Page 3 of Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2)

Chapter Two

Elowen

Snow blows in the winter wind and flutters to the ground, making the cobblestone streets resemble the sugar-dusted pastries behind the counter.

Their aroma hangs heavy in Lemon Drop Bakery as the fireplace makes me forget about the chill beyond the window.

Just as it was last time we were here, honeybuns, fruit tarts, and cakes with more layers than I thought possible are beautifully displayed.

I’ve added a few jam jars into my basket, and will also be requesting a fresh loaf of bread to take with me as soon as it’s ready.

“Do you have a color palette in mind?” Saskia asks, drawing my eyes away from the mountain range in the distance.

“For…?”

“The wedding.”

“We’ll use the house colors.” I force a laugh. “I suppose that’s the benefit of choosing them yourself. Nobody would select colors that don’t complement them.”

After the dragon ceremony, I spent several hours deciding on the design of the House Veles sigil, along with our house colors and redecorating of the castle.

Everyone kept looking at me like I needed to rest, but I couldn’t.

Tasks keep my mind distracted from all the things I don’t want to think about.

Every time I tried to fall asleep, I kept seeing Ailliard’s charred flesh and could swear I smelled it.

A petty part of me debated selecting a flower as our sigil and making the house colors pink and purple, but sigils are a way to show the world who we are. Vareveth is the kingdom of the dragon queen and demon king, and our banners must reflect that.

I’m spared from speaking on the wedding any further when the baker’s apprentice approaches, carrying a three-tiered tray in each hand.

“Your Highness.” She curtsies after placing them on our table and offers me a shy smile.

“All of our flavors are there as you requested, but please let us know if you require anything else.”

I try to ease her nerves by returning her smile. “Thank you. I’m sure this will be more than enough.”

She nods enthusiastically, looking over her shoulder as she rushes back to the kitchen.

It draws my attention to the counter and my heart pinches in my chest. The memory of Cayden tucking a flower behind my ear flares so brightly in my mind, I bring the lavender cake to my nose to quell a forming headache.

“What was that about?” Finnian asks. “I didn’t realize your presence could cause such giddiness.”

“Elowen ordered a cake tasting. They probably think she’s here to sample the flavors for her wedding,” Saskia answers for me as she sips her tea. “Is that not why we’re here?”

“No.” I reach for a small rectangle of dark chocolate cake with raspberry filling, bringing a finger to my mouth to lick off some of the dark pink icing. “We’re here to fulfill my wishes. Birthday cakes for the dragons.”

My two companions exchange a perplexed look before Finnian turns to me and rests his hand on my shoulder. He speaks to me slowly. “Darling, they eat live animals. They don’t need birthday cakes.”

“They all have a sweet tooth.”

“Fang,” Saskia mutters.

“And besides,” Finnian continues. “Don’t you share a birthday? That’s not for another few weeks.”

“I’m making up for lost time.” I polish off the chocolate cake and gesture for Saskia to write that flavor down in her notebook before placing two cakes on Finnian’s plate and taking the blueberry for myself. “Tell me if you like the lemon or orange better.”

Finnian’s puzzlement is replaced by excitement.

He’s used to going along with my absurd ideas; we’ve had practically a lifetime of them.

He stuffs the lemon cake into his mouth and groans while nodding.

I give Saskia a thumbs up to add it to the approved flavors list while I hand Finnian some tea so he doesn’t choke to death.

She rolls her eyes, but the way her lips tilt up on one side gives away her true emotions.

“The lemon for sure, but not the orange.” Finnian looks down at his half-eaten cake with a frown.

“Interesting. I thought you’d prefer the orange considering the color of your hair.”

He furrows his brows. “That has no effect on one’s palate.”

“My hair is nearly black, and my favorite was the dark chocolate.”

He snaps his fingers. “You have a point.”

“No, she doesn’t,” Saskia interjects, hesitating a moment before reaching across the table to take my hand in hers. “You don’t have to hide your pain from us. You can tell us what’s going on in your head.”

