Chapter 19
Frederica did not like being out of breath, so she slowed her pace as she approached the clearing.
She was not fond of exercise for its own sake, and it made her cross that Quickthorn had insisted she come all this way to speak to her when her dragon could fly to the main house in a matter of a minute or two.
Or simply tell her whatever she needed to know via a sending.
But no doubt Quickthorn was eager to show off her handiwork at the restored dragon nursery.
Certainly the reconstruction seemed to be taking up a great deal of her time, which was another thing Frederica did not like.
Of course she understood that Quickthorn had duties far more important than keeping her company, but this was not a good time for Frederica to be alone with her thoughts.
Not when they kept drifting to the fact that she would never see Roderick again.
And there it was, the wrenching pain deep inside her that had become an all too familiar companion since he left. The ache made her stop in place, bending over to rest her hands on her knees as if somehow that might miraculously provide relief. Surely this ought to be getting easier by now!
But what did she know? She had never been in love before, and never would be again, if this grim agony was the result.
Sometimes she wished she had never even met him, but then she recalled the joy that being in his arms had brought her.
And then she hated him for leaving her with nothing but sleepless nights and arms that would be forever empty.
She blew out an annoyed breath and set forth again on the steep path. Perhaps Quickthorn had demanded that she come up here in the hope that the exercise would let her sleep tonight. It would take a great deal more than this to slow her spinning thoughts and regrets, though.
Enough of this. She was a mage and a dragon companion, and she would not wallow in her own misery. She hurried ahead, around the last curve in the path, and marched into the clearing.
And stopped and blinked.
Were those hatchlings, those small creatures tumbling across the grass, grappling with each other and wrestling?
Little stumps of wings, and no scales, just a hide covering plump little bodies.
They were totally unlike Agate, little Jenny’s nestling, but the head shape was similar, and their eyes were bright gold.
And they were adorable, like little puppies.
And the bigger ones - were they playing with human children?
Yes, three girls and a boy, no more than six or seven, were engaged in a game of tag with a hatchling, while another baby dragon was curled up in the lap of a slightly older girl who was cuddling him like a human infant.
Wood anemones and early wild daffodils bloomed at the edge of the clearing behind them, creating a charming, if highly unusual, picture.
Quickthorn stood next to the dragon stones. Two women, tenants by their dress, sat together on the bench and sewed, a basket of what appeared to be mending beside them.
She reached out to her dragon. What is this?
Quickthorn's pride shone through her aura. Exactly what I hoped for. Mortals interacting with the hatchlings.
I thought you only wanted the nursery here to force the Nest to keep the wards up!
Now there was a hint of triumph. That was part of it.
If the dragons of the Dark Peak are to stop skulking in their Nest and take their rightful place in the world again, they must engage more with humans.
The old ones are too set in their ways, but these hatchlings have not yet been infected by fear of the world.
Frederica raised an eyebrow, impressed with her dragon’s scheming. This will make a difference?
Do you recall how frightened Agate was when he was offered to you as a possible companion?
Quickthorn swept a wingtip towards the hatchlings.
These little ones, if they live long enough, will not be afraid of humans.
They will remember them as their playmates.
They will want to take companions, because they trust them.
There was a note of defiance in her stance.
Could Quickthorn possibly be worried that she would condemn her for this? Well, she could fix that! Let me help, I beg you. I want to be part of this new world where the dragons and humans can mingle.
A wave of pleased approval washed over her. I would like that.
Frederica began to make her way across the clearing to Quickthorn. How did you convince the parents to let their children take part? She needed no explanation for the children’s desire to do so - any youngster worth their salt would jump at the chance to play with baby dragons!
Quickthorn gave a smoky snort. No one looked up except one of the women, who quickly turned back to her work. The hard part has been keeping them away, once the offer was made. Everyone in the village wants their children to befriend the dragons.
Why? But even as she thought it, she realized the answer. Dragons had saved many lives during the floods fifty years ago. Having a dragon friend could guarantee their safety someday - not to mention the other gifts that could come from dragons.
