dragon?” Brenin asked from behind, completely innocent and somewhat adorable. I took his hand as Tiwlip and Sorfrona joined us.
What a procession we made going to meet a dragon.
EIGHTEEN
“Steady men!” Kenrik shouted. “I know she’s a ferocious beast, but she won’t hurt anyone. We have Niawen’s word.”
With my shoulders back and my head high, I stood at the front of the crowd consisting of guards, the royal family, and the remaining court attendants. Seren circled above.
Owein was in the saddle, clinging for his life and whooping up a commotion. He was enjoying himself in an unrealized, never-before-discovered, frightening rush. I held my laughter in because the crowd behind me surged with mistrust and terror. They thought I’d tricked them. They thought I was a liar who came to annihilate them. Thank the Creator, they didn’t know Seren flamed. Even so, every eye was on Seren’s fangs and razor-sharp claws. Her armored hide and her red irises. The onlookers cowered away from the power in her wings and the muscles in her body.
She could kill them all.
But so could I, and they accepted me without knowing all I was capable of. Ah, mortals.
Seren descended, and I stepped forward to greet her. She landed silently, folded her wings, and dipped her head in polite acknowledgment.
I threw my arms around her neck. Well done. I think Owein appreciated his trip.
I ignored the unrest behind me and helped Owein off Seren. As I gripped his forearm, I said, “You and I shall have words later, but right now, I have to diffuse the situation.”
He grinned, and I cursed his satisfaction.
“How else was I supposed to get Seren to give me a ride?” Owein asked.
I bit my lip and shot Owein a look. “Well played.”
Raising my voice, I addressed everyone but directed my gaze at Kelyn. “Please welcome Seren, my dragon sister. She has come with me to start a life in this glorious realm. She appears fearsome, but I assure you, her temperament is quite the opposite of mine. We bring out the best in each other. Her meekness teaches me humility, and we humbly offer ourselves as your servants.” I curtsied, a practice I picked up since coming to Talfryn.
King Sieffre, who was standing next to Kelyn, answered me. “Niawen, you’ve done more for us—for me—and for this kingdom than I could ever ask. Seren is welcome.” From the sparkle in the king’s eyes, I knew Kelyn inherited his allure from his father.
“That pleases me, Your Majesty.” A smile played at my lips. Before long, Seren and I would be free to roam wherever we desired, without fear of scattering the king’s poor subjects. That is, once word had spread.
Kelyn edged away from the king, studying my face. He was more astonished than anything, and somewhat jealous. I assumed these feelings were because Owein was the first mortal to ride before Kelyn’s princely bottom could grace the saddle. He reached toward Seren. “May I?”
I felt the collective breath held as the assembly watched their prince inch closer to my beloved Seren. The smile broke on my face, and I gushed, “Yes, Your Highness.” I rubbed my fingers along Seren’s neck to her cheek, showing him where he could touch.
Kelyn stepped into place beside me, and with his fingers brushing mine, he stroked Seren’s scales. “She’s smooth and unyielding, like armor. And hot like an oven. Remarkable.”
His eyes took Seren in, following the contour of her scales up to her jaw. He counted the spikes dotting her brow. Seventeen of them. Tiny for he
r, but the size of my pinky. Kelyn examined her crimson eye, which swirled with shades of brown and rust.
Seren blinked, and Kelyn stepped back. “She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said with a huff of smoke.
Everyone gasped. Seren and I were anticipating this little surprise. Only the two of us, and Owein, knew she could speak.
“I want to touch her,” a childlike voice said.
Brenin released Tiwlip’s hand and squeezed past Kenrik, who impulsively scooped the bold little prince up.
Seren nodded. “Go ahead, young prince.” Might as well let everyone have a turn so I won’t be assaulted later.
I love you, Seren. You’re being extremely patient. I hugged her.
Kenrik and Brenin took their turns greeting Seren.
“You speak,” Kenrik said. “I should have guessed as much. Niawen, you should have told me about Seren sooner.”
“There wasn’t time. With your mother’s healing and my being asleep for three days. And the ball.”
