Breath of Dragons (A Pandoran Novel)

by Barbara Kloss

  Vera chuckled. It was a pleasant sound, and I realized I'd never heard her laugh before. What had gotten into her? "Here." She waved a hand before my face, and the pressure lifted from my sinuses at once.

  "Thanks." I wrinkled my nose.

  She nodded. "I should have warned you about them. We have pixies here, though they are different from the usual prophetic ones. Ours are a nuisance. They have a particular fondness for allergens." Her eyes flickered over me. "Come, there is someone you should officially meet."

  Before I had a moment to question her, she linked her elbow with mine (utterly shocking) and guided me through the developing crowd. Everyone was dressed in similar rich fabrics. Women were wrapped in colorful layers of tulle and the men wore white tunics and loose breeches, some further adorned in lavish-looking overcoats or sashes.

  She brought us to a small cluster of individuals, and I saw Mercedes at the exact same moment she saw me. Vera released my arm but remained beside me.

  Mercedes smiled, moving back a little to let Vera and me into her small circle. "Ah, and here is Princess Daria now," she said. "We were just talking about you."

  I didn't know who "we" were, but then a leonine woman wrapped in black fabric, her black hair flowing down her back, leaned forward and said, "Eet is a pleasure to meet the one who has woken the dragon."

  Here we go.

  After what Mercedes had said, I was expecting this. While I wanted to assure this woman that I was no dragon waker, I'd decided prior to this feast to keep my mouth shut on the matter. I was here to convince these people to help Valdon. If they wanted to think I was a prophetic waker of dragons, fine. Anything to help my chances of earning their support. I also didn't want to lie about it and make it seem more than it was, so I had to respond carefully.

  I smiled, feeling both Vera's and Mercedes' scrutiny. "The pleasure is mine," I said, extending a hand, then turned to face Mercedes. "This dinner is enchanting, and I am grateful for your invitation, your ladyship." Vera's approbation was strong beside me.

  Mercedes smiled broadly. "But of course, your highness. I must add that Catia is quite a student of the past. She is headmaster of our school here and teaches many classes herself, but dragon lore is, perhaps, her passion."

  I looked at the mysteriously dark and gothic Catia. "I see why. They are stunning creatures. There's nothing else like them."

  Catia seemed very pleased with my answer. "They are magnificent! I must ask, your high-niss. Deed you…hear eet? Deed the dragon spick with you?"

  I shook my head. "Not to my knowledge," I said. "But I was very sick at the time because of a nasty wound. I doubt I would've heard a horn if it'd blared in my face."

  The others laughed, and then Vera said, "Princess, I would like you to officially meet Hawk, even though you two have already met…" She gestured to the man standing toward the back of the group.

  It was Tarzan, but he looked different from when he'd rescued us. For starters, he'd bathed; he wasn't covered in war paint. He wore loose breeches like the other men I'd seen, but instead of a white tunic, he wore only a decorative green and silver sash over his hulking torso. His black hair had been combed back and he had vine-like tattoos around his biceps that seemed to twist when he flexed them. The guy was built like an Olympic bodybuilder.

  Hawk's dark gaze was penetrating as he stared into my eyes. "Eet is my pleasure, your high-niss."

  "You should know, your highness," Mercedes said, "that Hawk is the pride and joy of Gesh. Never in our history have we seen a warrior with his skill. You were fortunate to be in his hands."

  "But nothing come-pares to his skeel with the weemen," smirked Catia.

  The others laughed, including Hawk, but Vera did not. I felt something like resentment radiating from her; I catalogued that for later.

  "Hawk." I extended a hand. "I—we—owe you our lives."

  He accepted the gesture, and his hand swallowed mine completely.

  "Your friend…" I continued. "He sacrificed his life for us. I am…" Curse the English language for not having a better substitute for "sorry"! "I can never repay you," I said instead.

  Hawk squeezed my hand. "Do nit regret his death, preen-ciss. Like me, 'e was a hunter. 'E knew the risk. For 'im, eet was an honor to risk 'is life for you."

  "Garati," I whispered.

