Keeper of the Flame (22 page)

Gregor laughed at her words and tone. “It shall be as you wish, milady.” He motioned to a few of the younger priests and sent them to gather the others. The elders filed out of the chamber to oversee the gathering and bring order to the ranks.

“I will be with your shortly, Father.” Jalinar’s words were a clear dismissal, but Gregor took it well, leaving the chamber with only the gryphons, Hugh and Lera inside. Jalinar turned to address them once more. “Milady, I would like to meet with the others of my kind as soon as possible. For now, I would like your permission to take this little one under my wing. I know she is your charge, milady, and you, milord, have become her guardian. I would like to be a mentor of sorts until she finds her way.”

“I have no objection,” Lera said softly. “I imagine she could learn a great deal from you.” Lera turned to Hugh and he valued the fact that she didn’t try to speak for both of them. She was a woman used to being in charge. Hugh was a prince used to having his own say in all matters. It boded well for their future that she asked his opinion, as he valued hers.

“I have no objection, as long as it is what Miss wants.” Hugh turned to the child, reaching out to scratch behind her ears affectionately. “Do you want to learn from Lady Jalinar, sweetheart? Since she is blessed of the goddess, there is no doubt she can be trusted.”

Miss looked from the cat-faced gryphon to Hugh and Lera and back again. “I’d like to.” She spoke in a timid voice. “But want be wif you too, Hoo.”

He had to chuckle at the unintended rhyme. Miss was just so incredibly adorable sometimes. He bent his head to hers, going forehead to forehead, nose to nose with her.

“I want you to be with me too, little Miss. Did I ever tell you that in my land, in dragon families, all the adults parent all the children? That means the human knights and their ladies act as fathers and mothers to their dragon partner’s offspring and vice versa. It is no stretch to my imagination to consider you my daughter, sweetheart. You are the daughter of my heart and nothing will ever change that. You are part of my family now. If you want to be, that is.”

“I do! I do, Hoo!” Little paws walked up his chest until they rested on his shoulders. He embraced her furry little body as she hugged him, cementing the deal.

“Then I will formally adopt you according to the laws of this land, if such a thing is possible. If not, we’ll do it under Draconian law, since I am still—and always will be—a prince of Draconia, no matter that I make my home in Helios now.” He looked up at Lera, gratified to see her indulgent smile and the joy in her eyes. “We’ll figure this all out later, when there’s time. For now, know that you are loved and wanted, Miss. If you go with Lady Jalinar, that will not change. Lera and I will be here for you no matter what.”

He hugged her for a moment more before letting her go.

“Well spoken, my prince,” Jalinar complimented him. Hugh thought it interesting that she used his Draconian title. “The child must gain her rightful place in the world. The Lady has made this my task, but I would have taken it on regardless.” Jalinar turned her attention to Miss, who had turned to face her. “You are well loved, little one. The Lady Herself saw you and decided on my form because of you. That is a high honor, one you will grow to be worthy of in time. Already, you have proven to have the heart of a lion and the courage of an eagle. An admirable combination. I will teach you how to best utilize your talents. It will be my honor.”

The white gryphon stretched out her paw to the youngster, touching her small head gently and stroking downward over the striped fur. Miss not only allowed it, but moved into the almost human gesture of affection. Hugh knew how starved the child was for loving attention of any kind. It was good to see her bask in the approval of a gryphon. Especially one as special as the emissary.

“I must attend to the priesthood now,” Jalinar said. “I fear this will take a while. I would like for Hyadror and Miss to be part of this presentation, since the priests are not accustomed to having our kind in their midst. Best get them used to it.”

“The honor iss mine, milady,” Hyadror intoned. He seemed to be a bit in awe of the newly made, magical gryphon.

Hugh got the idea that he and Lera weren’t necessarily wanted at this gathering and they’d already had a long, eventful day. For the moment, Lera was safe within the walls of the temple.

“We will find a place to rest,” Hugh decided.

