Chapter 2
Harper
The next day, morning practice has long since finished, and I’ve bathed.
I’m ready to escape for a little while. I pull my bag on and set out through the academy grounds, having decided early this morning that I’d be going on an herb-gathering mission today for a couple reasons.
I don’t know this area, which is something I want to rectify.
I also don’t have fresh herbs, or the variety I’m used to, in case I need them.
I just have what the servants could provide.
And that’s just not good enough for me as a healer.
Regardless of my dragon rider status, I don’t intend to let my skills go to waste.
I spot Roland in the hall, and he smiles. “What are you up to?”
“Collecting herbs from the forest.”
He looks surprised. “Be careful out there. It’s easy to get lost.”
“Thanks.” I hesitate. “And thanks for keeping an eye on me. I know it’s not easy, given the circumstances.”
“No problem. But I will say, you seem to be getting the hang of things now. I’m not sure if you’ll need quite as much of my help.”
Grinning, I say, “And here I was thinking I was just as lost as I was on my first day.”
A couple more dragon riders come around the corner, and Roland’s smile vanishes.
One of them invites him to join them, and Roland gives me the smallest nod of his head before taking off with them.
As hard as it is that he doesn’t want anyone associating me with him, I don’t blame him.
We’re not friends, not really. We’re just friendly with each other.
I’m off to explore the forest for herbs. I send the thought out to Ebron.
He responds, as if from a great distance. Be safe. I will continue enjoying my time with my three powerful females.
I know it should be mostly troubling to me that he’s getting closer to the female dragons, but I can’t help but be happy for him. Regardless of what Ebron says, I think he’s been lonely for awhile.
My braid bounces on my back as I make my way out to the courtyard the academy shares with the castle.
I hurry to the open gates leading out to the city.
The forest surrounds the city and the academy in all directions, other than where the land meets the sea.
My plan is to dive into the forest and lose myself for a little while.
Just enough time to sort through the complicated thoughts constantly running through my mind.
“Hey!”
Every muscle in my body stiffens, and I turn to see the three princes on the steps leading down from the castle.
Prince Alaric is the one who called out to me, his expression serious.
His brothers look to be in their usual bad moods, Prince Gareth with his customary glare, and Prince Lucien with an unfriendly smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
I want to just turn around and ignore them, but doing such a thing in front of the castle, for all to see, when they’re princes, seems like a bad idea.
I wait, and they approach me. “What is it?” I ask.
“Where are you going?” Prince Gareth asks, frowning as he glances down at my bag.
“Running away?” Prince Lucien questions, but he doesn’t sound as pleased about the idea as I would have thought.
I sigh, grasping the strap of my bag and telling myself not to be a dick to them, even though they deserve it. “I’m going to gather herbs in the forest.”
Prince Alaric looks confused as he sweeps a hand through his short brown hair. “Herbs in the forest?”
“Yup.”
“Explain,” Prince Gareth barks.
Rolling my eyes, I turn to go.
A hand closes around my arm. I look back, and it’s Prince Lucien. “He asked you a question.”
“Why does it matter?” I challenge.
“Our father told us to keep an eye on you after the attack by the Hollowborns. They’ve clearly taken an interest in you… for some reason,” Prince Lucien responds, seeming irritated that I’m questioning him.
“And you clearly take your job real seriously.”
I try to jerk my arm free from him, but his grip only tightens.
Realizing that I’m either going to have to beat the shit out of all three of them and hope my grandfather taught me how to fight well enough to take all three on at once or answer, I go with the easier option.
“Remember? I’m a healer. I’m used to having a collection of herbs for healing.
I don’t have that here, so I’m going to find some. ”
“Alone in the woods?” Prince Gareth asks, not sounding happy.
I try not to roll my eyes again. “Have you any idea how much of my life I’ve spent exploring the woods on my own? I can take care of myself.”
The three exchange a look, which is the most connected I’ve ever seen them. It’s like some silent understanding is passing between them. As nice as it might be to see this connection at another time, I feel like it means trouble for me.
Prince Gareth turns back to me. “We’re coming with you.”
The other two nod.
“The fuck you are!”
“Our father gave us specific orders–” Prince Alaric begins.
