I can see it on the princes’ faces. They don’t believe a word of what their father says. They don’t think this will bring a time of peace. They have enough experience with the Hollowborn to believe this will end badly. Whether today, or in many days from now. But the looks of anger on their faces are nothing compared to the look of pure outrage on the king’s advisor’s face. I actually shiver and look away from it. The older man certainly doesn’t approve of the king’s choice.
“We are excited for you to deliver our message and to enjoy a golden age of peace where male dragons will be plentiful.”
The group of lords and ladies clap, laughing, obviously drunk or high, even this early in the morning. It’s not very reassuring seeing them, the leaders of our nation, in such a state.
“Now, I should say that I was a little concerned about this plan at first. Not because I doubt myself, or the magic of the female dragon rider, but because of my sons.” He looks at them, grinning like a mad man. “Each day since I made the decisionthat you should marry, they’ve come to me and begged to be released from their engagement. In truth, their words almost swayed me. But each day, they seemed less and less convincing, more and more like the idea of your marriage didn’t bother them so much. Yet it was today that I knew for sure, when Prince Lucien came to see me, that I had made the right decision. My son actually told me that he approved of the marriage, and would marry you without complaint, if only I sent another messenger today.”
My head jerks to Lucien, and I see Prince Gareth and Prince Alaric staring at him in confusion too. Lucien simply stares back at me, emotions plainly written across his face. However, they are emotions I don’t feel like I’m prepared to handle at this moment.
“Unfortunately for him, I do not think that starting this treaty by going against their only wish will go over with the Hollowborn, so you will be going today. And you will be going alone, as per their request. But to see my son, Prince Lucien himself, so overcome by a woman, well, it warmed my kingly heart and told me that I was absolutely making the right decision.”
The lords and ladies are grinning and whispering. King Stormvale is looking way too proud of himself, and Prince Alaric and Prince Gareth are watching us with far too much interest. My stomach does a little flip, and I avoid their eye contact, not wanting them to read the truth on my face, to realize that what they felt last night was Lucien and I together.
The king comes closer to me and takes my hands, lowering his voice. “You, Harper Nightborne, have defied all odds. You saved a dragon. You became a female dragon rider. And you stole my son’s heart. You will do this too, and do it well, I believe in you. Now, go to the Hollowborns. Tell them that we will agree to their terms. There will be peace between our twonations as long as their leader agrees to marry you and enter into a relationship with you and my three sons. If they agree to this, you should bring their leader back alone, we will sign the documents, and the marriage will take place. Have him come back on Ebron, because we don’t want the bone wyrm within our city. Do you understand?”
I nod, worry wiggling through my belly.
“Then, it’s time!”
Everyone begins clapping and cheering. I see the three princes. They don’t look happy. They look worried. If we were alone, I might say something to them. But as it is, I turn away and Ebron uses his wing to help me get onto his back. I scramble into the saddle, and take a deep breath.
Ready?
I’m ready.
Then let’s do this.
20
Alaric
We’re sittingin my room drinking the finest scotch and not talking. There’s tension in the air, and everyone knows why. It’s not just that Harper is gone and we’re feeling helpless and anxious, it’s that we felt like we were all growing closer and then Lucien pulled some shit that put all that into question.Why did he go to our father alone? Why did he take a stance that we’d be claiming Harper… alone? Shouldn’t that have been something we discussed?
“Lucien–” I began.
“Tell us,” Gareth barks, his grip so tight on his drink that I think it’s going to break into shards within his grip.
I try to sound as neutral as I can. “Why did you go to father alone to discuss Harper?”
Lucien, looking uncharacteristically disheveled, leans his head down, his blond hair falling over his face as he stares at his drink. “I knew she was leaving, that father would want all the pomp and show of sending her off, and that we didn’t have timeto talk beforehand. That was all. I didn’t intend… I didn’t intend for it to create problems between us.”
“And what caused you to change your stance so quickly about Harper? Discussing marrying her between the three of us, and what that would mean, is one thing. Going to father and making a declaration like that is a completely different thing.”
“I know… I just… it’s hard to explain.”
“The three of us have never had the best relationship, but we’ve been building something recently. Something fragile. And fragile things need to be handled with care.”
“I know.”
“As important as Harper is, as the woman we’re going to marry is, none of this will work if the three of us aren’t on the same page. For the first time in our lives, we have to actually act like brothers.”
“I understand.”
It seems like he’s saying all the right words, but I don’t even know if he’s focused on me. He seems a million miles away, and it’s frustrating. I’ve never seen him like this before, so distracted, so lost. I have to think it’s about Harper being sent out to our enemies, but I don’t know why he wouldn’t just say that then.
“I can understand that you were limited on time. Harper was leaving today. I also understand that emotions might be running hot because we’re sending our soon-to-be-wife off to danger. But what’s going on with you? Something must have happened.”
Gareth, who’d been angrily swirling his drink, asks, “Did you fuck her last night?”
