He tapped the rolled parchment to his lips and smiled. “Then I look forward to calling you ‘Father,’ Prince Regent.”
I clamped my lips together and flared my nostrils. Father’s expression was the same.
Master Fosco turned off the mirror’s magic, and the image of Aunt Cendrilla atop Fogo returned to the frame.
Triumph glittered in King Magnar’s eyes. “The first round of the tournament starts in an hour. Would you care to accompany me?”
My gaze caught the frayed edge of the parchment. It looked like it had been torn out of a larger volume… like the leather tome.
I refused his offer, trying not to let my lips quirk into a smile.
I’d just found another thing to steal from King Magnar.
Chapter 10
As I walked out of Master Fosco’s office, King Magnar hurried ahead to open the door. The wretch probably thought a gentlemanly action could make up for forcing me to marry him against my will. I snatched the handle, pulled the door open, and stepped out into the reception area.
Evolene stood at the far end of her former desk, clutching a basket. She rounded her shoulders, trying to look small.
“What are you doing here?” asked King Magnar in his haughtiest voice.
“She’s my friend,” I snarled.
“I-I thought we could have lunch together outside instead of the mess hall,” she replied.
My gaze flickered to the contents of her basket. She had expanded its interior and piled enough food to feed a dragon. That’s when I remembered that I’d arranged to meet her, Stafford, and Rufus for lunch the night before. “There’s nothing wrong with two friends sharing a meal. You don’t have to explain yourself.”
King Magnar huffed but remained silent.
Keeping my back straight, I walked across the reception area and ushered Evolene through the door and into the hallway the homunculi had exploded. Just before the door swung shut, I turned to give King Magnar a withering stare. He and Master Fosco stood side-by-side, their gazes fixed on us.
Evolene murmured, “Fyrian wasn’t in her stall when I passed. Can you call her?”
“All right,” I replied. “Hey, Fyri, are you close?”
“With the rabbit rex. I didn’t want to interrupt your negotiations with Magnar. Are you going to marry him, then?”
“Not until he finds the three items I need for the wedding. Can you meet us at your stall?”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” she replied.
I opened the door to the terrace, and Evolene stepped out. A cool breeze cut through the noon heat, and I sucked in lungfuls of air. Whatever Master Jesper had done to the weathervane had adjusted the wind to a more pleasant temperature.
“Thanks for organizing this,” I said.
“It’s nice to have a break from the laboratory. Master Jesper and I are still struggling to get the witches’ antidote right.”
“What’s holding him up?”
She shrugged. “Getting the right quality of ingredients.”
“Aaah.” A lack of gold, most likely. We would talk about that later.
I continued along the terrace, chatting with her about what she had learned under Master Jesper’s tutelage. Evolene mostly talked about the troll’s kind, patient nature, and the way it took the time to explain things to her. Although her cheeks pinked with enthusiasm, I couldn’t help but wonder how difficult it was for her to learn magic on her own with a horrible father who expected her to help him commit crimes.
Just as we reached Fyrian’s section of grass-covered terrace, she drifted down from the skies, landed in her stall, and turned around.
“Thanks.” I climbed up her forearm and took Evolene’s proffered basket and secured its handle on one of Fyrian’s spine ridges. Then I leaned over and helped Evolene up.
Once Evolene had settled, Fyrian launched herself off the side of the terrace.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Fyrian wants directions,” I said to Evolene.
“There’s a poppy field beyond the lightning tree. Niger, Stafford and Flavo Fumi will be there.”
“I’ll look out for Flavo. His yellow scales are difficult to miss.” Fyrian dipped her wing and turned north-eastwards.
I raised my head to the cloudless sky, enjoying the breeze sweeping through my hair. No matter how many times I rode Fyrian, it was always a delight to soar above the concerns of the surface world. Up in the skies, it was just me, her, and whichever good friend I’d invited for the ride.
Evolene leaned against me and sighed. “Everyone’s so tense about the witches.”
