“Who challenges the winner?” I yell, happy to take Sebastian by surprise.
His head jerks my way, and his gaze meets mine. I smile, cocky. I could always beat him when we were children. Of course, back then we were playing with sticks. Something tells me he’s graduated past that level.
“You think you can best me, Lucy?” he hollers up, using my mother’s nickname for me that I hate—that he knows I hate.
It’s as close to our banter as we’ve gotten in ages, and I give him a wicked smile. “It’s never been a problem before.”
The guards exchange glances, curious, and step back. The girls who were ogling my business partner watch with avid interest, perhaps hoping they can have a turn as well.
I jog down the steps and pat Flink’s head as I pass.
“May I borrow your blade?” I ask the guard nearest me. He grins and extends it toward me, hilt first. “Thank you.”
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” Sebastian asks as he takes his place across from me. “Last time I remember, you were doing this with twigs.”
“Last time I remember, I poked you in the belly, and you cried.”
He narrows his eyes. “That’s not quite how I remember it.”
Technically, I pushed him back, right into a camouflaged hornets’ nest. The two of us booked it out of there as fast as we were able. There might have been a few stoic tears on both our parts. We were thirteen at the time, and it was right before Sebastian decided I was too female to duel with.
Sebastian lowers himself into his stance. “Since these are real blades, here are the rules: no stabbing, slicing, or kneeing in the groin—”
“That was one time. Let it go.” I lunge forward, making him begin because if I do not, he’ll talk for ages.
His blade meets mine with a satisfying metallic twang, and we dance around each other. I’m barely keeping up, but it’s clear he’s going easy on me.
“You got rather good at this,” I pant after several long minutes. This must be what a mouse feels like when a cat decides to give it a sporting chance.
“And you should stick with a bow.” He feints an attack, catching me off guard, and then he knocks the rapier clean out of my hand. With bright eyes, he slides his blade in its sheath. “Looks like I won.”
I double over, not ashamed to be exhausted. I glance up at Sebastian, trying very hard to look at his face and not his ridged abdomen. Then I straighten and set my hands on my waist. “Again?”
“Maybe you should practice first,” a deep voice says from behind me. Before I can swirl around to face Avery, the captain steps closer, pressing his chest against my back, and places another rapier in my hand. With Sebastian glaring, he practically purrs in my ear, “I’ll be happy to help you with your technique anytime.”
My body hums with pleasure, and I try not to giggle like one of Sebastian’s trio of admirers.
Sebastian all but snarls as he steps forward, “Perhaps we should test your skill first—see if you’re qualified to teach.”
“I think that was a challenge,” Avery whispers against my neck. Delicious tingles run down my spine, and my common-sense excuses itself. Sadly, the captain steps away and holds out his hand, silently asking for his sword back.
“Avery, no,” I whisper, not wanting to embarrass him in front of the king’s men and Sebastian, but knowing he’s not ready to fight.
“I’m fine—I swear,” he promises, his words tickling my ear. Then he turns to Sebastian. “All right, little cousin. Let’s see what you can do.”
Sebastian’s eyes flash, but he’s smart enough to keep his wits about him when someone’s baiting him. Unless that someone is me, but I’ve had a lifetime to learn what specifically riles him up.
With a bare smile, Avery strips off his jacket, then his doublet…then his shirt. Sebastian’s girls giggle again, but my eyes land on the scar on the captain’s abdomen. Just seeing it marring his tanned flesh brings back that horrible day. But at the same time, it is just a scar. Gregory’s right—Avery’s healed.
Slowly, I exhale and back into the post where Flink’s currently residing. The two begin their duel. Before long, they’ve gathered a fair amount of attention. Soon, they’ve got quite the crowd—and a good three-quarters of the spectators are female. Which I’m sure has little to do with the display of rippling muscles and more for the women’s obvious love of the sport.
Early in the duel, it becomes clear they are evenly matched, though I think Avery might be the better of the two once he fully recovers his strength. Relentless, the two keep going, waiting for the other to make a foolish mistake.
