A Kiss of Air & Fire (Darkstone Academy)

Chapter 1

D ucal Palace Baleares, Province of Espola

“Forgive our doubts.” Duke Ramón respectfully inclined his head to me, then to Jacinthe. “We welcome Your Imperial Highnesses and your retinue as our guests here in the palace for as long as you require. Is there any other way we may assist Your Highnesses?”

I took a deep breath, willing my heart to slow.

Moments ago, my situation had seemed hopeless. I’d been close to breaking my hard-won composure. After spending nearly twenty years in hiding, followed by an eighteen-month ordeal as a traitor’s captive, how could I possibly prove my true identity to the Duke and Duchess of Espola?

Once again, my old teacher and beloved mentor, Mage-Healer Niccolò Armand, had stepped in to save me.

Guilt twisted in my gut like a venomous snake.

Because of me, he’d lost his exalted position as Chief Court Healer to my father, Dominus Victor Augustus the Eighth, ruler of the Imperial Dominion of Human Lands. Even worse, Papa had sent Mage Armand into exile on Darkstone Island, a fate normally reserved for traitors and the nobly-born criminals.

I also resented young Count Fernan’s intercession on my behalf. I didn’t want to owe the son and heir of Duke Beltrán de Norhas anything .

But beggars can’t be choosers.

“Your Graces, I thank you for your hospitality.” I sank into a shallow curtsy. Even after all this time, I remembered the precise degree of courtesy owed a duke.

Beside me, Jacinthe followed my lead.

I continued: “I have a most urgent message to send to my esteemed mother, Domina-Regent Jacinthe.” I tried not to choke on the words, grateful for the years of court training I’d endured never to betray my true emotions.

Esteemed mother, hah!

After what she and Papa had done to me, the only thing worse than helping her was the prospect of Duke Beltrán sitting on the imperial throne.

So, here I was.

“At this very moment, the Duke de Norhas is marching on the capital with six turncoat legions. Count Fernan informs me that his father intends to usurp the throne.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beltrán’s dark-haired spawn nod vigorously.

At my news, whispers and murmurs of alarm filled the jasmine-scented air in the duke and duchess’ airy audience chamber.

Espola was the second-most prosperous province in the Dominion. Its citizens relied on shipping and trade, both of which would be disrupted by civil war.

Duke Ramón’s thick, dark brows shot up at this revelation. Duchess Sibilla, sitting next to her husband on a cushioned divan placed on a low dais, stared at me in shock and dismay.

I finished my plea. “And we would be most grateful for your help in repairing and provisioning our ship, so that we may continue our journey north to the capital.”

Duke Ramón looked around the audience chamber, which was crowded with petitioners and courtiers.

“Everyone except the Princess-Royal and her party—get out!” He made a sharp shooing movement with his hand. “This audience is now private.”

When the room had been cleared of petitioners, courtiers, and servants, and the brass- inlaid doors closed, the duke leaned forward and braced his hands on his knees.

“Tell me what happened,” he demanded, then belatedly added, “Please. Your Imperial Highness.”

Ah, Divine Mother, protect me! I didn’t want to talk about my recent ordeal.

After Jacinthe had freed me from the vile compulsion charm that had enslaved me for over a year, I’d firmly shoved all my memories of that time into an iron-banded strongbox in the deepest cellar of my mind.

It was over. The past couldn’t be changed, and I needed all my wits and strength to move forward.

So, I used every mental trick I’d learned to bury everything that had happened to me. I vowed never to remember or think about those dark weeks and months.

But of course, it wasn’t that easy. It never was.

Pretend you’re describing something that happened to Narcissa. I realized this was the only way I could get through the next few minutes without ending up a sobbing heap on the audience chamber’s beautiful mosaic floors.

“I was returning home to the Western Isles on an imperial mail ship when De Norhas’ men captured the vessel and all its passengers,” I began.

To my relief, my voice emerged with no humiliating croaks or quavers.

Mother would have been proud of me as I calmly recounted how Duke Beltrán’s men had recognized and abducted me, using a black magic compulsion charm to keep me compliant while Duke Beltrán declared me his betrothed and wooed military commanders and imperial bureaucrats in my name.

I then outlined the duke’s plans for usurping the throne. My recitation ended with a summary of the past week’s tumultuous events—my reunion with Jacinthe, our escape from Duke Beltrán’s foul compulsion charm, and how Jacinthe’s friends had coordinated a rescue attempt that ended with the duke’s flagship in our hands and the duke himself our captive… briefly, anyway.

“This is outrageous!” Duke Ramón thundered when Mama finished speaking. “Suborning imperial legions, invading our province, abducting members of the imperial family—Beltrán de Norhas goes too far!”

