Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon

  But how could she tell for sure? Maybe she should mentally call him a rude name, like filthy bastard, to see if he reacted. No, bad idea. If she made him angry, he might drop her. Oh, no! What if he understood all that?

  She tightened her grip on his foreleg. Stop thinking about him!

  Once again she sensed amusement. Dammit. There was no way she could stop herself from thinking. And she had to stay mentally alert if she was going to protect Eviana.

  Your name is Gwennie?

  He must have heard Eviana screaming her name. “My name is Gwennore and the little girl is Eviana.”

  Gwennore.

  A shiver ran along her skin. A dragon shouldn’t have such an appealing voice. She winced. Had he heard that?

  She glanced toward his head. She’d been wrong, thinking all his scales were black. When the sun shone on him, his scales glistened an iridescent purple and green.

  It reminded her of a black pearl she’d once found in an oyster shell. She’d thought it was so beautiful she’d kept it in her small treasure box, along with a few gifts her sisters had given her. Dear goddesses, would she ever see them again?

  You will, she promised herself. For she had to make sure Eviana was returned to her parents. Would this dragon keep his word and help her? If he didn’t, how on Aerthlan would she manage to get Eviana home?

  Anxiety threatened to consume her, so she tried to calm herself by mentally picturing her small treasure box and the gifts inside: an embroidered handkerchief from Luciana, a short story from Brigitta, a pretty shell from Maeve, and a small drawing of her from Sorcha.

  The dragon’s talons suddenly tightened, jerking her back to the grim reality around her. She eyed the creature warily. Did she dare trust him?

  Brigitta had told her sisters about her encounter with dragons, and she’d called them magnificent. She claimed that they had helped her husband take back his throne.

  But what about all the children who had been kidnapped? Were some dragons bad and others good? Was this a good one? Gwennore had to hope so. Her and Eviana’s lives might depend on it. “Do you have a name?”

  Yes.

  She waited, but there was nothing more, only that same feeling of amusement she kept getting. Was he playing with her? Blast him. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll be forced to name you myself.”

  Oh, I’m afraid.

  “You should be. I could name you … Puff.”

  He snorted, and more hot air escaped his nostrils.

  “Was that a huff?” She smiled to herself. “Or a puff?”

  I could drop you.

  She squeezed his leg, pressing her face against the leathery skin. It was surprisingly soft.

  But I won’t.

  Oh, he was definitely playing with her. She was tempted to hit him. “Tell me, Puff. Why did you bother to save me if you won’t even introduce yourself to me?”

  I took pity on the trees. Your fall would have torn off some branches.

  She slapped his leg. “That’s not funny.”

  Did you just hit me? After I saved you?

  She winced. “It was a friendly pat. Did I mention how grateful I am that you rescued me? It would be a shame to harm any of the trees, don’t you think?”

  A low grumbling sound reverberated through her mind. Was that a dragon chuckle? It had a very pleasant and soothing effect, even though she ought to be peeved that he found her so entertaining.

  I could take you back to your friends, but I’m assuming you wish to remain with the little girl.

  “That is correct. I must stay with Eviana.”

  There was a moment of silence before he replied, She is not your child. Why did you risk your life for her?

  “Her mother, Luciana, is like a sister to me.” Gwennore didn’t want to mention that Eviana was probably as close as she would ever have to a daughter of her own. But then an alarming thought struck her. If she hadn’t run away to avoid those two nasty earls, if she hadn’t taken Eviana with her, then the little girl wouldn’t be in so much danger right now.

  Tears stung her eyes. “This is my fault.”

  No. It is my brother who took her.

  “I gave him the opportunity.” Dammit, she should have been stronger. She should have slapped those earls and stood up for herself. By acting like a victim, she’d allowed herself to become one. And poor Eviana was paying the price for it.

  Guilt wrenched at her heart. How could she let strangers insult her and strip away her humanity? They didn’t know who she really was. But she should know her own worth. Her sisters knew her worth. Even Eviana knew.

