Politically, though, it did make sense after what had happened during the Great Battle of Aricia, when the Iron dragon Overlord Thracius had taken the Queen’s consort and had him crucified in Quintilian Provinces. Something that had not bothered the Queen nearly as much as it had bothered the Queen’s offspring. Especially Princess Rhiannon, who’d always been close to—and protected by—her father. Yet her consort’s death had brought her throne under threat, because some Southland dragons didn’t believe she was worthy of her position as their queen if she couldn’t keep her kin safe. That had put Addiena into action, involving Lord Berg and his vast army. But not trusting his loyalty to her or her throne, Addiena had taken his beloved daughter Lady Katarina as security until the borders were secure and her point made.
The word “hostage” was never used, but it didn’t need to be.
Still, no point in mentioning any of that to Bercelak. He was blindly loyal to the Queen.
“I am not lazy,” Addolgar informed his brother. “I’m many things, but lazy is not one of them. But have no fear, Ghleanna told me that we will have a small squad with us and Lady Braith as well.”
“Lady Braith,” Bercelak sneered, his distaste for the royal more than evident. “Why is she going? What use is she?”
“Well—”
“None! That I can see,” his brother cut in, which only made Addolgar laugh.
“Don’t be such a bastard, little brother. She’ll keep the royal entertained.”
“Braith will keep the royal entertained? Braith of the Darkness?”
“She’s nice. I don’t know what you have against her.”
“She does nothing.”
“What do you expect her to do?”
“She’s one of the Penarddun bloodline. You’d think she’d do something,” Bercelak complained.
“Her mother may have been a Penarddun but her father has gone out of his way to ensure his daughter was not by raising her himself after her mother’s death.”
“With those shoulders and arms? Even that neck. It’s a waste! The least she could do for the army is move some trees so the troops can get through.”
“Is there anyone you don’t think should be working for our precious army?”
“No.”
“I’m leaving,” Addolgar stated, giving up.
“Just be careful, idiot,” his brother called out to him.
Addolgar headed off to find the lovely Lady Katarina, throwing a wave over his shoulder. “I’ll do that, brother. I’ll do that.”
Chapter 3
“I am sorry about this, Lady Braith.”
Braith looked down at the diminutive She-dragon, forced a smile. “It’s all right, Lady Katarina. I know this isn’t your fault.”
“Just Katarina.” She stepped aside as one of their escorts hustled by. “I’ll be glad to return home so I have to worry less about all these titles.”
“Well, you need not worry about mine at all.”
Braith studied the soldiers that had been chosen for this trip. She recognized a few. They were soldiers loyal to her father. She didn’t know why that bothered her, but it did. She didn’t like this.
“Something wrong, Braith?” Katarina asked.
“Uh . . .” She focused back on the royal. “No. Nothing. Just thinking. Wasn’t really planning on a trip.”
“And I wasn’t really planning to come here.” She raised, then lowered her front claws. “Yet here I am.”
Braith felt bad for her. This was just a few days out of Braith’s life. Yet Katarina had spent a year as nothing more than a well-treated hostage.
Placing one claw on the royal’s shoulder—and ignoring how she dwarfed the She-dragon like a bloody ogre—Braith said softly, “Do not worry, Katarina. We will return you to your loved ones safely.”
“I know you will.”
Braith smiled at the royal, trying her best to put her at ease.
“There you are!” a cheerful, low voice said from behind her.
Braith’s claw tightened on Katarina’s shoulder, and she knew her eyes had widened in panic.
No. He couldn’t be on this trip. Not him. Ghleanna. Or Bercelak. Gods, even Braith’s own father, she would rather travel with! Anyone but . . .
The panic must have been clearly on her face because Katarina suddenly moved around Braith, distracting the Silver.
“And you are?” Katarina asked.
“Sergeant Addolgar of the Fifth Legion, my lady.”
It took Braith a few seconds to get control of her initial reaction. Of all the dragons who could be going with them, why did it have to be him? Her one weakness. Her one very handsome, very thick-tailed weakness.
“So, Sergeant Addolgar,” Katarina continued as Braith finally faced them both. “Why were you looking for us?”
“I’ll be your military escort for this trip.”
“Oh, I thought these dragons were. . . .”
Addolgar glanced over at the soldiers. “These lads mostly guard Devenallt Mountain and the Elders. Good, solid soldiers,” he quickly added, never wanting to insult anyone—unlike his younger brother. “But I’ve been through the Western Mountains. Fought a few battles there. So, it was a good decision on my brother’s part.”
Figures! Gods-damn Bercelak! She should have known! Bastard.
“Now I don’t want either of you to worry. I’m here to protect you both.” Grinning, he nodded at the waiting soldiers. “Let me check on these lads and then we can get on our way.”
He walked off and Katarina faced her again.
“Sorry about that—” Braith began, but Katarina shook her head.
“No need to worry. I understand that feeling. Felt it myself not too long ago.”
“Well, if we could just keep it between us, I’d appreciate it.”
“Because there are those here who use weakness as currency?”
After living at the royal court, it seemed Katarina understood the Queen as well as anyone.
“You might say.”
“Don’t worry, Braith. Your secret is safe with me.”
“You two ready?” Addolgar asked. “Have everything you need?” When they both nodded, he gave that adorable, wide grin of his, showing all those perfect fangs, and swung his forearm out from his body. “Then after you, my ladies.”
Determined to get through this somehow without embarrassing herself, Braith nodded and walked on, Katarina right behind her.
Then Braith realized something.... She had no idea how far away the Western Mountains actually were. A couple of days’ travel? Gods. Hopefully not more than that.
Early on the fourth day of their trip, they camped for the night in a small grove. They still had at least another three-day flight before reaching the Western Mountains, but so far they’d made good time, considering it was nearing