by D. R. Grady
“What about us?” Raene took three steps for every one of his or Lajos’s, but she kept up with them.
“We’re safe as well.” He slowed his pace so she didn’t have to run. And resisted the temptation to snatch her up and carry her. Or hide her in a pocket since he couldn’t stash her in the treasure room.
He hadn’t expected to be faced with her being the queen this soon.
“We will be.” Her mouth tightened.
Lajos didn’t shrug, but his manner was similar. “We are right now.”
Raene didn’t look as certain, but her doubt was fine. She’d never actually seen either of them in battle. So much had changed for her in the last two months, so he didn’t balk at her lack of confidence.
Instead, he and Lajos matched their steps with hers and strode to battle.
When they reached the outdoors, a snappy breeze tried to snatch Raine’s breath. It caught at her bound hair, and flapped her clothes.
An odd sense of calm settled over her as the hilt of Driies warmed. The weight of the sword proved reassuring.
They left the castle behind, stalking into a side garden, an Aasguard warrior on either side. Vidar’s arm and hand brushed hers from time to time. As though reassuring her he was close by and wouldn’t allow anyone to harm her.
Lajos didn’t offer physical reassurance, but his confidence was palatable. Perhaps the presence of these two men constituted her lack of alarm and fear.
Her brain didn’t churn with chaos as she would have expected. Had they not been with her, she would have degenerated into a rattling mess.
Or locked herself in the treasure room with Stefana. Chewing on her nails and sweating.
Except as the queen, she needed to face the battle head on. And she would.
A massive black dragon and the far more petite green one joined them. Aern waited until she and Vidar alighted onto his back before he headed for the sky. Fricassa, despite being so small, took Lajos’ weight with aplomb. It took her mere seconds to become airborne. Their wings created an impressive downdraft.
Aern and Fricassa checked in with each other, then powerful wings beating, burst into the clouds. Having never flown before, Raene was heartily grateful for Vidar’s hard arms encircling her and his radiant heat that kept her warm.
It didn’t take the dragons long to reach the border, so flying had some merit. The dragons set their passengers on the ground before both soared over the battalion. Their huge shadows caused varied exclamations from the men below.
Fricassa blew out one puff of dragonfyre and annihilated the cannons. A mere afterthought of a breath, with impressive results. Panicked shouts resounded as the men nearest the cannons dove for cover.
The rest of the contingent spun to see what had happened, and soon broke rank. Many of them sought cover, without their commander’s permission.
“No one said they had dragons.” This protest echoed throughout the platoon.
Those on horseback continued forward, as though their equine made them impervious to dragonfyre.
One man, flying banners she recognized, spurred his steed forward. She waited. This army had one purpose and her stomach squelched at the very idea of marrying the jerk. She would run him through with Driies first.
And thereby start a war.
When he spotted her, Ostard reined in the stallion to peer down at her from what he probably considered a lofty perch. “Raene of Montequirst.”
“Ostard, state your business.”
“You are queen now?”
Rising to her full, unimpressive height, she spat, “State your business.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You are in need of a husband, therefore, you will choose me.”
“I am not in need of a husband.” Icicles dripped off each word. Vidar’s sure grip on his sword hilt did not waver, and that settled the ravens in her stomach.
“We are aware of your mother’s death and that you must have a king to protect you. Therefore we will combine my kingdom and yours.”
Driies grew hot against her hand, so Raene drew the sword and cut the girth binding his saddle.
With an alarmed, animal-like cry, the odious king and his saddle tumbled to the frozen ground. Several officers, also astride war horses, rushed forward to assist him. Raene beat them there, her sword at the vile man’s neck. “I reject your proposal.”
“You can’t.” He avoided her blade and stood with agile grace, dusted himself off, cheeks red. His fists curled as his jaw hardened. “There is no choice in the matter for you.”
