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SHADES OF SILVER

T he Palace of Ristat sat on a hill, a pale citadel that rose high above the rest of the city. On the back side, the next level down was the drake house for the king’s dragon riders. And the level beneath that provided the caves for housing those massive black dragons that protected Hestia and kept watch for blue dragons.

On the other side of that shelf of caves was a canyon that separated all the officious space from the south side of the city, accessible by a single bridge. When we paused to choose the best path, Tearloch pointed to that bridge. “If we are separated, we meet on the other side!”

Feet pounded close behind us. Tearloch and Sweetie turned to fight, but it was Lears and Poole, rushing to join us.

Sweetie shouted. “Did you see Griffon?”

Lears shook his head. “He’s with the king.”

Sweetie would have said more, but Tearloch was already on the run again, dragging me behind him. He had to step carefully down a sharp incline that ended in the yard of the drake house, and when we reached the bottom, one of the Ard Draoi held open a small, man-sized door, beckoning us to him.

Zelan had helped us, had gotten word to the palace. And though he’d paid with his life, he had saved us. So when Tearloch looked at me for an opinion, I nodded and told him why.

“Lennon,” Tearloch called. “Can you ride any dragon?”

“I don’t know. But I’m willing to try!”

We funneled past the druid into the drake house. It smelled only slightly better than the one in Sunbasin, but it was just as empty.

Another druid led us through the building to the open side where a small dragon waited, a short string of saddles already perched on its back.

I shook my head. “We need a bigger dragon.”

Two druids to either side of the beast held out their hands in a calming gesture. One of them bowed to me. “We have a rider for you, princess. We need only wait a few moments. He won’t be far behind.”

“And just how did you know I’d be coming?”

He shrugged. “We are always watching. Always prepared. We have awaited your return since Demius took you. We’ve been expecting you since the blue dragon was first seen. As it was prophesied.”

Prophecy couldn’t explain this dragon being saddled and ready to go. And I repeated, “We will need another dragon. I won’t leave without my family.”

He bowed again. “The dragon rider will explain.” His full sleeve lifted, indicating someone behind me. Before I even looked, I knew it would be Viggo. And Demius’ warning had been fresh in my mind since he’d found me in the gardens that afternoon.

“Asper! What are you waiting for? Climb on. They’re coming. We have to go!”

I tried to hide my distrust when I faced him. “I’ve tried to tell these men that we’re going to need a bigger dragon. I won’t leave my family behind.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but we can’t take them with us now. Not right now. But we can send for them when it’s safe.”

“Why not?”

“Because we have to move fast. We’ll have the master dragons after us soon. We’ll have to be agile, be able to maneuver.”

“Then we should escape into the city?—”

“No!” He caught himself and pasted a patient smile on his face while he tried to pull me aside. Trouble was, Tearloch came with me. “Let me explain,” he said. “With your royal blood, we can start a new but valid regime! The king is dying. Everyone knows it. And if we allow Moire to choose his successor, we’ll never be out from under her thumb. But if you come with me now, we’ll be free of all that. Free to turn Hestia into whatever we dream for it.”

Tearloch smirked. “And I suppose you expect to be her King Consort?”

“She can make that choice when she’s ready.”

I beamed. “I’m ready now.”

Viggo’s fingers dug into my arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re fresh out of the canyon, Asper. You don’t know how the world works.”

“Oh, but I do.”

We were distracted by the rush of fifty soldiers flooding onto the launch patio. They surrounded us, threatening my friends with the points of various weapons, all wearing the uniforms of the king’s guard.

Traitors. Like Viggo.

“I’m sorry, my love, I’m afraid I must insist.”

“Fine,” I said, as Tearloch was forced back to join the others against the wall. “But you should know that he and I are heartbound.”

Tearloch frowned, but I winked at him and he stopped resisting and moved where he was told.

Viggo smirked. “You’re telling me he’s going to be a problem, and that we should kill him now?”

“No. I’m telling you if you separate us, I won’t have much reason to live.”

He chuckled. “That’s all right. I’m sure I can find the proper motivation for you.” He leaned close and sniffed at my hair. “I have missed you. Now get on the dragon.”

“All right. But first, are you sure you want to be up there with me?” As we neared the dragon, I pointed to the sky beyond the ledge.

“Why not?”

“Oh. You haven’t heard about Old Grim?”

“The dragon who died mid-flight? Yes. Your friend Nogel told me. In fact he’s been very helpful.” He pointed to the row of captives at the back of the room. Nogel stood among them.

