Page 54 of In the Embrace of Dragons

Obediently, he takes the puppy, drawing her to his chest. She licks his arm, her little tail wagging as he pets her head. He lowers his snout, brushing just the tip of it over her soft fur.

So he does have a tenderness in him.

“You could make a good father,” I say thoughtfully. “But I’m not convinced.”

His gaze snaps up to mine. “You doubt me?”

Ragnakor tenses, like he’s ready for an argument to break out. But I say nothing, simply watching Vizarios with the puppy in his arms. He plays with her a moment longer before setting her down on the floor. He looks more... relaxed now, I think.

“To be a good parent, one has to be open with their love,” I say as Daina runs back over to me.

Vizarios furrows his brow. We both know what I’m talking about, and I’m curious as to how he’ll respond today.

“I...” he begins, but then his mouth seems to struggle to form words. After a moment, he sighs and dips his head. “A fair criticism.”

He didn’t argue with me or try to puff himself up.

“But I can learn,” Vizarios goes on. “I am also trainable.”

I gawk at him, and the very edge of his mouth turns upward.

“I would like to come watch you tonight,” he continues. “Your training with the captain.”

“Watch us?” I’m so surprised by this turn of events that I sound like a parrot. I glance at Ragnakor for confirmation, and he dips his head.

Vizarios nods. “I’ll see you both after dinner.”

With that, he moves on to his next task, golden robe swishing across the floor while Ragnakor trails after him. I stare at his back until he disappears around a corner, wondering which dragon has taken his skin.

Chapter Twenty

RAGNAKOR

It lifts my spirits to see my king putting forth such an effort to be kind to his queen. And it does reaffirm my belief that he genuinely likes her but has been holding himself back for my sake.

He casts a glance at me over his shoulder as we return to his office.

“See?” he says, puffing out his chest. “I can be good.”

I know he is trying to get under my armor, but I will keep him at arm’s length until he fully reconciles with the queen.

“Indeed,” is all I say in answer. He snorts.

“You don’t think I can win her over.”

I keep my arms behind my back. “That is up to her.”

I am somewhat nervous about tonight, how well Vizarios will take to watching me and Nissia battle it out. She has improved greatly over our last few sessions, though I do still hold myself back for her. I love how excited she gets when she sneaks through my defenses and lands a devastating blow, the way her eyes sparkle and all her white, blunt teeth appear.I never thought that I would appreciate just how helpless humans look, and how not-helpless they really are.

Perhaps the queen is simply the exception.

I stand guard while the king works, going to the place in my mind I always go: a quiet glen, a light breeze in warm air, a brook burbling nearby. I meditate here for long hours while Vizarios occupies himself.

I think of their conversation earlier—how much Vizarios surprised me with his compliment to Queen Nissia. She would make a good mother, I agree. She’s blessed with a naturally nurturing personality, that much I can tell, and a similar disposition to the king’s own mother. She doesn’t rush to judge and offers her kindness and affection freely.

I wonder if he can sense their likeness.

That evening,the queen is already out in the training yard when I arrive, dressed in her pants and tight tunic, with her hair neatly arranged behind her head so as not to get in her way. She’s chatting with the arms master while she absently twirls her sword. Soldiers are working in the yard, but when I arrive, they hastily bow out to give me the larger field.