And in the middle of it all was King Hendon, sprawled out on the ground with his hand clutching at his throat, not moving. The setting for his ruby pendant was empty; red fragments littered near his head attested to the broken jewel.
“It’s over,” Farrah said. “Good news: we’ve won.”
“Oh, great,” I said hazily. “That’s great. You know, I have the worst headache.”
And then I pulled a “Queen of Rothschan” and blacked out.
Chapter Forty-Five
I SLOWLY BLINKED MY eyes open. There was a concerned face hovering above me that looked at lot like Beyan. “Jennica? You’re awake!”
“Yes, that’s a very astute observation.” I tried for sarcasm, but my voice came out weak. Beyan rushed to help me as I struggled to sit up. I realized I was in a comfortable bed, in a well-appointed room — my private rooms, in the castle. “What are you doing in my room?”
“You really don’t remember anything?”
I frowned, trying to tease memory forth. The wedding... the fight in the courtyard... King Hendon.
“The king is dead.” The words felt funny on my tongue. Even though he wasn’t my true father, and we hadn’t had the best relationship, and he had tried to manipulate and hurt everyone I loved, I had grown up with him and should still mourn him. Right?
Beyan was oblivious to my private dilemma. “Yes, Hendon is dead. Those loyal to him are in the dungeon, awaiting the queen’s judgement. Princess Jennica, whatever you did — you saved us all. We were barely holding our own. You stopped the king.”
A perfunctory knock at my chamber door sounded before it opened. A young attendant poked her head in the doorway. “Her Majesty and the Dragon Consort are here to see you, Your Highness.”
I blinked. “Dragon Consort? Send them in.” I turned back to Beyan. “Did I... did I kill Hendon?”
My mother and father strode into my chamber.
“Not exactly,” Joichan said, overhearing my question. “From what I could tell, you destroyed the link between Hendon’s soulstone and the headpiece. Hendon was in the middle of an intricate spell when it happened; it recoiled on him and the power between the two items overwhelmed him. You’re lucky you didn’t get caught in it too, or you might have died as well.”
My father’s explanation was meant to reassure me, but I still felt vaguely guilty over Hendon’s death.
I wanted to clear my head. “Where are Farrah and Rhyss? Did they go back to Orchwell?”
“No, they’re still here,” Beyan said. “The queen has been kind enough to offer us hospitality for as long as we wish to stay.”
“It’s the least we could do, for all you’ve done for the kingdom,” my mother said.
“You’ve been more than generous, Your Majesty,” Beyan said.
I looked at Beyan more closely. His everyday clothing had been replaced by something finer. Better fabric, better cut. Even the way he held himself was different than before. In fact, he looked almost like a...
“Lord Beyan and his father, Lord Kye, will be relocating to Calia in the next two weeks, as I understand it,” Mother said. “Until they are settled into their new home, they are welcome to stay here at the palace with us for as long as they need to.”
“Lord Beyan?” I looked from Mother to Beyan incredulously. “What did I miss? And how long have I been out?”
“About four days,” Beyan said. “The palace healer said you’d recover, your body just needed time to repair on its own. We were very worried, though.”
“Four days!”
“Doing that magic — whatever you did — took a lot out of you.”
“No need to be worried, I’m awake now. But maybe I am dreaming... what’s this about you being a lord?”
Beyan smiled sheepishly. “After... everything that happened in the courtyard... we’ve had a lot of time to talk. She was aware of what happened between the king and my father, but she didn’t know how it had affected my family.”
“I fear I have failed Calia greatly,” Mother said. “I suspected Hendon was creating havoc, but I didn’t know the extent of the damage he caused, both in our kingdom and beyond. Now that you’ve uncovered the wrongs he’s created, I can do my best to right them. Restoring Beyan’s family to their former glory was a small step toward that.”
“That’s wonderful news,” I said. “And now you’re a lord?”