  She blinked away her tears. “I will not leave Eviana’s side. I will do whatever I must to protect her.”

  There was a pause that stretched out for so long, she thought the dragon had forgotten about her. But then, a soft whisper wafted across her mind, so gentle she wasn’t sure she’d actually heard it.

  Loyal and brave. The dragon’s forelegs curled around her like arms, drawing her close to his smooth gray chest.

  “What are you doing?” She found her cheek pressed against the soft leather of his chest.

  Keeping you warm. His voice was once again loud and clear. You were cold.

  She did feel warmer and more … safe. With a glimmer of reassurance, she realized Eviana was being held like this, too, so she should be surviving the trip without freezing.

  But how strange that a dragon not only had saved her life, but was concerned for her comfort. And how tempting it was to use her special power to find out more about him.

  As one of the Embraced, Gwennore had been born with an ability that was close to a perfect fit for her. With her ever-rational and inquisitive mind, she liked to figure out problems and fix them. Using her gift, she could touch a person and then determine if they were healthy, and if not, she could see in her mind’s eye what the problem was.

  But it was not quite a perfect gift, because knowing what a problem was didn’t mean she automatically knew how to fix it. Luckily for Gwennore, there had been a nun at the convent, Sister Colleen, who was renowned for her knowledge of the healing arts. Sister Colleen had spent many hours teaching Gwennore, so she could put her gift to good use.

  There were certain areas of a human body that would give Gwennore the best reading of a person’s health. She could press her fingers on the neck beneath an ear, or place her palm against a brow, or the method she favored the most—wrapping her hand around a wrist and pressing her fingertips against the pulse.

  Would her gift work on a dragon? She was eager to know. Closing her eyes, she pressed the palm of her hand against his chest. The warmth of his skin melded with her hand and soon, she could feel beyond the skin to the rushing of blood through his body and the steady beat of his heart. It was a powerful beat, much stronger than she’d ever felt from a human.

  What are you doing?

  She jerked her hand back as her eyes flew open. “Nothing.” Had he felt her reading him?

  You should rest for now. We have a long way to go.

  “As you wish.” She burrowed her hands into the folds of her skirt and rested her cheek against his warm skin.

  After a while, she lost all sense of time. Her world closed in till it was only her, cradled in a soft leathery cocoon, resting against the comforting warmth of the dragon’s chest and hearing the steady beat of his wings.

  When everything around her suddenly turned white, she realized they were traveling through a cloud. She held out a hand, and the cool, white vapor sifted through her splayed fingers. Amazing. She smiled to herself. She was inside a cloud!

  Fluffy wisps blew past her, feathering her cheeks as the dragon descended, then suddenly they were surrounded by a beautiful, clear blue. She ventured a look down and wasn’t frightened this time, for she was being held so close.

  The view was stunning. Mountain peaks blanketed with snow. Mountainsides thick with forest. Wide valleys of green pastures. Bursts of color from clumps of wildflowers. Rivers rushing and foamin
g, flooded with snowmelt. Every now and then, a deadly spot of scorched earth where hot steam ascended from geysers and cones of white ash.

  Norveshka. A land of extremes. Where the highest mountains on Aerthlan stood sentinel over the deepest valleys. Where cool green meadows collided with patches of hot, barren crust. Where people lived among dragons.

  Fascinated, Gwennore watched the land pass by beneath her. The dragon swooped down, giving her a view of a lovely waterfall crowned with a rainbow. Down in the valley, a young boy was herding goats. He glanced up and waved. Farther along the valley, she spotted a village. Brown log cabins were topped with green grassy roofs. Window boxes overflowed with bright-red flowers. Several people looked up and waved.

  “They have no fear of you.”

  Why would they? We protect them.

  “But why do you kidnap children?”

  She heard something like a hiss. I don’t.

  “Why did your brother take Eviana?”

  There was a long pause. It’s … complicated.

  “I have time.”

  We’re close to Dreshka now.

  She recalled the geography she’d learned at the convent. The village of Dreshka spanned the Norva River, only a mile south of Norva Lake. “That is the capital?”

