Page 9 of In the Embrace of Dragons

Chapter Four

NISSIA

This guy really is a royal asshole.

Once King Vizarios is gone, the chatter around the fire picks up again, and my rabbit slow-cooks over the flames. I sit and eat it near the soldiers my father sent along with us, thinking about what the king said to me.

I’ve always lived under my father’s thumb. He demands a certain kind of prim daughter, a princess in all ways. Thus, I dress up in disguise when I want to practice swordplay. It was the only way I would ever be able to learn.

I didn’t think dragons abided by the same rules, though I must admit that I know very, very little about their culture. Am I just as imprisoned by propriety now? Would I truly have to give up everything when we reach Selvumrrest?

“Try not to let him get under your skin.”

A deep baritone voice surprises me, causing me to drop some of my food.

“Damn it,” I hiss as it rolls away, but I pull more meat off the carcass instead.

The voice belongs to the guard captain, who rode at King Vizarios’s side all day. He’s now sitting beside me, the same dragon who told off my father this morning.

“It’s you! I meant to say thank you.” I wipe off my mouth with the clean side of my rag. “For saying what you said to my dad. It’s nice to have someone on my side.”

The big dragon has a very different build from the king. He’s a behemoth, with a flatter, broader head and heavy horns that curve out and to the sides in a way that reminds me of a ram. His snout is round and stout, with tusks curving up from his mouth. The scales and horns on his face are all hard and severe—a jarring contrast to the gentleness in his voice.

“Of course.” The guard captain dips his head, his tail rising in synchronicity. Partway down, it changes color, as if it was cut off and then grew back. Can dragons do that? “You will be my queen soon. It’s my duty to be on your side.”

I falter at this word,duty. This guy is only speaking kindly to me because it’s his job.

“I was sorry to hear about your handmaiden,” he continues. My head jerks up. “You were supposed to have a companion, weren’t you?”

“Oh.” My breath whooshes out of me. “Yes. But her father fell suddenly ill, and she couldn’t come.” I finally finish my meal and set it aside. “So, I guess it’ll be just me.”

Only me, all alone in a strange country, surrounded by others who don’t look like I do. I’ve known it was coming, I’ve prepared for it, but I never thought I’d be truly alone. I always thought I’d have Ari.

“My apologies,” the big captain of the guard says. “That must be difficult for you. I’m sure King Vizarios will arrange a new handmaiden for you when we arrive in Selvumrrest.”

I force a smile. “That would be lovely.” Not that I’ll ever be friends with her the way I am with Ari. “I didn’t get your name yet, Captain.”

“I am Ragnakor.” The massive dragon bows his head. “I’m honored to serve you.”

Things like this always make me feel awkward, so I just nod back. “Oh. Thank you.”

Ragnakor studies me for a moment, like he’s trying to work something out in his head.

“Were you there yesterday?” he finally asks. “At the training arena, when I was sparring?”

I gulp. He recognized me?

“Yes, that was me.”

“Very clever.” He nods appreciatively. “Do you know swordplay?”

“Some. Not much, but some. It’s a pastime my father would never approve of, though.”

He chuckles. “I imagine not. But in your new homeland, there is no harm in the queen knowing how to defend herself. Or hunting rabbits if she prefers. Though the cooks there will be more than happy to procure any food you like.”

Ah, I had a feeling King Vizarios was lying to me.

“Thank you for telling me the truth.” I set my plate aside and return the dagger I was eating with to its sheath. “I don’t know that I’d say I candefendmyself, though.”