Page 97 of The Dragon Queen

“For goodness sake.” Rhiannon darted around Soren, something that had my love cursing under his breath. “Julian, it’s me and that’s King Draven.”

“Majesty?” Julian looked appalled and when he sank down on one knee, so did the other soldiers with him. “May I offer my sincerest apologies?—”

“You may not.” Julian didn’t see Draven’s smirk, but I did. He stepped forward and raised the man up. “For there is nothing to apologise for. You’ve had the Duke of Harlston at your gate on dragon back, I’m assuming?”

“We thought it was a wing of the Royal Riders come to see the baron,” Julian stammered out, all of his former aggression melting away. “We had no idea the duke had wrested some of the Riders away from the throne.” He spat on the ground. “Filthy traitors.” Hisfocus shifted quickly to Rhiannon. “But milady, you are well? We tried to stop?—”

“Don’t, Julian, really.” She shot him a sad smile. “It was just awful, but there was nothing we could do at the time. Who could’ve anticipated the duke gaining control of several dragons and using them against his own people? I was rescued by these brave riders…” She turned back to glance at us, special focus paid to Soren. Ged snickered, nudging the sergeant, earning him an elbow to the ribs. “Before anything terrible could happen, but I don’t think I’ve got the energy to tell the story twice. Can we see my father?”

“Gods, of course, milady.” He stepped aside, then turned to some of his fellows. “Have meat brought for the dragons.”

“No need, they’ve eaten recently,” Draven replied, but Darkspire let out a rattling growl, then nudged his rider in the back. “Well, perhaps some if you can spare it.”

“Spare it?” Julian beamed. “I’m fairly sure the baron will kill a fatted calf himself in honour of her ladyship’s return.”

“Might need to make that five,” Ged muttered, earning him a dark look from us. “What? Cloudy could eat five calves all on his own.” His dragon nudged his side. “All right, six.”

“Perhaps the dragonriders could discuss their noble beasts’ needs with Father directly?” Rhiannon suggested.

“Gods, yes, let us escort you to him, milady,” Julian said, turning and leading the way.

“And now we find out exactly what my uncle has been doing,” Draven said under his breath as he took my arm.

Quite a lot,it appeared.

“Gods above, is that my little Rhi-Rhi…?” The baron rose from his chair and then stepped closer, eyes everywhere, as if struggling to believe what he saw.

“Daddy!”

Rhiannon rushed forward and, for just a moment, I felt the most terrible wrench of envy. I knew exactly how she must feel. Herfather wrapped her in his arms, held her close, showering her hair with kisses, then holding her at arm’s length before turning to us.

“But how…? Is that… Draven, lad. No.” The baron was beyond flustered. “My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“None needed,” Draven replied, stopping the man from bowing. “I’m just glad we could return Rhiannon to you in one piece.”

“It was just awful, Daddy,” the girl added. “Those brutes were just about to do something truly awful to us when the king and queen arrived and saved us.” She looked over her shoulder. “As well as the dashing sergeant.”

“Dashing?” Flynn whispered. “Dashing? Glacier was the one that carried her to Castle Fast, and she wouldn’t stop talking the entire way.”

“But you’re all right?” the baron asked, searching her for signs of harm. “You weren’t hurt. That bloody bastard…”

“I’m fine, just…” Rhiannon looked down at her dress. “Filthy. Would you mind awfully if I went to the washrooms and got cleaned up before seeing to our guests? I’ve been in the same dress for days.”

“Get yourself cleaned up,” the baron said with an avuncular smile. “And perhaps rest a while.” All the warmth went out of his eyes as he turned back to us. “We men need to talk about how we’re going to deal with this situation. I know the duke is your uncle, Majesty?—”

“He’s no family of mine.” Draven’s reply seemed to echo around the massive room. “I deny any blood bond and wish to all the gods Zafira had chosen another woman other than my mother to become queen.”

But she had. I had seen it in the queen dragon’s memories. A young girl, though she mustn’t look like that now, beautiful and golden in the sunlight. Zafira had never forgotten the woman she claimed as bondmate, and the moment her mind was free, the dragon had gone to find her.

“One doesn’t get to choose your family, because I would never have chosen mine, but I have decided to do everything I can to ensure the Duke of Harlston does not succeed in his endeavours.How widespread is the hostage situation? Have you heard reports of other women being taken, milord, or do some support my uncle openly?”

When he raked his hand through his hair, my hand went out and clasped his.

“Do I need to wage war against some of Harlston and not others? That’s the question.”

“Only one way to find out,” the baron said, then clicked his fingers. “Mountjoy, a quill and some parchment.” The man’s secretary came rushing over with just that. “I’ll send birds to all my bannermen, find out which ones are missing daughters and wives and which ones have turned traitor for the duke’s coin.”

So hours later,we ended up seated around the duke’s grand tables. The bannermen whose land was situated closest to the baron’s estates had already arrived with more to be brought in by dragon once they sent back a reply.

---