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Petyr’s eyes widen. “My lady,” he says, “I cannot simply call His Majesty. Only Aiden himself can avoid the proper channels for requesting an audience.”
“Petyr,” I say, still struggling to maintain my calm, “Prince Aiden is in serious danger right now, I am almost certain of it. We need to reach his father and warn him of the danger both to himself and his son and possibly the kingdom as a whole.”
Petyr hesitates again but only for a moment before he dials the number. A moment later, he says, “Your Majesty. Please forgive me for this intrusion. I am with Miss Patterson, and she’s concerned for…” his voice trails off. A moment later, his face blanches, and when he speaks again, his voice trembles a little. “I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He hangs up and looks at me. “Prince Aiden is on his way to the Aerie as we speak. He will coordinate the defense of the Aerie, then leave to join his father on the front lines. Dragonkind is at war.”
I absorb the last sentence with remarkable steadiness, I believe, considering how terrifying the prospect of a war between dragons is. “When will he arrive?”
“Soon,” Petyr says. “The palace is only two hours from the Aerie. I expect His Highness at any minute.”
I nod. “Very well. I’ll meet him at the helipad.”
Petyr looks deeply regretful. “No, Miss Patterson, I’m afraid not.”
I stare at him in shock. “Excuse me?”
“His Majesty has ordered you to be evacuated to the vault until further notice. Your life is in grave danger.”
“All of our lives are in grave danger, Petyr,” I counter. “Hiding me in a vault won’t protect the Aerie.”
“It is not my place to have an opinion in this matter, Miss Patterson,” Petyr replies, “even if my opinion is the same as yours. I have been given a command from the king of dragons. I must obey it.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I will not physically force you to evacuate,” he says, “but His Highness will be very displeased if you are not safe when he arrives.”
“Then he’ll be displeased,” I say, “I’m meeting him at the helipad.”
Petyr nods, knowing better than to protest my decision further. He leads us to the helipad, and I arrive just as Aiden lands. He is in dragon form, and there is no helicopter. That confirms my assumption that there was an incident involving Lord Brantley that precipitated these events.
When he shifts to human, he looks at me in shock. “Aiden!” I cry, rushing into his arms.
I throw my arms around him, but he doesn’t return the embrace. Instead, he looks at Petyr. “Why is she not in the Vault?”
“She refused to follow, Your Highness,” Petyr explains. “I declined to force her physically.”
Aiden glowers, but he turns his attention to me. “Brooke,” he says, finally returning my embrace. “It’s not safe for you right now. You need to go to the Vault. You’ll be safe there.”
“I won’t be safe anywhere as long as there’s a war between your family and Lord Brantley,” I counter. “If I’m in the Vault, he might not be able to kill me, but I can’t stay there forever.”
“You can,” he says, “there’s more than enough food, water and air to last you the rest of your life. It’s hardened against nuclear attack, and even the most powerful dragon cannot come close to breaking through its walls.”
“I won’t spend the rest of my life in a hole, Aiden!” I shout, “not while the man I love is out here fighting.”
“Brooke,” he says gently, caressing my cheek. “I understand your fear. I feel incredibly fortunate to have earned the love of a woman who would see me the way you see me. I feel beyond fortunate that the woman who loves me so is you. You are my true mate, and I am grateful for every moment we’ve spent together.
“But this war is beyond you. You are not safe as long as my enemies breathe. Go and wait for me in the Vault. When I have defeated my enemies, I will come for you.”
“No,” I say.
His eyes darken. “That was not a request.”
“I am not one of your subjects,” I reply. That draws an audible gasp from Petyr and the two attendants who meet Aiden with us. “I am your true mate, and my place is at your side.”
He sighs in frustration and says, “Brooke, if Lord Brantley can get to you, he can gain leverage in this war. Say he doesn’t kill you. Say he kidnaps you instead and promises to kill you if I don’t relinquish my claim to the throne.”
“Then I go into the flame with my head high and my heart full of love for my mate,” I reply.
