by Larissa Ione
I’ll take care of it. Now get some rest, sister. The Cadwaladrs will be ready when you need us to be.
Ghleanna ended the communication with her brother and relaxed back into the mattress. Through tears of relief, she looked at Bram and told him, “All who betrayed us will die.”
Bram nodded and kissed the back of her hand. “And I’d expect no more and no less.”
Bram jerked awake, confused about where he was, his gaze searching the room. It wasn’t until he saw Ghleanna asleep in the bed, the fur covering her only up to her waist, that he remembered.
He didn’t know how the Fins did it. Lived under the ocean’s surface in the outcrop of caves they’d discovered eons ago. Bram couldn’t tell if it was morning or night. Had the suns come out or was it raining? Was it chilly or warm? He felt trapped in this place and he hated it. And although he could sneak out anytime he wanted—the guards barely noticed him and allowed him to leave the room as he pleased—he knew he wouldn’t go, which was why Helena allowed him the freedom of her palace. She knew he wouldn’t leave without Ghleanna.
He let his gaze rest on the She-dragon and again thanked the gods for saving her. She was healing quite well and was looking stronger with each passing hour. Aye, the wizards and surgeons had done a good job. But lack of skill, talent, and knowledge had never been a problem for the Fins. They were, in fact, well regarded for their knowledge on a vast wealth of subjects. No, the true weakness of the Fins was their arrogance.
Something that said a lot considering all dragons were arrogant to some degree. As a race they simply couldn’t help themselves. But even with their arrogance, most of them knew they couldn’t separate themselves from the world around them and still function. They needed humans, they needed other breeds of dragons, they needed the gods . . . they needed everything life had to offer. Yet the Fins felt they were above all that. They didn’t need anything but their brilliance and their ability to live under the vast ocean.
“Do you never rest, peacemaker?”
Bram blinked, realizing Ghleanna was awake and had been watching him. He’d been so busy letting his eyes rove over her exposed body, he’d failed to notice.
“I’ve slept some.”
“Just some?”
“It’s not easy to relax.”
“Worried the Empress will change her mind?”
“She’s been known to.”
Ghleanna started to push herself up and Bram came to her side, slipped his arm around her, and helped her until she could lean her back against the headboard. He brought the fur covering up until it covered her chest.
She glanced down and back at him. “Something wrong with me tits?”
“No. They’re perfect. That’s the problem.”
She smiled. “I didn’t know I was such a distraction.”
“Then you are remarkably unobservant.”
Laughing, she patted the bed. “Sit with me before I get sleepy again.”
Bram did, sitting on the edge of the bed. A very respectable distance.
“Here,” Ghleanna pushed. “Stretch out next to me.”
He thought about arguing but realized he didn’t want to. He hated being respectable all the time. Especially since most dragons weren’t, so why was he?
To Ghleanna’s surprise, Bram got on the bed beside her. He stayed on top of the fur and kept his boots on, but that was all right. She wasn’t sure he could handle it if she told him to strip naked.
“I have one question for you, Bram. And I want you to be honest with me.”
“Of course.”
“Are you in danger here? Should we be getting you out?” Bram gazed at her. “You think I’d leave you?”
“My assignment was to get you to Alsandair and back—alive. If something happened to me along the way . . . well, that’s the price one pays when a soldier.”
“Unless I know you’re safe, there won’t be an alliance.”
“But—”
“I’m not leaving you, Ghleanna. And we can argue about that until you pass out from exhaustion or you can just let it go so we can sit here and relax instead. Staring at that blue-green wall.”
“Is that algae?”
“It’s a design motif.”
“And you lost me.”
“We Land Dwellers don’t have many motifs, so that’s understandable.”
She glanced around their very nice jail cell. “Are we really under water?”
“Yes. We really are.”
“But we’re not in water at the moment, right? You know, by some Magickal means that could suddenly go away and I end up drowning?”
“The Fins have gills but they are descended from land dragons. Although they don’t like to admit that. Ever. This palace was designed for the Land Dwellers they once were and the human pets they keep now.”
“But the walls won’t suddenly come crashing in from the force of water, will they?”
“After a millennia? Doubtful.”
“So we’re safe?”
“We’re safe.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure, Ghleanna.”
“Then why do I feel like the walls are closing in?”
“It’s panic.”
“I don’t panic, Bram.”
“You do now.” He put his arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her close, careful of her wound. “Close your eyes, Ghleanna.”
“So I won’t know I’m drowning?”
“You’re not drowning. You’re fine. Close your eyes.” She did, appalled she was acting so weak, but unable to stop the fear that was coursing through her. “Now breathe. Deep breath in, deep breath out.”
She followed Bram’s instruction. It helped. But she began to think his stroking of her hair might be helping more.
“You’ve been here before, haven’t you?” she asked when she felt calm again.
“I have.”
She wanted to push him for more, but now that the panic was gone, she was getting tired very quickly.
“It’s all right, Ghleanna. Sleep. Your body needs it.”
