Keeper of the Flame (30 page)

“Ylianthror,” Lera said in a clear voice as four men entered the room holding a giant collar and chain made of iron. “You will be questioned under the eternal flame and judged by your actions and the purity of your heart.” The words sounded like part of a ritual to Hugh and he realized there must be some precedent for this kind of thing, since they had the restraints available.

As the men drew closer, Hugh felt the magic coming off the metal collar. It was very old and imbued with a foreign-tasting magic of immense power.

Taldor and Rulith moved closer and took the collar from the men, each taking one side of the open metal ring.

“The maker left thiss asss a reminder that to whom great power iss given, great ressponssibility followss. Ylianthror, you have abussed your power and you will sstand trial by fire for it. Accept thiss yoke now and prove yoursself worthy of the name gryphon.” Taldor’s words only seemed to irritate the trapped bird. He tried to wrestle out of the dragons’ hold, but he was no match for two adult dragons.

Jenet and Nellin eased back away from Ylianthror’s head so the collar could be clasped around his neck. He struggled with them all the way, but Taldor and Rulith were able to snap the collar shut and Ylianthror’s struggles ceased immediately. All within the throne room felt the blast of magic when the collar snapped closed.

Ylianthror was well and truly subdued.

The male gryphon was led from the throne room and put in a cell at the base of the palace. He would face trial by the eternal flame after they’d had time to question him. If he would not answer on his own, it would go against him when the flame tested him. Either way, they would eventually get the truth out of the defiant gryphon.

Lera was suddenly very weary of everything. They’d caught one traitor and it made her sick at heart to think that one of her Wing Leaders—those who were supposed to be among the most trustworthy of her gryphon warriors—had plotted against her.

She turned to Counselor Orin, who had said nothing throughout the ordeal. He was under close guard by the twin dragon princes and seemed content to be so. His actions counted in his favor. He seemed truly shocked at the turn of events and even a little bit appalled.

His face echoed the feelings in Lera’s own heart. She turned to Hugh and knew he read her expression.

“I’ll take care of the rest of this, my love. Why don’t you and Miss sit down and rest while we clean up?”

Hugh’s voice sounded in both minds as he prodded the gryphlet to walk the few feet to where Lera stood. Her throne was too far away, so instead, she took a seat on one of the comfortable benches that lined the room. She patted the cushion and Miss jumped up, snuggling against her side as she placed her head in Lera’s lap.

“It’s going to be all right, little one,” she whispered to the gryphlet. “Hugh is here and he won’t let anyone hurt either of us.”

Lera noted the tears in the child’s eyes and she reached out to hug the oversized kitten. They comforted each other as Hugh dealt with all the people and creatures left in the throne room. She watched him move, grateful the Lady had chosen such a capable and trustworthy man to be her mate. It was clear Hugh was well used to state craft. He dealt with Counselor Orin like a professional politician, giving the man reassurances while escorting him toward the door.

Taldor and Rulith had gone with the guards who’d brought the collar. Of the four-footed, only Miss and the two dragons remained, sitting steadfastly by the large balcony entrance. No other creature would land and enter without challenge. Sir Mace stood nearby, guarding her. The twins had stationed themselves on the inside of the door to the hallway until Hugh went over and had a few words with them and Kendrik. A moment later, the three of them had walked out into the hall, leaving Hugh to turn back to Lera.

His reassuring smile lifted her depressed heart. All would be well as long as Hugh was with her. He came over and crouched in front of the bench she sat on, placing one hand on the gryphlet’s fur and the other on Lera’s hand.

“I sent my brothers with Kendrik to scout out the path to your chambers. They’ll make sure it’s completely safe before we settle you there for the night. Drake has been in contact with me through Jenet and he’ll bring dinner with him when he comes back to make his full report. I don’t want to trust the palace kitchen just yet. So far, neither Drake nor Lady Krysta have been able to turn up anything useful. Most of the Jinn have pulled up stakes and gone. Only a few traders remain and it seems your cousin wasn’t dealing with any of them.”