Aern swept so low he knocked the king sideways. Landing right in front of him, Aern’s bulk made the saddle-less horse skitter to the side. It screamed, reared, then courage breaking, raced in the direction it had come.
Ostard bellowed after it, but Aern growled and immediately the idiot returned his attention to the black dragon. “The queen has stated she’s not interested in marrying you.” His voice emitted low and deadly.
Fricassa settled beside him.
“She is in need of a husband.”
“She is not.”
“What do you mean she’s not?” He swung back to her. “There hasn’t been time for you to marry.”
“I married the day of my mother’s funeral. To the husband of my choosing.” She didn’t raise her voice, but did grip Driies a little tighter.
“Who did you marry?”
Did this idiot not read the news?
“A man who can withstand dragonfyre and who is the greatest warrior in this land and any surrounding it.”
Lajos snorted. “He’s not the best any longer. Not with me here.”
The neighboring king’s eyes snapped to the tall men flanking her. “You married one of these men?”
“Meet King Vidar the Loyal of Montequirst, Aasguard warrior, and my husband.” She transferred Driies to her right hand so she could take Vidar’s in her left. This showcased the sparkling wedding band he had gifted her.
“Normally I’d say it is nice to meet you, but I’m not feeling so at the moment.” Vidar’s eyes slivered so only a hint of cold silver showed.
The other king had the presence of mind to take a step back. “What’s this? You can’t be married.”
“She married him privately, and legally, on the day her mother died, and formally, yesterday. I, and most of Montequirst, witnessed the second ceremony.” Lajos wasn’t any less daunting.
“Meet Vidar’s brother, Lajos the Swift. Also an Aasguard warrior.” She nodded to Aern. “The black dragon is Vidar’s companion, Aern. The green one is Lajos’ companion. Her name is Fricassa.”
Fricassa offered him a smile that showcased plenty of sharp teeth. Both dragon’s horns and spikes were very much in evidence.
King Ostard stepped back again. “What is this? Aasguard warriors don’t marry. There was talk you had one to guard your treasure house.” His floundering amused her on one level, but the man was wasting her time. He had also shattered her and Vidar’s first morning together in their new suite.
“Aern and I have shared that task for nearly three decades.” Vidar tipped his head to the massive dragon. “However, when it became apparent Raene needed a husband, she chose me. I accepted.”
“I chose wisely.” Driies pulsed in her hand. When one of the officers urged his steed closer, the horse ended up with the sword within centimeters of its nose.
It sidled left. Then backpedaled, despite the rider’s cues. “This is unheard of.” The rider protested, as though protests would change everything.
“The last person to complain about my husband got vaporized.” She waved an airy hand toward Aern.
Who looked more than a little smug.
Ostard tore his gaze from Aern to eye the two Aasguards. Their impressive height demanded tall swords and both weapons gleamed ominously in the sunlight. Confidence exuded from both warriors, the type earned through years of battle.
Maybe Ostard didn’t fear her, and this made sense, she hadn’t reached master status
yet in her training, but the two Aasguards standing with her had long ago reached such status. They deserved the wariness emanating from all of the men.
Although a few of them did view Driies with a fraction of trepidation. Raene had every intention of continuing her training. And every woman and girl in Montequirst would train as well.
This incident cemented her first major decision as the Queen of Montequirst.
One of the older officers dipped his head to her. “Queen Raene, we are relieved to hear you are wed. As you do not require our protection, we will extend our greatest wishes for a long and happy life for you and your husband.” His gaze swept from Vidar and Lajos, to the two dragons. “And we will take our leave.”
Many of the men present didn’t appear well trained. Her eyes narrowed. These “soldiers” might have come from the lawless west. It would explain why Ostard marched with such an impressive number. Ostardland surely didn’t boast this many soldiers.
“Who is your princess?” Ostard looked flushed, but no longer flustered.