“I’m getting better.”
“I know.” She felt something brush against her forehead and she realized Bram had kissed her. She wanted to ask him to do it again, but she was just so sleepy . . .
Bram eased Ghleanna down into the bed again and brushed her hair off her face. Her color was back on her human form and she was getting stronger. He eased the fur back a bit and studied her wound. It was healing nicely.
Good.
There was a knock at the door, and Bram pulled the fur up to Ghleanna’s chin and said, “Come.”
The door was pushed open and Kleitos walked in. As human.
Bram smiled, enjoying the knot that could clearly be seen on Kleitos’s pasty white forehead and the obvious destruction of his nose. “How’s the head, old friend?”
The slithering bastard snarled a bit, then said, “The Empress requests your presence.”
“Why?”
“Don’t ask questions, Land Dweller. Just come along. I promise your pet will be perfectly safe.”
Bram glanced at Ghleanna one last time, unsure of what waited for him outside this room.
He walked to the door and stopped, glaring down at Kleitos. “She better be safe.”
“Or what? What will the peacemaking Land Dweller do?”
Bram jerked a little and Kleitos slammed back into the door, trying to get away from him. And to think Bram had at one time been afraid of this dragon.
Bram walked out and let Helena’s guards lead him to their Empress.
Chapter 9
Ghleanna woke up with a Fin standing over her. Again.
“Good. You’re awake.” He handed something to a young assistant behind him. “I’ve taken out the stitches. You’ve healed up incredibly well.”
Glancing around, Ghleanna sat up. “Where’s Bram?”
“Who?”
“My companion. The Silver.”
“With the Empre
ss, I think. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.” The Fin motioned his assistant away. “Now, I know you’re feeling stronger, but don’t let that fool you. You still need some time to recuperate. But I doubt you’ll be indisposed for long.” He gestured to her. “You’re quite the specimen. Built like a sturdy building. Are all your Low Born females like you?”
“You’ve begun to annoy me.”
“Sorry, sorry.” He smiled and it suddenly struck her that he was in his human form. Perhaps that was for ease of treating her. “Drink lots of fluids. Water. A little wine. Eat well but nothing too heavy. I’ve tied your left arm down to ensure you don’t move it around too much. The outside of the wound has healed up but I don’t want to take the chance you’ll rip something internally. Although if having your arm tied down irritates you when you sleep, and if you’re not a flailer, untie it when you go to bed. Understand?”
“I do.”
“Good. Good.” He nodded his head and walked out, closing the door behind him. She didn’t hear it lock.
Ghleanna sat up and threw her legs over the edge. She stood and quickly sat back down again. The room spun, and she closed her eyes, waiting for everything to stop. When it did, she blew out a breath and slowly got to her feet. Slowly being the key. Once she was up, she found a long cotton shirt that looked like it belonged to Bram. She put it on and went to the door. She carefully eased it open and, after a quick glance around, she stepped outside.
Ghleanna’s mouth dropped open as her gaze swept everything around her. This floor of rooms was just one of many. A rotunda built into the rock wall of the cave, with rotundas above and below that went miles in either direction. She leaned over a steel railing and gawked at all she could see. And she knew without being told that this was just a wing of the Empress’s palace. A place they kept their human “pets.”
No. She wasn’t a big fan of the Fins, but she could appreciate their engineering skills because this was amazing.
Ghleanna turned and saw the two dragons guarding her door. The two sleeping dragons. Her first thought was that they were lazy but then she wondered if they’d been on duty since her arrival. She knew a few commanders who did that at home. They’d get so caught up in whatever they were doing that they’d forget the little things. For instance, that dragons can’t stay awake all day, every day until your hostage leaves your custody.
About to return to her bed—even if she were completely healed, she wouldn’t be making a run for it without Bram—Ghleanna heard someone call out, “My Lord General!”
She looked over and saw a large dragon stop at the end of a hallway and turn to face whoever had called him.
Realizing how the sleeping Fins would look—and having been in the same position more than once when left on duty too long—Ghleanna went to the guards and lifted the eyelid of one, then the other.
“Get up,” she said low. “Your commander is coming.” She gestured with her free arm. “Get up, get up, get up!”
They did, scrambling to their claws and standing at attention just as the General made his way down to her room.
“What’s she doing out here?” the General demanded.
“I’m looking for my companion.” Not much of a lie. “Where is he?”
“I have no idea. But I want you back in your room.”
“Just admit it.” She walked up to him, leaned her head all the way back so she could see that far up. “You’re afraid I’m going to take you on. Right now. Just like this.” She held up her one fist. “Let’s go, General. Let me show you my skills.”
The General chuckled and shook his massive head. “Get some rest, Land Dweller. Perhaps, when you’re feeling better, we’ll have that challenge. Until then . . .”
“Your fear amuses me, General.” She grinned and headed back to her room.
The General moved on and one of the soldiers let out a breath. “Thanks for that.”