“King Magnar probably needs them for his war.”
“He’s used to battling with two of his sisters at his side.”
“I’ll bet it’s the two who fought us at the border.”
Evolene hummed.
We soon passed the giant sequoia with the burnt-out insides. Power sparked from within the broken trunk, making its innards appear to writhe. Deep grooves pitted the surrounding lawn from the explosions we had escaped. Hopefully, now that the librarian had escaped Mount Fornax territory, we would not encounter any more murderous homunculi.
Fyrian passed a patch of giant dandelions and swooped down to a sun-drenched poppy field with flowers the size of parasols. Its sweet, citrusy scent wafted up from below, making the muscles around my shoulders relax.
“Won’t we get into trouble for letting dragons rest on crops?” I asked.
“They’ll return to normal as soon as they’re watered,” replied Evolene. “Something about the lightning tree makes the flowers around here extra resilient.”
Fyrian landed opposite a large, yellow dragon lounging within the stalks.
Stafford rushed out from behind the yellow dragon and helped Evolene and her basket down. Niger strolled over and grinned.
I smiled back and slid down Fyrian’s side.
Niger caught me around the waist. “You said you had a plan.”
A flush surged across my cheeks. I dipped my head, and a strangled noise caught in my throat. Stafford and Evolene had to have seen everything! It was only when he let go and stepped back that I raised my head. Sure enough, I met two pairs of rounded eyes.
“Um…” I stepped away from Niger. “Yes. Mr. Bacon told us eleven ingredients for the antidote. He said he can’t remember the last one, but the most difficult one to get was gold.”
“Our best source of gold got burned down by the alchemists,” muttered Niger.
Evolene placed her basket on the ground and pointed her staff. With a flash of white light, it transformed into a low, wicker table with place settings for four, and four, thick cushions. A roasted goose, two ostrich legs, and a grilled trout lay in the middle of the table, surrounded by roasted vegetables and a glazed, pear pie. She’d even brought a small barrel of ale and a flagon of juice.
I gaped. “Did you get this from Eyepatch?”
She blinked. “Eye… You mean Mr. Cobbs?”
Stafford and I shared guilty looks. We had been referring to him as eyepatch all this time without bothering to ask his name. I rubbed the back of my neck. “Err… Yes. Did he make it?”
“He visited the laboratory last night to speak to Master Jesper. He said he knew we were meeting somewhere for lunch and offered to make a picnic.”
“Good old Cobbs.” Niger chuckled. “What a feast!”
We all rounded the table and took our seats. Evolene sat next to Stafford, and I sat opposite Stafford and next to Niger. Whatever enchantment Evolene had performed on the basket had preserved the heat and aromas of our little banquet, making everything mouthwateringly appetizing.
I glanced up. Behind Stafford and Evolene, Fyrian lounged sphinx-like on the poppies opposite Niger’s dragon. “Fyri?”
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you get something to eat, too?”
Her tongue darted out between her teeth. “I haven’t had a rabbit rex in a while. Neither has Flavo.”
&nbs
p; I smiled up at her. “Go ahead. I don’t want you two feeling hungry while we’re eating.”
While the two dragons rose and took to the skies, I imagined clouds over a moonlit sky. As much as I trusted Fyrian, I didn’t know Flavo, and I also had no idea what kind of effect the loyalty elixir would have on a dragon’s behavior. It was too risky to let them know we planned on stealing from King Magnar.
Niger watched after them. “Where are they going?”
“I didn’t want to put them in an awkward position, so I suggested they left to get some food.”
With a nod of approval, he placed an ostrich leg on his platter. “Getting gold is all very well, but what about the last ingredient?”
“If Mr. Bacon can’t remember it, we’re finished.” Stafford cut himself a large portion of goose.
I grabbed a freshly-baked roll, broke it in half with my hands, and spread a generous serving of butter, which melted into the soft, warm bread. “Actually, I might know who tore out the antidote from the book.”
Everybody stopped eating and stared, but it was Niger who spoke first. “King Magnar.”