“She’s safe in the treasure room.” Raene’s heart dropped at the look in his eyes. Well hidden crazy stirred there. A wave of sorrow for her friend, the late Queen Lalika, who had been forced to wed him, washed through her.
No more of her friends would be sacrificed to this vermin.
“As a princess now, she will have position and duties.” A nasty smirk flashed across Ostard’s face.
Raene had to swallow the resulting knot of revulsion before she could answer. “Again, she is safe and not of your concern.” She poked the tip of Driies into Ostard’s chest.
Eying the sword with a modicum of respect, the light died in his eyes. His lip did curl into a snarl. “You have ruined everything.”
Raene disagreed. “No, I saved everything. You are free to leave now.”
One of the riders broke the ranks to lead a saddle-less horse forward. Ostard vaulted onto its back. Then turning the equine without a bridle, galloped away. The others fell in behind him. Those on foot reformed their lines and the army departed. The sound of booted feet fading the further they went.
She sheathed Driies.
“You cut his saddle out from under him.” Lajos sounded both awed and alarmed by this.
“He’s going to continue to be a problem.” Vidar stared after the crazy king, his jaw hard.
“Yes. We knew from the beginning he would be.” Raene glared in the same direction. “I didn’t realize until now that he’s crazy.”
“He’s definitely that.” Now Lajos’ jaw looked in danger of cracking. “And he’s set his sights on Stefana.”
“He doesn’t know she’s the princess.”
Lajos sent her a speaking look. “It will take him five minutes with a crystal console to determine the identity and marital status of Montequirst’s acting princess.”
The same knot of revulsion jammed in her throat. Even the idea of being close to such filth made her shudder. “Stefana is not marrying him.”
“Not a chance.” Lajos’ easy agreement and his fist clamping around his sword vastly reassured her. “She won’t ever get close enough to him for marriage to be a problem.”
“Thank you.” She briefly laid a hand on Lajos’ arm.
“You’re welcome.” A lot of information passed between him and Vidar, but she couldn’t discern any of it. The bond between siblings was supposedly strong. Plus these men differed from normal humans.
Still, her own resolve hardened. Stefana would not be hounded by any men.
Her first priority upon returning to the castle—change the archaic laws governing marriage, as they related to women in general, and royalty in particular.
After she freed Stefana from the treasure room.
Chapter 25
“Are you certain I won’t have to marry against my will?” Stefana brushed the dust from her gown sleeve as Raene turned back to the entrance of the treasure vault.
“Absolutely certain. There will be no forced marriages ever again in Montequirst. I will have this law passed within the week.” They entered the large cavern where she and Vidar had first met. Her husband stayed busy on the crystal console across the way. He had been using this one for years so it made sense he preferred it.
“But this law won’t apply to neighboring nations, will it? Their laws are different than ours.” Stefana was pale and trembly around the edges, but composed.
“It doesn’t matter. If a man takes you from here, he is violating our laws and will therefore be subject to them.”
“If he takes me from here, then I’m subject to the laws of his land.” Stefana’s lips quivered while her hands shook.
“Explain that to Aern.” Raene indicated the intertwined dragon pair in the corner, who were currently in conversation with Lajos.
Stefana blinked. “Why do I need to explain this to a dragon?”
“Because in this instance, he will be the enforcer of the new law.”
A glimmer of understanding lit Stefana’s dark orbs. “You mean if I’m taken from Montequirst, Aern will rescue me?”
“Yes. And he’ll deal with the lawbreaker. In his own, personal way.”
Laughter spilled from Stefana’s throat. It contained a sharp edge, but was still a welcome sign of mirth.
“I am so relieved to hear this. So utterly relieved.”
“I thought you might be. I saw the number of men Ostard brought and I felt everything you would feel should you have to face this.” Raene didn’t repress a shudder in time.
“Thank goodness for Vidar.”
“Yes. That thought circled through my brain the entire time.”