My hand drifts down so I might mindlessly pet Flink, but my fingers find nothing but air. I glance at the ground, wondering if he managed to squeeze himself under the bench. He’s gone.
I lean down, a little concerned. “Flink?”
His golden ball is missing as well, but his lead is still tied to the post. His harness lies on the ground, still attached to the lead. He must have squeezed out of it.
Growing quite nervous, I look around for him.
“Stop!” I yell to Sebastian and Avery.
Startled by my tone, they both freeze mid-parry and turn to look at me.
“Flink’s missing.”
Sebastian lowers his blade first. “I tied him to—” his words die abruptly when he sees the abandoned lead and harness.
“You must help me find him.”
The thought of him on the streets of Teirn, wandering wherever he pleases, causing unimaginable havoc—it terrifies me. Sebastian and Avery are both still breathing deeply, but they nod and sheath their blades. The female population of the crowd murmurs their disapproval when the pair slip their shirts back on, but my glare must be intimidating because the audience breaks up, leaving us be.
We search for hours, and there is no sign of Flink. We try all the butchers, thinking the smell might have attracted him, all the gold and silversmiths, the king’s guarded treasury rooms—everywhere. But no dragon.
Disheartened and sick with worry, I allow Avery and Sebastian to escort me back to the castle. The day is done, and night settles over the city. The first few stars prick the sky, and a fat moon rises from the east.
As soon as we’re in the entry, a young man pushes away from the wall, where it appears he waited for quite some time.
“Captain Greybrow,” Jeb says, his face relieved. “Master Gregory sent me. He wanted me to tell you that Flink wandered back to the ship this afternoon.”
***
We find the Greybrow Serpent engulfed in snow—which is unusual considering it was a reasonably warm, sunny day. Avery gapes, and people on the pier gawk. A perfect soap-bubble-like film of magic surrounds the ship, locking the blizzard inside. Stars shine from overhead, making the scene very surreal indeed.
“What in the world,” Avery mutters as he jogs up the gangplank. Sebastian and I follow right on his heels.
To my surprise, we walk right into the whirling snow. The crewmen all wear heavy jackets and woolen cloaks, and they shiver from the perimeter of the deck. Gregory stands in the middle, scowling at something in his hand.
“What happened?” Avery demands.
The mage turns, not terribly concerned with the blizzard-like conditions. “Oh, hello, Captain. Since we’re not sailing for a while, I thought I’d experiment with a few new enchantments.”
“Did you mean to turn the Serpent into a giant snow globe?” I ask, bewildered.
“Not exactly.” Gregory again studies the charm in his hands. “But when you’re working from scratch, you can’t expect to create a functioning enchantment the first time.”
Avery stares at him for a moment, and then he shakes his head, dismissing it all. “Fine just…clean it up.”
“Yes, Captain. Oh—the dragon’s in your cabin.”
That’s not good. I reach the cabin first and stop in the doorway. Flink stares at me from atop his golden perch, his snout twitching like he’s happy
to see me. I gape into Avery’s quarters, horrified. Half his priceless collections are on the ground, and the dragon sits on them like they are a great nest. Anything made of gold or silver, anything adorned with jewels, lies in the pile.
Avery goes completely still, and I very slowly turn toward him, hesitant to meet his eyes. “I’d like to remind you that it’s your fault I have the dragon in the first place.”
The captain meets my eyes. He doesn’t look mad, not exactly. Perhaps a bit frustrated. “Do me a favor, Lucia?”
I glance at Flink, who has now snuggled even deeper into the captain’s treasures. “Yes…?”
“Do you think you can remove your dragon from my cabin?”
Easier said than done, especially when there’s a blizzard outside. Flink likes to be warm.
Sebastian stands behind us, probably more amused than he should be. He insisted he come, even after we found out my dragon was safe in Gregory’s care. And I’m pretty sure he’s happy with his decision to join us.
“Come here, Flink,” I call.
The dragon rolls onto his back, getting comfortable.