“Yes,” Beyan said. He looked, if possible, even more embarrassed. “And my father and I will be living in Calia. After the messenger came back immediately with my father’s answer, saying he was happy to come to Calia, Her Majesty sent a group of servants to pack up our belongings and bring my father here. He should be here soon, I believe later on today.”
“If he’s not too tired, I’d love to see him when arrives,” I said.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Please. Don’t you start with the titles, or I swear I’ll never talk to you again. Jennica is just fine for me.”
Beyan laughed. “I’ll call you Jennica if you don’t call me Lord Beyan. I’m still not used to it. When someone says my name, I keep looking around wondering who they’re addressing.”
“It’s a deal, unless I’m mad at you,” I teased. “Then I’m definitely using your title.”
Still laughing, Beyan stood up from my bedside and bowed to my parents. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Majesty, Joichan. And Jennica.” He nodded at me, his eyes twinkling. “I should go find Rhyss and Farrah. They’ll want to know the princess is awake.”
“Wait. Beyan?”
“Yes, Jennica?”
“Where did Rhyss and Farrah get those swords? During the wedding? We had left everything with the guards. Or so I thought, until I saw you still had your dagger.”
Beyan shrugged unapologetically. “I know I didn’t quite follow the rules... but you have to admit, it came in handy.”
“That’s true. But it still doesn’t explain how Farrah and Rhyss happened to be carrying weapons.”
“Apparently we weren’t the only ones exploring the castle,” Beyan said. “After we split up, Rhyss and Farrah snuck into the Great Hall. They saw a bunch of swords hanging on the walls and thought they might be useful. Rhyss was particularly drawn to the one near the throne; he said he had to climb on the throne to get it down.”
I blinked in disbelief. “You mean to tell me that he stole the ceremonial Sword of the First King?”
“He gave it back,” Mother interjected. I could hear the laugh she was trying to hold back. “But as a reward, we promised to have the royal blacksmith create something similar for him.”
“While it was a good idea to have it on hand, only Rhyss would do something like that.” I laughed too, Beyan joining in.
“I’m sure by now Rhyss has also eaten your food stores into oblivion.” Beyan winked at me. “I’ll go check.”
He left. Mother, Joichan, and I watched him go. A smile tugged at the corner of my mother’s mouth. “Not bad. You could do worse.”
“Mother?” I wasn’t sure if I was asking for her approval or chastising her.
“Trust me, a match born of duty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Better to go with your heart.”
“Thanks, Mother. I think.”
My mother sat on my bed, cupping my face in her hands. “I can tell Hendon’s death weighs on you,” she said gently. “But you saved many more lives by your actions. Remember that, when you start to despair.”
She embraced me. I rested my head on her shoulder, enjoying the safety I felt in her arms.
My mother pulled back, brushing the hair from my face. “Let us talk of happy things. A lot has happened since you’ve been asleep. Now that you’re awake, we can talk about — ”
A light knock on the door interrupted us. “Enter,” I called out.
The attendant poked her head in my room again. “Your lady-in-waiting, Taryn, is here to see you, Your Highness.”
“Send her in.”
Taryn walked into
the room, eyes downcast. She curtsied to the queen, then to me. “Your Highness, I came to apologize for my horrible behavior. And to say, I understand if you no longer want me as your lady-in-waiting. I’ll pack my things and leave immediately.”
She turned to go. “Stop,” I said in my most imperious voice. “Come back here.”
Taryn approached, wringing her hands.
“Taryn, I accept your apology, but I do not accept your departure. Unless... you want to go.”
“Oh, no, Your Highness. Never!” She looked up at me, tears in her eyes. “But, Your Highness, how could you ever forgive me?”
“Because you weren’t in your right mind, and we both know it. How could I not forgive you? And, if I recall, my friend Taryn calls me Jennica. Her friend.”
Taryn smiled at me through her tears. I held my arms open to her, and we embraced in a tight hug.
She pulled back, still sniffling. Mother smiled at her. “Taryn, you and your brother have done an immeasurable service to the kingdom of Calia.”