“Maybe it’s cowardly, but I’m relieved to have hidden in the treasure room.” Then her friend straightened her spine and stepped away from the cave stalagmite keeping her upright. “However—”
Stefana swallowed audibly.
“However what?”
“Several thoughts kept running through my mind.”
“Such as?”
“What if they found me in the treasury? How would I defend myself?” Stefana’s face contorted. “Throw jewels at them? Try to stab them with crown points?”
A valid concern. Raene’s jaw firmed. “What do you need?”
“I need to learn to fight. You carry Driies and now I understand why. At least a sword gives you something.”
“Exactly. That’s why I carry it.” She affectionately patted the weapon in question. “I plan to arrange for you and all the women in this nation to take lessons.”
“Lessons in what?”
“Self-defense and swordsmanship.”
A wicked gleam erupted in Stefana’s eyes. “Can you imagine my mom with sword skills?”
“Yes. No one will mess with her. We’ll send her and Aern after you.”
A laugh escaped her friend. “I’m so relieved about this training. But who will be teaching us?”
“Vidar is overseeing that. Right now in fact. I believe your brother will be the proud recipient of a well earned promotion. As well as several other deserving warriors—to teach all of our females the same basics our males receive.”
“Lukas is getting promoted?”
“He is. From the sound of it, teaching is something he excels at, and he’s quite adept with a sword and in hand-to-hand combat, so his commander thought of him immediately.”
“I don’t believe he enjoyed patrols.”
“No. This will move him up the ranks and offer him a pay increase.”
Stefana clasped her hands together. “I’m so happy for him.”
“Vidar outlined his plan on our way back to the castle. By the end of the week, it should be implemented. It is time for us to step out of these outdated modes of thinking.”
“Well past time.”
Vidar joined them. He tugged her close. She nestled against him, more thankful than ever she had married this man. The myriad reasons jostled each other.
Lajos joined them soon after and they all made for
the castle as their empty stomachs took turns grumbling. The dining hall was nearly empty, but in the wake of the excitement this morning, that made sense. Most people probably ate on the run, or didn’t take time for breakfast.
Once seated, Raene reached for the coffee pot. She poured for all four of them, and they partook of the food that appeared by the time they sat down. All of it wonderfully hot and smelled so delicious her stomach sent up demands.
It didn’t take them long to make inroads into the fare. She downed the first cup of coffee and then some protein followed by fruit. Her stomach responded with happiness.
While Stefana matched her bite for bite, Vidar and Lajos tripled what they ate.
When you were that big, it made sense you required more fuel to keep functioning. “Did Aern and Fricassa get something?” She looked to Vidar.
“Yes. They were served as we left the cavern. And if not, both are adept at seeking out their own food.”
Lajos nodded. “Fricassa is an accomplished hunter. She’s fast and deadly. On her own she could keep herself and Aern in nutrients.”
“Does Aern hunt?” Raene couldn’t imagine how something that big managed to be fast.
“He does, although he’s not great at it. As you’d imagine, his size slows him down, unless brute strength is required. He performs much better when he shrinks himself.”
“Can Fricassa shrink and grow herself?” Raene queried Lajos, who sipped coffee, obviously savoring the brew.
“Yes. Although she doesn’t need to on a regular basis like Aern, so she’s not as adept at it.” He sat up straighter in his chair. “There was no reason why she couldn’t have grown while we flew here to make the trip more comfortable.” Despite his grumbles, a lot of affection threaded his tone.
“I didn’t know we had a dragon here. Not until Raene took me to meet Vidar.” Stefana finished her coffee and then rose. “I need to start on the stacks of parchment on my desk.”
It didn’t take Lajos long to rise with her. One of her dark eyebrows rose.
“I’m your bodyguard. Until such a time as you’re married.”
For a moment it looked as though breakfast hadn’t agreed with Stefana. She shot a quick look in Raine’s direction, but she refrained from stating her first thought. “Very well.” Ever gracious, she acquiesced.