“Flink,” I warn. “Don’t make me come get you.”
It sounds like an empty threat, even to my own ears.
“You might try to be a bit sterner, Lucia,” Sebastian supplies, ever so helpfully.
I glare at him and then walk toward Flink. “This is very bad, Flink. You shouldn’t have done this.”
The dragon yawns.
“Mason,” I holler at the young man lingering outside. “Bring me a bit of cheese.”
“You told us to never give him cheese—you said it gives him indigestion.”
I roll my eyes. “I know. Just do it.”
It takes several minutes, but the boy finally returns. I take the cheese from him and step into the room. Once I have Flink’s attention, I wave the treat in front of his snout. Immediately, the dragon rights himself, and then he rises to all fours.
“There’s a good boy,” I sing as I back out of the cabin. “Do you want the cheese?”
Flink makes pathetic snuffling noises as he follows me from the room. Only once Avery slams the door shut do I give the dragon the treat.
Sebastian frowns. “I’m not sure you should reward him for wandering away.”
“I’m not rewarding him for wandering away—I’m rewarding him for leaving the room.”
Avery looks like he might agree more with Sebastian than me—and that doesn’t settle well with him. It doesn’t settle particularly well with me either.
“I just think you might spoil him,” Sebastian adds because he doesn’t know when to let things go.
“He’s young,” I argue, glaring at the pair. “Just past a baby.”
Avery steps forward, his manner soothing. “Of course he is. But it might be a good idea to work with him—teach him some manners. That’s all Sebastian is saying.”
Since when are they on the same side?
I put Flink’s harness back on him and turn on my heel, ready to leave the two of them behind.
“Lucia, wait,” Avery says. To make peace, he rolls the golden ball through the thick layer of snow, right to the dragon. “The king’s soirée is in a few days—why don’t you try leaving him here again. I’ll have Gregory keep an extra eye on him this time.”
I frown, but it does seem like the dragon is happier here on the Serpent than he is at the castle. After a few moments of deliberation, I reluctantly agree.
Before we leave, I kneel and look Flink in the eyes. “Be good.”
In response, the dragon head-butts me, takes the ball in his mouth, and wanders away to find somewhere warm to sleep.
“That’s a good sign,” Sebastian mutters, and Avery snorts.
I glare at the two men and then leave them on the snowy deck.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Royal Order of the Stag
“A dagger under your skirts, Lucia? Truly? For a soirée in the king’s castle?”
I glance at the dagger and bite back a wicked smirk. “It wasn’t comfortable in my bodice.”
“Fine,” she mutters, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Do whatever you like—you always do.”
“I’ll let you darken my hair a little more,” I offer, trying to cheer her as I pull up my skirts and slide the blade into the sheath secured to my thigh. It’s just a little dagger, nothing noticeable. And really, it’s just a precaution. You see, every time I leave it behind—especially when it’s only because the dress won’t allow for it—I get attacked. Therefore, I’m simply ensuring the evening will go smoothly.
After the dagger is in place, I stand and smooth the skirts back into place. Waves of nervousness run over me, and I’m never quite sure when the next bout is going to hit. One moment, I’m fine—ready for the evening. The next I’m half sick to my stomach with nerves.
We’re in a mirror-covered powder room just off the main hall, “adding a few last touches” as Adeline said. An orchestra plays in the room just past the door. It’s a soft, gentle tune that reminds me I’m out of my element. The smell of roasted lamb, pork, and venison wafts through the air, mingled with the scent of peppercorn, bay leaves, and sage. Flink would love to be here, raiding the tables, but it’s probably good I left the dragon on Avery’s ship. Hopefully, Mason and Jeb can keep track of him for one more evening.
Serena’s gown fits me like a glove. It’s soft and sleek, and the fabric drapes in an elegant way that would make me want to spin in circles if I were eight years old, just so I could watch it twirl out around me. As Adeline suggested, the bodice is steely gray, and the skirt is made of a delicate black brocade that shimmers like onyx in the evening’s lighting—a mix of candlelight and magic. My shoulders are bare, and my arms are bedecked in tight, detached sleeves.
