“Five hundred years of tradition.” Petras scowled at him. “We should send that elfin woman back to Eberon. Freya is feeling better now. She was able to walk to the Great Hall for dinner.”
“She’s better because Margosha has been giving her a tonic that Lady Gwennore made for her. And right now, Gwen is trying to find a cure for the plague so our people can start having children again. She’s working tirelessly on our behalf. She deserves our respect.”
Petras wandered over to the fireplace and gazed at the smoldering coals. “Fafnir told me not to trust her.”
Silas groaned inwardly. “Fafnir is the one who gave you the tainted rings.”
“The elf is lying!” Petras clenched his fists. “Fafnir would never hurt us.”
“He’s one of the Ancient Ones, who treated our people like slaves and gave our first king poisonous crowns.”
“No!” Petras tossed a log onto the coals, then breathed a gust of fire to set the log ablaze. He spun around to face Silas. “Fafnir was never like the others. When King Magnus begged the Ancient Ones to save the brothers who were dying, the dragons refused. It was Fafnir who came forward to save them. He gave them his own blood, a piece of his own heart—”
“I know the story,” Silas interrupted. “But when the three surviving brothers attacked the Ancient Ones, Fafnir didn’t take their side. He fought on the side of the Ancient Ones and set the curse on us. Why would you trust him now?”
Petras lifted his chin. “He said he feels responsible for us. He’s the one who made us the way we are.”
“And he’s the one who cursed us.”
“That means he’s the only one who can undo it!” Petras’s eyes gleamed in the firelight. “He says he can help us take over the world. We are the only dragons left. It is our rightful place to rule over those who are less than us.”
Silas’s heart sank. “We’re not like the Ancient Ones, Petras. We’re human. Don’t forget that.”
“Fafnir can help us conquer the rest of the mainland. And he asks for very little in return.”
Silas narrowed his eyes. “What exactly does he want?”
“Once we take over Tourin and oust the king, he wants the queen delivered to him.”
Brigitta? “Why would an Ancient One want a human female?” Once again, Silas suspected that the dragon who claimed to be Fafnir wasn’t actually an Ancient One. If he was a dragon shifter, it would make more sense for him to want a woman. But why Brigitta? How would Fafnir even know her?
A memory came to his mind from the meeting that morning. Brigitta had shuddered. When I think how close I came to marrying that monster …
Holy Light. Could Fafnir be the Chameleon?
* * *
It was close to midnight by the time Silas finished updating Dimitri and Karlan. The news seemed even more ominous as candlelight cast flickering shadows across Karlan’s office.
“Circle of Five,” Karlan murmured as he leaned back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling.
Dimitri paced about the room. “So the Five could be the Chameleon, Lord Morris, the elf who wants Lady Gwennore, and two unknowns?”
Silas took a seat. “That’s what I’m thinking.”
Karlan frowned at the ceiling. “If they get their way and take over the world, they’ll eventually turn on each other. I can’t see five people ruling together peacefully.”
Silas nodded. “Especially if they’re a bunch of assholes.”
Dimitri snorted. “That’s a given.”
“They’re probably using each other for now,” Silas said. “Just like Fafnir is trying to use my brother.”
Dimitri continued to pace. “This so-called Fafnir wants to use our army and dragons to take over Eberon, Tourin, and Woodwyn?”
“Yes,” Silas agreed. “If Fafnir is the Chameleon, like I suspect, he’ll wait till Petras has control of those three countries. Then he’ll kill him and take his place.”
Dimitri sat in the chair beside him. “We should go to the Sacred Well and find this Fafnir.”
“I tried that the other day. He goes into hiding if anyone other than Petras comes.”
The room grew silent as the three men considered the options before them.
Finally, Silas rose to his feet. “So, what happened here today?”
Dimitri waved a dismissive hand. “Not much. I took Lady Gwennore and Annika to my family’s estate so they could raid the garden of some special leaf they wanted. They took it all to the workroom. I haven’t seen them since.”