“That makes sense.” Lera hated the fatigue in her voice. So much had happened, though, she supposed she was entitled to be a little sick of it all. “There’s room to eat in my chambers if we bring in a large enough table.”

“Good. I was hoping we could do that. Drake, Mace, Krysta and the twins will eat with us. And Miss, of course. Jenet and Nellin probably won’t fit inside, right?”

Lera smiled at the thought. “Not with all those people. Maybe one of them.” She looked at them, considering. “They’re bigger than you are when you shift.”

“We black dragons are the smallest and most agile of all dragons. Jenet and Nellin are fully grown but young. They have only just reached adulthood and may get a little larger over the next twenty years or so. Of the black dragons, I’m the largest in this generation. It’s proportional to our human size. I’m the tallest and widest of my brothers, so I make the bigger dragon.” He smiled as he talked about something light rather than the serious deeds of the day.

“Is Miss all right?”
He sent the thought to her mind alone. Lera nodded and shrugged her shoulders.
“Has she said anything to you?”
This time, she shook her head slightly.

Lera stroked the gryphlet’s head and scratched behind her ears as Hugh shifted his attention to the child.

“Sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Hugh asked her.

Miss sat up a little, lifting her head off Lera’s right thigh. “Sad, Hoo.”

“I know, sweetheart.” His voice gentled as he moved closer, surrounding her and Lera both with his arms in a loose hug. More importantly, he was warming them with his dragon heat, encompassing them within the circle of his heart.

“Can I have my boom?” Miss asked suddenly, looking up at Lera with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Boom?” Hugh repeated, unsure of what the gryphlet had said.

Lera smiled gently. “Your boon? Yes, little one, you can have anything you want that is within my power to give. All you have to do is ask. But make sure it’s something you want with all your heart. Something important.”

“Very ’portant,” she said with all seriousness. “Want Hoo be my papa. Dat make you my mama too, right?”

Lera felt tears gather in her eyes. Her heart opened wide to this hurt child and tucked her inside.

“I’ll be your mother.” That was all she could manage. She looked at Hugh, knowing tears were running down her face unchecked.

“And I’ll be your papa, little one. It would be my honor.” He reached down to hug her, including Lera in the embrace and she felt something click into place in her heart and soul. They were a family. An odd sort of family, to be sure, but a family nonetheless.

The sparkle of magic surrounded them as Miss purred. Her sorrow at coming face to face with her sire was erased as she forged new bonds of love with Lera and Hugh. Lera felt it all through the connection that opened between them, never to be severed. A connection of the heart. Of love. Blessed by the flame that lived inside her.

They stayed like that for a long moment, enjoying the magic that swirled around them.

When they broke apart, the twin princes were back, standing a few feet away. Both wore puzzled grins.

“What was that about?” Collin asked.

“You were surrounded by some of that magic fire we saw when we arrived,” Trey added.

“Were we?” Hugh asked, moving back. He was smiling and Lera could tell he was touched deeply by the moment they’d just shared.

“It was a sort of purple, pink and orange flame. Just little tendrils of it,” Collin confirmed.

“And it sparkled. Heavy magic in the air, Hugh. What for?” Trey cocked his head in question.

“The making of a family,” Hugh replied, getting to his feet. He took Lera’s hand as Miss jumped down from the bench and stood at his side. She seemed to want to stay very close to them both, but Lera understood. The poor child had just been through a traumatic and life changing event.

“Miss,” Hugh addressed the child. “These two are my brothers. Do you know what that makes them to you?”

Her head tilted and she didn’t answer right away. “What, Hoo?”

“Since you’re going to be my daughter, they will be your uncles. Part of your new family, sweetheart.” He reached down and stroked her head as her eyes widened. “Say hello to your Uncle Collin and Uncle Trey.”

“Hi, uncas,” she said shyly.