“There’s a small, private room just down the hall, where I usually prepare before ceremonies and rest afterwards,” Lera put in. “We can go there. It’s reserved for the Keeper’s use and no one will disturb us.” She took Hugh’s hand and he marveled again at the warmth of her touch.

“Good.” Jalinar’s voice held the hint of a purr. “We will be busy for a few hours at least. I will watch over the little one for the night so you can rest easy. We will not leave the temple and I promise to keep her safe.”

What better guardian could the child have than a creature created by the Lady Herself, Hugh thought. He need not worry about Miss tonight. She would be safe and well cared for.

“Thank you,” Hugh said simply, meaning so much more than he could express. The creature seemed to understand.

They had left their hiding place on the sand flats just after dark. With all that had happened, it was well after dinnertime. Lera put her arm through Hugh’s and accompanied him out into the hallway. The gryphons preceded them and kept walking down the longer hall toward where the priests were gathering.

The door Lera was aiming for was nearby. The Keeper’s Quarters was a ceremonial place now, though when a Keeper not of the ruling house had occupied the position, they had actually lived in the temple. She only used the quarters on ceremonial days. It was actually a suite of rooms that had a bedchamber, private bathroom and sitting area. It also had a walk-in closet that held almost all of her ritual robes. She had another like it back in the palace that held her robes of state.

Luckily, she also kept some regular clothes—plain dresses and lounge wear—in the Keeper’s Quarters for when she was too tired to go back to the palace after particularly long or strenuous events.

If they had to, she could stay here in these quarters, safe in the temple, until it was clear to go back to the palace. In a way, she liked the idea of staying here, in this sanctuary with Hugh for a while. When they got back to the palace, real life would start up again, meaning court functions, council meetings, petitions and a million other things she had to deal with as head of state.

She’d enjoyed the time away from those duties with Hugh—even with Eyes on her trail. She knew he would keep her safe, and being with him made her want to chuck all her responsibilities and just be a woman in love for a little while. Was that too much to ask?

“What makes you frown so?” Hugh whispered in her ear.

“I wish we didn’t have to go back to the palace,” she admitted in a small voice.

“We don’t. Not yet at least. There’s still the matter of the assassins to deal with. For now, you’re safer here.”

“I know,” she admitted as they walked. “Is it wicked of me to be glad to be away from my responsibilities for a while?”

“No, my love.” Hugh patted her hand. “Remember, I am a prince. I have never envied the burden that lies so heavily on my eldest brother’s shoulders, but I do understand it. You don’t have to bear it alone anymore. I’m here to lean on when you need to.”

The thought made her pause in her steps. She turned toward him, realizing just how well he did understand what she faced for the first time. So much had been happening, it hadn’t really registered fully before.

“Oh, Hugh. The Lady certainly knew what She was doing when She brought us together.”

He dipped his head to kiss her. It was a tender salute of his lips that could have turned into something much hotter in an instant, but a throat cleared down the echoing hall and she remembered they were in a public thoroughfare—in the temple, no less. She had to at least try to be a little more circumspect.

Lera pressed her hands to his chest, enjoying the feel of his strong muscles under her fingers as she pushed back slightly. She broke the kiss, but spent a moment looking up into his eyes. They were such a lovely green. She could get lost in his gaze.

The throat cleared again and a chuckle followed. Lera thought she recognized the sound. Sure enough, when she looked down the short hallway to the Keeper’s Quarters, she was pleased to see the old monk who kept the rooms in readiness for her standing outside the doorway. A smile lit her face as she turned to him, stepping out of Hugh’s embrace.

“Hugh, come meet an old friend.” She tugged his hand, leading the way with joy in her heart toward the small doorway.

Just seeing Brother Hubert’s familiar face brought her immediate comfort in these troubled days. She let go of Hugh’s arm to give the oldster a hug.

“Child, it is good to see you unharmed.” His hug was that of a surrogate father. Indeed, it was Brother Hubert who had taught her to read and write when she was a child. He’d been her tutor for many years and had become a trusted friend.