“Karlan, could you send someone to bring Lady Gwennore here?” Silas asked. “I need to talk to her.”
“She may not be awake,” Karlan grumbled as he strode out the door.
Dimitri yawned as he rose to his feet. “I’m off to bed.”
“No, stay.” Silas motioned for him to sit back down.
Dimitri remained standing. “Why?”
Silas perched on the edge of Karlan’s desk. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Dimitri huffed, then sat back down.
Silas fiddled with the clay crock he’d brought back from his meeting with Leo and Luciana. He’d worried that he might spill the contents if he tried holding it while flying, so he’d stayed in human form the rest of the day, taking a barge up the Norva River, then riding his horse the rest of the way to Draven Castle. He’d left the crock on Karlan’s desk while he’d gone to talk to his brother.
“What is that?” Dimitri asked.
“A spice made from a hot pepper,” Silas explained. “The Eberoni royal physician thinks it could be helpful in curing the plague.”
“You think we can really be rid of the curse?”
Silas snorted. “There never was a curse. Just poisoned crowns and some sick rats that like to bite.”
Dimitri was silent for a while.
Silas nudged him with a foot. “How long are you going to keep my cousin waiting?”
Dimitri shifted in his chair. “Even without a curse, she could die in childbirth.”
“We could die every time we go into battle. You can’t stop living because of fear.”
Dimitri arched a brow. “Calling me a coward?”
Silas scoffed. “I wouldn’t do that to my best friend.”
“Good. Then I won’t question why you were alone in the cabin with a certain lady, and when she came out, her shirt was buttoned wrong.”
Silas winced. “Since when are you so observant?”
Dimitri gave him a wry look. “If you want her to be treated with respect, you should try it yourself.”
“I do respect her.”
A knock sounded, then the door cracked open and Gwen peered inside. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.” Silas rushed over to her. “Come in.”
She hesitated in the hallway. “It’s late. I was about to go to bed.”
He leaned close to whisper, “Is that an invitation?”
She shoved him back, causing the door to swing open wide. She stiffened with surprise when she saw Dimitri. “Oh.” Her cheeks turned pink. “Good evening. I didn’t realize you were here.”
Dimitri sighed. “I have no idea why I’m here.”
“Come sit down.” Silas motioned to the chair next to Dimitri, and Gwen took a seat.
“All right.” Silas paced across the room. What was the best way to break this news? “When we arrested Lord Romak, he tried to bargain for his life by claiming he knew the identity of Lady Gwennore’s parents.”
She sat back. “How would he know that?”
“I’m not sure, but he was murdered before I could find out.” Silas circled around the desk. “Then Brody told me about an envoy from Woodwyn who visited King Leo. The envoy was insisting on taking you back to Woodwyn. After spying on him, Brody learned that you’re actually a princess.”
“What?” Gwen rose to her feet. Her surprised expression quickly turned to anger. “Why didn’t Brody tell me? How dare he discuss this with you and not me!”
Sila
s winced. This wasn’t going well. “He was concerned for your safety.”
With a huff, she planted her hands on her hips. “I can take care of myself!”
“Gwen, hear me out.”
With a groan of frustration, she sat back down. “Continue.”
“The envoy spoke of you with disdain, so Brody feared that the elves would never treat you well—”
“As if I’m being treated well here,” she muttered.
Silas winced. “There are people here who care about you. And if I hear anyone say anything bad about you, I’m going to clobber him. Dimitri will, too.”
Dimitri looked taken aback for a second, then mumbled, “Right.”
“Now back to the envoy.” Silas perched on the edge of the desk. “He called you a half-breed.”
Gwen stiffened with surprise. “What?”
Silas nodded. “It’s true. You’re only half elf.”
She gave him an incredulous look. “How?”
Dimitri studied her a moment. “I always thought her ears were smaller than the usual elf.”
