by Delia Castel
There was no getting out of this. Captain Flicker’s letter to his superiors must have included information on his mating with Marigold. Since Polaris was still supposedly betrothed to Princess Snowdrop, his actions were tantamount to treason. Betraying the King was a crime that likely carried a penalty worse than cuckolding.
Bruno, Ivory and Jett formed a protective semi-circle around Lupe. Polaris had no idea how three wizards had come to mate with a Guild Assassin, but he hoped the trio would stop the barrier from further destruction.
Jett, who appeared to be the elder of the trio, asked, “Why in the name of Myrddin would they want to arrest you? Do they think you’re trying to open a portal to the realm of fairies?”
Polaris shook his head, not in the mood for explanations. It didn’t matter that he had helped foil a nefarious plot. King Vulcan had ordered him to find, retrieve and mate with Princess Snowdrop, and he had disobeyed.
Marigold rushed to his side. “Is this about that trip we made together?”
He nodded and wrapped his arms around her, inhaling her pine and cinnamon scent for what might be the last time. “When they take me, do not speak in my defense. We have to protect her location at all costs, do you understand me?”
She scowled up at him. “But if you—”
“No. The truth will come out eventually, and I will be exonerated. It might take days, weeks, or even a year, but you will remain silent.”
The first of the dragons landed on the beech, and Polaris swallowed. Berrin and Matheson stood close, their faces clouded with worry. He would have shared some heartfelt words with his brothers, but there was no time. In moments, the officers of the King’s Regiment would restrain him and take him away. And because of the nature of his crime, it would be unlikely that they would allow Marigold to visit him in prison.
“It’s not fair.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he pressed a kiss on her forehead. “When King Vulcan ordered me to marry his daughter, I knew that mating with you would result in repercussions, but I couldn’t resist.”
“You should have said something!” The tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
He cupped her cheek and leaned in for another kiss, tasting those soft lips one last time. “I have no regrets. Your presence in my life has given me the greatest happiness I have ever known. If, however, the King has ordered my summary execution, know this: I love you.”
Rough hands grabbed his arms and pulled him away from Marigold. She moved to follow him, but Berrin held her back. His heart reverberated in his chest, and he sent a silent plea for Marigold not to speak in his defense. If word spread about Princess Snowdrop’s location or the seven dragons protecting her, the next person who approached their home would come prepared for their ice defenses.
Matheson turned to the soldiers, his face as pale as milk. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Lord Auburn.” Field Marshal Kaustos stepped between Matheson and the offices restraining Polaris. “King Vulcan is most displeased with your brother’s unseemly conduct towards Princess Snowdrop. He has ordered his immediate arrest.”
Polaris let out a relieved breath. An arrest meant a trial, and a trial meant he had time to confide in a trusted elder in private.
“I don’t care what my brother has ordered,” snapped a haughty voice from a far. A female in golden armor stepped out of the rift in the bubble, holding what appeared to be a flamberge made of dragon’s gold. Four dozen armed knights stood behind her. “This dragon has stopped wizards from opening the portal to the fairy realm, and he should be commended, not arrested!”
Polaris scanned the insignia on her armor and dropped to his knees. Everyone else, including the wizards, followed suit. The Brothers Suini must have freed the dragon who had been tied to a stake, as he was the only one left standing. He wore a replica of the wizards’ robes, and he pulled a similarly-dressed Marigold to her feet and whispered in her ear. Polaris narrowed his eyes at the male’s over-familiarity with his mate.
“Princess Fornax!” exclaimed Field Marshal Kaustos.
She waved her armored hand. “Yes, yes. It’s me. Please stand.”
Everyone stood, and the Field Marshal gestured at Marigold, who was now holding the blond-haired dragon’s hand. “General Auburn mated with this she-dragon while betrothed to Princess Snowdrop.”
Princess Fornax raised her chin. “I take it that Snowdrop is my niece?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And what does she have to say about this dragon’s conduct?” She waved at Polaris.
Field Marshal Kaustos paused. “She has been missing for several days.”
“Because of his philandering?”
“No. King Vulcan betrothed her in absentia.”
Princess Fornax leaned back and laughed. “What was my brother thinking?” She turned to the dragon standing with Marigold. “Prince Aurelius, you have not aged a day since you and Princess Gilda performed the ritual.”
Polaris’ jaw dropped. The last person he had expected to find here was the missing heir to Chrysos. From his coloring and the way he held onto Marigold, he could guess their relationship.
“I have been detained in my dragon form.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
She shook her head. “I have ruled Chrysos in your absence, commanded your army, and ensured the wellbeing of your subjects. It is time for your coronation!”
“Thank you, Princess Fornax,” replied Prince Aurelius. Would you mind holding onto the country a little longer? I’d like a chance to get to know my daughter.”
“Daughter?” She glanced at Marigold, brows raised. “This story appears to be more complicated than I thought. It is a pity that you immolated those wizards, General Auburn, as I wanted to know why they saw fit to release the barrier to the realm of the fairies.”
“These two are the leaders.” Marigold pointed at Uncle Hertz, who lay face-down in the sand. “That dragon wanted to kill my father and rule Chrysos, and that bear wanted to open the portal for his master!”