I poured myself a goblet of pear juice. “While you lot were out fighting the weathervane, I traveled in King Magnar’s wagon part-way to the mountain.”
Niger shot me a quizzical look. “Why part-way?”
“I saw Stafford and jumped out to ride with him.” I raised a shoulder. “Anyway, we left him to ride up ahead, while Stafford and I took the long route to the Healer’s Academy building.”
“Why not the Reception Road?”
“What’s that?” asked Stafford.
Evolene set down her goblet. “It’s an enchanted route up the mountain that avoids the terraces.”
“We didn’t know about that at the time,” I said.
Stafford muttered into his ale. “I still don’t know about it.”
Niger stroked his beard. “You think King Magnar went to the alchemists’ wagon and tore out the antidote?”
“He had a massive head start on us.” I counted off my reasons on my fingers. “He knew about the loyalty elixir and was the alchemists’ prisoner, he has the most to gain from keeping the dragons loyal, and I saw him carrying a piece of parchment with a torn edge.”
Evolene straightened. “I noticed that, too!”
I paused, waiting for the damsel denial to strike me down, but all I felt was the tiniest of twinges. Perhaps even the magic disapproved of his underhanded ways.
Stafford shook his head. “I’m not surprised he would try something like that, but it’s a stupid risk, considering you’ll beat him.”
My entire chest expanded, and a warm feeling spread up to my face. “I’m not sure about that.”
“How many times have you stopped someone’s plans against Mount Fornax. Two? Three?” asked Niger.
“Four,” said Stafford.
I glanced at Evolene, hoping she wasn’t still sore about the time her father tried to abduct me. She was too busy gazing at Stafford’s profile to notice what he had said.
“So, we steal the antidote from King Magnar,” said Niger. “What about the gold?”
“That crown Master Fosco gave him in the Drogott Arena looked chunky enough,” I said. “We’re going to steal it as well.”
Stafford whistled and cut a large piece of goose.
Niger snickered. “The best time to do anything and not get caught is during a duel or a drogott match.”
My mind went back to the chaos of my duel. The room had been filled with warriors all intent to watch a good fight. Anyone could have snuck in, stolen any items they desired and left without being noticed.
I sliced myself a portion of trout and added a serving of rosemary butter and roasted vegetables. “The chances of a duel happening while everyone’s distracted by the elixir are slim.”
“W-why not sneak into his bedroom and take it while he’s sleeping?” asked Evolene.
Niger shook his head. “My brothers are in the King’s Guard. There is no way we can get through two-dozen elite warriors.”
“Especially when they have nothing to do but listen out for strange noises,” I muttered. “We have to steal the gold when everyone is preoccupied.”
“The mess hall is out of the question. Everyone stares at him there.”
We ate in silence for a while. Each mouthful was an explosion of intense flavors and textures. I paused and stared out at the sky. I’d eaten Eyepatch’s cooking nearly every day since coming to Mount Fornax, but it had never tasted this good. Perhaps the fresh air and lack of proximity to King Magnar made the difference.
“Hmmm.” I sipped at my pear juice, which tasted more like nectar than fruit. “How about while everyone’s watching the tournament finals?”
“How will you get to the royal box without being seen?” asked Niger.
“I-I can do that with an invisibility charm,” said Evolene.
Stafford puffed out his chest. “I’ll come with you if you can make me invisible, too.”
Her cheeks pinked, and she gave him the warmest of smiles. “Thank you.”
I gave them both a nod of approval. It was always nice to see them work well together. “Brilliant. The flying cat might be to help set up a distraction. I don’t think it’s affected by the loyalty elixir.”
“I’ve been leaving food for it outside the Healer’s Academy,” said Evolene. “I’ll ask if it wants to help.”
We finished the rest of the meal enjoying the silence of each other’s company. Although it was the hottest time of day, the white clouds and gentle breeze kept us at a very comfortable temperature. When everyone had eaten their fill, Evolene enchanted the table back into a basket, and we moved the cushions under the trees.