She shrugged with an exasperated expression. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met another elf.”
“Most people outside of Woodwyn have never met an elf,” Silas said. “They’re the most reclusive people on Aerthlan.”
“If I’m only half elf, then what is the other half?” Gwen asked.
“I had a theory about it, but I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure,” Silas admitted. “Last night, I asked the priest we captured, and he confirmed it.”
Gwen made the sign of the moons with her hands in her lap. “Who are my parents then?”
“All I know about your mother is that she’s an elfin princess. Your father was Norveshki.”
Gwen’s mouth fell open, and Dimitri sat up.
“Your father died in Woodwyn,” Silas continued. “I don’t know why or how. But he was Norveshki. That’s why you feel at home here. It’s in your blood. And that’s why you can hear the dragons. You inherited it from your father.”
Dimitri looked at her, then Silas. “Her father was…?”
“Your uncle.” Silas nodded. “Lord Tolenko.”
Dimitri dragged in a deep breath, then looked at Gwen again. “She belongs to one of the Three Cursed Clans. My clan.”
“I’m Norveshki?” Gwen asked.
“Yes,” Silas told her. “You’re the daughter of a dragon shifter.”
Dimitri stiffened. “Dammit. Why are you—” He glanced at Gwennore and his eyes narrowed. “You already know about us?”
She nodded. “I figured it out, but I won’t tell anyone. You can trust me.”
“I trust her,” Silas said, giving her a smile. “And as a member of the one of the Three Cursed Clans, she has the right to know.”
Dimitri winced. “But she’s also part elf, and the elves want her back.”
“The priest said she was nothing but a pawn to them.” Silas removed the rolled-up note from his pocket and handed it to Gwen. “This was the message the priest was taking to someone in Woodwyn. When I visited Leo and Luciana this morning, she translated it for me.”
“You saw them?” Gwen unrolled the note and read it, her face growing pale.
“As you can see, you are in danger.” Silas took the note back and slipped it into his pocket.
She gave him a worried look. “You’re in danger, too.”
He leaned over to take her hand. “I can keep you safe here. Leo and Luciana agreed that it’s safer for you to stay here. If you travel, you’ll become an easier target.”
She remained silent.
“I don’t want you going to Woodwyn when they consider you a political pawn,” Silas continued. “You belong in Norveshka just as much as you do in Woodwyn.”
“You’re my cousin,” Dimitri whispered.
“Right. You have family here. And friends.” Silas squeezed her hand. “You have me.”
Dimitri suddenly rose to his feet and headed for the door. “Silas, we need to talk.” He opened the door and strode into the hallway.
What the hell? Silas released Gwen’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”
He stepped outside, shutting the door behind him. “What’s the—” He stiffened with surprise when Dimitri grabbed his shirt collar.
“What are your intentions toward my cousin?” Dimitri demanded.
“What?”
“Since my father’s death last year, I am the head of the Tolenko clan.” Dimitri slammed him against the wall. “So I ask you again. What are your intentions?”
Silas scoffed. “What happened to being best friends?”
Dimitri twisted the collar in his fist.
“All right, Papa Bear.” Silas lifted his hands in surrender. “Relax. I’ve already told Gwen that I want to marry.”
Dimitri’s eyes widened. “You did?”
“Yes. Unlike you, I’m not afraid of the damned curse.”
The door cracked open and Gwen peeked outside. “What’s going on? I heard something hit the wall. It sounded like a cannonball.”
Silas winced. He wasn’t that hardheaded.
Dimitri released Silas’s collar and smoothed out his shirt. “Just a friendly discussion.”
Silas snorted. “Right. Between best friends.”
Dimitri gave him a wry look. “I’ll marry your cousin when you marry mine.”
“Deal.”
Gwen frowned at them. “Surely you’re not discussing Annika or myself without our knowledge. We will be deciding our own futures. Thank you.” She turned her back on them and strode down the hallway.
“I—I’m not done talking,” Silas called after her.