Prince Lucien cuts him off. “The whole court, no, the whole city, fuck, the whole country is talking about you bringing about peace between us and the Hollowborns. Ever since our father read the history books and spread the word at the ball, you’ve become some kind of symbol of hope.
Personally, I think it’s all bullshit, but people won’t be happy if our little symbol of hope ends up dead in the woods. ”
“Yet, scaring me off from becoming a dragon rider and giving you my dragon is perfectly acceptable?”
“Yes,” Prince Alaric says, almost surprised. “A woman not being cut out to be a rider is acceptable. You dying is not. Once you realize your place, you can always stay in the court and continue being the symbol of hope our people need.”
“How sweet.”
“You’re not going alone, so let’s be done with this,” Prince Gareth says grumpily.
“What if I pinky promise I won’t die?”
Prince Lucien’s mouth twitches. “No go.”
“How about you tell us what you want, and we have the servants bring it for you?” Prince Alaric asks, and I’m sure he thinks he’s being helpful.
“Is that what you guys do when you want something?” I ask, surprised.
“Of course,” Prince Alaric says, followed by a small smile. “I mean, a dragon rider’s time is too important for things like this.”
These three have probably never spent a night in the woods.
I shake my head. “Sorry, I’m still going.”
“You’ll stay, and the servants will get your supplies,” Prince Lucien responds, like his word is final.
My gaze slides between them. “To be honest, half the reason I’m going into the woods is to avoid you miserable cunts.”
They look shocked. So shocked that I laugh. I get the impression that these three spend their days being lifted onto the backs of their people, being exalted as men in equal standing with the gods. They’re probably not used to being called names. Not that I should be calling them names so publicly.
“You go with us or not at all,” Prince Gareth tells me simply, then folds his huge arms in front of his chest.
I could just turn around and go back to my room. I could agree that that would be far better than getting stuck with these three for any length of time, but I have a better idea. I’m going to let them go out with me, and I’m going to lose them.
“Fine,” I say with a sickly sweet smile.
Their eyes narrow, and Prince Lucien says, “What are you planning now?”
“You sound a little afraid,” I tell them innocently, then whirl around and start heading out of the courtyard.
I hear them slowly following behind me. In the city, the streets are busy, loud and crowded, two things I’m still getting used to, but I take the road that leads along the wall on the outside of the academy, heading straight for the woods.
It’s a road I’ve seen clearly many times while on Ebron’s back.
Every time I pass a man, he stares, or does a double take.
I’m pretty sure they’re wondering if I’m the female dragon rider everyone is talking about, but no one approaches me.
Until one man flashes a smile and stops. “Hi,” he greets me.
I smile politely back. “Hi.”
He leans in as he speaks to me. “And what might your name be?”
The princes are suddenly there, and Prince Gareth steps between the two of us, forcing the man to step back. He towers over the stranger, the muscles in his neck and arms straining. From what, I have no idea.
“Her name is none of your fucking business, that’s what it is.”
Whether this man recognizes Gareth as one of the princes or just realizes he’s suddenly been surrounded by three imposing men, the effect is the same.
His face drains of color, his shoulders fold inward, and he makes himself as small as possible, before slipping between them and fleeing down the street.
“You could be nicer,” I tell them.
Prince Lucien huffs. “You were nice enough for all of us.”
I shake my head and keep walking. “He was just trying to be friendly.”
“He was trying to get in your pants,” Prince Lucien says, in a really annoying, superior voice.
I frown. “Hardly.”
“You’re kind of dense, aren’t you?” Prince Alaric asks. I look back at him sharply, and he winces. “I mean, come on, that guy wasn’t greeting us and making eyes at us. He saw a beautiful woman, and he tried to make a move.”
“Ooooh,” I squeal, my voice high and syrupy. “Did you really just say that? You think I’m beautiful.” The words come out sugar-sweet, but my eyes are flat.
His cheeks heat, and he’s kind of cute when he blushes. “I didn’t say that, but, well, of course you are. Anyone with eyes would tell you that.”
I glance at the others, fluttering my lashes in mock innocence. “And do all of you find me just as irresistible?”
“No one called you irresistible,” Prince Lucien tells me, but he sounds amused, as if he thinks I’m fishing for compliments, not skewering them.