I drop the flaming sword in the mud where it quickly extinguishes and glance around at the faces of the men watching me. Some are shocked, many look impressed, and some watch me with a kind of hungry intensity that sends shivers across my skin. I swallow hard and push my hair out of my face, backing up a few steps. Dederic’s head does that hard cock to the side that is animal in its focus.
“Seda,” he says quietly, and the rumble of his voice sends prickles from my scalp to my toes.
I keep my eyes locked on his as I back up slowly a few more steps, and the crowd parts behind me.
“Don’t you dare follow me,” I whisper.
He holds my stare until I turn away and walk quickly back through the arena and into the castle. I stop for nothing and no one until I lock my bedroom door behind me.
Possibilities
Dederic doesn’t follow me. I spend the rest of the day on edge and waiting for him to come storming into my room with a pack of guards; but he doesn’t. The only visitor I have later that night is Eira coming by to check on me, and even then, I feign unconsciousness and don’t move to answer the door.
The following day, I sleep late and stick to reading and exploring quiet corners of the castle. I ignore Odin completely, refusing to even glance in his direction, and go about my day in stealth and silence. I stop by the kitchen after the noon meal and Eira greets me warmly, sneaking me a generous parcel of food to take with me back to my room. She doesn’t ask about the other day, and I send a silent prayer of thanks to the Mother for that small relief.
I’m poring over the book of potions that Ademar pulled for me, and I’ve decided that poisons are more trouble than they’re worth as a method of murder. I’ve had to cross reference the potion book with a book on plants, and the book on plants with a dictionary in Yvardian, and that I have had to try and attempt to translate into English. My foes will die of old age before I manage to produce any of these concoctions.
Later, a knock sounds at the door and I try studiously to ignore it for a bit and continue my research. It becomes incessant, however, and I eventually unwind myself from the chair, kicking out the skirts of the heavy, long-sleeved black dress. I pad across the floor in bare feet and swing the door open, prepared to face whoever has come to confront me.
Dederic stands in the middle of the doorway, one arm braced on either side so that I couldn’t escape even if I tried. He’s wearing clean pants and a black shirt, and his hair is damp and smells like lavender soap. His nostrils flare and his jaw tightens as he runs an assessing gaze over me.
He’s alone, which I think is good since that means he probably hasn’t come to jail me for my outburst in the training yard the other day. I toss my hair over my shoulder and force steel into my spine.
“Yes?” I ask quietly, not moving or inviting him in.
“Can we talk?” His voice is low and cautious, like he’s approaching a skittish animal.
I tilt my head and lean one shoulder against the doorway, eying him suspiciously, and he sighs.
“Please?”
“What is there to say?” I mutter and drag my gaze to the floor. I know I’m being rude, and I know that it’s a dangerous game to play being that I am an ‘involuntary guest’ here… but I don’t care.
“I’m sorry,” he says, and I pull my head back in surprise.
His jaw is tense, and I can read the sincerity in his eyes and his voice. He stays still, watching me and waiting for permission. Eventually, I move slowly off to the side and hold the door open, sweeping my arm out to invite him in.
His relief is palpable as he nods and moves farther into the room. I close the door and lean my back against it, surveying him until he turns to face me.
“Thank you.” He pauses to clear his throat. “I wanted to apologize. For not being more forthright with the reality of who you are to us. I knew what you imagined. I knew you were afraid, and I did nothing to settle your doubts and show you the truth,” he says.
I chew on my lip and let those words sink in for a moment.
“I didn’t make it easy for you,” I concede. “You were right. Even if you had tried to explain things, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”
He nods and the tension between us melts. Mutual understanding seeps in to soothe the hurt and I exhale deeply, releasing the weight in my chest. His face is serious and sincere as he takes a step towards me.
“Maybe we could try and start fresh from here?”
I don’t respond right away, and he takes another slow step, holding up both palms in a pacifying gesture.
“Why don’t you tell me what you know, and I can fill in the blanks?” he offers.
I find myself agreeing with a sigh and moving to perch on the end of my bed.
Dederic takes a seat in the chair across from me.
“Ademar informed me that not only did humans and Dragons used to coexist peacefully, but they fell in love, started families together and relied on each other. He said that humans have been the sole aggressors since the High King saw his own power slipping away. And he implied that the reason I’m here - the reason that everyone has been so welcoming ̶ is that I am a means to what they desire most, which is access to human mates.”
The words fall like stones in the space between us.
My voice sounds hollow and I fidget helplessly with my dress and fingernails and hair as I try and summarize the overwhelming amount of information that I was hit with yesterday.
Dederic’s head is bowed and he has his hands clasped between his knees as he considers what I’ve told him. He clears his throat lightly and meets my gaze before speaking.
“The history is accurate. Humans have long been a part of our pride and our families. No one here is unaware of their lineage and the importance of restoring that relationship. But I was honest about why you’re here. I wasn’t sure initially what your part was in all of this, and regardless, it really wasn’t safe for you to be out there alone… with no weapon for protection… and no clear idea of where you were headed.”
“And my being an unmarried female of child-rearing age had nothing to do with it?” I ask with a disbelieving lift of my brow.