“As the leader of our clan, I’m responsible for you,” Dimitri yelled.
She ignored them both and passed through the doorway into the courtyard.
“Damn,” Dimitri muttered.
Silas sighed. “This business of marriage might be more difficult than we thought.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gwennore slept late the next morning after tossing and turning most of the night. She was a princess? Half Norveshki? Dimitri was her cousin? She’d met his mother at the manor house and had really liked her. Now she realized the woman was her aunt.
No wonder Gwennore had felt a connection to the land here. And a connection to the dragons. She had family here. She was a member of the Tolenko clan and the daughter of a shape-shifting dragon.
But what about the elfin part of her? Why had she been sent away as a babe? Had they considered her unworthy since she was a half-breed? If she was a princess, then her mother must have been from the royal family and fallen in love with Lord Tolenko. Had it been a secret affair, or had the two lovers married? How had her father died? Had he been murdered for fathering a child with an elfin princess?
And why did someone in Woodwyn want her captured and taken back to use as a pawn?
Silas wanted her to stay here. Even Leo and Luciana thought she was safer here.
But what did she want?
Her thoughts kept returning to the passionate moment in the cabin. Could she trust her heart to Silas? Her immediate reply was yes. Did she love the countryside and her new friends? Yes. Could the Norveshki people accept her as Silas’s wife and future queen? No.
Her heart clenched with regret, and then a spurt of anger. If she cured the plague she might be accepted, but why did she always feel a need to prove herself?
While eating breakfast with Margosha and Annika in the workroom, she told them what she’d learned about her parents. They were delighted she was half Norveshki and insisted she remain here with her new family and friends.
The verna leaves they had picked the day before had dried enough that they set to work, tearing them into tiny pieces. As the pile grew on the table, they chatted about what was happening around the castle.
“Dimitri asked me to have dinner with him tonight in the Great Hall,” Annika announced, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
&nbs
p; “Oh, that’s wonderful!” Margosha smiled. “Do you have a pretty gown you can wear? I could loan you one.”
While the two women discussed what Annika should wear for her date with Dimitri, Gwennore’s mind wandered back to the conversation she’d overheard between Dimitri and Silas. Were the two men in some sort of race now to prove their honorable intentions?
“When I attended the queen this morning, she was feeling much better,” Margosha said. “She insisted on getting dressed, so she could take a walk in the garden.”
“That’s excellent news!” Annika grinned. “I think the verna tea is working.”
“It looks that way.” Gwennore glanced at her greenish fingertips. They were becoming stained from two days of handling verna leaves.
Margosha sighed. “But because it’s Opalday, Her Majesty wanted her opal ring back.”
“Oh, dear.” Annika winced. “Did you tell her it was poison?”
Margosha shook her head. “I didn’t want to frighten or agitate her, so I told her we were still cleaning her jewelry.”
“That was wise,” Gwennore told her. “I don’t think the queen is healthy enough to handle any stress right now.”
“Olenka told me that everyone is saying you’re a witch,” Annika muttered. “And you’re brewing secret tonics up here in your lair.”
Margosha snorted. “One of the ladies-in-waiting asked me if you could make her a love potion.”
Gwennore sighed. Could the Norveshki people accept her? As a witch perhaps, but not as a queen.
A knock sounded at the door, then Silas peered inside.
The rascal. Making deals with Dimitri as if marriage was their decision alone. Gwennore ignored him and scooped some shredded verna leaves into a large stone mortar.
“Silas!” Margosha waved him over. “Come in.”
He strolled toward them. “I thought I would check to see how you’re doing.”
Just the sound of his voice made Gwennore’s skin tingle.
“We’re working,” Annika told him, then nudged Gwennore with her elbow.
She glanced up and discovered that Silas was watching her closely. With a quick movement, she grabbed the pestle and slammed it into the mortar.
The sound startled Annika, and she leaned close to whisper, “Careful. You could break it.”