“Rufan told me that you sent his family a most generous gift of gold. Thank you, Your Majesty.” Perched next to my mother at the edge of my bed, Taryn dipped her head in thanks to the queen.
“You’re welcome. And as for you, Taryn — the kingdom could use a sharp mind like yours to guide it. If you’re amenable to it, we’d like to start training you for your new position as the Queen’s Advisor.”
Taryn’s jaw dropped. “Your Majesty, that would be incredible. Thank you!”
I smiled, although now I wanted to cry. “I’ll miss you, Taryn. You’re a wonderful lady-in-waiting, and I know you’ll be an incredible advisor.”
Mother laughed. “Silly. Taryn won’t be going anywhere. She’ll be your advisor, not mine. We’re just getting a head start so she’ll be ready to go when you become queen.”
Now my jaw dropped. “But... I thought...”
My mother regarded me with gentle, solemn eyes. “While I love my kingdom, it’s time for a new way of thinking, a new take on life. I’ll be here to guide you and help you grow into the position, but it’s time for love and honor to lead Calia instead of forced duty and tradition.” She and Joichan exchanged loving smiles. “And I think it’s time I learned how to listen to my own heart.”
Taryn stood up from my bedside, curtsying to both my mother and me. “Excuse me, Your Majesty, Your Highness. I have some tasks to attend to before dinner. Thank you, again, Your Majesty. I didn’t dare dream it would turn out so well. I — thank you.”
“You are extremely welcome, my dear,” my mother said. “And Taryn, if I may add one more task to your list...”
“Of course, Your Majesty. How may I assist you?”
“Please find the steward and have him remove the painting by the Great Hall. See if we can’t have a celebratory bonfire in the courtyard later today. Crisis averted, narrow save of the kingdom of Calia, and all that. I’m sure it would make great kindling.”
The slowly widening smile on my face was reflected on the faces of Taryn, Joichan, and my mother. Fervently, Taryn said, “With pleasure, Your Majesty.” She hurried out of the room.
I turned back to my mother. “What were you saying before Taryn came in?”
“Oh, yes. Now that you’re well, we can start getting you ready for the wedding.”
“The wedding? But, I thought... Do you mean I still have to marry Prince Anders?”
My mother laughed. “No, not unless you want to. The prince and his family snuck off sometime after the fighting ended, during the clean up. They didn’t say it outright, but I think the betrothal is off.”
“Then whose wedding...?”
My mother stood up and walked back to Joichan, who reached for her hand and held it proudly. “Ours. In a week’s time.”
I smiled. “Oh, that wedding. Yes, I’m definitely looking forward to that wedding. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to pick out my own jewelry.”
Our laughter echoed through the hallways, a promise of the brighter days to come for the kingdom of Calia.
Epilogue
QUEEN MELANDRIA AND Joichan had a lovely — and small — wedding. My parents hadn’t wanted the pomp of a big wedding. Plus, there really weren’t any relatives to invite. Mother’s immediate family had passed away years ago, and my orphaned father actually didn’t know who his family was. He had been left as a baby at a storefront in Annlyn and been adopted by the merchant who nearly tripped over him when opening the shop.
The private event was witnessed by me, Beyan, Farrah, and Rhyss. Lord Kye was also there, looking very at ease in his newfound position. Part of it was from, of course, the restoration of his family name and fortune. And part of it was from the fact that Lord Kye no longer limped or needed a cane.
Bringing Kye to the castle had been a somewhat risky proposition. After all, Kye and Joichan’s first and only meeting hadn’t gone well. The two men had a long, private discussion — similar to the one Joichan had had with Kye’s son Beyan. But when Joichan healed Kye using his dragon magic, that changed the tenor of their relationship from a wary truce to a true friendship.