Everyone smiled at her cute phrasing. She was still so young. She didn’t speak perfectly yet, but that would come with time and patience.

Collin and Trey welcomed her warmly, crouching down to her level and letting her decide if she wanted to be touched or not. Lera was impressed with how they handled the youngster. She also felt the little tendrils of magic they gave her in greeting. She soaked them up, preening under their warm welcome.

“When you’re big enough we can all fly to visit the rest of the family,” Collin promised the gryphlet.

“More uncas look like you?” she asked him, seemingly fascinated by the idea that the twins were identical.

“More uncles,” Trey confirmed. “But they don’t look exactly like us. Close, but not exact. And you have aunties too. Some of our brothers are married.”

She seemed to consider that for a moment, then brushed it off without asking more.

“We’ve cleared the path from here to the royal chambers,” Collin reported.

“What do you say?” Hugh turned to Lera. “Time to make a move?”

“Sounds good,” Lera agreed.

The move to her chambers was accomplished with a minimum of fuss. The two dragons were left in the hallway, close by the door, standing guard while Mace and the twins performed a second search of the suite of rooms set aside for Lera’s personal use. Hugh stayed by her side, as did Miss. Now that they’d declared themselves a family, it seemed like the gryphlet wanted the reassurance of being near her new mama and papa. Lera didn’t mind. She needed the reassurance of Hugh and Miss as well.

Hugh settled the two females on a long, plush couch in the outer room while his brothers arranged the table and chairs they’d had moved into the large chamber. While Mace and the twins watched over her, Hugh took a little tour of the suite, sending a few pointed comments directly to her mind when he found the sunken bathtub in the marble bathing chamber and the four-poster bed in her bedroom.

Lera did her best not to blush.

When the door to the hallway opened, Lera was at first surprised. Then she saw who it was the dragons had admitted.

“Drake,” she greeted the handsome blond bard-turned-knight. “And Lady Krysta. Welcome.”

“Milady, it is good to see you looking so well,” he replied gallantly.

“We come bearing gifts,” Krysta announced, walking in beside him. She hefted a large wicker basket looped over one arm. Her mate held an even bigger one, along with a cloth bag slung over his shoulder that clinked as he walked. Lera could see the outlines of wine bottles inside it as he moved farther into the room.

They laid their burdens on the table, exchanging greetings with the twins and Mace, who helped them unpack the feast they’d brought. Lera went over, Miss accompanying her, and helped. She found they’d even brought some raw chicken tidbits for the gryphlet. Lera placed the small dish next to hers and Hugh’s, snagging a chair for Miss to perch on. This night—and for as long as she was small enough to fit—she would eat with them at the table. She was a member of the family now. She would be treated as any other daughter would. There would be a formal ceremony later, but in their hearts, they had already completed the bond. Miss was theirs and they were hers.

Hugh nodded his approval when he joined them. The others sat as soon as she and Hugh did, followed by the princes and then the others. For her part, Lera didn’t care to stand on ceremony, especially not here, in her personal chambers, but it was kind of nice that the others showed their respect in this small way. After all, these people were loyal to Draconia first. To have their respect meant something to the ruler of another land.

The meal was one of the nicest she had ever shared. They kept the conversation light for the most part, for which she was grateful. Too much had happened that day. She needed time to take it all in. Just an hour to eat without having to deal with anything too weighty.

When the last crumb had been consumed and they were all enjoying a final glass of the excellent wine Drake had brought, the discussion turned to more serious matters once again. Lera didn’t mind. She’d had her moment to recharge. She was ready to face the awful truth of traitors in her court once again.

“Our Jinn contacts turned up nothing, I’m sorry to say,” Drake reported as the conversation evolved. “We stopped in at the temple to see what progress had been made. Father Gregor will be sending a Brother Hubert to you after dinner, milady, to give a full report, but when we were there about three hours ago, Liam was working with an elder named Edon. Although they hadn’t come up with anything definitive yet, they said they were making good progress.”