The squirrel ran up a pine tree. Bandit jumped on the tree trunk as though he would climb it, and when that failed, he sat beneath it and barked. Kate caught hold of Bandit’s jeweled collar and hauled him back to Sophia. The dog twisted about, trying to get away, still barking. Sophia took him in her arms and tried to calm him, burying her face in his fur. But not before Kate saw the flush staining Sophia’s cheeks.
Kate was struck by a new and startling idea. She and Thomas had been talking of his engagement while they were on board the island hopper. Kate seemed to vaguely recall that when Thomas said that he believed Sophia liked someone else, his gaze had gone to Phillip. At the time, Kate had been trying to navigate the island hopper, as well as her own confused feelings for Thomas, and she had not given the matter much thought.
She was definitely thinking about it now. She knew she should let the dangerous subject go, shift the conversation to something else. But she was intensely curious to know how Phillip and Sophia knew each other.
“How do you know His Grace, ma’am?” Kate asked Sophia.
“He came to the palace with Prince Thomas when our formal engagement was announced,” said Sophia, her flush deepening. “Phillip … I mean His Grace … saved my life.”
“He did? What happened? Did someone attack you?” Kate asked.
“Oh, he didn’t really save it, I suppose,” Sophia said, laughing. “Though it seemed that way to me at the time. I was supposed to be attending the royal ball. I had locked Bandit in the closet, but somehow he got away. Imagine my horror when I found him in the ballroom standing on the dessert table eating a plate full of meringues!”
Sophia sighed. “My brother is the best brother in the world, but even he would have been furious. When I tried to catch Bandit, I ended up spilling chocolate all down the front of my ball gown. Phillip happened to be passing by and he rescued me. He helped me smuggle Bandit out of the ballroom before anyone saw us. Phillip was so quick-thinking and helpful. And Bandit loves him…”
Bandit isn’t the only one who loves him, Kate realized.
“Don’t you think he is the most handsome man you know?” Sophia asked impulsively.
Kate pictured Phillip with his perpetually rumpled hair, his too-wide mouth, and his odd eyes, one blue and one green. He was nice enough to look at, she supposed, but she certainly would not call him handsome.
She was saved from answering by one of the servants, who came with a message from the countess, telling them they should return to the coach, it was time to depart.
Sophia gathered up Bandit and the two women turned their steps toward the carriage.
“I fear you must despise me,” Sophia said. “I am engaged to be married to Prince Thomas. I should not even be thinking about another man, much less talking about him.”
“I do not despise you,” Kate assured her. “My friend Miss Amelia says that there is a reason the poets use the term ‘falling’ in love. According to her, love is like you are walking along, happy and carefree, not looking where you are going, and suddenly you tumble into a ditch.”
Sophia sighed. “That is exactly how I feel. Like I fell into a ditch! But I don’t want to climb out. Yet the marriage is arranged. Our engagement has been made public.”
“Why don’t you tell the king? I am certain he would not force you to marry a man you do not love.”
“He is the kindest brother in the world and he would end the engagement if I asked him, although the scandal would be very great. But I must do my duty to my country,” Sophia said. “Freya and Rosia have been at war for centuries. So many lives have been lost. My marriage to the heir to the Freyan throne will ensure peace between our two nations.
“Prince Thomas is very nice,” she added, unconsciously echoing what Thomas had said about her. “I will learn to love him. We have something in common, you see. He is also in love with someone else.”
“Did he say he was?” Kate asked, alarmed.
“Oh, no. Prince Thomas would never breathe a word. He is far too polite,” said Sophia. “My friend Sir Rodrigo told me. He said Phillip … His Grace … told him. Rodrigo told me because he was afraid I would find out and I would be hurt.”
What a tangle! Kate thought. Phillip is in love with the woman who is engaged to be married to his best friend, Thomas, who is engaged to Sophia and he’s in love with …
“Let me carry Bandit,” Kate said hurriedly. “He must be getting heavy.”
