Page 96 of The Dragon Queen

I watched James drop to his knees, head bent. All the fight was gone from him as he faced down his bondmate.

Not a bondmate anymore. I looked across at Glimmer and she stared back.He broke that bond the moment he used dragonstone against Jade.

Is that why the corp doesn’t use dragonstone?I asked.Surely one of the kings or queens must’ve thought to use it to ensure dragon compliance?

Dragonstone is like a diamond,she said, turning to watch the proceedings.Some of it can be cut and it will have perfect shine, perfect clarity. Others remain terribly hard, yet are grey and muddy looking. Some dragonstone is good for little other than helping develop people’s empathy. Some is good for storing memories.I looked down to find one of the eggs in my hand.The very pure stones, they amplify a person’s natural psychic ability, sometimes to the point that they can be used to coerce another. We have always disposed of or hidden those stones.

And humans had made use of them. I nodded slowly before turning back to Jade and James.

The accused whispered something furiously as Jade’s head rose back. Apologies, I realised, frantic apologies. Perhaps one of them touched a chord with Jade, because I heard him when the dragon finally spoke.

Go.There was so much pain and anguish in that one word.Go and live that life you wanted so much, but… I know little of what human women want in a mate, but a dragon queen? She would never accept a male as pathetic as you as her mate.

“Jade, I’m sorry.”

GO.

Dragon’s justice was always final. James’ legs moved before he could think otherwise, his steps stumbling as he lurched towards the trees. When he had his feet under him, he broke into a run, disappearing into the forest. He wasn’t the only one.

My queen, Jade said, dropping his head down in recognition of Glimmer.I will come at your command, but… I must go now.

Rex went to protest, but what could he say to such a massive beast? Jade turned with a flick of his tail and then took to the air seconds later.

“My king, we need to go after that dragon. One that’s unbonded? Perhaps he could be persuaded to bond with another lad or even one of our enlisted soldiers?”

“You’re welcome to pursue Jade yourself, General,” Draven replied drily. “You can take Herald and try to fly him down. My queen and I, however, will begin to interview the hostages, working out where they’ve been taken from. All riders should expect to receive orders within an hour or so to return these women to their families.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, or our acknowledgement, just turning and marching away, gloves slapping against his thigh. I took one last look at Rex, catching the barely suppressed frustration there, before hurrying after Draven. Any sense of self-congratulation was quickly pushed to one side when we began to talk to the women.

Parchment and inkhad been found as well as an intact table that had been brought out into the remains of a courtyard and set up, so we might speak to each woman in turn. Every member of the wing was involved to try to speed the process up.

“Who’s next?” I asked with a smile as a young woman stepped up. Her beautiful gown, even if it was now stained and torn at the shoulder, declared her rank, but she gave me the details anyway. “Hello, I’m Pippin.”

I offered her my hand, and she shook it, sketching a quick curtsey.

“You’re the queen-in-waiting,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Highness, though the gods know I would’ve rather have done so under more pleasant conditions.” I dipped my quill into the ink pot and wiped off the excess. “I’m Lady Rhiannon, Highness.” Draven’s eyes jerked up at that, his attention diverted from the woman he was interviewing. “My father is the Baron of Easebrook.”

Chapter 47

The barony of Easebrook was a major centre along the border of Harlston. Situated on a river, it was the main port between the coast, bringing important goods to the inland. The next day we saw the River Ondine from the air as we flew towards Rhiannon’s father’s estate.

Just not too close.

Those were the orders everyone was given at the briefing that morning to try to ensure what happened to Obsidian didn’t happen to anyone else. We would bring the women to their homes, land well outside the castle or city gates, and then use the dragons’ presence to alert the people within of our arrival. As we circled down, aiming to land beside the major bridge that led into the baron’s estates, we hoped to talk to his men and explain that this was not an attack but us returning Rhiannon home.

We certainly had no problem getting people’s attention. People started chattering excitedly as soon as we landed, some struggling to restrain their horses or cattle at our presence.

“I’ll alert the guards,” Rhiannon said as soon as she slipped from Wraith’s saddle.

“Just wait for a moment, milady.” Soren bowed formally, but Icaught the way the girl’s eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed a very pretty pink in response, which was strange. As a noblewoman, she had to have had people bowing to her most of her life. “We don’t want to have rescued you from the duke’s men and then brought you home, only to be met by an attack by your father’s guards.”

“My father would never order an attack on dragonriders,” she said, sounding very confident, but the ominous crunch of many steel-mailed boots coming running towards us made clear that she might have been a little optimistic.

“Behind me, lass.”

I’m not sure if Rhiannon knew that this was just what Soren did. He pushed forward, ensuring his body was between hers and the approaching guards, then drew his sword in readiness. The rest of the wing did the same, our dragons not resting for a second. We hoped to reason with them, make clear our mission, but if they wouldn’t listen… We’d need to use force until they understood. Rhiannon’s eyes went wide, her hands rising as if she would put them on Soren’s back. I couldn’t help but feel satisfaction when she snatched them back, but whatever I was worried about was shoved to one side as the leader of the soldiers stepped forward.

“Who are you and what business do you have with the Baron of Easebrook?” he demanded.

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