  Hawk took this as his cue to proceed saying everything in rapid Saqai.

  "Wait!" I raised a pleading hand. "I only know that one word!"

  The others chuckled. Hawk smiled, showing huge, white teeth, reminding me a little of when Calyx grimaced. "I em sorry," he said. "I asked if I may hef the honor of a dance, preen-ciss?"

  I wasn't sure that was such a good idea, and I felt Vera's eyes on me in my hesitation.

  "Go ahead, your highness." Mercedes urged. "It may do you some good."

  Well, shoot. I'd missed my escape. To turn him down now might be considered insulting. "All right," I said to Hawk, standing up straight. "But I must warn you: I am a terrible dancer."

  He waved his hand at the air like what I'd said was irrelevant. "I weel lead."

  Hawk led me toward the small gathering and moved me with the music. I felt so small next to him. It was like dancing with a gorilla, though he was much better looking than a gorilla. In fact, he was quite handsome in a savage sort of way, if you were into that sort of thing. But savagery aside, he was a wonderful dancer. Much more graceful than I ever would have guessed, and worlds more graceful than I would ever be.

  He spoke here and there, mostly to give me direction, and he was very gracious when I stepped on his bare feet. "Eet is strange to see a preen-ciss thet can nit dance." He smiled with that mouth full of teeth.

  I laughed. "Well, I think it's strange to see a warrior who can. Are you sure you're in the right profession?"

  His laughter broke with blunt force, a sound that earned us glares from the dancing couple beside us. They snubbed their noses in the air as if we had somehow defiled their dancing space, and in a swath of fabric, danced away.

  The song ended, but my dancing did not, unfortunately. I was a guest of honor, according to one of my dancing partners, which meant I must always be engaged—dancing or otherwise. It was during a quick rumba with a handsome young man named Sal, who had hair and skin like copper, that I noticed Alex.

  He was leaning against a balustrade near the playerless instruments, with three very pretty young women standing in a semi-circle around him. He wasn't adorned in color and jewels like the rest of the gentlemen on the terrace. Alex was clad all in black. Only he could make simplicity appear wealthy and regal, his figure as imposing as a king at his court, surrounded by admiring courtiers. His presence drew attention from all corners of the terrace, though he was entirely unaware, giving his attentions only to those immediately surrounding him.

  It was interesting seeing him act in these political circles. I hadn't seen him do it often, because we'd only recently spent more time in each other's company and that had mostly been as fugitives running through the forests. But watching him now made me realize how different he was from the boy I had always known. Of course, there were elements of Alex that hadn't changed, but this adult version of him was new and intriguing. Perfectly at ease in social circles that were foreign to me, he ambled through them like a master in his own home.

  Daria, you're gawking at him.

  Alex looked up; his deep green eyes met mine from across the terrace, bold and intense. Someone stepped between us, blocking my view, and when the person moved, Alex was no longer standing there. But I felt his presence as if he were everywhere at the same time.

  "Is everything all right, your grace?" asked the young man I was dancing with.

  I turned my attention back to the handsome copperhead named Sal.

  "I said that I had been looking forward to dancing with you at the festival," Sal continued, "but you had retired early to bed."

  My mind whirled, remembering the ball during the festival. Had that really on
ly been a few weeks ago? I had danced with Stefan, but I had left soon after with the claim that I hadn't felt well. That hadn't been a lie—not exactly. But mostly I had been trying to avoid Danton. The sick part had happened once I'd seen Alex.

  "I'm sorry," I smiled. "Everything is so beautiful, I guess I'm a little distracted. Yes, it is unfortunate I didn't get to meet you at the festival. I hadn't felt very well that evening."

  "I am sorry to hear that." Sal's eyes bore into mine, and the effect was slightly hypnotic. "I do hope your good health keeps. I would hate for you to miss the fireworks. They are truly exquisite, though perhaps not as exquisite as you."

  I smiled awkwardly. "Thank you, Sal. That is very kind. But I owe all of my appearance to Ansha. She worked magic on me. In fact, I'm afraid that once midnight strikes, it'll all disappear and I'll be standing here in a pile of rags."

