Page 93 of In the Embrace of Dragons

Daina and the other dogs all stop at once and lift their heads. We’re close. I palm my spear, feeling the weight of it, envisioning how much damage it could do when thrown just right.

Then, the dogs are off, racing toward the lake. We follow through the snow until we reach the edge of the frozen water. And not far away stands an enormous, majestic brown creature with antlers the size of royal serving trays.

I feel giddy just imagining how those antlers would look perched on the mantelpiece and raise my spear. The moose turns, noticing us. Instead of running as an elk would, though, it huffs out a breath and readies itself to charge. We call off the dogs so they don’t get injured.

As Ragnakor trained me, I haul my arm back, then throwwith as much force as I possibly can. The spear hurtles through the air, and for a moment, I wonder if perhaps I threw it too soon and my quarry is too far away. But the wood shaft flies straight and true, and the sharp steel tip strikes the moose’s massive shoulder. The spearhead keeps going, burying itself deep, and the creature lets out a monstrous howl. It stumbles forward and attempts to charge us again, but now its foreleg is no longer working. The leg gives out, and the moose collapses in the snow.

We ride toward it as it writhes. Ragnakor hops off his horse, gesturing for me to do the same, and one of the other hunters shows me how to end the moose’s life as humanely as possible with a blade under the throat. Once it’s dead and the body no longer moving, we prepare it to carry home.

“Good work,” my captain says, squeezing my shoulder. “You did very well.”

I beam at his praise as we climb back on our horses and return to the castle with our kill.

RAGNAKOR

She is fierce, my queen, my wife. I have grown used to calling her that, but only in private. Though I still harbor fears from time to time that I will fade into the background of their lives, for now, it feels right.

I’ve also grown accustomed to my husband. How I would love to call him that forever, my little king, who has changed so much and learned to be truly himself. As I had once hoped, Nissia brings balance to his life, and we are all better off for it. Now, I can see how free he feels in loving both of us, and it gives me great joy to see him bloom.

There is this matter of the ceremony. I have resisted itbecause I worry what it will mean for the kingdom—how the king and queen’s open acceptance of me could put everything we hold dear in jeopardy. I don’t want them to do that for me, to risk everything simply to claim me, when none of it is necessary to earn my loyalty and devotion.

I am not in need of any such royal recognition to know what lies in my heart. But it is important to them, so I’ve relented.

The wardens have been summoned from across the kingdom to participate in a New Year’s party, one that the king and queen have promised will prepare the courtesans for our news by spoiling them with hedonism. Wine is ordered for transport, livestock is butchered, and the bread ovens start cooking in earnest. Though the warden in the farthest reaches of the kingdom has declined the invitation due to sickliness, all the others have chosen to embark for the party.

When the sun sets and the candles are lit, the revelry begins. The king and queen travel together among their guests, and I trail behind them, watching with pleasure as Vizarios’s tail twines around his wife’s ankles. Vizarios makes a point of introducing each of the wardens to me, as if I am somehow significant, and each of them looks politely befuddled by it.

“How goes the creating of an heir?” Kalara says, one of the oldest wardens, a wrinkled dragon with a toothy smile.

Vizarios sputters for a moment, but Nissia places a hand on his arm to calm him.

“Quite well. I think we will have news soon.” She turns to me and winks.

“Oh? That will do well, I think, if you told everyone tonight.”

“Don’t worry. We have news for tonight.” Even from behind, I can see Nissia’s smirk. “I hope you enjoy the show.”

Even Kalara appears puzzled as the two move on. Theyflit from place to place, making small talk with every warden before returning to their own seats.

While dinner is being served, a troupe comes out to perform a lovely, heart-wrenching play. Everyone is riveted as they eat, and copious wine is passed around. After dinner comes dessert, and then, when the actors have cleared away their backdrops, Vizarios takes the stage.

“Everyone,” he calls out, “I know you came here for a party. And it’s one that I hope you’ve enjoyed so far.”

Tails all around the ballroom are thumping in agreement.

“Good! Though I do ask for one thing in return.”

“What’s that?” someone calls out, who must be a tad drunk.

“I will need your attention for a very important event.”

The queen takes his side, and more tails thump. She has become quite popular tonight, as charming as she is. They turn to face the audience.

“It has come to our attention that there are rumors circulating about us,” Nissia begins. “And I’m here to assure you that... all of those rumors are true.”

I cringe when many in the crowd gasp, and guests start murmuring to one another.

“Captain Ragnakor, if you would?” Vizarios asks.