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The assembled lords and ladies of dragonkind largely ignore us. Their expressions are grim. They only care for themselves and their people. I can’t call them selfish for that. It’s their job to put their people’s best interests first.
I can blame them for cowardice. They simply went with the side they thought was winning. I doubt that any of them care about any supposed taboo the Viperas allegedly broke with Aiden’s relationship with me or Valentia’s death. They care only about their own safety and comfort.
So I regard them coolly when they acknowledge me, and keep my attention focused on Aiden. He hasn’t yet shifted. He stands naked at one end of the massive arena where we’re all gathered. Across from him is his opponent.
Walter Dragumov looks like a stereotypical warrior. His body is as defined as Aiden’s. Less bulky but harder and covered in scars. His eyes stare across at Aiden with a predator’s instinct. I feel a thrill of fear run through me when I see that look. He intends to hurt Aiden. He intends to kill him, and he’s not even a little afraid.
Lord Brantley steps to a podium at one end of the arena and addresses the gathered crowd. “Friends, loyal subjects—” I snicker at that, and ignore the stares my reaction attracts “—we are gathered here to put an end to the violence that has plagued our people these past three months. Aiden Vipera has generously agreed to allow us the option of trial by combat, preventing any further needless bloodshed. When General Dragumov defeats him, we will no longer need to fear the scourge of war that the Vipera family has brought to the world.
“So now,” he lifts his arms and pauses for effect. “Let justice be done!”
He drops his arms and the dragons shift. Aiden stands a brilliant and regal red and gold and there are audible gasps throughout the crowd at the sight of him.
Dragumov shifts into a type of dragon I recognize as a wyvern. He has a long, narrow body similar to Valentia’s but with long, strong wings and slender legs. His eyes betray no fear, even though Aiden is larger than him.
A gong sounds, and the battle begins. Dragumov rushes Aiden, swiping with his claw. Aiden ducks the blow and throws his shoulder into the smaller dragon. Dragumov flies backward but instead of falling to the floor, he spreads his wings and flaps once, rolling over and landing on his feet just in time to sidestep a blow from Aiden’s own claw, His mouth darts forward and his teeth sink into Aiden’s shoulder.
He roars, and I feel a thrill of fear as Dragumov squeezes the bite even tighter, then folds his body in half to bring his back legs upward to claw at Aiden’s underbelly. Aiden cries out again as deep grooves are cut in his torso. He rolls over and Dragumov just avoids being crushed. He releases Aiden’s shoulder and hops backward.
Aiden swings with one massive paw and Dragumov just barely can’t get out of the way. The glancing blow sends him sprawling, and Aiden pounces.
I gasp in anticipation of the victory, but Dragumov moves like a snake. He coils underneath Aiden and kicks upward with his feet. He catches Aiden just before Aiden lands on top of him and Aiden goes flying. He lands heavily on his back and Dragumov once more sinks his teeth into Aiden’s shoulder, biting down again on the old wound.
Aiden roars in pain but then he fixes baleful eyes on Dragumov. He grabs Dragumov’s neck and squeezes with his front paws. With his rear paws, he holds Dragumov still. The wyvern maintains his bite at first, but as the pressure on his neck increases, he releases and begins to struggle. Aiden keeps the grip on his neck and Dragumov panics, struggling and scrabbling with his claws, tearing deep gashes into Aiden, but Aiden doesn’t release.
Finally, there’s a horrible rattling sound. Dragumov’s eyes roll back in his head and close. He goes limp and Aiden tosses the body to the side.
The lords watch in stunned silence, but none are so stunned as Lord Brantley, who stares in disbelief as Aiden regains his feet. Aiden stands tall and fixes fierce eyes on Lord Brantley. In a powerful voice he says, “In the name of your king, I order you to stand down, Lord Brantley. You have lost this day.”
Lord Brantley stares at him in numb amazement for a moment longer. Then his face twists into a mask of hate. “No!” he cries out, “No!”
He shifts in an instant, and the next instant he is upon Aiden. There are gasps of shock as the lords and ladies assembled witness this clear breach of tradition.
Aiden fights ferociously, but he is weakened, and Brantley’s brute rage overpowers him. He throws Aiden to the ground and lifts a massive, clawed hand to make the killing blow.
Aiden looks at me, and though it takes everything out of me, I can’t let the last thing he sees be my fear. I look at him with love and pride, and I keep my head held high.
“I love you, Aiden,” I say aloud. “Be strong.”
Brantley’s hand starts to come down. I see it as though in slow motion and tears well in my eyes in spite of myself. Aiden turns slowly to the falling blow, and I see his eyes shift. His body seems to glow, and I realize what’s going to happen a split second before a jet of golden flame bursts from Aiden’s mouth. I hear Lord Brantley’s cry of pain and Amelie Brantley’s cry of anguish.
Then I hear the gasps of the lords and ladies assembled as Aiden Tan Vipera, Sixth of the Name, Inheritor of the Three Kingdoms, Keeper of the Flame of Nar, and Protector of Destiny stands and casts his fallen foe to the side.
* * *
A month later,I stand at his side as Lord Kristoff Samuelsson, the only of the lords to remain loyal to the Viperas, lowers the crown of the Three Kingdoms onto his head and declares Aiden Tan Vipera, Sixth of the name, the new king of dragonkind.
The assembled lords and ladies cheer, but the cheer, though genuine, is somewhat subdued. Aiden had forgiven them for their betrayal, but the stigma will remain for a long time. Perhaps for centuries. Dragons have long memories, after all.
I am crowned queen next. There is no protest from Lady Amelie Brantley, who keeps her eyes lowered and says nothing to me throughout the celebration, positively or negatively. I ask Aiden privately if he worries that she will make trouble, and he shakes his head. “She was nothing more than a pawn in her father’s game. Without him, she cares only for her creature comforts. Her vassal lords will manage her estate, and she’ll live as an heiress. I doubt she’ll ever make an attempt at real power.”
The Aerie will be rebuilt. Aiden has forgiven the lords and ladies, but he levies men and women from each fiefdom to repair his home and his father’s destroyed palace. The palace will remain for his father to live out his days in retirement. He cedes the throne to Aiden immediately after the combat with Brantley. “You are the chosen one, son,” he says, “the throne belongs to you.”
So, the Red Aerie will be the new seat of power for dragonkind. Valentia’s body will remain in state in his cavern. After cataloguing the information in the caves, Aiden orders it sealed off. The Ancient One will rest in peace.
The wider world has accepted the narrative that an ultra-right wing European nationalist movement is responsible for the spate of violence. No one takes seriously the claims of a few reclusive farmers that they saw a battle between a great dragon of gold and blue who cast down a dragon of gold and green.
I am Brooke Dana Patterson Vipera, queen and consort to Aden Tan Vipera, Sixth of the name. I rest a hand over my belly. Soon I will be mother to Valentia Petyr Vipera, First of the Name.
And I will live happily ever after.
* * *
