Page 55 of Dragon Fire

“This is…it’s indescribably delicious.” She felt a little flush of heat rise to her cheeks. “And, if I’m not mistaken, very, very alcoholic.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The others chuckled. “That’s why the glasses are so small,” Lilith told her, laughing. “Two or three of these knock even large men out until sunrise.”

“But one has merely a relaxing effect,” Lothar assured her. “This drink, unlike most, has a sort of multiplying factor. The more you imbibe, the higher the level of the alcoholic effect. So a single small glass won’t get you drunk, but ingest another, and the effect is increased about five fold.”

“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Livia told them, intrigued. If this drink was something she could import, she knew she could find a market for it. Probably a very lucrative market at that.

“As far as we know, it is unique to the island,” Liam confirmed.

“Now that the island has been revealed to the world at large again, have you given any thought to opening trade?” Nothing ventured, nothing gained, she thought. Might as well broach the subject now and study their reactions. “Something like this aperitif could command high prices on the mainland. And perhaps there are things you’d like to import from the mainland, as well?”

“Raw materials,” Liam said at once. “I know the artisans are always complaining that they can only bring back small amounts of ores and gemstones when the travel abroad.”

“Herbs and medicinal plants that only grow on the mainland,” Lothar added.

Livia nodded, taking mental notes as they each added items to the list. “My father’s company specializes in trade,” Livia told them when the conversation went into a natural lull. “In fact, I had no idea he’d been building a military force until he showed up here. But be that as it may, our primary mission has always been trade and profit. If he decides to change that now that he’s revealed his fleet of ships capable of fighting, that’s his choice, but I believe he’ll still have to run a trading fleet—even if just a small one—to help pay for the military arm.” Perhaps the drink was making her say more than she would have normally, but these folk needed to know some of this, if they were going to consider trading with her company. “If you do decide to pursue trade with the mainland, I hope you would consider using us.”

“But of course,” Gwen replied with an ease that made Livia blink. “Grandfather trusts you, which is all the endorsement any of us need. When things settle down a bit, perhaps we can fill that little boat your father left for you with the first batch of trade goods for you to take back to Dragonscove whenever you decide to leave.”

“That…” Livia was stunned. They had been thinking way ahead of her. “That would be fantastic!” She couldn’t hide her enthusiasm. “And I can either sell the trade goods for cash or do exchanges for the items you want from the mainland and have them couriered back to you by one of our ships, or come back myself with a full ship, if I’m able.”

“Either will work,” Lilith said casually. “We’ll have procedures set up for a working port by then. Between the sea dragons patrolling the waters and the gryphons in the air, we’ll see any approaching ship long before it makes landfall in future.”

Livia spent a pleasant half hour with the fair folk, planning for the opening of trade. She took note of the items they thought would be most wanted on the island and began thinking about places and merchants she could sell their goods to for the highest prices or exchange rates. This could be very profitable, as well as being a good route toward replenishing supplies on the island.

“Where are you?”came Seth’s voice in her mind as she finished her aperitif. Talking with Seth or Gowan this way wasn’t as easy as speaking with the dragons, but it was a skill she was learning.

“Just finishing up. I met Gryffid’s granddaughter and some of her friends.”

“I didn’t know he even had a granddaughter,”Seth replied, clearly surprised.

“There’s a reason for that. I’ll tell you when I get there. I’m leaving now and will be with you in a few minutes. I just have to find my way back to the great hall and go from there. I’m on the other side of the keep.”

Even as she sent her thoughts to Seth, she began to take her leave of the fair folk. Within moments, Livia was back on the path that would lead her to the great hall. From there, she was well acquainted with the path to her guest suite, where Seth was waiting.

She hadn’t meant to be gone so long, but she was glad she’d stumbled across Gwen and the others. Not only could it prove profitable, but Livia had genuinely enjoyed their company.

She was smiling as she made her way down the hall, a little tipsy from the beverage, but not drunk. She had her wits about her—and it was a good thing too, when she saw a furtive movement going up a hidden staircase farther down the hall. Something wasn’t right there.

The woman had looked exactly like Lilith, but Livia knew for a fact, she’d left the Captain of the Guard back in Gwen’s parlor. Livia didn’t think Lilith had a twin. Surely, the three siblings she’d just met would have mentioned it when they’d laughingly told her about all the other members of the rather large family.

“Seth?”Livia concentrated on sending the message to the only person she knew for certain wasn’t a traitor in this keep, even as she followed the woman disguised as the captain up a staircase she’d never seen before.

“What’s wrong?”Seth must’ve heard something in her tone.

“I’m not sure, but there’s someone sneaking up a back staircase who I don’t think is what they appear to be.”Livia reached the landing and cautiously peeked out to see the woman moving to another set of stairs. All the stairs in this massive house were wide enough for a gryphon to climb and made of worn stone. Livia had marveled earlier at the many years talons and feet had tread these same paths to make them smooth.

“Where are you?”

Livia gave him exact directions as she flowed down the hall to the next staircase. She caught just a glimpse of the woman’s sword as she left the second stairway. She was armed. Of course. The Captain of the Guard was seldom unarmed. But Livia had seen Lilith resting at ease—sans sword—in Gwen’s parlor not five minutes ago. And she’d been wearing different clothing. Similar, but different.

“I’m on my way. Be careful. We know this traitor—if that’s the person you’re following—is dangerous.”Seth sounded worried.

“She’s armed, Seth. Bring your sword.”

“I’ll do better than that. I’ll bring reinforcements.”

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