  Yes. Most probably, my brother will deposit the child in the garden at Draven Castle. It has a flat space that is large enough for us to land. I will leave you there—

  “Leave? But you said you would return us.”

  As soon as it can be arranged. Trust me.

  Could she really trust a dragon?

  He tilted to the left, heading north to follow a rushing river as it cut through a deep canyon. After a while, the canyon opened up to a wide valley. White, fluffy sheep dotted the green meadows, along with wildflowers of purple and yellow. In the distance, she saw Draven Castle perched on a mountain.

  It was magnificent. White limestone gleamed in the afternoon sun. The numerous towers and turrets were topped with differently shaped spires of greenish copper.

  As they drew closer, Gwennore spotted the village that straddled the river. Dreshka. The community looked idyllic with all the grassy roofs and window boxes overflowing with flowers. A few stone bridges arched over the Norva River.

  The castle presided over the village, its thick walls rising from the gray granite of the nearby mountain. The dragon veered to the right, headed to the south side of the castle. She spotted a long flat lawn, surrounded by flower beds and fruit trees.

  As they approached, she saw the first dragon set Eviana on the grass then fly off, slowly gaining altitude so he could clear the nearby forest. Eviana remained huddled on the ground, her white dress stirring slightly in the breeze caused by the beating of the dragon’s wings.

  I will drop you close to her.

  “Thank you.” Gwennore felt a twinge of reluctance to part with her dragon. For the time being, he was the only ally she had in Norveshka. “Will I see you again?”

  He glided down toward the lawn. I’ll send the general to you.

  “General? Will he take us back to Eberon?”

  The dragon’s forelegs opened, and she rolled forward, falling a foot onto the ground.

  “Umph.” She lifted herself up on her elbows in time to see him soar past her. “Puff…”

  I am never far away. He circled around the castle, disappearing from her view. Gwennore. His last word floated through her mind like a soft whisper.

  She slowly rose to her feet. Eviana was some twenty yards away, not moving.

  “Eviana!” She ran to the little girl, who raised her head and blinked sleepily.

  Had the poor child fainted out of fear? Tears crowded Gwennore’s eyes as she fell to her knees and gathered the girl into her arms. “Eviana, sweetheart…”

  “Gwennie!” Eviana wrapped her arms around Gwennore’s neck. “I thought you…” She let out a wail as a shudder racked her small body. “I thought you were gone.”

  “Nay, sweetie.” Gwennore held her tight, rubbing her back. The acrid scent of urine reached her nostrils. At some point during the flight, the child had wet herself. “I won’t leave you. I promise. And I’ll get ye back home.”

  “I want my mama!”

  “I know.” Tears ran down Gwennore’s cheeks, as once again she felt responsible for the terror this child had endured. “Are ye injured in any way?” She rested her palm on Eviana’s brow to get a reading.

  Heartbeat was fast. Respiration too quick and shallow. No broken bones. Four small puncture wounds where the dragon’s talons had pierced the skin. Those would need to be washed and treated. The little girl would also need clean clothes, a hot meal, and a safe place to rest.

  Shouts from within the castle drew Gwennore’s attention away from the little girl, and she spotted two soldiers watching her from the battlements. One motioned for her to approach the southern gate.

  She rose to her feet, casting a wary look at the closed gate. It looked forbidding with its thick wooden walls studded with iron points and painted with a black swirling design. Above it, the Norveshki flag flapped in the breeze. The bottom half of the flag was three stripes in red, gold, and blue. On the top half, a red dragon flew across the blue background. Why a red dragon, she wondered, when they were actually more green and purple. But the golden dragon eye on the flag was correct. Puff’s eyes had definitely been gold.

  With a loud creak, the southern gate slowly opened.

  Gwennore steeled her nerves as she helped Eviana to her feet. “Come with me.”

  “I wanna go home.”

  “We will soon.” Gwennore smiled, even though her heart was pounding with trepidation.