Duchess Sibilla leaned forward on the divan, her eyes flashing with indignation.

“Your Imperial Highnesses, rest assured, you are under our protection. We will do everything in our power to assist you.”

I caught my breath. Despite the dismal start to this audience, things were turning out better than I’d dared to hope.

“I’ll send messengers and courier birds north to the capital immediately,” Duke Ramón said, his voice tight.

It was a struggle not to grin or leap in the air in triumph and relief. But my early training in court protocols still held.

A member of the imperial family must never indulge in unseemly displays of emotions. How often had I heard that growing up?

I said only, “Thank you, Your Grace.”

The tight band of anxiety that had constricted my chest for most of the past two weeks finally eased with the duke’s promise of aid.

“However,” he cautioned, running a hand through his dark hair, “there’s a good chance Duke Beltrán will intercept our messages before they reach the capital. He’s got a reputation for thoroughness. He’ll have troops or agents stationed along all the roads leading north.”

Of course he would, I thought . My heart sank again.

Duke Beltrán was an experienced military commander, after all. He would’ve predicted that Baleares would be my first port of call.

Jacinthe glanced at me, a worried expression in her hazel eyes. Unlike me, she’d never been trained to conceal her emotions.

Living in the safe obscurity of Bernswick Village, I hadn’t inflicted the imperial disciplines on my hot-tempered, free-spirited, highly intelligent daughter. I’d wanted to give her the freedom of thought and action I’d never had growing up in the rigidly controlling confines of the imperial palace.

“What do we do now?” she asked. “According to Captain Jaquob, our ship will need a lot of repairs and new sails before we can sail it to Neapolis Capitola.”

“And how much help can we really offer the domina-regent, Your Highness?” asked Lord Ilhan of Parrish.

He was a breathtakingly handsome youth, heir to the Duke of Frankia, and one of my daughter’s loyal companions. And very possibly one of her lovers.

Something I tried not to think about too much.

In my absence, Jacinthe had reacted to her dire circumstances by attracting a band of steadfast protectors to her. This relieved me but also made the familiar sharp teeth of guilt gnaw at my heart.

I should have been there to protect her!

The Divine Mother knew I’d tried my best to keep my eldest daughter safe by living in obscurity and sealing away her dangerous power, which had manifested at a perilously early age.

Instead, I’d left her vulnerable and helpless in the clutches of my late husband.

Baldwin. Trickster curse him for a treacherous weakling! Those sharp teeth took another bite out of my heart.

Over the years of our otherwise happy marriage, I’d learned that Baldwin was lazy and a spendthrift. But he’d always adored me and he’d been a good father to our four daughters.

I never imagined he’d sink to beating and starving Jacinthe after Duke Beltrán captured me.

Or that Baldwin would promptly take up with that mediocre mage, Narcissa of Camarcon, of all people! Ugh .

And now they’re both dead. Killed by Duke Beltrán’s agents, if what Jacinthe heard was true .

I suppressed a shudder and tried to keep my expression composed as Lord Ilhan continued, “We’re only seven people. What can we bring her Imperial Highness that would be useful?”

Duke Ramón and Duchess Sibilla exchanged a dismayed glance.

That was when I knew they wouldn’t offer me the force of armed men I’d been hoping for.

I knew better than to ask. A refusal would not only be humiliating, it would weaken my already precarious position.

I might be the imperial heir… for now … but the Espolans clearly wanted to hedge their bets in case Duke Beltrán prevailed against Mother and took the throne.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who sensed their reluctance to offer more than messengers and hospitality.

“How about an army of Wind-Walkers?” Boreas boomed from behind me.

Jacinthe’s Dragon protector stepped forward, grinning, revealing sharp white teeth. In his human form, he was a giant of a man, heavily muscled, with flowing red hair and smooth brown skin.

Like all the Wind-Walkers I’d known—I firmly quashed an inconvenient memory—he exuded confidence and vital energy.

“Why not ask King Menelaus for aid?” Boreas continued. “The Kingdom of Kappadokia is only a short distance to the south of here.”

His suggestion felt like a kick to my midsection, driving all the air out of my lungs.

No! I wanted to scream. I can’t!

It took all my strength not to react beyond a blink.

“Travel to the Dragon Kingdom, Your Highnesses?” Duchess Sibilla’s eyes widened in surprise. “Prince Boreas, how can you be sure your King Menelaus would offer his aid to humans? ”

Sibilla didn’t know what I’d done in my foolish youth. How could she? It was my family’s deepest, darkest secret—

“Of course he will,” Boreas countered enthusiastically. “Princess Jonquil is his mate and his hatchling Jacinthe is a member of my aerie. And the rest of you,” he gestured to our group, “are bound to her by blood, magic, or loyalty. You’ll all enjoy King Menelaus’ hospitality.”

