Page 159 of Dragon Bound
“No one understands the desire to steer clear of the capital more than me.” Draven shot all of us a dark look. “But when the future of Nevermere is at stake, we all must play our part.”
He shifted his focus back to me.
“Your family lives in Harlston. Who knows better than you, Kael, what happens when a cruel and venal man takes power? Come back to the academy. Reenrol as cadets and help us ensure a fair and just man takes control of our duchy.”
When I looked over at Dain, I noted that both our expressions were grim.
“We have to keep Elsie and the children safe,” he said. “And Fern.”
So we’d need to do whatever this Draven told us to do.
“Our wing will be recognised,” I said, addressing the former king. “We will be housed together. No corp dragon will go within ten feet of Auren unless its with her permission. All those Royal Riders? You’ll make clear that none of them are to try their luck with our wife.”
“Wife?” Draven tilted his head. “Your terms are reasonable and we will ensure the message gets around. General.” Everyone turned to stare at the gruff man. “Seems like you’ve got a corp meeting to organise.”
“Gods help us,” the short-haired man said, rolling his eyes.
Draven’s wing hung around for a while, talking to Lance’s friend, but my focus was on the cottage door when Lorien and Fern emerged. Hair hanging loose over her shoulders, she looked soft, sleepy, and so very precious.
“You wanted adventures?” She stopped when I grabbed her hand and pulled her down on my lap. “How do you feel about helping decide the next Duke of Harlston?”
“Why the hell would we do that?” Lorien asked, flopping down on a log by the fire.
With a sigh, I told them.
“So back to the keep.” Fern frowned slightly, then instantly brightened. “The library!”
“The dorms,” Lorien countered with a groan.
“No dorms for us,” Lance replied. “I’ll ensure we’re all housed together with the officers.”
“Gonna put that insignia back on, are you, Lieutenant?”
He ignored my grin, focussing instead on Fern. Her hand was in his, right before he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
“I became an officer for you. I’ll do that again, if this is a plan you agree with.”
“Well, you do look very smart in your uniform,” she said, leaning closer.
Everyone was talking but Dain and I think he hoped no one would notice.
“You’ve been very quiet. What’re your thoughts on this plan?”
“Nothing too say.” Some of the old, scowly Dain was back. “If we’re going to keep the children safe, you need to know something. The nobles in Harlston… I know you thought they were just a bunch of gormless twits, but they’re so much worse.”
I took a long swig from my beer.
“We used to rob the bastards blind when we lived in Coalbottom. We can do that again, but this time we’ll steal their hope of running the duchy. If the king himself stood down to allow the people to rule themselves…” I smiled against the mouth of my bottle. “Well, maybe its time to bring that kind of modern government to dear old Harlston.”
“To democracy,” Lorien said, clinking his bottle against mine, then Dain’s and Lance’s.
“To Fern,” Dain added, and that was the best toast of all.
Me and my brothers, we’d brought down a long-serving general and squashed any thought of controlling our mate or her dragon. How hard could it be, manipulating a bunch of spoiled noblemen? There was only one way to find out.
“So we return to the keep?” I said. “After a few days.” My grip on Fern tightened. “You ‘thanked’ Lorien if that ridiculous look on his face is anything to go by.”
“Jealous,” my brother said with a sloppy smile.
“Seems like all of us helped bring down the general.” I watched her start to bristle with amusement. “Where’s my sweetness?”
“Do something truly heroic,” she shot back, “and you’ll find me suitably appreciative.”
For Fern, this was just banter, but for me? It was a challenge that had my brain racing. I told my girl I’d do anything for her, and if she wanted a grand gesture?
Well, I’d make sure she got it.
