Page 82 of Faeling (Monstrous World #4)

When she had the strength, she lifted a hand to caress his cheek, tracing the broad bone. He purred for her, curling over her and burying his face in her hair.

“Gods, sprite, the throne, the curtain wall, the council room—you’ll have me on the basilica floor next.”

Ravenna made a noise of interest.

Vallek huffed with laughter, pushing up onto his hands. His eyes glittered with mirth as he smiled down at her, tracing his fingertips over her chin then down her neck.

Fates, she could spend her life just looking at him, especially with that smile. To know she’d put it there, was the glitter in his eye, had her arching her back in pride.

Pulling a kerchief from his pocket, which he’d taken to doing for this very situation, Vallek did his best to clean them up.

Having gotten just what she wanted, Ravenna was content to let him move her how he pleased, holding still when he said and climbing into his lap when he was finished.

Laying his cheek against the top of her head, he drew his arms around her, cuddling her close.

Ravenna sighed. She could go to sleep just like this, even still in her stays.

“I hope you suffer no more, lady wife,” he said.

“I’m satisfied—for now.”

“Ah, good, I’m proud to hear it.”

Ravenna nuzzled into the side of his neck, taking in a long pull of his scent. Fates, she’d never dreamed it possible to be so happy.

There were challenges, to be sure, and days when their arguments became more than banter.

But they never went to sleep angry, and they always began their days in each other’s arms. Her favorite days were those she spent all in his company, and she wasn’t too proud to admit that if she could, she would’ve ridden on his back, holding onto him stronger than a limpet as he went about his kingly business.

She didn’t know having someone, even a mate, could be like this.

Her parents’ love had been a beautiful but tragic thing, something of storybooks and bardic poems. Although she and Vallek ruled a kingdom, there were so many moments of domestic simplicity, of quiet intimacy.

Ravenna lived for those moments, collected them like the sea glass she used to with her mother by the sea.

She had the occasional vision still. They required her to be touching the person whose future she wished to see, as well as a concentrated focus to bring forth the vision.

Vallek supposed that these were her true gift; the other visions had been the work of the gods, intervening to right the cycle Amaranthe had upset.

She supposed it made as much sense as anything else—but she didn’t need them to know her future.

She held it in her arms. Not knowing what exactly the future held was its own kind of thrill, but in the end, she knew that no matter the challenges or bad days, hers would be a life worth living because he was in it.

Ravenna was going positively soft in her new life, but that was all right.

Her parents had taught her to survive. With Vallek, Ravenna was learning to live.

Snuggling against her big, warm mate, Ravenna decided that was as much a gift as her visions.

They were beginning to think about braving the journey up to bed when a knock at the door jarred them awake. After a moment, the door opened to reveal a harried Mattias.

The captain strode quickly into the council room, bowing before hurrying to say, “Forgive the interruption, but you’re needed in the basilica.”

Even after a few more blinks, Ravenna still couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. From where she stood atop the dais with Vallek, she watched in amazement as the two interlopers bowed low.

One was a human woman, her curls of flaming red hair tied back into a long plait. Her beautiful face was set in hard, determined lines, the rest of her clad in sensible leathers and travel gear. Most intriguing were a pair of goggles dangling around her neck.

Beside her was a bulky male dragon in his bipedal form. Although he kept the hood of his cloak up, the torchlight still managed to catch on the gleam of his red scales. His gold predator’s eyes glowed from the shadows of his hood, his slitted pupils careful as he assessed Ravenna and Vallek.

“And what, exactly, is the meaning of this?” Vallek asked. His tone wasn’t quite annoyed, not yet, but demanded swift answers.

“Please forgive the surprise,” said the woman in careful orcish, “we thought it would be safer to come at night. To scare fewer people.”

Vallek looked between the two of them. “You flew into my courtyard?”

“Yes, King Vallek.”

“ Why? ”

Bowing again, the woman produced a tightly wound scroll. When she moved forward to present it, Mattias intercepted her, plucking the document from her hand to deliver it himself. The dragon rumbled unhappily but bit back the sound when the woman glared at him.

“These are letters of introduction from Allarion Meringor-Dunne, Lord Scarborough, as well as your own Chieftain Kennum of Kaldebrak.”

Ravenna’s brows lifted to hear such names.

They had begun laying plans to travel north and opened negotiations with the kingdom of Eirea several months ago.

It was a lot of trouble for one visit, but Ravenna considered nothing too great an ask in order to meet Allarion and Molly’s new baby daughter.

There were official channels for that, though, all of which she thought were moving along smoothly.

“And who am I being introduced to?” asked Vallek.

“My name is Fia, and this is Theron. We come on behalf of Lady Aislinn Darrow and Queen Ygraine Monaghan.”

Vallek and Ravenna exchanged glances.

“We’re already in negotiations with Dundúran and Gleanná,” said Ravenna. “Why come to us now? This way?”

“The message we bear requires the utmost discretion.” Fia nodded at the scroll Vallek now held. “My lady and queen seek more than trade negotiations. I am here to secure promises of friendship for Crown Princess Isolde. The queen hopes to count on your support of the princess, when the time comes.”

“And who are we supporting her against?” Vallek wondered.

Lips thin, Fia answered, “The Pyrrossi emperor.”

Ravenna’s insides clenched. Yes, a play at the Eirean throne wasn’t out of the question for the ambitious emperor.

The Eirean king himself was half-Pyrrossi, and although he only ruled as regent when Queen Ygraine was indisposed, even they in Balmirra had heard of his maneuverings.

There was talk of an illegitimate son or marrying the teenage Isolde to a Pyrrossi cousin.

Should the two human realms unite, particularly under the Pyrrossi banner, it would mean more incursions along the orcish borders.

In the silent moment of surprise, the dragon Theron stepped forward. The berserkers surrounding the pair tensed, but the dragon stopped after just a step. Pushing back his hood, the soft firelight caught on his sharp features, the long dark hair tied in a tail, and the crown of horns atop his head.

Vallek sucked in a breath. “Shit,” he rumbled.

“There is something else,” said Theron in that hissing cadence of the dragons.

Fia hurried forward, grabbing Theron by the sleeve. “ No, there’s not,” she growled. “We agreed .”

Laying his hand over hers, Theron shook his head. “No, agae . You decided. I merely flew.”

Ravenna looked between the pair, sensing far more there than just a messenger and her transport. Glancing up at her mate, she knew he felt the same.

His mouth an exasperated line, Vallek said, “You’re already here. Tell us the rest.”

As though remembering they had an audience, Theron turned again to face the dais.

“I am Theron Princep, second fire of my father’s line.

” Ah. That would explain the horns. Ravenna had read only royal dragons grew more than two, something to do with dominance and hierarchy.

But what in all the hells was a dragon prince doing with a human spy in an orcish basilica?

“I see,” said Vallek, “and who is it you wish to broker an alliance for? Your brother the anax? ”

“No,” the dragon said gravely, “I want you to help me kill Araxos.”