Kenrik touched my hand resting against Seren. His voice was earnest, and soft. His words were not meant to be heard by anyone else, even though he hefted Brenin in his other arm, and Kelyn stood at his elbow. The fervor in Kenrik’s eyes pierced my chest. “You have my trust, always. Keep nothing a secret. Whatever I have is yours. Whomever you love, I love. To whomever and whatever you give your life, I give mine.”
Every nerve in my arm tingled. Kenrik’s devotion was deeper than I originally suspected. What would his heart-center tell me if I peered inside? I blinked away his fervor. “Kenrik…” I whispered. I couldn’t grasp the significance behind his declaration. My eyes closed as I inhaled. Thank you was all I mustered with a breathy exhale.
After King Sieffre and Sorfrona met Seren, Tiwlip slipped forward and took Brenin from Kenrik. She quietly pressed her cheek to Seren’s and whispered. “Thank you for sharing your sister with us.” She disappeared into the crowd with her son.
I was touched. Tiwlip felt like an outsider as the widowed sister-in-law to Sieffre, but her bond to Sorfrona was clear. Tiwlip’s gratitude ran over. She could never repay me for saving her sister-in-law.
Meeting Seren went better than I expected.
Much of the crowd still lingered after they gawked at Seren and touched her scales. A few caressed her wings, and she shooed them away after that. A dragon’s wings were his or her pride. Seren didn’t allow just anyone to touch them.
“You must excuse me,” I nodded to Kelyn and Kenrik. “Owein owes me an explanation, and I must return him to his caravan.”
“Man, I don’t envy you.” Kelyn slapped him on the shoulder. “You shouldn’t have run out on this lady.”
“I’m sure I’ve learned my lesson, Your Highness. Thank you for your hospitality.” Owein bowed.
“We’ll take care of spreading the word about Seren,” Kenrik said. “Father will draft a proclamation declaring that she is not to be harmed.”
“You have my gratitude,” I said as Seren gave me a leg up into the saddle. I held my hand out to Owein. “One more ride, you scoundrel.”
Owein grasped my hand, and I pulled him up. He settled himself behind me in the saddle and wrapped his arms around my waist. As Kenrik and Kelyn stepped back, their eyes held the fire of jealousy.
I sighed.
Men and mortals.
NINETEEN
I shoved Owein, not hard for an immortal, but hard for a mortal.
He stumbled backward, but I advanced on him and shoved him again. “What were you thinking?”
“Ouch, Niawen!” Owein rubbed his chest, retreating. “Obviously I wasn’t.”
I pushed his shoulder, and he lost his footing.
He fell on his rear in the mud. “Remind me not to anger immortals.”
We’d found the caravan, and Seren had landed in the front, halting the line.
Arnall pulled Owein to his feet. The company had drawn around to see why I was abusing one of their captains. They were still in awe over Seren too. Some of them couldn’t get around the fact that Owein and I lied to them about Seren. The farce had been exposed when Seren picked up Owein earlier.
“All right, everybody. Show’s over,” Arnall said. “Niawen, give the man a break. You were engrossed in the prince. A guy can tell when he’s not wanted.”
What? Engrossed in the prince? I shook my head. “Please give us a minute, Arnall.”
He rolled his eyes but left us.
I wagged my head side to side. “Owein, you’re mistaken. I read your letter. The prince—”
“Can offer you every opportunity I cannot. Don’t you understand? I have to return home anyway. I’m a wanderer. If you stayed with me, yes, you’d see the world, but I live by the bow on my back. You’d be dirty and cold—”
“I would never be cold.”
“Fine. Scratch that one,” he said. “But my life is not the life I’d want to drag you on. You deserve more. Comforts. Nobility. Rich foods. Prince Kelyn can give you all that.”
“Owein… dear sweet Owein. I would have followed you on an adventure. Discomfort or loss of luxury doesn’t bother me, but you stole away. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I thought it would be easier.” He rubbed his shoulder. “I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Why was saying goodbye so difficult? I curled my lip against my teeth, fidgeting. My brow felt twisted in a dozen knots.
“You’re going back though,” he said. “It’s all right. It’s where you belong.”