Quickthorn clearly had no trouble reading her thoughts, even though Frederica had not intended to send them.
They also want them to have a chance to be considered as companions.
There are people here, the ones you call commoners, who have traces of Talent.
Perhaps a match will be made here, though a bond could not happen for some years.
Indeed, there must be a good deal of mage blood on the wrong side of the blanket floating around, and dragons cared nothing for the legalities of legitimacy. It is an exciting idea. I wish I could have met you sooner.
Yes. This small bit of freedom, from taking you as a companion and staying at Pemberley, has been a gift to me.
Of that there was no doubt. Quickthorn had been so prickly and irritable when they first met, and now that side of her did not appear so often. She knew how much Frederica adored her.
Quickthorn sent, Would you like to see the underground nursery? The ramp is suitable for human legs.
If her dragon was proud of it, Frederica definitely wanted a chance to admire it.
The nursery proved to be a large chamber with stone walls and a tessellated floor. Piles of enormous dragon eggs nestled in fabric, and some young hatchlings dozed by a large, glowing stone that gave off heat.
“I am impressed that you accomplished this so quickly,” Frederica said.
“It is not much,” Quickthorn said dismissively, her aura shifting into nervousness. “But in truth, I brought you here for a reason.”
“What is that?”
The dragon shifted from one foot to another in the enclosed space. “Rowan and I decided long ago not to interfere in anything between you and Companion Roderick.”
Damn, there it was, the stab of pain again, the ache in her stomach. She had actually managed to forget about him for a few minutes. “Sensible,” she said flatly. Not that there was anything to interfere in any longer.
“It is clear you prefer to keep your connection secret from the mortals at Pemberley. Resultingly, and to spare you possible embarrassment, we have made an exception today. Companion Roderick is just arriving. If you wish to see him privately, I will tell Rowan to send him down to you. If not, we will say nothing to him of your presence.”
A rush of joy stole her breath away. “He is here at Pemberley?”
“In the clearing above us. Rowan just landed with him.”
Every instinct screamed at her to run to him. She turned towards the ramp before her mind caught up with her. Why had he come? Did it even have anything to do with her? He might have been sent as an emissary to Elizabeth and Cerridwen. Her throat tightened.
The dragons were right. Best to have this meeting in private.
“Yes. Pray send him to me.” Her mouth was so dry it was hard to get the words out.
Since she could not thank her, instead she said, “I am glad you arranged it this way.” She did not want Quickthorn blaming herself if she spent the rest of the day collapsed and sobbing.
The dragon transformed into her bird form and flew out, leaving Frederica alone with her pounding heart and dozens of dragon eggs. And a deep sense of dread, mixed with her natural excitement. What if he had come to see her?
Hurried footsteps, human ones, rattled from the ramp. He must have raced here the moment Quickthorn told him. Was that a good sign or a bad one?
Then he emerged from the opening, his dark hair windblown and askew.
Her heart swelled at the sight of the face she loved so well, his crooked nose only adding character, his lithe body twisting as he looked from side to side.
Of course - she was in the darkest part of the structure, and his eyes had not yet adjusted from the sun. He could not see her.
“Frederica?” He said it softly, yet his voice reverberated through her body.
She ran forward and threw her arms around him. It did not matter why he was here. She had been aching for him for weeks, and now she needed his touch.
His arms closed around her, pulling her even closer, and his mouth sought out hers. Gently, always gently, because that was who he was.
But it was not enough for her. She deepened the kiss insistently until he groaned, and she could feel the passion in his body as it pressed against hers. An ache grew deep within her, but she could not give into it yet.
She had to know. “Why did you come here?” she breathed.
He laid his forehead against hers. “To the Nest, at the command of the Eldest. Here? Because I could not bear to stay away.”
Her body melted into his. “I could not stand it, either.”
“I do not know how we are to manage it, but we must find some way to be together. Even if it is only a few stolen days from time to time. I cannot live this way.”