Read Online Burn (Dragon Souls) by Penelope Fletcher - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Penelope Fletcher
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To Marina that forlorn sound said it all. “He wishes me to make connections. Be seen. I am his heir. It has been a long time since our family was connected to the upper Houses.” He shot her an indecipherable look. “Not since the days of Emperor Mikhail and his Treasure Almeria.
Marina nodded politely. It sounded as if there was something else she was supposed to take from his words, but she refrained from asking. It was a pleasant conversation and she wanted it to remain so. “You’re from the Ice Realm. Are you liking the Fire Kingdom?”
“It is hot.” He ran his finger under his collar, easing it away from his throat. His pale, almost colourless hair was damp on his brow, and his milky skin flushed. “Loud. Busy.”
“The Wyvrae Court is that different?”
“There are fewer of us. Compared to the Drackai we ice breathers are smaller in stature and number. There are only a hundred and seventy Houses compared to the three hundred and eight of the fire breathers.”
She blinked. “Has it always been that way?”
He nodded.
“Hold on. The Dragon Lands have gone to war countless times, right?”
Taking a bite of food, he nodded again.
She dropped raw vegetables onto her plate then shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s confusing me. Do the Wyvrae have more soldiers than the Drackai, but less nobles?”
He sipped watered wine before replying. “No.”
“Then how the hell is the Ice Realm still standing as a separate sovereignty?”
The young Lord drew himself up. Savage pride blazed in his indigo eyes, belied the sweetness of his boyish face. “We are fiercer. Better fighters, and ruthless in battle.” He inclined his head to nod down the table. “You know Lord Daniil, yes? He is considered the finest battle Lord aside from King Raad. His warskill is legendary and he has not even yet chosen to pass into the shadows of the afterlife.” Shifting in is seat he gave Marina a tentative smile. “I understand why First Chosen aim for the Crown, but if I may be bold, I wish you to choose the Wreath.”
“Why?”
Viktor glanced around catching people listening.
Lord Tyr in particular leaned over his bowl until his hair swam in his stew, beady eyes probing.
Narked over the scrutiny, Viktor gave the older Lord a curt look then lowered his voice. “You are not afraid to be different. To be heard. You seem ... trustworthy. Liars run abound in these lands. An honest Queen would be a great blessing to the Realm. She would be cherished. It has been so long since we could love our Queen.”
Fork poised over her plate, Marina stared at him in dismay. The guilt trip she suffered was so heinous she physically felt nauseous.
An honest Queen.
There was no way she could lie to Myron and cover up the truth about what happened between her and Koen.
She’d felt uneasy with the idea in principle, and would have had to fortify herself to carry it out, but weighted with the knowledge that young Lords like Viktor viewed her as a chance for a prosperous future that eradicated the treachery rife within the Dragon Courts convinced her she’d fall flat on her face while lying.
She’d end up sobbing a confession. It would screw matters more than they already were.
The truth was Koen Raad hadn’t seduced her. She’d been an eager participant the entire way. Hell, she remembered ripping parts of his clothing off with her teeth.
“Your integrity inspires me.” She leaned forward whispering, “I would be proud to have you in my Court.” Settling back, she winked, and tucked into her food.
Viktor beamed. He raised his goblet silently toasting the goddess as he drained it.
Perhaps his prayers had been answered.
The rest of the meal continued without drama.
Marina found her mind occupied with thoughts of the Ice Realm and its people. She was more certain than ever the Wreath was meant for her.
Would the Wyvrae welcome her differences as sincerely as Viktor? What if they refused to accept change?
Marina was
Marina nodded politely. It sounded as if there was something else she was supposed to take from his words, but she refrained from asking. It was a pleasant conversation and she wanted it to remain so. “You’re from the Ice Realm. Are you liking the Fire Kingdom?”
“It is hot.” He ran his finger under his collar, easing it away from his throat. His pale, almost colourless hair was damp on his brow, and his milky skin flushed. “Loud. Busy.”
“The Wyvrae Court is that different?”
“There are fewer of us. Compared to the Drackai we ice breathers are smaller in stature and number. There are only a hundred and seventy Houses compared to the three hundred and eight of the fire breathers.”
She blinked. “Has it always been that way?”
He nodded.
“Hold on. The Dragon Lands have gone to war countless times, right?”
Taking a bite of food, he nodded again.
She dropped raw vegetables onto her plate then shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s confusing me. Do the Wyvrae have more soldiers than the Drackai, but less nobles?”
He sipped watered wine before replying. “No.”
“Then how the hell is the Ice Realm still standing as a separate sovereignty?”
The young Lord drew himself up. Savage pride blazed in his indigo eyes, belied the sweetness of his boyish face. “We are fiercer. Better fighters, and ruthless in battle.” He inclined his head to nod down the table. “You know Lord Daniil, yes? He is considered the finest battle Lord aside from King Raad. His warskill is legendary and he has not even yet chosen to pass into the shadows of the afterlife.” Shifting in is seat he gave Marina a tentative smile. “I understand why First Chosen aim for the Crown, but if I may be bold, I wish you to choose the Wreath.”
“Why?”
Viktor glanced around catching people listening.
Lord Tyr in particular leaned over his bowl until his hair swam in his stew, beady eyes probing.
Narked over the scrutiny, Viktor gave the older Lord a curt look then lowered his voice. “You are not afraid to be different. To be heard. You seem ... trustworthy. Liars run abound in these lands. An honest Queen would be a great blessing to the Realm. She would be cherished. It has been so long since we could love our Queen.”
Fork poised over her plate, Marina stared at him in dismay. The guilt trip she suffered was so heinous she physically felt nauseous.
An honest Queen.
There was no way she could lie to Myron and cover up the truth about what happened between her and Koen.
She’d felt uneasy with the idea in principle, and would have had to fortify herself to carry it out, but weighted with the knowledge that young Lords like Viktor viewed her as a chance for a prosperous future that eradicated the treachery rife within the Dragon Courts convinced her she’d fall flat on her face while lying.
She’d end up sobbing a confession. It would screw matters more than they already were.
The truth was Koen Raad hadn’t seduced her. She’d been an eager participant the entire way. Hell, she remembered ripping parts of his clothing off with her teeth.
“Your integrity inspires me.” She leaned forward whispering, “I would be proud to have you in my Court.” Settling back, she winked, and tucked into her food.
Viktor beamed. He raised his goblet silently toasting the goddess as he drained it.
Perhaps his prayers had been answered.
The rest of the meal continued without drama.
Marina found her mind occupied with thoughts of the Ice Realm and its people. She was more certain than ever the Wreath was meant for her.
Would the Wyvrae welcome her differences as sincerely as Viktor? What if they refused to accept change?
Marina was
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