Page 102 of Dragon Fight

“Tell me we don’t have anything planned for today,” Flynn said, in a choked off voice. “Tell me today is a rest day and we can hole up in here and spend the day showing our girl just how much pleasure she can experience.”

“No such luck.” Soren shook his head ruefully. “We need to get down to the mess hall quickly and grab a bite. The general wants us in his office first thing this morning.”

“Of course he does,” Brom said with a sigh. “We have to answer for what happened last night and to find a way forward until we locate the cadets.”

“They’re with Marcus.” Every man but Brom seemed alarmed by that admission. “Draven seems to think we won’t see hide nor hair of them until he’s ready.”

“So they’re pawns to be used in his game?” Flynn snapped. “Aswewere. He manoeuvred us expertly, finding exactly where the boys were in the garrison and creating a diversion he could exploit.” He clapped his hands. “Well done, Marcus.” But then he turned to Ged. “But you can find him.”

“If he wants to be found.” Ged frowned. “I know plenty of his haunts, but no one knows all of them. I can go down—”

“Let’s await our orders first,” Brom said, before turning to the others. “I’m sorry for monopolising Pippin last night. I should’ve known you would need to know she was well. I just…”

“You had the two people you love most in the world in the same room and they were open to each other, willing to let the other in,” Soren said. He flushed as everyone turned to stare at him. “You all had to know this was on the cards. Draven never wanted to relinquish Pippin, not really. The heat between them doesn’t come from nowhere. For a prince, he’s a damn good rider. I had my doubts when he joined the corps, but he’s shown he’s willing to fight by our sides many times over.” His focus slid to me. “If he does right by you, lass, then I’ve no objections to him joining… whatever we have.”

I moved then, each man hissing at my stiff posture, but I melted as soon as I was close to Soren. I hadn’t known that I’d needed his approval until I had it. As he smoothed his hand up and down my spine, all the aches seemed to fade away until there was just him.

“So that’s what it takes to get cuddles from you?” he said in a low voice. “I just have to approve of your reckless decisions?”

“You just have to be you,” I said, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his chest.

“Are we forgetting that Draven whipped Ged, and sent Pippin to shovel shit until she almost passed out?” Flynn asked the room.

“Not forgetting,” Soren replied, “just understanding. You’re the son of one of the most powerful dukes in all of Nevermere. To say you don’t understand the way power must be displayed and maintained would be a lie. You’ve just been able to escape the bullshit of your father’s court up until now, and you’re not much liking being thrust back into it.”

A thump on the door interrupted any other conversation we might have, Soren and I springing apart.

“Everyone’s to report to the mess hall,” came a muffled shout, then the speaker moved on.

“Best we get to it,” Brom said, “though we must schedule for a later date a deep and honest conversation about what people are comfortable with.”

“Tonight,” Flynn insisted. “If we aren’t infiltrating secret Harlstonian bases or engaging in sedition.”

We didn’t have long and I needed to get out of my dress and into my cadet’s uniform straight away, but I moved away from Soren to Flynn, his hands snapping out the moment I was close, his mouth brushing against mine.

“Even if we are,” I promised, kissing him just once before pulling away.

60

“What’s that bitch doing here?” Ged asked as we walked into the mess hall, all of us ensuring a ‘safe’ distance was placed between me and the other men.

“Don’t call a woman a bitch,” Soren said, then he realised who Ged was talking about. “Well…”

Beatrice wove between the tables, a hefty basket at her hip. If I didn’t know better, I’d think her a washerwoman on the way to the clothesline or a serving maid. But while some of the men flirted outrageously with her just like they did the other maids, there was no mistaking Beatrice for what she was. Her hair was expertly done, the masses of beautiful red curls pulled back in an elaborate set of plaits, her green gown covered with intricate embroidery that would have sent a seamstress blind.

Is that word what humans call pretender queens?Glimmer asked, sniffing in Beatrice’s direction.Then bitch she is.

“Apparently it's fashionable for highborn lasses to pretend to be lowborn ones.” Nancy had come to stand beside me, arms crossed as she watched the proceedings with a baleful eye. “Says she made pastries especially for all of the ‘brave riders.’” She made a rude noise at that. “When I know for certain she had her women up at the crack of dawn baking each one of them pastries for her to saunter around like she’s a maid. I, for one, am looking forward to the moment when one of those lads gets handsy with her.”

And as we watched, one did, reaching over to pat Beatrice on her rounded bottom, She spun around, her finely honed instincts kicking in and her eyes flashing like emerald green ice. She mastered herself quickly, batting the man’s hand away with a coquettish smile. His fellows all started laughing uproariously, shouting insults and encouragement at the man.

“Sit down, quick,” Nancy instructed. “I’ll bring you some good food and something for Her Majesty here.”

This woman is very astute, Glimmer told me from where she was perched in Brom’s arms.I like her. Ask her for some of that bacon we had at Brom’s parents’ house.

I sniggered as we did as we were told, bacon, eggs, toast and coffee appearing as if by magic.

“They don’t pay you enough, Nance,” Ged said, grabbing his utensils and unwrapping them with haste.

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