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His eyes took Seren in, following the contour of her scales up to her jaw. He counted the spikes dotting her brow. Seventeen of them. Tiny for her, but the size of my pinky. Kelyn examined her crimson eye, which swirled with shades of brown and rust.
Seren blinked, and Kelyn stepped back. “She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said with a huff of smoke.
Everyone gasped. Seren and I were anticipating this little surprise. Only the two of us, and Owein, knew she could speak.
“I want to touch her,” a childlike voice said.
Brenin released Tiwlip’s hand and squeezed past Kenrik, who impulsively scooped the bold little prince up.
Seren nodded. “Go ahead, young prince.” Might as well let everyone have a turn so I won’t be assaulted later.
I love you, Seren. You’re being extremely patient. I hugged her.
Kenrik and Brenin took their turns greeting Seren.
“You speak,” Kenrik said. “I should have guessed as much. Niawen, you should have told me about Seren sooner.”
“There wasn’t time. With your mother’s healing and my being asleep for three days. And the ball.”
Kenrik touched my hand resting against Seren. His voice was earnest, and soft. His words were not meant to be heard by anyone else, even though he hefted Brenin in his other arm, and Kelyn stood at his elbow. The fervor in Kenrik’s eyes pierced my chest. “You have my trust, always. Keep nothing a secret. Whatever I have is yours. Whomever you love, I love. To whomever and whatever you give your life, I give mine.”
Every nerve in my arm tingled. Kenrik’s devotion was deeper than I originally suspected. What would his heart-center tell me if I peered inside? I blinked away his fervor. “Kenrik…” I whispered. I couldn’t grasp the significance behind his declaration. My eyes closed as I inhaled. Thank you was all I mustered with a breathy exhale.
After King Sieffre and Sorfrona met Seren, Tiwlip slipped forward and took Brenin from Kenrik. She quietly pressed her cheek to Seren’s and whispered. “Thank you for sharing your sister with us.” She disappeared into the crowd with her son.
I was touched. Tiwlip felt like an outsider as the widowed sister-in-law to Sieffre, but her bond to Sorfrona was clear. Tiwlip’s gratitude ran over. She could never repay me for saving her sister-in-law.
Meeting Seren went better than I expected.
Much of the crowd still lingered after they gawked at Seren and touched her scales. A few caressed her wings, and she shooed them away after that. A dragon’s wings were his or her pride. Seren didn’t allow just anyone to touch them.
“You must excuse me,” I nodded to Kelyn and Kenrik. “Owein owes me an explanation, and I must return him to his caravan.”
“Man, I don’t envy you.” Kelyn slapped him on the shoulder. “You shouldn’t have run out on this lady.”
“I’m sure I’ve learned my lesson, Your Highness. Thank you for your hospitality.” Owein bowed.
“We’ll take care of spreading the word about Seren,” Kenrik said. “Father will draft a proclamation declaring that she is not to be harmed.”
“You have my gratitude,” I said as Seren gave me a leg up into the saddle. I held my hand out to Owein. “One more ride, you scoundrel.”
Owein grasped my hand, and I pulled him up. He settled himself behind me in the saddle and wrapped his arms around my waist. As Kenrik and Kelyn stepped back, their eyes held the fire of jealousy.
I sighed.
Men and mortals.
NINETEEN
I shoved Owein, not hard for an immortal, but hard for a mortal.
He stumbled backward, but I advanced on him and shoved him again. “What were you thinking?”
“Ouch, Niawen!” Owein rubbed his chest, retreating. “Obviously I wasn’t.”
I pushed his shoulder, and he lost his footing.
