Page 140 of The Dragon Queen

“Not this time.” He said as he pulled me from the bed and held me close, his hands going under my stomach. “You’re growing someone very important to us in here. Focus on that and we’ll make sure every stalk of wheat is accounted for.”

“Gods, you’re beautiful.” Ged blushed the moment he said it, then shook my head. “Sorry?—”

“No, don’t be.” I reached down and pulled his shirt from the floor and tugged it on. “I’m already starting to waddle like a duck, so I may need some reassurances that you still find me desirable as the pregnancy continues. What if some pretty girl at the harvest sets her cap for you?”

I tried to keep the fear from my voice, but hell, pregnancy seemed to strip all the hard won self-control from me.

“Tries to get between me and my wife?” I shivered at that last word. Ged stood up and wedged me between the two of them. “You know we need to formalise that. The priest, he’s started asking some rather pointed questions after the service on holy days.”

“We will.”

I stared up at him, willing him to understand.

“Pippin, it’s been months.”

With no word from Draven. Of the city, there was plenty. There had been protests, even riots, each one ensuring I never regretted leaving the capital.

But Draven?

He was like a ghost that lurked in the halls, haunting us long after we tried to exorcise his influence. I shook my head, then smiled.

“After the harvest,” I promised. “There’s always a big get together once it’s done. We’ll turn it into a joint celebration. I’ll stand beneath the stars and claim each one of you in turn, making clear to any lasses who you belong to.”

“A good reason to work hard at the harvesting.” Brom kissed my temple. “Now, let’s get going…”

And so they did, each man throwing himself into the work of the harvest.

My people werea little nonplussed by the sight of dragon riders picking up scythes to help with the harvest, but when Ged showed them what he was made of, any wariness was dispelled. Bets were made as he pitted himself against one of the strongest lads, and he almost won. Cloudy watched on from where he was half asleep under the trees, Glimmer and the other dragons massed around them. They liked the sun; they liked the coming together of the community, and they liked?—

“What is it, lad?”

Soren’s tense tone had us all looking up. Wraith scrambled to his feet, and so did the other dragons. We followed their line of sight, watching a lone dragon passing overhead.

“It’ll be another man given territory out here.” Flynn tried for certainty and nearly achieved it. “Another dragon rider smallholder with no idea what he’s doing.”

“Remember when that lad and his dragon planted his corn in the middle of winter?” one of the workers chuckled. “Want me to send someone along, help him work out what he’s doing, milady?”

“No need.” Brom looked pale. “He’s coming here.”

Dragons didn’t land on my estate. Glimmer and her mates had claimed this place, and to just saunter in was considered terribly rude by dragon’s standards, so who would dare…? The sound of children chattering and the songs the women sang as they worked all fell away.

The sun had gone behind a cloud. That had to be it, because why else was I so very cold? I took an involuntary step forward, only to find a far larger Glimmer standing in front of me. My hand found her back, reassuring myself with the feel of her warm scales as we looked down the road.

His dragon hung back, waiting where he was left, but watching his rider the entire time as the man walked closer. He was dusty, tired, I could see that in the drag of his feet. He walked closer,and Brom appeared by my side, grabbing my hand and holding tight.

“Is it…?” I asked, looking up at him, imploring him for an answer. I couldn’t look. I didn’t dare, just in case I was wrong. There it was, a widening of his eyes, a spark of hope that was quickly quashed. Brom’s brows jerked down, his mouth a thin line as he started forward.

“Stay here,” he growled.

Silly men,Glimmer said.Obsidian knows better than to boss me around.

I wasn’t sure if that was true. Each one of the dragons rose to their feet, clustering around Glimmer, ready to protect her from any threat.

Even him.

“Draven…?”

Gods, why did I say his name with such longing? I tried so hard to put it all to one side, forced to each day he neglected to join me here. It was the cost I had to pay for my freedom, and I paid it willingly.

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