“Ebron and I spoke about it. We were discussing our different courting experiences.”
The king reaches out as if to touch Ebron’s scales, but pulls back, as if deciding against it. “I wonder if your strange connection with Ebron is because he’s a male dragon or because you’re a female rider. I can’t imagine male dragons are biologically inclined to bond with their riders, but the softness of a female rider might bring out the instinct in them.”
I can’t help myself. I ask, “I don’t think our relationship has anything to do with me being a woman. It seems to me it has more to do with the difference in how I treat Ebron versus how the men treat their dragons. I mean, do any of the other dragon riders eventryto connect with their dragons?”
“Our dragons are a tool to use in war–” Prince Lucien begins.
Ebron snorts, a little puff of smoke leaving his nostrils.Female dragons are no one’s tools. They fight the bone wyrm because the bone wrym are their enemies. The bone wyrm kill their young and make our world more dangerous. They work with dragon riders because dragon riders know the ways of the Hollowborn and find our enemies more easily. The dragon riders are the tools, not the females.
I laugh.
Everyone looks at me.
“What did he say?” Prince Gareth asks, lifting a brow.
I wish Ebron had just said his words for everyone to hear, but I already know that it’s rare for dragons to speak to humans other than their riders. They see communication as a personal and private thing, if the books I’ve read are correct.
“He called you guys tools,” I say.
They glance at my dragon, who looks completely unashamed of his words. Not that I blame him. Ebron says what he means and means what he says, and he’s not afraid of anyone knowing it.
“I would like to speak to Ebron,” King Stormvale says, staring up at my dragon.
“Okay,” I say, unsure of where this is going.
He raises his voice. “Have you chosen mates yet?”
After a minute, Ebron says into my mind,I have chosen Sylvara, Verdraxa, and Nythera as members of my harem.
“He says that he’s chosen Sylvara, Verdraxa, and Nythera.”
The king smiles. “My sons’ dragons. Perfect.”
But I will not officially claim them until I am certain that their riders can be the husbands Harper needs.
I try to make my voice come out confident. “But he says he will not officially claim their dragons until he’s certain that the princes can be the husbands I need.”
King Stormvale frowns and turns to his sons. “Can you be the husbands she needs?”
There’s a painfully long pause, one in which I’m certain they’re trying to map out every possible future that their responses might bring. It makes the air rush in and out of my lungs noisily, as I wonder what they might say. Beside me, I can tell that Arthur is drinking in every word of this conversation, probably to use to tease me with later.
“I can be,” Prince Alaric says. “I’m already the kind of man who would be good for her.”
“I’mbetterthan she deserves,” Prince Lucien adds, his tone cocky, but his gaze guarded.
“I am,” Prince Gareth answers quietly.
It’s hard not to laugh, but I’m standing in front of the king. Laughing while his sons are basically agreeing to marry me seems like a very poor choice. Especially because, as friendly as the king seems, I know he’s a hardened warrior under all his soft smiles.
“Good,” King Stormvale says, then looks at Ebron. “Thank you for coming to speak with me and letting me see you in all your magnificent glory. Your words, and my sons’ answers, are exactly what I needed to hear. Now, I have much to do before the party tonight.”
“Your Highness, none of this means–” his advisor begins.
The king waves his words away. “Let’s be gone. Too much time has already passed.”
He strides back out of the training yard. His advisor looks angry as he trails behind him. I have no idea what any of this means, but I have more pressing matters to tend to.
“Ebron, I know you guys saw each other before, but I’d officially like you to meet the exceptionally wonderful human known as Arthur. Arthur, meet my exceptionally wonderful dragon, Ebron.”