“Brother Hubert, this is Prince Hugh of Draconia.” She pulled back to make the introductions with an exuberant heart.

Hugh was the first to offer his hand in a greeting of equals. Lera liked that. She’d never held with formality among her inner circle of friends. Brother Hubert was one of the closest to her and she was glad Hugh treated him as such.

“It is an honor to meet you, Brother.”

“The honor is mine, sire. The tales have spread quickly through the temple of how you saved my little Lera’s life and brought her to safety. I am forever in your debt, as are all the people of Helios. Lera is the bright star that leads our land.”

“I see that readily, Brother.” Hugh’s smile lit her insides as he gazed down at her.

Brother Hubert’s smile widened. “Then it’s true what they’re saying? You have found your match?”

“Yes, Brother,” Lera said, almost overcome with shyness. Brother Hubert’s opinion of her chosen mate meant a great deal to her. “Hugh is very special to me. He is my heart’s desire.”

She looked up at Hugh again, almost getting lost in his gaze.

“Momentous events are taking place,” Brother Hubert said with a good-natured chuckle. “The Lady sends an emissary and my little Lera brings a dragon to our temple. A dragon who disappears when Prince Hugh shows up.” Brother Hubert winked. “Fear not, no one else has thought to question it yet, but be prepared, others will make the connection.”

Hugh grimaced and shook his head, but she was glad to see he was taking the news well. The Lady had caused a lot more fanfare with Her visitation than anyone had expected and as a result, keeping Hugh’s presence here low key was not going to happen.

“The Lady works in mysterious ways,” Brother Hubert intoned. “Perhaps it was Her plan all along.”

Her plan that Hugh not be able to hide his dual nature, Lera reasoned. Yes, that could very well be it. Perhaps it was time for all of the dragon princes to come out from the secrecy that had shrouded their existence to this point. Starting here and now with Hugh—and the remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime visitation by the Lady Herself.

Hugh seemed to agree. His expression was thoughtful.

“I think you have a point, Brother. The Lady has plans far deeper than we mere mortals can fathom. Or so I have always been told.”

“When you get to be my age, you may see the truth of that statement is greater than we know.” Brother Hubert opened the door to the Keeper’s Chambers and entered first. “I have prepared your rooms and laid out clothing for you and your companion. I apologize in advance for the fit and quality of the spare clothing I procured for you, Prince Hugh. We are simple monks who do not wear finery.”

“It’s quite all right, Brother. I have always been more warrior than courtier. I prefer to live simply when I can. I will just be glad to have something clean to wear. We have been living rough the past day or so.”

The words seemed to please Brother Hubert and his smile widened as he swept through the chamber. He opened the door to the bedchamber, the bathing room and the closet for Hugh’s inspection.

Hugh motioned for her to stand in the middle of the sitting room while he searched every nook and cranny of the suite, looking for any possible danger. When he’d seen everything to his satisfaction, he returned to her. Of course, he’d never really taken his eyes off her, even while he searched the place. He took her safety very seriously, which made her feel cherished rather than insecure.

“I know you brought a small gryphon with you. I’ve ordered some nesting material brought in for her. It will be here shortly, though as you can imagine, everyone is in a tizzy after the Lady’s visit.” A tear came to Brother Hubert’s eye as he paused for a moment. “If I never live another day, I can die easy having heard our Dearest Lady’s words with my own ears. I was one of the many who crowded in through the open doors to hear Her.”

Lera touched Brother Hubert’s arm. “It was an amazing experience, Brother. I’m glad you were there to see it.”

“As am I.” He patted her hand. “I go directly to order all those who witnessed anything this night to write it down for posterity as soon as possible. The last visitation from the Lady was over a century ago and as you know, Her words were recorded in many different ways depending on who was writing the account. I want to collect everyone’s memories of Her words as soon as possible to create the most accurate record for those who come after. Who knows when She will visit us again?”