  Sal looked confused, like I'd just spoken another language.

  Then I remembered. "Sorry. It's a reference to a fairytale we tell on Earth."

  "Ah." He nodded. "I am not very familiar with Earth. You grew up there, I understand?"

  "I did," I answered. "And I lived there until about six months ago." Had it really only been six months?

  "I hear there is no magic on Earth," Sal said, as if the very idea astounded and repulsed him.

  "No, there is not," I said simply.

  "And this does not bother you?"

  I smiled. "Not in the least. It has taken me some getting used to, though. Living in a world where everything is done with magic. Back home I can flip a switch and light turns on. Here, I have to use magic, and I'm not very good at that." I decided not to tell him that it was more than not being very good. I couldn't do it at all.

  "Hm." Sal did not seem to agree with me, but then he leaned his face closer than I felt comfortable. "I wonder if I might make a request." His tone suddenly assumed a timbre that made me think his request had nothing to do with the differences of Earth and Gaia. "After this gathering is over, may I take you somewhere private?" He snaked his arm around my waist and placed his lips at my ear, his hot breath warming my neck. "Somewhere we can talk and…get to know one another a little better, your highness." He trailed a finger along my collarbone and traced the tattoo of the dragon on my shoulder. "I would love to learn more about where you're from and, perhaps, other things…"

  This young man was certainly bold. I grabbed his hand from my shoulder and moved it promptly back to my waist. "That's very generous of you," I said, stalling so that I could come up with an excuse, "but I'm afraid I have a meeting later this evening with my Aegises, and after what has recently happened to my father, you can imagine that both of them are reluctant to let me out of their sights."

  "I'm sure they'd understand," Sal said.

  "Her highness is correct," Alex suddenly said from behind me, interrupting our dance. He looked devastatingly handsome, standing there, his face showing no emotion yet somehow putting Sal in his place. "Aegis Neci and I are under strict orders to attend the princess at all times. However, if it is important that you speak with her, I am sure that we can arrange something. Of course, Aegis Neci and I would be in attendance as well…"

  At first, Sal looked surprised, as if Alex were some kind of irritating fly that had no business snacking on a feast for kings. But then recognition slipped through the irritation, and Sal's eyes narrowed. "Aegis Alexander Del Conte," he said, as if reminding Alex of his place. The only problem was that Alex's presence was so much more imposing than Sal's could ever be. It was a small man that needed words to say what his actions could not.

  Alex inclined his head, seemingly unaffected by Sal's attempted slight. "Sal Amorentis, Thane of the White Cliffs. Do you mind if I cut in? I would like to speak with her grace on a few matters."

  Sal's face colored, caught without a choice. "Of course." Sal bowed his head to me. "Thank you, your grace. Perhaps we may speak later."

  "Perhaps," I said, trying to look as friendly as possible to squash the awkwardness. Sal left, and Alex put one hand on my waist, took my hand in his, and led me into the next dance.

  "Where have you been?" I hadn't meant the words to sound accusatory, but they did.

  Alex raised a dark brow, looking a little startled by my outburst. "Where I always am: keeping both eyes on you, and that seems to require a lot of energy these days." His gaze trailed after Sal, who had already found another morsel to snack on in the form of one of Alex's groupies.

  "You said he's a thane?" I asked.

  Alex nodded, his gaze drifting back to mine. "He governs the land on the western shores. He is Mercedes' nephew. He will be furious with me for cutting in like this, but I couldn't help it. He looked like he was about to eat you alive."

  "How do you know I wasn't about to eat him alive?" I teased. I tried pulling Alex closer, but he firmly held me back at an appropriate distance.

  "Careful, your grace," he said, eyes locked on mine.

  He was setting the precedence for our conversation tonight. He was holding up barriers and urging me to stand behind them. He was reminding me that I was a princess and he was my guard, and that I had better act that way.

  A new piece started, much slower than the others, and the melody had a kind of lilting and heartbreaking quality to it. I tried not to take it as any kind of symbolism. Still, the dancing slowed and couples moved closer. Even Alex pulled me close, sliding one arm around my waist, and I was distinctly aware of the warmth soaking through the fabric of his sleeve and onto my bare lower back.