“It’s so nice to eat in peaceful surroundings with friends,” I said.
“The drogott team always eats together after practice,” said Niger. “But it is not as pleasant as eating with you.”
My stomach flip-flopped. Was he referring to the three of us or just me? I stole a quick glance at Stafford and Evolene, who were too busy smiling at each other to have noticed Niger’s words.
“You never did get the chance to teach me the game,” I murmured.
“When we give everyone the antidote to the loyalty elixir, I will take you out to the arena to practice.”
“Don’t you mean if?”
He shook his head. “I may not have witnessed all your adventures, but you have the makings of a hero.”
I glanced away. If this was going to be about how I was related to the people who had won the Great Dragon Revolution, I’d heard it before. “Are you talking about—”
“You. Not Her Majesty, not the Prince Regent, and not your mother the sword-wielding fairy. I saw the way you fought King Magnar’s enchanted form. I was impressed even when I thought you were the disguised Prince. But now…”
I looked up. Sincerity shone in his eyes, which made pride swell within my chest. He was probably about to say something about not expecting a Princess to be able to fight. Right now, I felt so light, so enchanted that comments like that didn’t even matter. My lips curved into a smile, and my eyelids fluttered closed.
“Are you falling asleep?”
“No.” I leaned against his side. “I’m just so relaxed around you.”
He harrumphed. “I had hoped my presence would have a more vigorous effect.”
My head dipped forward. For the first time in ages, I could sleep forever. Not even the distant thought of King Magnar and his plan to enslave me and everyone else in Mount Fornax could aggravate me.
“Alba?” said Fyrian.
“Hmmm?”
“You feel like a flying dragon.”
I chuckled. “What?”
“What’s so funny?” asked Niger.
“When the buoyant air in our lungs keeps our bodies light. I think you’re having a strange reaction to the poppies.”
He wrapped an arm around my middle and whispered, “Princess?”
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bsp; “Fyrian says it’s the scent of the poppies.”
“They just smell of earth to me,” said Niger.
I giggled. “Really? I thought you were the one with the better nose.”
He tilted my chin up and stared into my eyes. “You look intoxicated. Perhaps these poppies have an effect on fairies.”
“Maybe.” The word came out more slurred than I had intended. Niger hooked his arm under my legs and stood, lifting me off the ground. “W-what are you doing?”
“Taking you away from the poppies,” he replied.
“Aaah.” I rested my head on his shoulder and sniffed. His scent reminded me of the moments just before a thunderstorm where the stillness would be interrupted by chaos. “All right, then.”
As I closed my eyes, I wondered why it wasn’t him who carried me out of the burning hut and not King Magnar.
The sooner we stole the gold and discovered the last ingredient of the antidote, the better.
Chapter 11
When I opened my eyes, it was to find Evolene standing over me with a tiny staff. Gasping, I jerked back.
“D-don’t worry. I’m only monitoring your papaver levels.”
“Papa-what?” I blinked several times, bringing the alchemical symbols on the laboratory’s pale wall into focus.
Master Jesper held a vial of something vinegary under my nose. “Papaver is one of the substances used to subdue dragons before surgery. In its unprocessed form, it is completely harmless to humans, ogres, and dragons, but apparently, your exact mix of species is susceptible.”
I wrinkled my nose and sat up. “Right… Thanks for taking care of me.”
Evolene smiled. “Niger brought you here on Flavo-Fumi.”
“That was very nice of him.”
She was about to say something else when the bell rang. “I-I’ll get your breakfast.”
I shot out of the cot. “Breakfast?”
“You stayed the entire night.” Master Jesper placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “I had to send King Magnar, Cadets Griffon, Griffon, Bluebeard, and Perrault out so you could get some rest.”
Any warm feelings I had from being watched over by Niger soured at the thought of being unconscious and vulnerable around King Magnar. “I’d better go to class.”
Dragon Mage Academy Page 10