Page 19 of To Claim a King

“Perhaps you’ve already perfected your style,” he lied.

There was plenty of ways Elza could improve, but as much as he liked her, despite the fact that they were the best of friends, he wouldn’t wish to see her growing stronger. It went against the principles of most Kings; he’d empower a potential enemy.

Demelza’s family had ruled before his, and they would rule again, if he ever failed. A while ago, he hadn’t believed it mattered. Since that Council meeting, where a bunch of idiots had almost sent an innocent girl to the dungeon because of their fears or their agendas, he understood what it meant to be King. His Kingdom’s very soul rested on his shoulders, and he didn’t want to see it changing hands.

So regardless of any history, or affection, everyone who had a claim to his crown was a potential enemy. Everyone.

Except the human born woman standing in front of him. This one, he and his dragon were in agreement about. She was safe. She was theirs.

At the back of his head, he reminded himself of the Claiming - and thoroughly ignored his own warning. It mattered not. They could have her, just the once, before his fate was sealed, couldn’t they?

Yes,the beast told him, baring his teeth in a resemblance of a smile.Just once.

Rhey sighed, wondering why his own damn dragon thought he was foolish enough to not hear him lie.

Wild

The Claiming was finallyupon them and the palace was abuzz with energy. Xandrie allowed Demelza’s maidservant, Galdia, to dress her hair, while she watched the women of Farden stream across the drawbridge and into the arena, their cutlasses, broadswords, rapiers, and flail maces borne proudly on their shoulders. It was going to be a blood bath. She could only pray her dear friend was ready to slice and dice her way through the competition.

Galdia, a heavily pregnant maid, rattled on as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “We shall call the child Galden after me, if he’s a boy, and Arin after my mate, if she’s a girl.”

The truth of the matter lay between them, unspoken, but Xandrie felt no weight, no dread, no foreboding from the maidservant. Galdia faced her own possible death with such cheer, it was an inspiration.

There was a knock at the door and before Galdia had moved to open it, Demelza stuck her head into the room. “Got a sec?”

Xandrie waved her in, surprised and delighted to see her friend - she would have thought that she’d be out of door, down to the Arena, surveying her competition.

“Close your eyes,” said Demelza.

Trusting her friend implicitly, she did as she was bid, and heard the door squeak on its hinges, then the swish of Demelza’s arms against her steel breastplate, but there was another, gentler sound, a padding of giant paws. She felt her adrenaline tick up; no, it wasn’t possible, right? She hardly dared hope. She’d made the journey between the Var and Farden - almost a day of flight. It already blew her mind that Demelza had made such a trip every week to meet her; her friend wouldn’t have gone that far and back, just for an animal.

“Open,” said Demelza, and there he was.

She hardly could believe her eyes. Claws, her darling tiger cub, pressed his head into her lap, purring up a storm.

“I figured he needed you as much as you need him, but I’m telling you, think twice before loading a tiger onto your back. The guy has gained some serious muscle.”

“How on Eartia did you bring him back all the way?”

“Well, I had to coax him into a cage - and he didn’t like that very much, but each time I said that he’d see you again, he relented a little. Vincent came with me, and Rhey officially authorized it, so that the Elders wouldn’t fret overmuch. We convinced them tigers were common pets nowadays.”

As Demelza spoke, all smiles, Xandrie ran her hands over Claws’ massive shoulders, marveling at how much he’d grown.

“I owe you,” the words were failing her. “Whatever, whenever. This kindness means I’ll hide a body with you, if you so require.”

“I shall recall that pledge, Alexandria. When I say the word, bring the shovel. Right, I really ought to show my face now. See you down there.” Demelza pecked her on the cheek and marched out of her room.

“What a beauty,” Galdia said, bringing a hand close to Claws’ silken fur. A low growl warned her away, and she wisely retracted it before his jaw could close on her fingers. Claws was a softie - to her, and to Demelza, by extension. The rest of the world, she wouldn’t vouch for.

“You’ll look quite fierce, strolling in the Arena with a wild beast by your side,” she told her.

“You think I can bring him with me?”

Galdia just shrugged. “Can’t see why not, so long as he doesn’t take to dragon flesh. The King allowed it, or so the mistress says. Now, let’s get that silly dress off. If you’re going in with a tiger, might as well thoroughly look the part.”

Xandrie was relieved when the woman found soft leather breeches, a tunic and a silver trimmed coat to adorn her; it was still noble attire, she could tell.

“There. Much better.”

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