  "How are you feeling?" Alex asked. His expression was carefully stoic, but his eyes were layered in concern.

  "Well, if you must know, I feel a little bit like a pinwheel. Much more twirling and I might just twirl myself right off the edge of this balcony."

  Alex grinned. "We don't have to dance. I could escort you back to—"

  "No." I held him tighter, gazing defiantly into his eyes. "I missed my turn last time, and I've regretted it ever since. But I am a little surprised you're allowing this…?"

  "Allowing what, exactly, your grace?" Even behind his walls of formality, he made the words your grace sound like an expression of intimacy only lovers used.

  "Us dancing together."

  "Ah." He was so controlled and elegant. "I didn't see any harm in it, considering I'm your Aegis and that you've already had your fair share of attention this evening." There was a glint in his eyes that made me certain he'd heard Sal's proposition.

  "And I see that you've had yours." I glanced askance at the group of girls watching us, clearly unhappy that I'd stolen their shiny new toy.

  Alex followed my gaze then whispered, "It's nice seeing you jealous."

  I let out something of a snort. "Well, I could just put an end to it by ordering you to dance with me the rest of the evening. I'm not so sure I want to share you." I tried to move in a little closer, but Alex's grip firmly held me back again.

  "I'm sorry, your grace," he said, his eyes glittering like emeralds, "but I would have to politely refuse those orders."

  "That seems rather hypocritical, Aegis Del Conte, don't you think? If you're going to treat me as your superior, you had better learn to be a subordinate. You can't just flip-flop back and forth depending how it suits you."

  "I can if your orders directly interfere with your safety," he said, all seriousness. "Besides, you can't play favorites in public, and particularly not with your Aegis. If you were smart, you would be flirting with that large man over there who owns most of Gesh. You'll need to go through him to get anything done."

  I glanced over at that large, greasy man Alex had been referring to, who was currently harassing a servant girl. I'd danced with a lot of men this evening, but I had not danced with him. Watching him, I decided to keep it that way. I looked back at Alex. "Hmm." I grinned. "Well, what if I'm not very smart? What if I'd rather just flirt with you?"

  "Unfortunately, your grace," Alex replied, "I happen to know that you are smart, and you kno
w better."

  The music slowed a little, and I drew closer to Alex and rested my face on his chest, breathing in the scents of soap and birch while his heart hammered in my ears. "No, if I were smart, I never would have allowed you to dance with me in the first place. I'm not as practiced as you with hiding how I feel."

  He was quiet, holding me in his arms.

  Daria, be careful!

  But I didn't want to be careful. I was tired of everyone telling me what to do and who I could and couldn't have feelings for. But in the end, the idea that I would be putting Alex in danger saved him from being attacked by an onslaught of kisses.

  I pulled back, putting my hand back on his shoulder but letting my fingers dangle at the base of his neck.

  "What are you going to say to them?" Alex asked.

  I sighed. "I have no idea. All I have to offer is a title. That's it. I know nothing about what it means to be a ruler or how diplomacy works or anything, but I will come up with something. I hope."

  Alex stared at our hands a moment, then looked straight into my eyes and said, "You know more than you think you do. I know you haven't spent much time at the castle, but you've seen more of the inner workings of diplomacy than most people who have lived here their entire lives. Trust your instincts, Da—your grace." He corrected himself. "Don't try to be what they want. Find your strengths and use them to your advantage."

  "By strengths, I'm assuming that you are not referring to my inability to keep my mouth shut."

  He chuckled, his chest rising and falling against mine. "I don't know. You are rather…creative. You always have been, and so far that's worked remarkably well. These are just people. People are the same on both worlds, and you do know people."

  Right. Just like I'd known Thad.

  "Al—Aegis Del Conte…I feel so completely out of my element."

  "Well, you do not look out of your element, your grace." Alex squeezed my hand, and his eyes drifted over me in a way that made the heat rise to my cheeks. "And so far, you've handled everyone here with perfect poise and grace, like you were born for this. You've surprised me, actually."