Chapter 31
Zenevieve
Isavelle has had her baby, and the whole kingdom rejoices for the new princess, whom her adoring parents have named Sylvi. She’s the prettiest little baby, and wherever Isavelle goes with her, Esmeral or Scourge are often close behind, or watching from a perch on a high tower.
Ravenna is gone from Lenhale, and Kane and the wild dragons have followed her.
No doubt she wishes that he hadn’t. I can’t imagine what a torment it must be to hate and fear the man the gods have compelled you to desire and know that your life and body are in the hands of someone who has done some of the worst things imaginable.
To be totally and completely ashamed and terrified of your own mate.
I feel guilty that I never tried to be her friend, and that I resented her just because Stesha saved her life.
I should have been proud of him and sympathized with her.
I confess everything to Queen Isavelle one afternoon as we’re sitting on the grass with Esmeral and her hatchlings.
They are strong enough to emerge from the nesting caves, and Esmeral led them proudly across the dusty dragongrounds, over the dragon bridge, and up to one of the queen’s favorite gardens.
Now she’s napping contentedly among the flowers while we play with her nestlings.
And what adorable, lively nestlings they are.
Scourge’s dark and steady presence circles above us as he watches over his mate and his tiny offspring.
“I feel guilty for the thoughts I had about Ravenna during the games. How much I resented her for no reason,” I tell Isavelle.
“She feels guilty as well,” the queen tells me. “She was trying to provoke Kane’s anger by paying attention to Stesha, not realizing it would hurt you.”
“Kane is a beast. Ravenna is trapped in a horrible situation, and I should have felt for her, not resented her.”
“It’s easier said than done when your body and blood are making you half mad with love and longing.” Isavelle gives me a gentle smile. “You’re like me, aren’t you, Zenevieve? An Omega. I’ve noticed something in your scent.”
“I’m not a proper Omega. If I was, you wouldn’t have to ask.
I’ve never been in heat. I don’t think I ever will be.
” Frustrated tears crowd onto my lashes, and I swipe them away.
“Why can’t one thing just be easy? I always thought that Alphas and Omegas had it easy.
They’re meant for each other. They fit together.
One breath of the other’s scent, and everything is meant to be certain.
Stesha and I did nothing but cause each other pain for years and years. ”
“If it’s any comfort, it wasn’t easy for Zabriel and me either, but we got there.
I didn’t recognize Zabriel as my mate, but he was so patient with me.
Has Stesha been patient with you?” she asks with a concerned wrinkle of her brow.
“I hope he has been. The dragonmaster isn’t known for those qualities. ”
“Stesha has always been patient and understanding with me. He said he doesn’t care what my designation is.
He just wants his mate.” I watch a little hatchling frisk around my fingers.
“But he did hurt me. Back in Old Maledin, every time we were drawn to each other, he panicked and felt like he was betraying some unknown woman. Have you heard of lavish sickness?”
Isavelle shakes her head, and I explain what it is and what it did to me as her eyes grow wider and wider.
“How terrible,” she exclaims when I’m done. “The two of you have had such an awful time. I had no idea.”
“It’s been torture, but I don’t blame Stesha. It was Emmeric’s fault. Somehow,” I add with a mutter. I wish I knew how he poisoned me, for it must have been him.
Queen Isavelle thinks for a moment. “It would be tempting to blame Stesha for what happened. He was the one who gave in to his desires and then pushed you away so forcefully.”
“He hurt me, but he was in a rut. Alphas can do foolish things when they are in their ruts.”
“They can indeed,” Isavelle agrees dryly.
“I only want him and no one else. That part is easy. It’s the rest that continues to be a torment.”
There has been no sign of Emmeric since the attack on his southern stronghold. No word of a dark sorcerer or undead roaming the land. Everything feels oddly quiet. Too quiet. I don’t believe that we’ve seen the last of Emmeric, the so-called Shadow King.
And I’m right, but when the news comes, there is not the great battle with much blood and death that I was anticipating.
Zabriel and Isavelle send for Stesha and me, and we meet with them in one of the royal sitting rooms. Sunshine is playing on the dragon banners, which are stirring in a gentle breeze.
The king sits forward, his red eyes darting between the two of us. “I have something to tell you both. I wanted you to hear this from myself and the queen.” He looks hard at us for a moment, and then says bluntly, “Emmeric is dead.”
A shocked silence follows his statement. I look at Stesha, wondering if he had any idea about this, but his face is serious and somber, and his brows are drawn together.
