Burn (Dragon Souls) (21 page)

“Agreed. Yet amongst this you trust
us
, people you barely know, to shield you when you rest? To not take advantage of what it would mean to have you in our home?”

Put like that he made her sound incredibly naive.

She nibbled her lip. Her gaze was sincere when it lifted to meet his candid one. “I do.”

Averting his eyes, Sevastyan collected his thoughts. He ordered heartier food and wine to be brought for their guest. Already, he could see that it would be difficult to deny this female anything she desired. The rumours of her servants’ loyalty held more credence. “You believe strongly in the bond of family.”

“Yes. Even if I didn’t, you’d be crazy to try and hurt me.” Her mahogany eyes sparkled dark amusement. “No Lord wants Houses Raad and Kol on their ass seeking vengeance.”

Rubbing his throat, Sevastyan chortled hoarsely. The thought was terrifying. “Bah, none of that matters. You are welcome. I admit before long I believe our modest way of life will chafe and you will leave us.” When she seemed puzzled, he waved a gauntlet. “We have little to offer, but it is yours.”

“It’s nice down here. Cosy.”

He snorted. “It’s a prison compared to the Imperial apartments.”

“Is it secure?”

“Impenetrable.”

“I know someone who’ll be putting that claim to the test.” She grinned. “As long as it’s safe I’m happy. I don’t need much but somewhere private to sleep. I have to insist on privacy because, well,” she shrugged, “people keep trying to kill me, you know?”

“Indeed. Your servants?” Sevastyan’s bushy brows drew together deepening the creases lining his forehead. “I barely have enough room to house my own staff. Where will your princeling sleep? We have but one guest room.”

“Boy roams at night. He sleeps in whatever nook he finds or with me at the foot of the bed.” She cleared her throat to hide the quaver in her voice. “At least, he used to sleep in with me. Otherwise, he simply blends and adapts. As for servants, the only permanent member of staff I need is Pasha. She refuses her own room to sleep on a pallet beside my bed.” She barked laugh and slapped the table. “This is perfect. I have a valid excuse to send the rest packing. Pytor can deal with them at Zar palace. I told them I didn’t need so many people waiting on me, but more and more turned up every day. It was driving me crazy. I couldn’t pee without someone waiting to wipe my– Uh–”

Gasping, Viktor burst into guffaws before slapping a hand over his mouth.

“Not really appropriate table conversation is it?” She winked at him. “If Pasha was here she’d be twisting my ear and saying
language Princess
.” Laughing with him, she ruffled his cute half grown Mohawk and got back on topic. “I don’t have much stuff. Mikhail can keep the gowns and jewellery. It does mean I’ll need to go to the market before it closes for new tunics and leathers.” She offered Sevastyan an apologetic look. “I hate to ask, but could you spare a small guard? Koen will roast me alive if he finds out I wandered into a populated area alone.”

“A contingent of men will be made available to you for all your needs during your stay. We have no other Lords sworn to us, but my Dragon Men are well trained.” Sevastyan’s gaze bounced over her head. He motioned sharply to a stocky, swarthy-faced man hovering unobtrusively by the door. “This is Vadik, Captain of House Ryu’s Guard. He and five of his best will be yours to command.”

Vadik bowed low. His ebony skin gleamed. “An honour, majesty.”

“Why are you wearing armour?” Marina asked, fascinated by the intricately decorated yet well worn metal suit.

It was almost medieval in design, reminding her of the armour ancient samurai wore.

“Majesty?” Vadik looked questioningly at Ryu who simply nodded, indicating he answer. “We always wear battle armour while on duty.”

Marina crossed her arms and leaned them on the table. “The Drackai don’t. I began to think the ice breathers are more war hungry.” Her head tilted as her gaze swept up and down.

Oddly, her mind catalogued places her claws could penetrate and her teeth puncture.

Which confused the shit out of her because she had neither claws nor fangs.

“I see you’re just more aware, more disciplined,” she finished quickly as she realised they watched her. She gave the forced smile she was getting good at. “It’s impressive.”

Vadik blinked. A small smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Most nobles do not think such a thing. They believe we are brutish oafs with no concept of fashion.”

“Since when does a warrior need to know about fashion?”