Well, so much for my big secret , I thought wryly.

Apparently, all the Wind-Walkers were aware of what had happened between Menelaus and me during his time at Papa’s court, all those years ago.

And now the Duke and Duchess of Espola were aware of it, too.

Then I remembered something else Boreas had said just now.

He called me Menelaus’ mate. Present tense. What does that mean?

My hopes soared like birds freed from a cage. I grabbed them and firmly stuffed them back into captivity.

Menelaus hates me , I reminded myself. After what Mother and Papa did to him, how can he not?

Duke Ramón and Duchess Sibilla exchanged another long look. But neither of them looked shocked at this revelation of my scandalous past.

Maybe Mother and Papa hadn’t been as successful at suppressing the truth as they thought.

And Boreas clearly doesn’t think Menelaus hates me.

No matter how quickly I tried restraining my hopes, they evaded my clutching fingers and fluttered free. Could getting the help we need really be that simple?

But everyone in the Dominion feared Wind-Walkers. They’d been humanity’s enemies for centuries.

I glanced around at Jacinthe’s companions, gauging their reactions.

Lord Ilhan spoke up first. “I agree with Boreas,” he said, surprising me. “Wind-Walker allies are our best chance to keep the Duke de Norhas from taking the throne with his legions.”

“I agree,” said Prince Gwydion the Fae. His unearthly silver eyes gleamed with malice. “He’ll never see that coming!”

“I agree also,” Ilhan’s sister Lady Alondra spoke up. “ If Boreas thinks we’ll be safe in Kappadokia. I mean, Wind-Walkers are technically our enemies.”

“I agree,” said the taciturn but eerily beautiful silver-haired merman Tama.

Jacinthe looked at Boreas, and I saw her heart in her eyes. And he looked back at her with equal measures of affection and longing.

Very well, I thought. I have to take the chance if I want to stop Duke Beltrán. The worst Menelaus can do is tell me no.

Actually, he could do a lot worse , the annoying voice of reason said inside my head. He’s a Dragon. With a Dragon’s temper.

But I couldn’t let myself dwell on the possibility.

“Very well then,” I said before I could talk myself out of risking everything. “I will go. Who will come with me?”

Oh no. That sounded too much like a plea.

Looking around at Jacinthe’s companions, I added quickly, “After all you’ve done for me and my daughter, I won’t be disappointed if any of you choose to remain here in Baleares.”

One by one, their hands shot up.

First Jacinthe, then Boreas, who was grinning from ear to ear. Next, Ilhan, his jaw set with resolve. Alondra followed, a hint of excitement in her eyes. Then Count Fernan, looking nervous but determined. Finally, Prince Gwydion and Tama.

I won’t have to do this alone.

This time, my relief and gratitude broke through my self-control. I smiled gratefully at them. “Thank you all.”

“If you follow the coast road south, Your Highnesses could reach the border in three days, maybe four,” said Duke Ramón.

“Why ride horses when we could fly there?” Boreas asked. “We still have my saddle back on the ship, along with my excess mass.”

My breath caught at his proposal. I’d never ridden on Dragon-back before.

But I’ve ridden a Dragon’s front.

It was a wicked, completely inappropriate thought. And one utterly unfitting to my age and dignity as an imperial princess.

And yet, I had to fight hard to repress a smirk.

I nodded. “We’ll depart tomorrow morning.”

“Your Graces, before we leave here, could you ask your servants to repair the broken safety harness on the saddle?” Alondra asked anxiously.

Boreas had worn the saddle to ferry Jacinthe’s friends from Darkstone Island to the Duke de Norhas’ flagship. The safety straps had been a casualty of the battle that followed.

“Of course,” the duchess replied. She turned back to me. “I hope you will at least join us for supper and stay the night, Your Highness! We invite you to make our humble home your own. And if there’s anything we can provide to ease your journey, you have only to ask, and it will be given to you.”

When the audience ended a short time later, we followed a servant from the audience chamber to the guest suites on the other side of the ducal palace.

Beneath my brittle glaze of serenity, my body thrummed with mingled anticipation and terror.

Tomorrow, I’d come face to face with King Menelaus of the Wind-Walkers.

And he would know at last that he had a half-human daughter.

I glanced at Jacinthe, who glowed with excitement and nerves.

Divine Mother, protect her. If Menelaus takes vengeance on me, let Jacinthe be spared.