“There’s a kingdom of people who could use my help. I’ll visit. I swear.”
“I know you will, Niawen. And when you do, I’ll show you the sea. It’s Prince Brenin’s kingdom. I see how that boy is fond of you too. You’ll want to visit Queen Tiwlip and Prince Brenin once they return. My village is a day’s journey south from the capital, but I can’t say—”
“—you’ll be there,” I said. “I know. I’ll find you.”
“So this is it, then. Niawen. I don’t have to tell you how you dazzle everyone. I don’t have to tell you to take care and watch your back, nor do I have to tell you how amazing you are.” He shook his head. “Amazing. The furthest thing from a Gwyll imaginable.”
“If you ever become sick, send a message.” That sounded so stupid.
“Of course, with my dragon, naturally.”
I wrung my hands. Sending a message was hopeless. Mortal travel was too slow.
“Come on, woman.” Owein pulled me into an embrace.
I melted against him. His heart. His heart. Oh, the thump branded my soul. Lub dub, lub dub. Don’t forget. Don’t forget. Don’t forget me.
I inhaled sharply and wrapped my arms around him. As I squeezed, I tried not to hurt Owein. I pushed light into his body, wanting to heal the bruises I’d caused.
Owein pulled away. He must have felt the heat gathering in his injuries. “Nope. Don’t. I want the reminders.”
He’d never forget me. And I’d never forget him.
Not ever.
TWENTY
Seren landed in the palace yard. Everyone was busy, except Kelyn, who had waited anxiously for my return.
I didn’t dismount. Seren and I had taken a roundabout way to the palace, glorying in the stretch of her wings and the radiant sun on my face. For fall, the air was a delight.
“I saw you circling overhead,” Kelyn said. “I wished I could have waved you down earlier. I wanted to know if you’re ready to introduce Seren to a few townships. Messengers have left, but I don’t think they know what to expect. I mean, I didn’t.”
“Are you angry with me? Believe me, that was far from my—”
“I’m not.” Kelyn edged closer to Seren and rubbed her shoulder. “May I come up? To escort you?”
I pursed my lips at him, as if considering. Mortal men always wanted to escort the ladies.
“If you prefer to retire… I worried you might be spent,” he rattled on. “But I didn’t want to miss this fair
afternoon. A storm’s blowing in tonight.”
You’re a tease, Seren said.
“Niawen?” Kelyn asked.
“Yes, yes. Let’s go. Show me your kingdom.” My chest tightened. Owein wanted to show me so much, but he abandoned me to a crown prince.
An eager crown prince.
Kelyn reached out. “Seren doesn’t mind if I step on her forearm?”
“Go ahead, Your Highness,” Seren said.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him behind myself. He settled against my back as he wrapped his arms around me. I pulled his hands loose so his grip wasn’t too tight. That’s when I noticed how clammy they were.
“Kelyn?” I studied his emotions. Fear. Anxiety. From being around Seren?
“I should probably tell you I’m terrified of heights,” he whispered.
“We haven’t even left the ground!”
“I know.” He shifted in the saddle and looked up. “See Kenrik on the rampart?” Kelyn raised his voice. “Laugh it up!”
I zoomed in on Kenrik with my dragon sight. Absolutely as smug as could be, he laughed so vigorously his hands clenched his stomach.
“He’s watching from there because he knows I won’t go up there either,” Kelyn said.
I wrapped an infusion of light around Kelyn and smoothed my hands over his. This whole situation was humorous, but I wanted to allow His Highness to save face. “Don’t holler. Just hold on. You won’t go anywhere. My light will bolster your confidence.”
“Am I going to regret this?” he asked.
“Never.”
TWENTY-ONE
Rain pounded the rooftops and forced everyone indoors. Sorfrona explained that the weather became more and more unpredictable as winter approached, but those native to the highlands were used to the sky’s moods. They had plenty of indoor activities to occupy themselves, from mending and weaving and all sorts of stitchery for the ladies, to games and training for the gentlemen. Evenings brought the opportunity for music and dancing, or storytelling and theater.