Uncle Hertz sat up and dusted himself off. “There’s no law against courting a Princess. Everything I did was out of love for Merry!”
Matheson kicked him hard in the gut with a transformed foot. Uncle moaned and vomited in the sand.
Polaris glanced at his brothers, his heart light. If Princess Fornax could intervene on his behalf, perhaps the Field Marshal would not drag him away in chains.
“We’d better go to the palace and talk things through over a cup of tea.” The Princess turned around and headed back through the rift, where an armored wagon awaited on their side of the breach.
The officers exchanged perplexed glances.
“Field Marshal,” said Polaris, “May I suggest taking my uncle and the bear shifter away for interrogation?”
“Do it.” His superior indicated for his dragons to carry out Polaris’ suggestion. Then he followed Princess Fornax through the breach.
“Polaris,” said Jett. “My brothers and I will stay behind and ensure that the hole in the barrier does not expand.
He inclined his head. “Thank you.”
Prince Aurelius walked ahead of them, his arm wrapped around Marigold’s shoulder. Berrin stood on the other side of the Prince, propping him up.
“Come along, General,” muttered one of the two officers still holding Polaris by the forearms.
Exhaling his relief, Polaris followed the procession, looking forward to hearing more explanations.
Two days later, he stood in the palace ballroom with a new medal on his chest. Berrin and Matheson had also received awards for their part in liberating Princess Fornax and the island of Chrysos. The King had elevated Marigold to the rank of a Princess of Igneous and acknowledged her as his niece. Festival week had ended, and dignitaries who had left Sigma had now returned, making for a well-attended ball.
Marigold waltzed with her father, the newly crowned King Aurelius. Berrin and Matheson danced with Ella’s stepsister
s, whose mother had taken to her bed with grief from having been swindled.
Prince Carmine nudged him on the arm. “I say, would you mind adding my name to your mate’s dance card? It’s the least you owe me for having jilted my sister.”
Polaris grinned. “Nice try, but no.”
“Where in the name of Igneous did you find her?”
“It’s a long story… Besides, she’s your first cousin and off-limits.”
The music ended, and King Vulcan bowed to his companion, an oddly familiar young lady whose blonde hair wasn’t as vibrant as Marigold’s. She wore a mask, obscuring her features. Prince Ochre approached the lady, only to be jostled aside by Prince Viridian. While the two brothers glared at each other, Prince Indigo whisked the lady away into the next dance.
King Vulcan blocked his view of proceedings. “Walk with me, dear boy.”
Polaris inclined his head and followed the King out of the ballroom. They strolled through the palace in silence, passing a larger number of King’s Regiment soldiers. Some of them were even disguised as servants. His shoulders relaxed. It appeared that the elders had taken his warnings about corruption in the palace seriously.
When they reached the moonlit gardens, they exchanged pleasantries, careful not to be overheard. The jagged stones of the newly restored paths dug through the thick soles of his boots. Polaris nodded his approval at the removal of the wood chip. The grounds were now inhospitable for the soft paws of wolf and bear shifters. He inhaled the sweet, floral scents of the wisteria hanging overhead.
After checking for nearby heartbeats, they stepped under the arch of rowan trees into the pungent war garden, replete with plants deadly to all but dragons. This time, Polaris didn’t sneeze, although his nose did twitch.
“I see there are more fairy-repellent flowers,” he said.
“More iron, too.”
Polaris nodded. “Is it still safe to talk here?”
“Regiment wizards have fortified the magic surrounding the gardens. No one will overhear this conversation unless I permit it.”
“Your Majesty, did Field Marshal Kaustos speak to you about my concerns?”
“He did. The Regiment physicians removed all traces of papaver from my system. Unfortunately, my personal doctor has been compromised by the corruption in the palace.”
Polaris paused, not knowing how to phrase his next comment. On the flight to Chrysos, Jett and Lupe had told him their story. The Brothers Suini had been Queen Grimalda’s prisoners, forced to create enchanted items for the Assassin’s Guild. Lupe had been a newly qualified assassin and sent to capture the brothers for her first mission. Queen Grimalda had murdered her friend and Lupe had joined forces with the wizards to find a way to vanquish the Queen.
He sucked in a breath. Perhaps blurting out the truth would be indecorous. “Sire, do you know the source of the corruption?”
“I do.”
“What is to be done about her?”
King Vulcan raised his hand. “It is a pity that Lord Arctos poisoned himself to avoid revealing the identity of his master. We would have been able to attack with evidence of her guilt.”
“Perhaps Uncle Hertz will shed light on the situation. Princess Fornax devised a way to keep him from self-destruction.”
He rubbed his chin. “She mentioned returning him to your care earlier. Apparently, Hertz knew nothing of the fairy plot and just wanted the wealth of Chrysos.”
Polaris grimaced at the thought of being saddled with that unwanted… thing. They sat on a bench made of wrought iron.
He was about to press for more information, when the King added, “Field Marshal Kaustos and I cannot act until we have uncovered all her allies. More of the wretched creatures could be roaming our country, causing discord. This is not a task for you, dear boy. We will deal with her when she returns from Occidens.”
