Page 59 of The Dragon Queen

His hand moved on automatic, wanting to snatch the coin from my grip, yet he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Not that I’m aware of, but I can keep an eye out if you like.”

“For a price.” I said that with all the venom that felt like it was poisoning me right now. My head shook back and forth and then I flicked the gold coin his way, only to watch him stand back and let it fall on the sands.

“Gonna fucking kill me to say this, but I didn’t come here for coin.”

“So what exactly do you want, Marcus?”

He didn’t acknowledge the waver in my tone, nor the fact that I drew myself up. We were in familiar territory now, for him at least.

“Ready to bargain? Now you’re speaking my language.”

“No bargains. Tell me what you want.”

“What I want?” A strange expression crossed his face, one part longing, one part avaricious need. “Same thing I’ve always wanted, princess.”

“Queen,” I corrected, my title suddenly the armour I needed to wear to get me through this.

“Begging your pardon, Highness.” He made a show of tugginghis forelock. “Men are stupid creatures, as evidenced by all the idiots that were in my employ signing up to be soldiers. You had a visit from some of the Duke’s men?” I stiffened without thought, something that had him smirking. “Thought that was bloody Royce’s dragon passing overhead. Can’t say I didn’t have similar thoughts as the Duke. Stealing dragon eggs? Seems a sure way to power.”

I thought then of his companions at the state funeral and anger flared hot.

“That’s why you’re keeping Lance and the other cadets away from the keep? If you think to create some kind of army built around the lads’ dragons?—”

“I thought about it.” That mischievous grin was back. “Of course, I did. Anyone who tells you he didn’t is lying. Trouble is, they’re not just a really good flintlock or a razor-sharp sword, are they?” Marcus looked down to where Glimmer approached. “They’re not even a really smart hound. They’re sentient creatures, a threat to our arrogance, and…” The smile faded as he met my gaze. “You need to know what I want? I just want to keep Lance, the boys, and their menagerie safe, my queen.”

Obsidian’s rider would never have signed that document willingly, Glimmer told me.He would never agree to anything that separated the two of you.

But Brom did.

I looked up then, wanting to ask Marcus to find other documents like this, but he was already gone.

Why, that’s what I needed to know, and while I was ready to burst into his war room meeting to demand answers, I didn’t need to. My guards informed me that the wing had returned to our chambers in the keep. I thanked them for their service and made clear I didn’t require it any longer before scaling the steps. I’d walked up here as a cadet, under the guise of being protected from the other riders by the prince’s wing. I’d slept beside the men I thought were my comrades, then my lovers.

But my ex-husband?

I had adjusted to each change in our relationship with ease,but not that. The word felt wrong, ugly inside my head, so I wrapped my hand around the doorknob and then walked into our quarters.

I’d thought to wait for them, that way I’d have time to think of what to say without it sounding like an accusation, yet when the door swung open, there they all were.

“Get ready then, Flynn,” Soren barked. “Or the other lads will have drunk the bar dry.”

“And at my expense.” Draven stood there, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold with an amused look. “My wing should enjoy at least some of that.”

“What are you…?” They all turned around as I stumbled inside.

You are queen here, Glimmer reminded me before heading down the stairs.Talk to your mates, because I will sleep with mine tonight.

“Where are you going?” Flynn looked up from the bag he was packing, then shot me a rueful smile. “And why are you packing a bag?”

“I was going to come and find you.” He shoved the door shut and then cupped my jaw in his hands. “The funerals, my family…” I gripped his wrists and didn’t want to let go. Flynn sucked in a breath and then forged on. “The family has held off on the burials until the assassins were found, but now that they have.”

He would go to see them laid to rest.

“I’ll come with you,” I stammered out.

“Pippin—”

---