After the wedding, Kye gifted the queen and new king with a familiar-looking carving of a stately golden dragon. They loved it instantly, exclaiming over the intricate detail and the perfect likeness of our new king (when he was in dragon form). The carving would eventually find a place of honor on a pedestal by the Great Hall. Right below the space where, formerly, a painting of Hendon had hung, depicting him fighting the dragon while Princess Melandria was held captive in its claws. Instead, in the old picture’s place, there was a new painting: two golden dragons and Queen Melandria fighting side by side against the evil red-eyed King Hendon in a battle to save the kingdom of Calia. The new painting never failed to make me smile proudly every time I saw it.
Now that I knew my true father, I was determined to find the rest of his family and learn more about our lineage. Even though Joichan hailed from Annlyn, kingdom of shapeshifters, those who could become dragons were rare. Often those who were dragon shapeshifters were considered to come from unlucky or cursed unions.
“I’m glad you never considered me cursed,” I told my mother. Unlike Hendon. The unspoken thought hung in the air between us, punctuated by the occasional sounds of laughter and the tinkle of a fountain nearby. We were sitting on a low stone bench under the warm, late summer sun. There was a decided chill in the mornings now; fall was on its way.
“I would never have thought that of you, my darling,” she reassured me. “If anything, I think it’s a boon for the kingdom. A ruler who could take down an invading army single-handedly? Why, think of the money you’d save by not having a standing army! Fewer taxes, too... your subjects will adore you.”
I laughed. “Speaking of adoration... I think it’s going well with introducing Joichan to the people, don’t you?”
We looked over to where Joichan was, crouched low to the ground in the town square. He barely fit, but the children loved it. Some were shy of the great dragon in their midst, but a few of the braver ones were climbing on or over my father like he was a giant horse.
My mother had decided, before the honeymoon, that the best thing to do was to visit the nearby towns and see her subjects face-to-face in a long overdue meeting. Hendon had always insisted on an aloof distance, something that my mother had never agreed with. She also thought a more personal touch was needed to gain the trust and acceptance of the people for her new husband. After all, their first impression of him was of a ferocious, fire-breathing beast.
Although, watching the curious townsfolk and their carefree children, I thought the people of Calia were just fine with a human-turned-dragon for a new king.
In the crowd, I spotted Rufan standing with his sister Taryn and another woman, his wife Patrice. Their two little girls finished weaving a garland of flowers and presented it to Joichan, placing it on his nose as a present. He sneezed, and the majority of the flowers went up in a quick snort of fire.
The ashes slid off the dragon’s nose as he said to Rufan’s children, “Sorry about that.”
Instead of shrieking in fear, the two girls giggled. One piped up, “Don’t worry, we’ll find you more!” And they ran off, in a fit of more giggles. Joichan’s eyes sparked in alarm.
An anxious dragon is quite a sight. Mother and I shook our heads, unable to contain our laughter. Joichan heard us and looked at us reproachfully.
A young mother with a baby on her hip rushed after a little boy. The boy clambered on top of Joichan, nearly stepping on my father’s eye with his eager little foot.
“Be careful!” the mother called. “Don’t play so rough with the dragon!”
Don’t play so rough with the dragon. Now that was something I never thought I’d hear. I laughed even harder.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I finally calmed down enough to say, “I’ll miss you both while you’re gone. But I know you’ll have a wonderful trip.”
“We’ll miss you too,” Mother said. “But you’ll have a lot of things to keep you busy while we’re gone.”
“That’s true. Research takes up a surprising amount of time.”
“Have you learned anything new?”
“A few things. We’ve narrowed it down to the southeastern part of the Gifted Lands. We’ll start at Annlyn and work our way out east from there. We contacted Pazho and Denaan and they’re delighted to have us visit again. The messenger said that while Denaan could barely speak after discovering my true identity, Pazho took my message with surprising calmness. Like he had known all along I was the princess of Calia.”
“From what you and your father have said about this Pazho, that makes perfect sense. It’s a fine plan. And you’ll be in good company. I’m not worried about you.” My mother looked out in the distance.
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