He stared dumbly.

Eyes widening and throwing his head back, he roared a laugh, his teeth a white slash in his dark face.

The Dragon Lords jumped in their seats.

Marina grinned and patted his armoured arm. “I think we’ll get along just fine. Would you and your men meet me by the door in an hour to escort me to the Citadel vault then the market place?”

“As you command.” With another bow, Vadik left to carry out his orders.

Sevastyan was bemused. “I’ve never seem my Captain so at ease with a stranger. You surprised him.”

“Seems I have a habit of doing that. People in this dimension are so judgemental. I could see as he walked over that he decided not to like me.”

“It is a matter of self preservation. People are either friend or foe. It is in your best interest to view all as an enemy until they prove differently.”

“Hm.” Marina let that one go. She could see the sense in what he said considering Tzion’s thriving backstabbing society. “The only thing I can think that might take up room is my weapons and armour, but Daniil takes care of that. He knows the best way to polish and mend it, so he keeps hold of it.” He no longer trusted others to watch over them. It was another task he’d taken she’d have to convince him to relinquish. She glanced around. A few cushions and pictures gave the place a homely feel. Cherished weapons were mounted above the fireplace. “This room is large enough to hold meetings ever so often, as long as you don’t mind. I’m sure the Regent will allow us another space for official business if you’re not comfortable with that. I understand you may have your own political aspirations. Koen or Daniil will lend me a room easy.”

“The King ... Lord Kol.” Viktor stuttered their names with a touch of reverence. “They will come
here
?”

The Ryu males exchanged a panicked look.

“Probably. They spend time relaxing with me when I’m not training or strategising.” Marina looked at Sevastyan speculatively. “Actually, it would be great to get a new perspective. I rely a lot on Daniil when it comes to ill winds blowing my way from the other Houses. Your input would be wonderful. If you’re willing to confer with us, Uncle.”

Hot under the collar, overwhelmed, Sevastyan cleared his throat. “We don not have much to offer such great Lords.”

“No need to be modest.” She peered around unconcernedly. “Pasha will take care of that stuff when she finds her way down. I won’t put undue stress on your staff. They have enough to do looking after your family and men. If my presence gets too much, or if Koen and Daniil get fussy don’t put up with their domineering bullshit. Just let me know.” She wagged a finger at them. “I’ll deal with them.”

Sevastyan had to laugh at the idea of this female ordering about the feared Dragon King.

Apparently whispers they bonded before the Hunt were not exaggerated.

Viktor had elatedly recounted his time during the feast, avowing they were genuinely affectionate, but his offspring was naïve in such matters. He had little contact with females due to his speech impediments.

He’d been wrong to discount his the observations of his offspring.

Sevastyan motioned to his staff. They loitered nervously by the door with towering platters of food. “You truly wish to stay?”

“As long as you don’t mind the parade of people coming and going, I’d love to stay and get to know you both.” Marina leaned back as a servant placed a clean plate and cutlery in front of her. “Thanks.”

The maid arranging the last of the meal startled. Eyes wide, she dipped into a curtsy before bolting back into the kitchens.

Oblivious to the wondering looks the Lords were giving her, Marina twirled her wooden, unvarnished chopsticks as she sniffed at the food.

Sevastyan’s face heated as he thought of the fine silverware and china the upper Houses enjoyed. “I am sorry we have so little to offer you. We weren’t expecting guests. We eat humbly unless there is a special occasion.”

Marina barely heard him. She was famished since she passed up breakfast that morning. She dove into the steaming bowls of plain rice and fish.

Stuffing a forkful in her mouth, she froze. “Who’s the cook?”

Sevastyan eyed her worriedly.

Berthilda had been with him for years. She was getting on in age, and her meals weren’t as inventive as some, but her punctuality and ability to make provisions stretch made her a great asset.

The thought of having to replace her for a wasteful, pompous chef to please his royal guest made his stomach churn.

“Something displeases you?”

“It’s delicious.” Marina groaned, filing her mouth and licked her lips. “I haven’t had anything this good since getting here. I mean, the foods nice, but they keep giving me nothing but red meat.” She made a happy noise and licked her lips. “Funny, because I never used to eat seafood before.”

