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The thought of crawling to her ex to beg for money made her fear of dragons evaporate. No, she would rather look after a hundred dragon princes than go to him.

“We’re nearly there,” said the flight steward, Oskar, as he came out of the galley. “I suggest you put your seatbelt on now. Soon after we start to descend, you’ll feel the cabin shake and the lights dim for a moment. Don’t be alarmed, that’s only the magical veil that protects the Northern Isles.”

Wesley’s eyes widened. “Magical veil? What’s it made of? How does it work? Will I be able to see it if I look out?”

Oskar smiled. “I’m afraid I don’t know myself, Master Wesley. And no, it is invisible. Now, is there anything else I can get you, Ms. Baxter? Master Wesley?”

“We’re fine, thank you, Oskar.” Reaching forward, she buckled Wesley’s seatbelt, which earned her a pointed look. She smirked at him and shot back with an “I’m-still-your-mum” look. Wesley may be looking forward to going to boarding school in the next semester, but she wasn’t. It would be good for him and his future, but she couldn’t help feeling sad at the prospect of being separated from him for long periods of time.

Just as Oskar described, the cabin did shake while the lights flickered, but only for a moment. Though her knuckles turned white from gripping her seat’s arms, she couldn’t help herself and looked out of the window. Clouds blocked her view momentarily as they decreased in altitude, but then the puffy white cottony canopy gave way, revealing a large mass of snow-covered land. First, they flew over what seemed like miles of black sand beach, which then turned to rocky hills, and in the distance, there were snow-capped mountains. Finally, the plane made its final descent into a valley. Poppy supposed in the spring and summer it would be lush and green, but it didn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful now in the winter. Snow covered most of the land, and a few trees were left bare, but there was a stillness about it that appealed to her.

“Welcome to the Northern Isles,” Oskar greeted as he re-entered the cabin once the plane stopped.

We’re really here. Excitement, fear, and a rush of something she couldn’t name all mixed up in her belly.

After getting up from their seats and gathering their carry-on luggage, Oskar led them out of the plane. She shivered as the frigid air hit her, and beside her, Wesley tugged on his jacket tighter.

At the foot of the steps was a figure wrapped up in a thick wool coat. She held out her hand once Poppy reached the bottom of the staircase. “Poppy, it’s nice to meet you in person. I’m so glad you could push your departure forward a week. Oh, and welcome to the Northern Isles.”

Poppy immediately recognized the blonde, middle-aged woman with the bright smile from their previous video chats—Melina Gunnarson, secretary to Her Majesty, Queen Sybil. “Likewise, Melina.” She took the offered hand and shook it. “And this is my son, Wesley.”

“Hello, Wesley,” Melina greeted and offered her hand as well, which Wesley shook. “I hope you both had a good trip. I see you were warmly welcomed by our famous winters,” she chuckled. “Now, let’s head into the car before we all freeze.”

They hurried into the black SUV waiting on the tarmac, with Melina slipping into the front seat while she and Wesley piled into the back.

“Another car will take your things to the palace and your apartments,” she explained. “It’s about a forty-five-minute drive to Helgeskar Palace in the capital city, Odelia. If you are tired, please feel free to nap, or if not, ask me any questions.”

“I think I’m too wired to nap,” she joked. “The jet was lovely and so comfortable. Oskar was most accommodating, and the food, too, was excellent.” It was better than any fancy restaurant at London—not that she ate at those frequently. “Please thank Her Majesty for Wesley and me.”

“You may tell her yourself. You’re both to meet her for lunch at her glasshouse in the royal gardens when we arrive.”

“Oh my.” A private lunch with the queen? “Is that … normal for a royal?” She doubted the queen of England ever met with her children’s nannies.

There was a twinkle in the other woman’s eyes. “I think you’ll find that there are few things about Her Majesty that are ‘normal’ for a royal.”

Well, there was the part where she turned into a giant, fire-breathing dragon, but Poppy did her best to quash the anxiety building in her. Looking over at Wesley as he peered out the window with his nose pressed up to the glass, she reminded her herself why she was doing this.

I need this job. Her initial contract would have her working here for three months on probation, and after that, the queen would decide on whether to renew her contract for another two years and every two years after that. Everything hinged on her performance over the coming weeks, and she vowed to do her best so she could stay on for at least until Wesley finished boarding school. That was the goal, and she would devote her energy to that for the next few years.

Settling back into her seat, Poppy, too, decided to look out at the scenery. As they pulled onto the highway, there was nothing but evergreen trees and snow-covered ground outside, and the occasional patch of clearing or an odd farmhouse or two. About thirty minutes later, the rural scenery gradually made way for an urban landscape, which became even more modern as they turned onto an exit with signage that indicated this was the way to Odelia.

“It’s a beautiful city,” she declared as they entered what looked like the main city center. The small stone buildings and cobbled streets had that European charm, but the streets were paved and modern vehicles filled them.

“Many of the structures are original, and if we have to build new ones, they must be kept in the old style,” Melina explained. “But I assure you, we’re very modern here. We use one hundred percent renewable energy, and all vehicles are electric.”

“That’s brilliant,” Wesley piped up. “How did they manage that?”

“We’ve always had to fend for ourselves being an archipelago,” she said. “It was mostly out of necessity. Our royal family does try to preserve the old ways and culture, though we’re trying to adapt to the outside world as well. For example, our previous monarch, King Harald, declared English as an official language over a decade ago. You’ll find many of the younger people speak it, and the school you’ll be in will have classes in both English and Nordgensprak.”

“Could I learn it?” Wesley asked. “Nordgensprak, I mean. I tried to search for books or apps that could teach me, but I couldn’t find any.”