Sophia surrendered the dog. Bandit snuggled in Kate’s arms and licked her cheek.
“He likes you,” said Sophia. “He is an excellent judge of character. He once bit one of the servants on the leg. It turned out the man was a thief! They caught him trying to pawn some of my jewels. Bandit knew, you see.”
Kate smiled. The two walked on in silence, then Sophia said impulsively, “I am glad to be able to talk to you, Mistress Kate. I have ladies-in-waiting, but I could never tell them my secrets. They are such gossips! They would spread it all over the palace.”
“I will not tell a soul,” Kate promised.
“I know I can trust you,” said Sophia.
“But how can you know, ma’am? We have only just met,” Kate argued. “You don’t know anything about me.” She remembered saying the same thing to Thomas, and her face grew warm.
“I know you are loyal,” Sophia returned. “You are sacrificing a great deal to speak for your friend.”
Kate had the uneasy feeling Sophia knew more about her than she was saying. She wondered how much the countess knew. Kate suddenly found it odd that the countess would so trustingly give a ride in her coach to a complete stranger.
The coach had come in view now. Cecile stood waiting for them at the door.
“I think you could confide in the countess,” said Kate. “She loves you very much.”
“The countess arranged the marriage. I would never do anything to disappoint her.” Sophia added softly, “I owe her my life. When the Bottom Dwellers kidnapped me and took me Below, she risked her life to rescue me. I would do anything for her.”
Sophia waved to Cecile and called to her. “I am sorry if we have kept you waiting, my lady. Bandit chased a squirrel and then Mistress Katherine chased Bandit. I am afraid we lost track of time.”
Cecile smiled. “You have not kept me waiting, ladies, but it is time we should be going. I want to reach Cieleterre before dark.”
The women entered the coach, and Kate put Bandit in his basket. Fatigued from his strenuous exercise, the dog curled up and went to sleep. Sophia sat down beside the countess and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. Cecile looked at her in surprise.
“What is that for, my love?” she asked.
“Just to say I am grateful to you for coming with me, my lady,” said Sophia. “You are right. This journey has brought back sad memories.”
“Remember, they are only memories, Sophia,” said Cecile, regarding her with a fond smile. “They have no power over you.”
Sophia and the countess settled themselves for an afternoon nap. Kate closed her eyes, pretending to do the same. Once she was certain the other two were asleep, she opened her eyes and gazed out the window at the pine forests below.
Kate let her thoughts wander.
Walking along, happy and carefree, and suddenly you fall into a ditch. You must promise me one dance. I think he is in love with someone else. I must do my duty to my country. You made me think seriously about what it means to be a prince. The most dangerous woman in the world.
Kate sighed. “Bloody hell…”
TWENTY
As the wyverns began to descend, Cieleterre came into view. The city was built on the floor of an expansive valley surrounded by mountains on all sides.
Cecile pointed out the sights as they drew near. Kate was particularly interested in the large amphitheater north of the city.
“This is where the trial will be held,” said Cecile. “The amphitheater is a natural phenomenon formed by a dry lake bed. During the Dark Ages,
storms raged over the world. The torrential rains created a lake. When the storms stopped, the lake dried up, leaving behind this circular, shallow bowl. The dragons decided this would be an excellent place to hold their Grand Gatherings. They paved it with flagstone and added benches for human visitors. They call it Grayhollow.”
Kate pressed her face to the cold glass to see.
“I do not know how a court-martial is managed,” Cecile continued. “In a Grand Gathering, each of the eight noble families is represented by the current head of the family, either male or female. The eight sit at compass points around Grayhollow. The highest-ranking dragons—the two dukes—sit at the head, which is north. The six dragon nobles range around them, each in his or her proper station.”
Kate was daunted by the thought. Grayhollow was enormous. She tried to picture herself standing in the center of the amphitheater, surrounded by dragons, and her courage nearly failed her.
“Where do you suppose they are holding Dalgren?” Kate asked, shivering despite the warmth of the bricks in the carriage. “Is there such a thing as a dragon dungeon or prison?”