He looked more angry than frightened this time. “I’m sorry, Princess! I didn’t know!”

I turned to Viggo with a knowing smile. “But were you told about Skullcrusher?”

My old neighbor paled. “Yes. I can’t wait to hear how you did that.”

“With Old Grim, I was just experimenting, but I perfected it with Ciro’s dragon.”

“Perfected what?”

“I’ll show you.” I reached out for the dragon, as if I were starting to climb. But I put my foot back on the ground and concentrated. The poor thing slumped to the ground and complained with a pitiful bellow. I took some of its energy but not all. Just enough to frighten Viggo and his friends. “Wouldn’t you hate to have this happen while we’re flying to…where was it you intend to take me?”

Viggo pulled his hands away from me and retreated a few steps. “You wouldn’t!”

I nodded my head toward Tearloch. “Separate me from him and I will.”

He stopped. “Fine. I’ll allow him to come, but only him.”

Tearloch leaned back against the wall with a smile, folded his arms and crossed his ankles. “No, old friend. Not interested.”

Another guard rushed in. A short man with a pointed nose that matched the point in his hairline. “They’re coming! We have to go!”

Viggo advanced again. “Restore it. Restore the dragon and I’ll let you go.”

I blinked. “I wouldn’t know how. I only kill them.”

His eyes widened with fury, but he still didn’t dare touch me. When shouts echoed inside the drake house, he turned and fled, pushing his traitorous soldiers and druids out of his way as they scattered like rodents.

I laid my hands on the young dragon and willed that same power back into it. It recovered its strength quickly and stood, shook itself, and fled as if it might never come back.

Tearloch rushed toward me. “We could have used that. Maybe we could have fit.”

“Oh no. I doubt it will allow anyone near it again.”

He sighed. “I’ve been thinking.”

I pointed to the bridge now filling with fleeing traitors, guards and Ard Draoi . “Do you want to talk, or do you want to run?”

The rest of our friends gathered around, waiting for his verdict. There were ten of us. Still missing Griffon. I could face anything…if necessary.

Tearloch dropped his gaze. “It’s up to you. I think I was…so afraid I’d lose you, I made you flee when you might have wanted to stay. I was the one taking your choices away.”

“You won’t lose me, no matter what.” I pulled his head down so I could press my forehead to his, then I looked deep into his blue-green eyes. “And if you ever doubt it again, you and I are going to have words.” Then I winked.

Once again, we were surrounded by the king’s guards. This time, no one drew weapons, but they did insist we stay put.

Moire reached us first, out of breath and speechless. Griffon, his father, and Rowena led an entourage that carried a seat on their shoulders upon which sat the king. Griffon broke away to join us and ensure his wife was whole.

When Moire stepped forward and opened her mouth to deliver whatever speech she had in mind, I held up my hand to stop her.

“Not you,” I said. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say—or anything you care to predict.”

Gasping and insulted, she looked to Tearloch.

He shook his head. “Look on the bright side. She didn’t try to kill you at first sight.”

Bodies parted for the king, who hobbled along with his cane, his steps steadier than they had been earlier. He lifted his free hand and said, “Oh, my child?—”

I stopped him as well. “I’m sorry. I’d think Rowena gets the first word, don’t you?”

The redhead stepped around her grandfather and came to me, timid and hopeful and heartbroken all at the same time. As she neared, I could tell she didn’t know what to say, so I took two quick steps and wrapped my arms around her.

“Mother,” I said. “I have a mother.”

“And I have my baby back.”

I shook my head and straightened. “No. She’s gone. But when you’re finished mourning Asimi, you’ll have me.”

King Aristaeus pounded his cane on the floor. “May I be allowed to speak to my great-granddaughter now?”

Rowena stepped to the side but held onto my fingers. Her hands were as soft as I remembered them. And who knew how long ago that was?

“Welcome to the family,” the king said. “I expect to learn we have more in common than our good taste in cake.”

“Perhaps.”

“I am a blessed man to have so much of my family restored to me.”

“We must have a celebration,” Moire said, finally daring to speak.

I smirked. “How about a quiet one?”

The old man inclined his head. “As you wish. Just family?”

“Of course.” I could feel my friends deflate around me and was surprised they needed reassurance as badly as Tearloch had. “A quiet celebration with just family. But remember, there are nearly a dozen of me.”

Aristaeus studied each one of my friends in turn, then threw his arms wide, nearly striking Sweetie with his cane. “Welcome to the family!”