“If you wish,” Melina said. “You’re already enrolled and set to start school in a week, but your mother will be meeting with your teacher before then.” She looked to Poppy. “There are some files and a laptop in your apartment that has all the information, including how to set up an appointment with Wesley’s homeroom teacher.”

“That’s wonderful.” She smiled over at Wesley, who beamed at her. He reminded her so much of his namesake, her deceased father. The elder Wesley loved books and reading too.

“Until then—oh, we’re nearly there.” Melina nodded toward the outside.

As the SUV approached the large, imposing castle up ahead, Poppy couldn’t stop herself from gasping. “That’s?—”

“Helgeskar Castle,” Wesley said, his mouth agape. “It’s humongous.”

“The castle occupies twelve acres, has fifteen main buildings, eight hundred rooms and one hundred fireplaces,” Melina rattled.

“That’s almost as big as Windsor Castle,” he stated. “Windsor has three hundred fireplaces.”

Melina chuckled. “Ah, yes. Well, our kings are dragons after all and have no need for so much heat, even in the winter.”

Wesley’s brows furrowed. “The dragons here … they’re water dragons, right?”

“Wesley,” Poppy admonished. Oh God, could they say things like that here? “I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that.”

“Oh, it’s quite all right,” Melina assured her. “I know our royal family can be secretive, but seeing as you’ll be working closely with them, it’s good to know these things. And, Wesley, you promise not to tell anyone outside the Northern Isles about what you see here, correct?”

His head bobbed up and down. “Yes, I promise.”

“Good. And yes, you’re correct. The dragons of the Northern Isles are water dragons.”

“So, they don’t breathe fire?”

Poppy felt relief wash over her. Maybe I should have done more research about dragons. Or asked Wesley.

“No, they do not, but they can breathe underwater, fly, and swim long distances. But Queen Sybil, who you’ll meet shortly, is a mountain dragon. She’s the one who breathes fire. In fact, that’s one of her titles. The Great Fire Breather.”

And her stomach tied itself in knots again.

“Well, here we are.” The SUV slowed to a stop inside a large courtyard. “I do apologize for not giving you time to get settled in, but Her Majesty is very busy, and this is the only time this week she’ll be able to meet you.”

“That’s perfectly all right.” In fact, Poppy was glad to have it over with sooner than later. “And you, Wesley, are you feeling all right? Not too tired?”

“I’m fine, Mum. I want to meet the dragon queen.” He sounded almost excited at the prospect.

Melina smiled brightly. “Excellent. Come along then, we shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

They got out of the vehicle and followed her through an archway, which led out into a spacious garden surrounded by tall, black stone walls. Most of the trees and shrubs were bare, but she could imagine how gorgeous it would be in full bloom.

Melina motioned for them to turn down a long path that led up to a stunning glasshouse in the middle of the garden.

“Hold onto me, Wes.” She grabbed Wesley’s hands. “You don’t have proper boots on; you might slip and fall.”

“Wow!” Wesley exclaimed, his eyes wide as he soaked in the sight of the beautiful white structure. “Are there tropical plants in there? Or palm trees?”

“Why, yes,” Melina said. “Our orchids bloom year round.”

“I want to see!” Wesley broke free of Poppy’s grip and dashed down the snowy path toward the conservatory.

“Wes!” she warned. “Be careful!” Still, she couldn’t bear to chasten him anymore as this was the most she’d seen him excited about anything.

“While the castle dates back to?—”

A large, piercing screech interrupted Melina, and a large shadow loomed overhead. “What the—” Poppy gasped as she lifted her gaze to the sky. A gigantic, snake-like creature was flying overhead. It was probably fifty feet long and covered from head to tail in blue scales and translucent wings that fanned out.

A dragon.

And it was heading straight for Wesley.

Poppy watched in horror as the dragon made a wide U-turn and began to descend, then its body stretched out straight as a missile, honing in on its target at breakneck speed.

“No!” Poppy cried as adrenaline pumped through her veins and pushed her to sprint down the path toward her son. Melina shouted something at her, but she didn’t pay it any mind as her focus was on Wesley.

He stood, frozen to the spot, head lifted up as the dragon came closer. “Run, Wes!” she cried.

He must have heard her because he turned toward her. “Mum!”

From then on, everything happened so fast. One moment he was running down the path as she met him halfway, and the next, a small, furry bundle leapt into her arms as Wesley’s clothes lay in a heap on the snowy dirt path.

Twisting her body around, she cradled the cub in her arms, shielding it from the threat. It didn’t matter that her enemy was a giant monster that could probably gobble her up whole. No, she was protecting her son, and she would die before she let anything harm him.

And so, she braced herself, waiting for something to happen. Her body tensed as she held her breath and closed her eyes. There was a loud whoosh , and a strong wind nearly knocked her over. An eternity seemed to pass before she finally found the courage to turn and lift her head.

The dragon was gone. However, a towering figure stood inches away, looming over them. But he wasn’t just tall; he was enormous. Possibly the biggest man she’d ever seen at nearly seven feet tall, plus he was built like a wall. His powerful legs were encased in tight-fitting brown leather pants. The loose, white linen shirt he wore spanned across a wide chest, the deep V in the middle exposing a tantalizing amount of tanned skin and a curl of ink peeked from the edge of the fabric.

Setting her gaze higher, she stared up at his face. Most of it was covered with a reddish beard that matched his hair, but it didn’t hide the intensity of his bright green eyes. Eyes that bore into her very soul and made her heart stop for a moment before it once again thudded like a drum, beating against her rib cage.

Seeing as the dragon disappeared and this man appeared out of nowhere, Poppy could venture an educated guess as to what happened.

It looked like she’d finally met a real-life dragon.