“I have never heard of one,” said Cecile. “I will find out for you. My son and Sophia and I are the guests of a former member of the Dragon Brigade who has an estate not far from the city. He will know the answer. I will send you a message. Where are you staying?”
“I have no idea,” said Kate, adding with a shrug, “I suppose there are inns…”
Cecile looked grave. “Not all the humans who work for the dragons are minstrels and portrait artists. Some of the inns in this city have a most unsavory reputation. A gentlewoman such as yourself cannot be too careful, especially as you are appearing before the Gathering. I recommend the Dragon Foot Inn. It is owned by a respectable widow, who will take good care of you. I will speak to the widow on your behalf.”
Kate thanked her, grateful for the suggestion, though she couldn’t help but inwardly smile to think of herself as a “gentlewoman.”
The coach landed at the Cieleterre Docks. Large naval ships could not sail into the mountains. The Breath was far too thin here to support them. But smaller boats such as yachts were able to sail to the city, and required a place to dock.
The dragons had created berths made of wood that resembled cradles. The yachts rested in those, tethered to docking posts, their buoyancy neutral. The dragons had also built stables to house wyverns and horses, along with housing for grooms and drivers.
The coachman advised the ladies to remain in the carriage until the coach was safely docked and he and the stable hands released the wyverns and led them away.
While the ladies were waiting, two officers emerged from a yacht bearing the official emblem of the Brigade. They caught sight of Cecile’s coach and came over to pay their respects to her and the princess. Cecile lowered the window to speak to them. Judging by their conversation, the officers were friends with the countess’s son, for they asked about the Duke de Bourlet and where they might find him.
Cecile replied that the duke, as well as herself and the princess, were guests of Lord Haelgrund.
“Do you know where the dragons are holding the accused?” Cecile asked. “They have him secure, I trust.”
“Your ladyship has no reason to worry,” said one of the officers. “The accused has given his word he will not attempt to escape. Being a noble dragon, his word is his bond.”
“I hear he is residing in a cave near Grayhollow,” his friend added.
Cecile glanced at Kate, who thanked her with a smile.
“Look, my lady!” Sophia cried suddenly, pointing out the window to the dockyard. “Miri and Gythe are here! Did you know they were coming?”
“I did not, but I am very glad to see them,” said Cecile with a warm smile.
The princess leaned out the window to call and wave her handkerchief. Kate was surprised to see she was waving to two women who were working on the deck of a Trundler houseboat tied up at the docks. With its gaily-colored balloons and bright sails, the houseboat looked very much out of place, like a wildflower blooming in the midst of a carefully manicured garden of the staid and elegant yachts.
A Trundler woman remarkable for her fiery red hair was busily sweeping the deck. The other woman, who was slight and blond, climbed like an acrobat among the rigging. A large orange cat roamed the deck with stately dignity, as though he were the true master.
Trundlers went everywhere, for the nomadic people claimed the entire world as home. Kate had never imagined they would roam as far as the Dragon Duchies, though, and she could not fathom how Trundlers could be on such intimate terms with a princess of Rosia.
“Come visit us, Sophia!” the red-haired woman shouted.
“We will! We promise! Miri is here,” Sophia added, settling back in her seat. “I am so glad. That is excellent news for your friend Lord Dalgren. I hope we have time to visit with them.”
“We will make the time,” said Cecile. “I have not talked with them since the wedding. They have recently been Below with Father Jacob. I look forward to hearing news about him and how he progresses among the Bottom Dwellers.”
Kate longed to ask what this “Miri” could have to do with Dalgren’s case, but she didn’t have the chance. The coachman told them that the wyverns were secure, the servants had unloaded the luggage, and they could transfer to the horse-drawn carriage sent by Lord Haelgrund to convey them to the dragon’s castle.