Two sets of eyes burn into me, and it feels as if I’m standing aboard a ship, on trial for madness, with weights tied around my ankles.

I force another smile, ensuring this one is better than all the others I’ve given today, and though my body rebels, I turn my hand over to squeeze Saskia’s.

“I’ve been reunited with my dragons, which is more than I could’ve hoped for in a lifetime, and I’m betrothed to my father’s enemy.

I’m fine, Sas. I promise. Besides, I’ve never had a bad day that couldn’t be improved by a sweet treat. ”

She regards me for several more seconds in silence. “You’re sure?”

I slip my other hand under the table and dig my nails into my palm, not letting my eyes flick to the cut on Finnian’s throat, caused by an Imirath soldier who plotted with Ailliard.

Ailliard had known Finnian since he was an orphaned child and watched him grow up beside me, and still he handed him over to my enemy.

He knew me well enough to know I’ll always trade my life for Finnian’s.

Even if he hadn’t plotted to return me to Garrick, I would’ve killed him for harming Finnian.

I could’ve lost him. Guilt slithers through me like serpents wrapping around my lungs and strangling me from within.

Finnian wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.

He needs a morning void of strife and filled with ease, and though the mask I’ve cast over my emotions grows heavier by the second, I’ll hide my pain to see him happy.

There will be a time to get my revenge, but not today.

Beyond taking care of Finnian, I wanted to come out today to show the world that Eagor, Ailliard, and Garrick failed.

I will not cower in the dark when I can be wreathed in light created by dragonfire.

The people need to see their rulers unruffled and unbothered to quell any anxiety regarding our rise in power.

I’ve had a lifetime to learn how to live without revealing my true emotions.

The key to hiding pain and anger is never living a day without it.

“I’m positive.” I remove my hand from hers as a blur of movement in the corner of the bay window catches my eye.

I pull back the parted pink curtain and find a royal messenger handing off a letter to Braxton.

Lemon Drop Bakery has one entrance and aside from us and the staff, nobody is allowed inside.

Finnian moves through the sea of lace-covered tables to retrieve the letter, keeping one hand on the hilt of his sword as he cracks open the door, letting in a gust of winter air that cuts through the narrow street like a blade.

He drops the parchment in front of me and I dryly swallow when I note my name scrawled in Cayden’s hand.

Despite the urge to toss it into the fire, I eagerly tear open the seal and unfold the letter like the blushing bride-to-be the kingdom must believe I am.

Manipulation is just as useful as battles when it comes to war.

Battles help you gain territory and lessen your enemies, but manipulation lets you sink your claws into someone’s mind and control an outsider’s perspective, and that is a powerful thing.

Only show people what you want them to think, never how you truly feel.

“It’s an address somewhere in Ladislava.” It says nothing else, and I choose to ignore the disappointment that prods at me. I asked for space. He’s giving it to me. This is what I need. I don’t want to see him.

But even as I repeat the words in my head they sound like a lie.

“May I?” Saskia asks, and I hand the letter over to her. She blinks slowly before clarity washes over her and she licks her lips to hide her growing grin. “Braxton can easily take you there. I unfortunately must get back to the castle.”

“Give me a hint.”

“No.”

“Is it a shop?”

“If it was a shop I’d go with you.”

I roll my eyes and stand while threading my arms through my coat, curiosity propelling me forward.

The silhouette reminds me of a snow angel with its full skirts and bell sleeves; thankfully the sash around my waist gives it some definition and the fur lining the interior keeps me warm.

Delicate golden dragons are embroidered on the front and circle the hem and cuffs.

I pay for the cakes and offer a bit more to cover the cost of closing their shop for me before leaving.

My dragons screech when they spot me in the street, and I wave up at Basilius, who’s closest to me, before handing my letter to the carriage driver since he’ll be taking me where I need to go.

I’d ride my dragons, but I don’t want to leave Saskia and Finnian, considering I planned our outing, and the bruises on my ribs have been bothering me today.