  A dozen armed guards strode toward them. Black leather boots and breeches, blue tunics emblazoned with a red dragon. At least their swords were sheathed. She hoped that meant they would be treated as guests and not prisoners.

  Even so, they were definitely eyeing her with suspicion. It couldn’t be helped, she supposed, since Norveshka was currently at war with Woodwyn. But the way they were inspecting her like an insect made her wish once again she could unleash her frustration and give the offenders a verbal lashing.

  Not now, she reminded herself. But soon.

  She pasted a friendly smile on her face and spoke to the guards in Norveshki. “How do you do? I am Gwennore, and this is Eviana, the daughter of King Leofric of Eberon.”

  One of the guards bowed his head. “I am Karlan, captain of the royal guard. Come this way.” He motioned toward the gate.

  Gwennore noticed the other guards had surrounded them. “As you wish.” She took Eviana’s hand and led her forward.

  “I can’t undesand,” Eviana whined.

  “They’re speaking the Norveshki language,” Gwennore explained in Eberoni. “They invited us inside.”

  “But I wanna go home.”

  “We’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Gwennore squeezed the girl’s hand, then switched to Norveshki to address the captain. “You must know that we were brought here by a pair of dragons. Against our will, I might add. But I am sure we can work together to remedy the mistake before any—”

  “No mistake,” Karlan said as he led them through the gate.

  Gwennore swallowed hard. Remain calm.

  They entered a large square courtyard. The castle loomed up on all four sides, three stories high, with towers in each corner topped with curiously shaped green copper spires. Along the battlements, Gwennore spotted numerous carved statues of green marble that gleamed in the late-afternoon sun. Narrowing her eyes, she realized the statues were all dragons, their long bodies undulating like snakes and their mouths wide open as if they meant to swallow their prey in one hideous gulp. Even the green copper gutters had downspouts that were designed to look like dragons.

  The ground was paved with stones, mostly smooth, though she spotted some odd carvings etched in here and there. Swirls and symbols, similar to the ones that were painted on the gate.

  She winced as t
he gate banged shut behind them. “Mayhap I was not clear, Captain. This little girl is the Eberoni princess. Her father will not—”

  “The queen requested a princess.”

  Gwennore’s mouth fell open. “Are you saying your queen ordered this kidnapping?”

  With an annoyed look, Karlan motioned to a group of women entering the courtyard from the southeastern tower. “Queen Freya is coming. Be careful what you say to her.”

  “But we need to clear this up as soon as possible.” Gwennore turned toward the approaching women.

  There were five of them in all, one leading the pack with four following behind. The one in front had to be Freya, queen of Norveshka. She held her head high, and the way her dark-red hair was braided and piled on top of her head added a few inches to her impressive height. Her gown was bright red, while the others wore duller shades of red and burgundy. Her heavy necklace was studded with multiple large rubies, while the other ladies had only one small ruby displayed on black velvet ribbons around their necks.

  “So many rubies,” Gwennore whispered. Even the queen’s hairpin was sparkling with rubies.

  “It’s Rubeday,” Karlan muttered.

  Gwennore had always thought it odd that the Norveshki had named their days after gemstones. Ametheday, Diamonday, Emeralday, Garneday, Opalday, Rubeday, and Sapphirday. “You mean the Norveshki dress with the jewels of each day?”

  “Only the royal family and those who are currently in their favor. It is a sign of their power.” Karlan lowered his voice. “Watch your tongue.”

  Was the queen difficult to get along with? As Queen Freya drew closer, Gwennore could see streaks of gray in her hair and worry lines across her brow and around her mouth. Anxiety, plus insomnia from the looks of the dark circles beneath the queen’s eyes. That would be enough to make anyone grumpy.

  Karlan and the other guards bowed, so Gwennore followed their example and curtsied.

  The queen ignored them as her gaze shifted to Eviana. Then her face lit up with a smile that made her look ten years younger. “My baby!” She leaned over, extending her arms to the side as if she expected the little girl to run into her embrace.

  With a frightened whimper, Eviana wrapped her arms around Gwennore’s legs.