Page 10 of Dragon Fight

“Thank you, Lord…” I realised then I had no idea of the man’s title.

“Bernard, if you must,” he said, sweeping me into a rough hug. “Perhaps, one day, Father?”

“Stop mauling the girl, Bernie,” a female voice said. A woman who had the kind of beauty that only develops as she ages, continued on. “I’m Kay, Brom’s mother. Well, aren’t you a precious thing? Though what happened to your hair? It wasn’t one of those blasted pranks, was it? If those boys cropped off your crowning glory, they’ll have me to answer to.” But before I could answer, her eyes dropped down and she spied Glimmer. “And look at you.” Her tone was reverent, something my dragon acknowledged with a slow nod of her head. “Aren’t you the most perfect little queen?”

“Dragon,” I corrected her hastily, before looking back at Draven. “A female but not a queen. Her name is Glimmer.”

“And you’re here too, Draven, m’boy!” Bernard threw his arms around the prince and I was treated to the sight of the prince’s expression transforming into one of utter surprise, before it faded into an air of relief as he returned the man’s embrace.

“And you, Lord Emberly.”

“Lord?” Bernard spluttered. “After I’ve seen you grow from a small child to a man? We’ll not stand on ceremony here. Now, let's get everyone inside; out of this bloody wind. Sometimes I feel like it's trying to snatch the heat from my bones.”

And so wecame to be gathered in the grand living room of the stately home where Brom had spent his childhood. A fire was crackling merrily in the hearth, and maids brought in large mugs of mulled wine and blankets that were warm from the drying room. Glimmer looked around the room and then curled up just beyond the fire grate, her eyes closing almost immediately.

“So, a wedding!” Brom’s mother looked pleased but also a little miffed at having only found out the news with our arrival, although she put on a brave face. “It must’ve been a quick thing.”

Her unspoken question asked why. Brom took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

“We had been courting for a while but, as you know, when the queen’s dragon goes into heat the side effects are felt by everyone.” He gazed down at me and the look in his eyes was the one he’d had when we were at the ruins, not one appropriate for a son sitting in his parent’s living room. “Passions… got away from us and I wanted to make an honest woman of Pippin as quickly as possible.” He turned back to his parents. “I hope you understand.”

“Things do get heated when Zafira rises to mate,” Bernard said. “And you did the right thing, son. No boy of mine would dishonour a lady in such a way. We’re pleased to have you in the family, Pippa, however you came to be joined.”

“But what did you use for rings at such short notice?” Kay asked, peering at my hand. “Is that… no! Not your old signet ring?!”

“Mother…” Brom grumbled.

“Oh goodness, Brom.” His mother sounded exasperated. She came over and looked at my fingers, her keen eyes seeming to be able to size my fingers expertly. “We’ll have a look in the vault, find something much more suitable.” Her focus shifted to my face, as she assessed my features. “Perhaps your great grandmother’s sky sapphires with the diamond accents. The colour would suit Pippa’s eyes perfectly. This old thing is far too big for you.”

“Oh yes,” I replied, slipping it off with ease and handing it back to Brom. Instead of taking it, he put his hand out for me to slide it over his ring finger, where the gold band covered the white circle of skin once more.

“And there’ll be something there for Brom as well. You can choose that for him,” Kay said.

“But not now, Mother,” Brom replied. “We’ve been up and about all day and we’ve travelled for hours to get here—”

“And you all need a meal and a warm bed.” Kay clapped her hands and maids appeared from nowhere to do her bidding. She gave them swift instructions, before turning back to us again. “Come along, now. Dinner will be ready shortly.”

“Gods,it’s going to be painful to go back to eating the food at the keep again,” Ged groaned, rubbing at his now swollen stomach. “With all the good cooking at Pippin’s estate and now here…”

“I’ll make sure to pack a basket for you all before you go back,” Kay said, flushing with pleasure at the compliment to her staff and home. “But how long will you be visiting, son?”

“We’ve been given two weeks leave and we’ve already spent two days at Pippin’s,” Brom replied. “Then it's back to barracks life for us.”

“Two weeks?” Kay’s eyes lit up. “We could arrange a party in that time. Invite some of the neighbours and the cousins. We might even be able to fly in some of the more remote family members, with five dragons stationed outside.”

“The royal riders don’t operate as an impromptu carriage service, my dear,” Bernard replied with an indulgent smile.

“We might be able to bring a small group in,” Soren replied. “The beasts get lazy if they’re just left to lie in the sun all day.”

“There, you see! The drill sergeant is in agreement with me.”

“And woe betide anyone who is not,” Bernard said in a quiet little aside, winking at me. “Very well, wife. On the morrow you can create your list of desired guests and we’ll see what the riders have to say about it.” His focus shifted to Prince Draven. “I apologise, Your Highness. This will be a social event that isn’t quite to the standard you are used to.”

“Nonsense,” Draven replied with a smile. He was always so much more relaxed, more affable when talking to anyone else but me. “I remember the parties held here at Rutherfeld with great affection. I’m sure this will be just the thing to celebrate my wing commander’s wedding to our sole female cadet.”

Before anyone could reply, a handsome older man in livery entered the room and then bowed to all of us around the table. His hair was largely grey, but it was thick and luxuriant, tied back into a neat queue. Bernard perked up at the sight of him, but Kay’s reaction was quite different. The light seemed to fade from her eyes as she considered the man.

“Got the port and cigars ready, Jonathon?” Bernard asked in a jovial voice.

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