“I didn’t know you were unmarried,” he says quickly.
“Would it have mattered?” I snip.
Dederic tilts his head back and forth, considering.
“Possibly - if it mattered to you.”
I snort and shake my head.
“Look, of course the fact that you are here fuels hope for us,” he presses. “It’s been hundreds of years since a human female was a part of our pride, and realistically, I think everyone’s faith in the possibility of a hopeful future had begun to dwindle. And then you appeared, and you are fierce and brave and beautiful and kind, and they see what could be. They see a chance to win your affection, or to endear you to our people and help us spread the truth and rebuild.”
His voice is low and intense and stupidly, childishly, my breath catches at the way he describes me.
“I understand you’re upset with me for not being more forthcoming, but don’t hold it against anyone else. Don’t brush off their kindness and dismiss their optimism because of how I misjudged the situation initially,” he says.
His green eyes bore into mine and I exhale slowly while I let his words settle onto my heart. If everything that Ademar revealed to me is true, how could I possibly hold their hope against them? How could I not give this place a chance? Perhaps this is my opportunity to try and right the wrongs that have been done and set things straight.
“Alright.” I nod and Dederic dips his head.
“Thank you,” he murmurs and extends his hand. I take it hesitantly and we shake in mutual respect. He offers a small smile and I can’t help the one that pulls at my mouth in return. He stands and releases my hand, moving to the window and peering out and up at the sky before returning his gaze to me.
We exist in a strange, companionable silence for a bit until the last of the tension melts away. E
verything is on the table now. Everything is in the open. For the first time since arriving, I feel like I’m looking at an ally in him instead of a jailer.
“Are you hungry?” he asks suddenly, jolting me from my thoughts.
“Ummm…” I scrunch my face in confusion. “Not particularly.”
“Good.” He nods and points to my bare toes peeking out from the hem of my dress. “Put on your shoes and something warm over your dress. I have a surprise for you.”
My heartbeat kicks up nervously at the sudden change in the direction of this conversation. The memory of the last surprise someone tried to deliver sinks painfully into my consciousness.
I open my mouth to protest, but he speaks first.
“We’ll be back before nightfall.”
“Where are we going?” I ask suspiciously.
“I’m taking you down to the beach. You said you wanted to go.”
“It’s cold out. And windy,” I say.
If he is lying to lure me out of my room, he could do better.
“That’s why I said to dress warm,” he replies calmly.
I hesitate for another moment and he shakes his head and shrugs.
“Fine. It was a one-time offer. I’ll leave you-”
“Okay. I’ll come,” I blurt and curse myself for playing so easily into his strategy. And for being so desperate for open sky above me that it’s still worth the risk to leave with him.
I lace up a sturdy pair of black boots under the dress and throw a warm, hooded cloak over my shoulders. Dederic waits patiently on the threshold and closes the door behind us as we walk into the hallway.
“You’re not dressed very warm,” I comment as we walk together.
He shrugs his shoulders, unconcerned.
“We don’t get cold like humans,” he says simply.
“You don’t feel temperature?” I ask skeptically.
“We feel it. But it doesn’t affect us the same. We stay comfortably warm despite cool temperatures outside. Wet, wind, snow… It doesn’t bother us,” he says.
“Then why bother wearing clothes at all?” I ask and instantly regret it.
Genuine amusement lights his face and his eyes trace the hot blush creeping over my face.
“I’d be happy to remove them if you’d prefer it,” he rumbles.
I turn my face away, embarrassed at his teasing. He chuckles a deep rich sound that makes my magic thrum.
“I didn’t mean that like it sounded,” I mutter as we walk out into the courtyard.
Considering what I now know about the very delicate and very unusual situation that I find myself in - one of seven women in a castle full of dominant and imposing Dragons looking for mates ̶ I feel like I need to be especially cautious with my words and actions.
“Well. The offer stands,” he says and stops to face me.
“What are you doing?” I ask, trying to ascertain which way to go to exit the castle and get down to the beach. Little patches of bright blue sky are peeking through the clouds and the wind seems to have died down.
“Taking you to the beach. Stay put,” he says and starts moving away from me.
“Where are you going? How do we get down there?” I ask impatiently, and he throws me a look over his shoulder.
“I already told you there’s no path. We have to fly.”
My stomach drops and I groan with dread. I’m not looking forward to coming face to face with a giant, sharp-fanged Dragon again. No matter what Ademar says about Dragons and humans living in harmony, it’s hard to remain calm when you are staring in the face of an animal that could swallow you whole without a thought.
“Are you sure this is safe?” I ask, and he shoots me an offended look.
“Am I sure what is safe?” he asks, now a good twenty feet away.
“This! How can you be sure you won’t drop me - or eat me? And are you even sure we have permission to leave? Do you need to ask the king?” I sputter, and Dederic rolls his eyes.
“I won’t drop you. And we don’t need anyone’s permission. Now stop stalling.”
And suddenly he’s gone.
