Exhaustion made her words thicker than normal.
“We require some rooms for my men and us,” Cole said. “Though they may wish to eat.”
“Of course, milord. Our best room is taken, but I can wake the occupants and have it readied for you.”
“There’s no need,” Cole assured her. “A bed, any bed, is all we require.”
Besides, he wasn’t sure Lexi would stay awake long enough to wait for a room to be readied for them. When a bellow pierced the air, Dora jumped. Her eyes widened as they flew past him and to the open door.
“What was that?” she whispered.
“A dragon,” Cole said. “That is why we are here.”
“In the Gloaming?” she blurted. “InUnderhill?”
Cole didn’t reply as she rushed toward the door, but her husband shoved a chair aside and, leaping over the table, wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her back.
“The horses!” Dora cried.
“It ate a couple of them, but the rest have gone into hiding,” Cole assured her.
“The dragon is on a mountain,” Lexi said. “It seemed quite happy to be there, and I don’t think it’s coming down anytime soon.”
When Dora relaxed in her husband’s hold, he released her. Remembering she had guests, Dora straightened her skirt and smoothed it down as she turned toward them. She plastered on a smile as she edged closer to the door.
A low grumble made its way up Bledig’s chest and throat, but Dora waved her hand at him as she poked her head out the door. “I’m only going to take a peek. My goodness,” she whispered.
“We’ve been tracking it,” Lexi said.
“What’s it doing here?” Bledig inquired.
Cole had far too many guesses than answers to that question. His best guess as to what drew the dragon was standing in his arms, and she needed sleep.
“They occasionally come into the Gloaming,” Cole replied. “It’s not often, but they do make their way here.”
“I’ve never seen one in Underhill,” Dora murmured. “It’s terrifying.”
It was many things, and dead would be one of them if it came off that mountain.
“We require rooms,” Cole reminded her when Lexi yawned again.
“Oh, of course!” Dora exclaimed as she turned away from the door. “My apologies, milord. I have just… I’ve never—”
“It’s okay,” Cole interrupted as the dragon released another bellow.
From what he could see of it through the window, it spread its wings before taking flight. Dora staggered away from the door as Cole stepped toward it.
The dragon swooped down the mountain, heading directly for the inn. Beside him, Lexi stiffened as if she were bracing for an attack, Dora released a small squeak, and the stable boys ran for the stables with the last two horses.
His men pulled their swords. Cole was reaching for his to go out there when the dragon opened its own portal and vanished into it. Lexi remained rigid against him as Cole relaxed.
It wasn’t the first time a dragon had entered the Gloaming, and it wouldn’t be the last. None of the others ever traveled this far, but then again, the land around the palace had never been a burnt-out wasteland when they arrived before.
The dragons had always managed to scrounge some food from there, but not this time. The creature’s disappearance eased the tension in his chest. It hadn’t come here for Lexi; it had come for food and, after a short pause to digest, decided to go home.
The only problem was, it would recall where it filled its belly. The residents of Underhill werenotprepared to defend themselves against dragons. This was a peaceful village; a dragon would tear it apart.
He would have to send men here, at least for a little while. It was not the best option so soon after the attack on the palace, but he couldn’t leave Underhill unprotected.
