Chapter 10 #2
Finally Quickthorn sat back on her haunches. “I am satisfied both that she has no connection to the evil Emperor and means no harm to anyone here. I see no reason she cannot enter the wards, if Companion Elizabeth does not object. Beyond that, it will be up to the Eldest and the Nest.”
If Elizabeth did not object? This was his estate, and apparently his dragon, at least for the moment. “I would welcome her to Pemberley.” He tried not to sound as sharp as he wished to.
“It is your choice, my love,” Elizabeth said.
“Then pray come in, Coquelicot.” He stepped forward and put his foot on the line of the wards, sinking his power into the earth and telling it to admit this new dragon. “Thompson, Coquelicot may come and go as she pleases.”
Thompson wrestled with the bolt on the great gate, but Darcy knew better than to offer his help. The gatekeeper did not like to be reminded of his infirmity. Coquelicot was studying him, though, curiosity shining in her aura.
Finally the metal frames swung open, and the great ruby dragon came through.
Quickthorn said to Elizabeth. “She has traveled far, under difficult circumstances. I will vacate the ballroom so she may use it.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Pray keep me informed of how I may best arrange another space for you.”
“The dovecote at the Dower House will do for now, since Rowan has returned to the Nest.” The dragon turned her head to Darcy. “She needs the rest and the larger room.”
This consideration was unlike the usually irritable truth-caster, but not unwelcome, since Darcy had no idea what to do next. “Your guidance is welcome. Honored Coquelicot, would you like to go to the house now?”
The French dragon was still studying the gatekeeper, though, and her voice spoke in Darcy’s head. Could I not heal this one first?
Darcy’s protective instincts flared. You are very generous, but would you not prefer to rest?
Oh, no, I would feel ever so much better afterwards. It is so satisfying to fix broken mortals. She had said almost the same thing to him when they first met in France, before she had made his pain so much less.
Who was he to argue with her desire to relieve suffering? He stepped over to Thompson and said in a low voice, “This dragon is a fine healer, and she has asked if you would allow her to do a healing for your hand.”
The old gatekeeper’s jaw dropped. “On me? Could she do that?”
“I do not know how much she is capable of, but I think it is likely she could reduce your pain, if nothing else. I have seen her abilities.”
He tugged at his ear. “What would you say, sir? Would you let her do it?”
“In an instant.” He wished he could tell the man the truth.
“Then I will do it.” The old man showed more bravery than Darcy had, facing his first healing.
He agrees, Darcy sent. If you are certain you wish to do this.
Oh, yes! There is nothing I like better than doing healings, but since my companion died long ago, I have only had the Kith to work on. This will be a treat.
What had Jack said, that all the mortals at the Nest were in disgustingly good health thanks to Coquelicot?
“Thompson, go up to her and look into her eyes,” he instructed. “She will put her talons on your cheeks, and you may feel something odd when she begins.”
“Yes, sir.”
The man deserved a medal, hobbling up to a strange dragon many times his size on nothing more than Darcy’s say-so. He did not even hesitate when Coquelicot turned her enormous head towards him and placed the sides of her razor-sharp talons on his cheeks.
Darcy could almost see the dragon magic flowing between them, as Thompson’s eyes grew wide. Then the old gatekeeper flexed his hand with wonder, as tears of joy poured down his wrinkled cheeks.
Elizabeth sidled up beside him. “What is happening?”
What an odd turn-around this was, that now he was the one having silent communication with a dragon while she was left out! “She wanted to do a healing on Thompson first.”
“After flying all the way from the Vosges?” Her disbelief was obvious.
He shrugged, uncomfortable at the questioning. “It was her request. She likes to do healings.”
“Does she now?” Elizabeth asked sharply, and her gaze fixed on his weak hand, the one that had been almost useless and painful when she had last seen him in France. “William, are you under a binding?”
A sigh of relief escaped him. “Yes.”
She nodded slowly. “That explains a great deal.”
His shoulders relaxed. “And I still hate bindings,” he said fervently.
Elizabeth laughed. “That will never change!” But she sounded warmer now, with less distance in her voice, and that made his heart sing.
Half an hour later, as Darcy led Coquelicot to the ballroom, he said silently, I am bound against speaking of the healing you did for me. Is it possible to remove that binding?
I cannot, Little One, for it was placed by my Eldest. My regrets.
I do not understand why I am so bound. Surely healing is a good thing.
The dragon’s aura softened. It was to protect the Nest. If people knew there was a healer dragon in the Vosges mountains, many of them would never rest until they found me – and the Nest. My abilities had to remain secret. It made me sad, because I wanted to help them all.
It made sense, but it was also tragic. Injured and ill people suffering unnecessarily when Coquelicot wanted to help them, all to keep the Nest a secret. The Great Concealment, when all the dragons of Britain and Europe went into hiding, had hidden costs.
And in this case, he might be able to help. If you wish to heal more mortals, we have many here who would be glad of it. And it might make them accept dragons as allies more easily.
The tired dragon seemed instantly more energetic. Truly? That would make me happy. I used to heal the Kith as often as they would let me.
Disgustingly healthy, as Jack had said. If I may ask a question, can you tell me anything of my brother? Was he still safe when you left?
An image of Jack, almost maternal in its feeling, came into his mind. I was only there a few days after you left, just long enough that I could be certain you were taking the elixir. He was still well then.
It was something, at least.
There was another question Darcy needed answered, though, and he would rather ask it directly than through Elizabeth.
He found Cerridwen in the dressing room they had made over for her.
The scent of sandalwood greeted him at the door, no doubt from the oil which Chandrika, Elizabeth’s maid, was rubbing into the dragon’s scales.
“Yes, just there,” Cerridwen sighed with pleasure.
Darcy greeted her, and then said carefully. “Cerridwen, there is something I am wondering about. I know dragons do not like being asked questions, but would you mind if I told you my problem?”
The dragon snorted out a puff of smoke. “I suppose you must have many questions.”
“Mostly just one, about what will happen if the Nest refuses to give Coquelicot sanctuary. If I traveled with her and kept taking the elixir for the lesser bond, would she be able to go to a different Nest that might have room for her?”
“There are stories of mortals who took on the lesser bond for months at a time, so it might be possible,” she said reluctantly. “Except for the part where you are not supposed to leave Pemberley.”
“I am safer here, yes, but is it enough of a difference that I should allow Coquelicot to die for it?” His voice was sharp.
“Of course not, and it is to your credit that you are willing to take that risk. There may be less drastic solutions, though. Perhaps we could find another mortal who could take on the lesser bond to her for that journey. Let us see first what the Nest says, but I will help to find a way to keep her safe, should it be necessary.”
He should be satisfied with that. Cerridwen would fix things to keep Coquelicot safe, which was the most important thing. It was ridiculous to want to reject any solution that involved Coquelicot bonding to anyone else.