“No problem. But if you’ve been here for more than a day, you need a break. Have someone else take watch as soon as you can manage it. Besides—” she shrugged and headed inside her room—“it’s not like I’m going anywhere at the moment.”
“You sent for me, Empress?”
“I did, Bram. Please.” She motioned him closer. And he was surprised to find Helena in her human form, her bright blue dress glittering in the glowing light coming from the walls. “What do you think?” she asked when he stood beside her.
“It’s beautiful, my Lady.”
They stood on a landing that overlooked an enormous hot spring.
“Would you like to try it out?”
“No thank you, my Lady.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’ll never be able to relax while I’m in it.”
“Because of Kleitos?”
“Because of all of you.”
The Empress smiled. “I do like your honesty. You know, Bram, when I sent you off the last time I truly never thought to see you again. And I never expected to see my lover return—but you did as you promised. You got him released.”
“I did. But I haven’t seen him since my arrival. Is he—”
“I had him executed,” she told him flatly. “For treason, a few years back.” She shrugged, not appearing remotely fazed by that. “Long story. Anyway,” she went on, “I’m relying on your innate nature now.”
“I don’t under—”
“A truce, peacemaker.”
“With me?”
“With Rhiannon.”
Bram blinked. “Rhiannon who?”
“Your queen.”
“The one you called wide ass?”
“One time. Gods that viper forgets nothing!”
“If you want my honesty, Empress, there is no way—”
“Make it happen.”
“Rhiannon will—”
“You’re not hearing me, peacemaker.” Helena stepped closer to Bram. “You will get me a truce. I want it and you’ll get it for me.”
“I can’t force Queen Rhiannon to do anything.”
“You can persuade her. You’re very good at that.”
“Yes, but—”
“And I am trying so very hard to keep your low-born pet safe. Yet Chancellor Kleitos loathes her. I have him on a tight leash, but . . .” Helena briefly pursed her lips. “What if that leash slipped from my grasp?”
Bram clenched his jaw, but said nothing.
“I’m sure you remember your time with Kleitos, yes? I’m sure I need not remind you.”
“No, my Lady. You need not remind me.”
“Excellent. Then you’ll promise me, yes? A truce. A favorable truce with your queen.”
“Aye. I promise.”
“Excellent,” she said again. “Excellent.” Then Helena walked off, leaving Bram to stare off across the cavern, rage and hatred making him unable to move for quite some time.
Ghleanna waited up as long as she could manage, hoping to see Bram before she fell asleep. Human servants came in, bringing her food and a tub so she could bathe. She’d done that and eaten—but still Bram had not returned.
And while she’d debated whether she should go out and track him down—she’d fallen asleep. Yet now she sensed Bram’s return, and knew he stood over her—staring.
Ghleanna opened her eyes and gazed up at him.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t think it was possible—but this situation has managed to get worse.”
“But you’re so calm,” she observed.
“That’s usually when you can tell everything has gone to shit.”
“I’ll make sure to remember that.” Ghleanna struggled to get up with one arm. She’d left the other tied down because she’d fallen asleep before she could take off the binding. “Perhaps it’s not as bad as you think.”
Bram caught her around the waist and lifted her until she was sitting up.
“I rarely blow things out of proportion, Ghleanna. When stakes are this high, I simply don’t have the luxury.”
“Like all the hells you will.” She tugged. “Come. Sit beside me.”
He did, stretching his long legs out on top of the fur.
“Now talk to me, Bram. What has you so worried?”
“She wants me to build a truce.”
“A truce? Between . . .” When Bram didn’t answer, “The Fins—and us?” Bram nodded. “She wants a truce with Rhiannon?” Ghleanna laughed. “Good luck to her then. Rhiannon hates her.”
“And Helena her.” Bram’s voice was cold, his gaze across the room. She could see that he was drawing in on himself. Protecting himself for some reason. She didn’t think it was anything she’d done, and he created truces every day. Why should this one bother him? “But her subjects tire of their limits. They want to travel farther inland and, in return, we’ll be able to use the seas. Especially during wartime.”
Ghleanna instantly saw the benefit of that. The thought of moving up the Northern Coasts and striking at the Lightnings almost made her tingle.
“That seems reasonable.”
“I am a peacemaker, Ghleanna. Not a miracle worker. Rhiannon will never agree to a truce with Helena. Never.”
Ghleanna winced. “Because of that wide ass comment? When Rhiannon took the throne?”
“It was said Helena’s exact words were, ‘I can’t believe that wide-ass cow now rules the Southlands.’”
“And after Rhiannon heard that, Bercelak’s, ‘I love your wide ass’ . . . not really helpful.” Ghleanna waved all that away. “No matter. Simply tell Helena no.”
Bram didn’t move. He didn’t speak. And yet Ghleanna could feel him recoil. Not from her, but from everything else.
Ghleanna pushed the fur off and got to her knees beside Bram. “What aren’t you telling me, Bram?”
“Nothing you need to know.”
“Are you protecting me?”
