Page 1 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 1
1288 AD
Draconis Court of Kestle
“Make sure your belly’s full, Rafe,” Molly tutted as he stood. She was overseeing the morning meal as she did every day, but this one was special. Prince Rafferty Kestledraconis was a drakeling who would be a dragon before nightfall.
“I’ve eaten plenty,” Rafferty assured her with a smile. Although Molly was a servant and barely sixteen years older than Rafferty, King Charlton Kestledraconis had given her the keys to the larder long ago. She ruled the household with purpose, kindness, and wisdom far above her age. Charlton was often dismissive of women but never Molly, and Rafferty unabashedly adored her.
Her grin was dimpled and lit up her gray eyes. “You look fair handsome today.”
“You needn’t shower me with compliments to boost my confidence. I am most eager to be a dragon.”
“You are not the only eager one,” Duke Sullivan Kestledraconis stated, getting to his feet. “Father has never put together such a grand feast, and you are the only one who is old enough to shift.”
“Surely your day was just as grand,” Molly responded. “His Highness’s firstborn? Come now, Your Grace. You should allow your brother to enjoy all this fussing.”
“I just hope you gain enough confidence to finally bed a woman,” Sullivan told Rafferty, ignoring Molly as he so often did. Rafferty had tried more than once to speak to him of the way he scorned her. However, arguing with Sullivan gave him nothing but pain in his head. A strong dark-brown dragon, his half brother was mulish and had a penchant for teasing Rafferty that he’d long ago stopped taking offense at, for it was impossible to get him to stop. None of their personality conflicts had kept them from growing close, and Rafferty considered him his only confidante. However, he did not wish to speak of relations with women.
“What I have done or not is only of my concern, and it is not proper to speak of such things in front of Molly,” Rafferty asserted.
“She is not but a servant, and I am fair worried your manhood will shrink and wither away do you not use it soon.”
“Sullivan, she is still a lady, and you should treat her with respect.”
His brother rolled his eyes. “You are quite touchy today, Rafferty. Your fear over your dragon is making you quarrelsome. Father’s already outside, checking on preparations. I shall join him. Do not tarry in coming out; I wish to get this nonsense under way so I can get my belly full of drink and find a woman to bed.”
Rafferty chose not to respond as Sullivan sauntered out. “You must not take insult at Sullivan’s words. He does not mean to be hurtful; he is just not always good with people.”
“I have known that boy longer than you’ve been alive, Rafe. You need not worry about me and my feelings. Now, let’s focus on you, shall we? You’re feeling brave? I do not wish to have to assist your father in lighting your pyre today.”
“I will not let either of you down by failing at my task. I am anxious only to know what color I might be. I dread disappointing Father by not being dark enough.”
Slinging her arm through his, she walked with him toward the castle door. “Do not fret. Your father will be proud of you no matter what color you find yourself to be, and so will I.”
“Thank you, Molly. I would not wish to displease you either.”
“Dear Rafe, you could not. Not today or any other day. Go on, love, your father’s waiting for you.”
Smiling at Molly, Rafferty left her side to join his father, who was standing in a circle of rocks. “The entire court is gathered,” King Charlton crowed. “And it’s a fine sunny day. Are you ready, Son?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am most prepared.”
“Young Rafferty, you’ve been dedicated to your dragon training since you were practically a babe. Do you feel the beast deep inside you awaiting its release?” Charlton asked loudly, so his voice would carry.
“Your Highness, Court Kestle and its leaders have most prepared me for this auspicious day. I have felt my beast inside since I was first told that someday I would be a dragon. I am ready to free him,” Rafferty replied. Stripping off his clothes as they would not survive his shift, Rafe stood as his father stepped out of the stones.
Closing his eyes, he failed to curb the heat rising to his cheeks as he thought upon all the people witness to his nakedness. Already teased because he refused to allow servants to aid in his baths, his brother would make note of the red on his face. The last thing Sullivan needed was fuel for his ribbing, but it could not be helped. Rafferty simply wasn’t like the others. Knowing it would not help to dwell on such thoughts, Rafferty concentrated on counting his breaths to still his mind.
Imagining soaring in the wind, a smile formed when a ripple of sensation floated over his skin. Bones elongated and his muscles grew to accommodate his enlarging frame. The blades of his shoulders tingled as his wings formed, and the flutter of them filled him with immense pride. There was no pain, only a sense of becoming more and an almost enticing feel of handing control of himself to the strong entity inside. Rafferty could not say how much time had passed, but when it was completed, he was immensely pleased to be a shifter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, do not be alarmed,” Charlton yelled out, to Rafferty’s surprise and confusion. At first, he failed to understand his father’s words, but the murmurs and gasps soon reached his ears. “Perhaps it is best if you have a quick flight, Rafferty.”
Lifting his lids, Rafferty glanced down and with the sharper vision of his beast spied scales darker than night. Somehow, he’d transformed into a black dragon, and with no others in his court that deep in tone, he was now the strongest. Unsure how to feel about that, Rafferty carefully took two steps forward, ensuring that both he and his dragon were ready to fly as a team. Should they not, the result might very well be death.
“Go on, Rafferty, we do not have all of the day to spend out here waiting for you to make a spectacle of yourself,” Sullivan drawled.
In no mood for Sullivan’s teasing, Rafferty ignored him. A calming wave settled over him, and he found the strength to flap his wings. While he kept low to the ground to preserve his safety, Rafferty did manage a perfect circle above the crowd, which was mostly stunned into silence. Black dragons were a rarity, and while he should be filled with pride, Rafferty was filled with unease as he landed softly.