“How?” Stesha asks.
“When?” I say at the same time.
Zabriel takes a deep breath. “A group of former witchfinders located Emmeric, and they proposed a plan to kill him. A quiet, dragonless plan, using wingrunners to help them draw close to him, and magic to contain him. The plan was a success. We were able to kill him.”
“He’s… He’s dead?” I ask faintly.
“He is,” Isavelle says, looking between me and Stesha with worry in her eyes, but mainly at me. “I’m sorry that we weren’t able to tell you beforehand, but we needed secrecy, and we didn’t know if the plan would work. How do you feel?”
Stesha reaches out and seizes my hand. I gaze at our intertwined fingers. “I don’t know,” I say truthfully.
Isavelle nods. “I only briefly knew the man who was once Zabriel’s brother, but you both flew with him. Fought beside him. Were betrayed by him. This must be difficult news for you to hear.”
I shake my head. “It’s just so sudden.”
Stesha’s reply is harsh and blunt. “Emmeric made it impossible for anyone to like him. He was cruel toward my mate when they were trainee dragonriders, long before he crossed paths with the lich. If we have few words to offer, it is because we are shocked by this news.”
“I apologize that we were so clandestine about this,” Zabriel says. “The warlocks of Maledin urged us to approach him quietly, without the aid of the dragon army.”
“He is dead by whose hand?” Stesha asks.
“Mine,” Zabriel says.
My mate turns to me, examining my face. I give him a small nod, telling him I’m all right, and I’m glad that Zabriel was the one to do it. The king understands better than anyone what Emmeric has put us all through.
Stesha squeezes my fingers, releases a breath slowly, and turns back to the king and queen. “Then I’m grateful that it is done. It can’t have been an easy task for any of you. The warlocks are an asset to Maledin.”
Isavelle looks pleased by this and smiles at Stesha. “They have been forgiven for their misdeeds, but they still seek to atone. I will pass on your kind words to them, dragonmaster.”
I’m watching the king, who has dropped his head and is staring at his intertwined hands. “It must have been hard for you, Ma’len. He was the last of your family. I’m sorry.”
Zabriel lifts his red eyes to mine. “I did not relish the task. It would have be more difficult if I thought there was any humanity left in the man who was once my brother. He killed our parents, our sister, and his dragon, and he destroyed Maledin. He’s responsible for the deaths of countless others.
I’m glad it’s done. If it’s truly done,” he adds bitterly.
“You mean you expect the return of the lich?” I ask.
Isavelle looks pained. “Yes. I’m sorry. I tried to capture it, but I failed. Even with the aid of the warlocks, my magic wasn’t good enough.”
Stesha caresses my knuckles with his thumb as he gazes at Isavelle. “You are fighting strange magic, my queen. Next time it appears, you will be more prepared.”
“I hope so, dragonmaster,” she replies. “I was afraid you might be angry with us about this news. Thank you both for taking the time to listen to us and understand.”
Stesha’s jaw firms. “It does not matter to me who slew the traitor prince. My blade is Zabriel’s blade. We agreed that long ago.”
Zabriel inclines his head. “Always, my friend.”
Queen Isavelle stands and embraces me while the two Alphas clasp forearms. I don’t think the news has properly sunk in yet, but I’m starting to feel a little lighter.
Now that the Dragon Games are over, the dragongrounds belong to the dragons once more.
At dusk, I go for a walk among them, my fingers trailing over scales, my hair fluffed every time a dragon leans down to snort against my nape.
It tickles, and it makes me laugh. One or two dragons even try to groom me and nibble at my clothes.
They’re taking care of me. They’re telling me that I belong with the flare even though I’m not bonded with a dragon, and it soothes my heart.
There are many new hatchlings and fledglings lately, but I feel none of the spark that I did with Minta. I think I’d recognize that spark right away the second time around. I know Stesha would. He’s always watching me with the dragons.
I come upon Stesha and Nilak near the center of the flare, and my mate has his hands fervently pressed against Nilak’s stomach as he concentrates hard. As soon as he notices me, he picks me up in his arms and whirls me around. His face is glowing as he places me back on my feet.
“You’re in a good mood,” I say, though good is an understatement. I’ve rarely seen Stesha so exuberant.
He beams at me. “It’s Nilak. She’s expecting hatchlings.”
I smile in delight. “She is? That’s wonderful. Who’s her mate? I didn’t know she had one.”