It’s gorgeous, and I feel beautiful and a bit mysterious, just as Serena promised. If only I felt like I belonged.
Adeline gives her turquoise bodice a good final tug, wiggling her shoulders as she secures her gown into place. Serena made her a vision, choosing fabric that sets Adeline’s dark auburn hair on fire. She’s going to turn heads tonight, but there’s only one she’s interested in.
If Sebastian is half as smart as he thinks he is, he’ll pay attention to her. With Adeline looking as lovely as she does, he’s going to have plenty of competition. Especially when she’s a new face in the crowd.
It’s strange to think of Sebastian this way again, as nothing more than a friend. It’s going to take time for it to feel natural; I know that. But right now, it’s so awkward. Part of me still wants to claim to him—demand that he is mine although I don’t necessarily want him.
But it’s wrong of me to begrudge him happiness, especially when I like Adeline well enough. I think she might even be good for him—she simply must convince him of that.
When Adeline is done fussing with her gown, she stands in front of me, frowning at my hair in her familiar, thoughtful way. “Just a touch darker.”
I shrug, past caring. Adeline promised the charm would fade by morning, so what does it matter? She can make me raven-haired if she likes.
After several moments, she nods, satisfied, and then she propels me toward one of the numerous mirrors. “What do you think?”
I don’t look all that different, not really. My usually medium-toned chocolate hair is the color of rich coffee, but there are still a few lighter streaks here and there, making it look sun-kissed. Earlier, Adeline lined my eyes with kohl and shaded the lids with sparkling micas, but the effect is nowhere near as startling as the makeup I wore on the island in the whirlpool.
All in all, I look like myself, but more polished. Serena’s very good—the girl staring back at me could be a siren-slayer. With the expert cut of the gown, I look strong but feminine, and I know I will stand out in the crowd.
Our room is invaded by a gaggle of noblewomen. Their conversation stops short, and they stare at me. I feel like a trained owl griffin, the ones the wanderers of the caravans
keep around to entertain and draw in the crowds. These women all watch me as if expecting me to perform, all waiting for me to entertain them.
Adeline gives them a soft smile, correctly interpreting the flustered look on my face, and escorts me from the tiny room.
Sebastian and Avery stand just inside the huge ballroom, attempting to make small talk. They face each other, Avery leaning against a pillar and Sebastian with his arms crossed. My steps falter when I see them.
“Oh my,” Adeline says, her eyes straying to the pair.
Oh my is right. They are handsome apart, but together…
Well.
And we’re not the only ones who think so. Clusters of young women hover near the pair, glancing their way often and giggling to themselves. If the men’s expressions were not so stern, I’m sure they would have company.
“Are you ready, Mademoiselle Siren Hunter?” Adeline asks, trying to ease my fears. I haven’t told her I’m terrified, but she knows.
“I suppose.”
She links her arm with mine, and we make our way into the large room.
A room full of elemental wyverns? No problem.
A den of basiliskas? That’s nothing more than a walk by the sea.
But this ballroom full of courtiers? Most terrifying thing imaginable.
I paste a smile on my face and match Adeline’s pace. People watch us, and they aren’t subtle about it. Several couples stop to congratulate me. They all insist on touching me. Women briefly place a hand on my arm or shoulder, and men brush chaste kisses over my knuckles. It’s all very genteel and smothering.
The ballroom is massive, and it must hold half of Teirn. Just as Adeline predicted, it’s a sea of pastels. Pinks, periwinkles, lavenders, and corals mingle in front of us, making me feel very conspicuous in my silver gown. There will be no blending in tonight.
Very well then. If I must do this, I will do it well. I straighten my shoulders, toss my hair behind me, and beckon over a server carrying crystal flutes of sparkling cider. I take a drink, decide it’s good, and then drain it before I exchange the empty flute for another.
Wildwood Larkwing (Silver and Orchids Book 3) Page 8