In his place stands the black Dragon that hauled me here a week ago in his massive claws. The animal shakes and stretches his neck and wings and arches his back before swinging his head around to me. He lowers his face and nudges me hard enough to knock me off balance, forcing my feet to move. I give a little yelp and touch his warm, rough snout, running my hands gently over his face.
It’s no less shocking seeing a Dragon up close this time than it was the last, but I do my best to study the details of him. The streaks of red and gold on his scales. The way the muscles bunch and move around his wings. The intelligence in his churning green eyes. He waits patiently with that claw outstretched and I climb in and hold on tightly as he rears back and sends us shooting up into the sky.
We fly out over the cliff and above the swirling gray water. My heart settles back into my chest and air finds its way back into my lungs as the Dragon sails in smooth, sweeping circles up and down the shoreline. He lowers us slowly to a wet, sandy beach in the cove directly below Ruarden and sets me down gently in the sand.
My knees instantly give out and I sprawl back on the sand, staring up at the sky for a moment before I let out a shriek of happy, adrenaline-fueled laughter. I throw my hands over my face and whoop uncontrollably at the incredible feeling of flying through the sky, and the unbelievable reality that I did so with a Dragon.
Dederic crouches down next to me and lifts my hands away from my eyes. He takes in my wide, crazed smile and the tears of laughter flowing down my cheeks and rests a palm on my forehead ̶ as though checking for fever.
“I think you’ve scared away any living thing for miles,” he murmurs and eyes me speculatively.
I take a few calming breaths before sitting up next to him in the sand. I wipe the tears away and shudder through a few more involuntary giggles before my breathing calms and my heartbeat slows and I’m able to relax onto the sand next to him. We stare out at the ocean for a while and I close my eyes and let the rhythm of the waves on the beach lull me into a relaxed, content state.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper and grasp a handful of sand in each palm.
“It is.” He nods.
I study his profile while he stares ahead at the water. His thick brown hair is tied up high in a knot and there is a shadow of stubble covering his square jaw. He’s incredibly handsome, and I wish, for just a moment, that we were any other two people and I could tell him exactly that. He turns his face to mine, and I smile, shaking off the feeling.
Dederic reaches for my hand and turns it over in his, stroking a thumb over my palm.
“How is your hand?” he asks and for a moment his question doesn’t sink in. I’m too focused on the feel of his rough skin sliding across the sensitive flesh of my hand. When I finally realize that he’s referring to where I gripped the blazing sword, I jerk away and bury my fingers in the material of my cloak.
“It’s fine,” I murmur and studiously avoid his gaze. He pauses for a few more heartbeats before pushing on.
“You have fire magic,” he says, very matter-of-factly, and I nod reluctantly. It feels strange hearing it from someone else’s mouth.
“Have you been trained?” he asks gently, and I shake my head.
“Why not?” he asks, and I’m surprised by the question. I weigh my options again ̶ to lie or to tell the truth. I suck in a long breath and decide to bare my secret to someone and see what happens.
“Because no one knows,” I tell him honestly. “Most humans have no magic at all and the ones that do are kept like pets and honed like weapons. I didn’t want to be used like that. I didn’t want to be bought or traded for the benefit of inflicting damage on my master’s enemies. So, I hid it. And I didn’t risk practicing with it for fear of harming myself or anyone else.”
“Your family doesn’t know?” he asks in confusion. “Did you not trust your own family enough to confide in th
em?”
“My mother is dead,” I say flatly. “And my father doesn’t care very much for me. He was already selling me off to a horrible man. I never wanted to find out what would happen if I revealed that piece of myself to him.” I shake my head and trap my lips between my teeth.
Dederic lets my words sink in and we sit in thoughtful silence for a while longer, both of us considering what happens next.
The clouds have broken up fully now, just in time for the sun to begin its descent below the horizon. The sky is glowing pink and purple and the water glitters as the rays kiss the surface.
I turn and watch as he stands, reaching down and offering a hand to help me up as well. The wind brushes over my face and pulls through my hair.
“Train with me,” he says. No smile. No teasing wink or amused glimmer in his eyes.
“Absolutely not,” I mutter and wrap the cloak tighter around my body. I can feel my magic thrumming in my veins and my body’s learned response is to tamp it down and detach.
“It’s part of you. It’s not going to go away, no matter how hard you ignore it ̶ you’re probably priming yourself for something far worse than you imagine if you continue to fight and resist.” He rests both hands on his hips and eyes me in that stern, commanding way of his.
“It’s not safe,” I insist, but he spreads his arms wide and looks around at the empty beach, far away from any people or plant life.
“There’s nothing for you to destroy out here. We’ll train in this spot. No audience. Minimal risk. It’s perfect,” he says, but I shake my head and recoil at the idea.
“Minimal risk? I could kill you! I could kill us both. No.”
Dederic’s eyes flicker at that and a small smile tugs at his mouth, white teeth flashing in the light.
“I’m relieved to know that you don’t want me dead,” he says. “But I’m Dragon. There is fire in my blood - same as yours.”
“You can’t be burned? Even in this form?” I ask, surprised.
He shakes his head.
Song of Smoke: A Dragon Shifter Romance (The King's Series Book 1) Page 10