“But Your Maj—”
“I expect your new role will keep you busy enough.”
Polaris sat back and smiled. He’d been promoted to a desk job, as it would take years for his body to restore itself to battle-readiness. As the new governor for Austellus, he would spend every evening at home with his brothers and Marigold. He had already dismissed the High Sheriff and had him locked up under investigation for treason… in a cell next to Magnus Rex, who had supplied various criminals with papaver to use against dragons. The half-blood awaited a long session with the Inquisitor, followed by a grizzly death.
“How is your delightful young mate?” he asked. “King Aurelius has completely monopolized her.”
“She is surprisingly well and happier than ever, she says.”
“I would expect that being reunited with one’s father would lift the spirits.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty,” Polaris replied. His heart twinged. King Vulcan had been rather forgiving about the Snowdrop situation and pardoned him because he had brought back Princess Fornax and her family. But the older dragon obviously still pined for his own daughter. When the King stood and strolled towards a rowan tree, Polaris blurted, “I found Princess Snowdrop.”
He turned, eyes wide. “You did? Where?”
“I cannot say, Sire. However, she wanted you to know that she was well and would return with her mates when it was safe.”
“Mates?”
“Seven dragons, Your Majesty.”
King Vulcan gaped. “And you’ve met them?”
He nodded. “Fought them, too. The seven brothers’ united power is a formidable force, strong enough to contend with an elder. I do not envisage anyone getting through them.” Polaris repeated the Princess’s account of the failed assassination, explaining that disguised chamber maids had stabbed King Vulcan.
His shoulders slumped with relief. “I cannot thank you enough for your aid.”
Polaris shook his head. “Knowing that I have helped to protect both crown and realm is reward in itself.”
“You are a good boy.” King Vulcan patted him on the shoulder.
Polaris stood. “The wizards I met on the way to Chrysos suspect that our enemy will attempt to form a haremage with the Princes, just as she did with the sons of Old King Hydrus.”
“It is too late… A young she-dragon has caught their eye. All four of my sons are already enchanted by her.”
“Anyone I know?”
“I haven’t a clue. She wears a mask and disappears before the clock strikes midnight.” The King laughed. “Apparently, she is a young lady who knows how to sway a Prince’s heart.”
Polaris smiled, hoping King Vulcan’s estimations were correct. Because if this she-dragon didn’t capture the hearts of the Princes soon, Queen Grimalda might use the royal brothers to open another portal to the fairy realm.
Later that evening, the four of them returned to the mansion. King Aurelius decided to stay at the palace, claiming that he didn’t want to disturb them in their home. Polaris unlocked the door, entered the darkened hallway, and waited for his brother and mate to step through.
The stairwell lights flared, illuminating the hallway and a six-foot monstrosity of stretched skin framed in dragon’s gold. The only way to describe it was a portrait, but the tiny flap of skin protruding from its middle was too obscene to be called art.
The new portrait’s eyes gleamed. “Did you go to the ball, boys?”
Marigold wrinkled her nose. “When did that thing arrive?”
“Princess Fornax must have had it sent over during the ball,” muttered Polaris.
“Thing? It?” it screeched. “Address me as Uncle Hertz!”
Polaris’ lips tightened. The inquisitor had flayed Uncle Hertz alive and bound his soul to his skin, preventing him from self-destructing. Unfortunately, Uncle couldn’t reveal anything useful about the plot to release the fairies, which was why they were now saddled with looking after what was left of him. According to the inquisitor, Herz would live the natural lifespan of a dragon, so his torment was likely to last a millennia.
Matheson wrapped his arm around Marigol
d’s waist, pulling her close. “Ignore that worthless wretch. I’ll put him in the wine cellar tomorrow, where he belongs.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
Matheson grinned. “So, Princess, how about we go upstairs and catch up? I didn’t get a dance with you today at the ball.”
Berrin took hold of her hand on the other side. “I should spend the night with Mari, as I missed out while I was in prison.”
Polaris smirked and bolted the door. According to Marigold, she had been able to touch him, and he imagined she done more than just hold his hand. He kept his silence, not wanting to undermine Berrin’s argument.
Her cheeks turned pink. “Actually, I’ve been thinking that I’d like to try it with two of you at a time and maybe build up to three…”
“Mari!” Berrin’s eyes rounded.
Polaris choked. St. Fafnir’s Academy for Male Fledglings likely hadn’t taught their students about how a she-dragon could satisfy multiple mates.
Uncle Hertz chuckled. “I am an expert on such acts of debauchery. In my mansion—”
“Well, you have your first volunteer.” Matheson slung Marigold over his shoulder and bounded up the stairs. “Are you coming, Polaris?”
Ignoring Uncle’s outraged screeches at being ignored, Polaris turned to Berrin and shrugged. Taking the stairs two at a time, he added, “There’s plenty of room for you in the bathing pool!”
Berrin’s hasty footsteps echoed from behind, and Polaris made a mental note to have a new four-poster installed in the master bedroom large enough for four.
THE END
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