Cecile asked the driver to take Kate to the Dragon Foot Inn. The carriage rolled through wide streets lined with picturesque buildings made of wood from the pine forests. Some of the buildings, especially the houses, appeared to be uninhabited. The city had been all but abandoned after the king had disbanded the Dragon Brigade, fearing the wrath of the dragons. Cecile had said that after the war, people were starting to return. The city was awakening from a long slumber.
They arrived at the inn, which was constructed of pine logs with lead-paned windows, a steep roof, and overhanging eaves. When they arrived, the countess descended to introduce Kate to the widow, while Sophia elected to remain in the carriage with Bandit to keep him from nipping at the horses.
“Good-bye, Your Highness,” said Kate, holding out her hand. “Thank you for everything.”
Sophia ignored Kate’s hand to fling her arms around her in a warm embrace.
“I will come tomorrow to help you dress,” Sophia promised. “I hope all goes well when you meet your friend.”
Kate thanked Sophia, gave Bandit a pat on the head, and climbed out of the carriage. She found Cecile asking the inn’s servants to remove a trunk from the top of the carriage.
“But that trunk is not mine, my lady,” Kate said in a whisper, embarrassed.
“It is now, Mistress Katherine,” said Cecile with a smile. “A gift from Sophia.”
The inn’s interior was rustic and cozy, warmed by a roaring fire in an enormous stone fireplace.
The proprietor was a woman in her middle years, dressed all in black. She was pleased to see the countess, and agreed at once to look after Kate, promising to give her the finest room in the house.
“I am only sorry I cannot stay here myself, ma’am,” said Cecile. “We are guests of the dragon Lord Haelgrund and his mate. I hope your business is prospering.”
“Better than it was before the war, my lady,” the widow answered. “What with the signing of the treaty and dragons such as Lord Haelgrund building new palaces, people have started to move back to the city. And the court-martial has attracted quite a bit of interest. I have several officers staying here in order that they may attend.”
She excused herself and bustled away to supervise the servants, who had entered with the luggage.
“I wish you and Lord Dalgren a fortunate outcome, Mistress,” said Cecile, taking her leave.
“Thank you, Your Ladyship,” said Kate. “Please, before you go, I came here with another purpose. I have information that could be of immense importance to the dragons, but I do not kno
w who to tell. Perhaps Lord Haelgrund could help in that regard.”
Cecile raised an eyebrow, then frowned. “Does this have something to do with Lord Dalgren?”
“No, my lady, it does not. I assure you,” Kate replied. “I would confide in you, but I think the dragons should hear it first.”
“I will speak to the Duke of Talwin,” said Cecile. “Although I cannot promise he will receive you.”
“Thank you, my lady,” said Kate.
The countess gave her a final intense look, then departed. The widow showed Kate to her room.
“I hope you don’t mind, Mistress, but I told the maids to unpack for you,” said the widow. “Since you didn’t bring a servant of your own.”
Kate found the maids laying out a dress of lovely patterned silk in shades of muted rose and green, with elbow-length sleeves trimmed in lace, lace petticoats, delicate silk stockings, and silk undergarments.
Kate smiled, then sighed. She had come to like and admire Sophia so much that if Thomas were here, she would have told him he was a great fool not to marry her this instant.
The widow offered to bring Kate a late luncheon on a tray. Kate was too nervous to eat, however. She wrapped herself in her fur coat, tied a scarf around her head, and tucked a pistol into her boot. She then asked the widow for directions to Grayhollow, saying she planned to walk.
“The walk will be a long one, Mistress, and there is not much to see,” said the widow.
“I am attending the court-martial tomorrow,” said Kate. “I would like to acquaint myself with the setting.”
The widow was immensely curious and plied Kate with questions, which Kate deftly avoided answering.
“If I could have a lantern, as well,” said Kate. “I may not return until late.”
“You should not be out alone after dark, ma’am,” said the widow. “Let me summon a carriage and send one of the male servants to accompany you.”
Kate was hoping to find Dalgren, and she did not want the encumbrance of a carriage or a servant. She assured the widow she would be fine, picked up the lantern, and hurried out the door before the widow could stop her.
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