“The fishermen bring in fresh catches daily, but it all goes to the Dragon Lords, especially during Aver. Our beasts love it.”

She blinked, digesting this. “Oh.” Taking a mental step back, she realised the otherness was rolling about in her mind, colouring her perception of the meal. “Well, this is perfect. The fish is succulent and flaky, the rice is soft and tastes like coconuts.” She sighed. Pleasure washed over her unease. Her stomach rumbled, her mouth watered, and the food was glorious. “Koen’s going to love this.” She wolfed down the rest of her plate, pausing to gulp water when the steaming rice burned the roof of her mouth. “I don’t know about you, but I’m having seconds.”

M
arina stared agog at the mountains of gold hers to spend. Grabbing a leather pouch, she filled it until the seams bulged then gave each of her guard a solid gold sovereign.

They balked, repeatedly tried to give her the money back, but she insisted they get one gold coin a week as payment for their extra duties in guarding her.

Vadik explained it was more than their monthly soldier wages, but she waved him away after giving him his own coins.

She knew and they knew protecting her was one of the most dangerous jobs in the Kingdom, even if it came with unmentionable honour attached.

Satisfied with her new situation, Marina strolled through the market place the Tzioni people called a souk.

Relaxing, she let her attention drift. She took her time to soak in the energetic, friendly atmosphere. She stopped at countless stalls to sift through luxurious bolts of fabric, perfumes, oils, and staggeringly cast array of grooming products.

Having simple tastes, she purchased bricks of seaweed soap, a crystal vile of conditioning body oil that smelt like peppermint and vanilla, a wide toothed comb made of wild Dragon bone, and a beautiful braided hair clip for when her hair grew out.

She stopped at the tanner and ordered two pairs of new boots, as well as purchased a ready-made woven belt with leather sheathes at each hip for daggers.

She took one look at the finely woven tunics at the next stall and bought all of the merchant’s stock in her size. She cleaned out the leathers thinking it was better to stockpile a style and fit she liked in case she was too busy to shop for a while.

The grey-haired man pressed ankle-length, tulip-shaped skirt into her hands, insisting it was suitable for fighting yet enhanced her feminine curves. He grinned, not a tooth in his head, mentioning the last, making Marina blush furiously, and laugh when her shy reaction encouraged him to beg for a kiss.

The guard from House Ryu were alert yet accommodating. They didn’t grumble when she had them carrying armloads of goods in a train behind her, and she thought that was sweet of them.

A stocky male with hazel eyes, and a quick, crooked smile called Dmitri, reminded her in a monotonous voice she’d paid them well.

He softened the comment with a sly wink.

Catching the shameless remark, the others laughed their agreement.

Vadik refused to carry anything, arguing his duty to guard her body. It was a charge he took seriously.

Gawkers that blocked their path were dispatched with a feral growl eerily wolf like. The large man prowled ahead, gaze constantly roaming, seeking a threat.

A steely look from his stormy eyes, a colour she’d never seen on such a dark-skinned man before, had grown men running.

When she cautiously mentioned how beautiful she thought his eyes were, his dour expression cracked into a grin that stretched ear to ear.

Marina had long ceased chaffing under the watchful eyes of guards. They were there to keep her safe.

While she could take care of herself in a pinch, it took a load of her mind relaxing and enjoying herself while in public.

Yes, it was unnerving to sometimes look and see a group of people staring at her when they figured out who she was. Faces were often dumbstruck with awe, or in many cases, lust, if the group was young males who didn’t know better than to covet the female of the bone-crunching, overprotective Dragon King, but she learned to simply smile, wave and move on.

The people of Tzion were of course curious about her, and there was no crime in that.

Some even sidled closer to offer her congratulations on her victory against the ice wolves, or compliment her ‘magnificent beauty’, which she found amusing. Though she had her own quirky thing going on, she couldn’t hold a candle to Anastasia’s icy beauty or Galina’s fiery gorgeousness.

Though the guards swelled to surround her and ordered the onlookers back, she found it sweet, and rather amazing the people cared enough to have an opinion one way or the other.

While she allowed her guards to protect her as they saw fit, she did intervene in Vadik’s safekeeping when he almost took a young man’s head off when he pulled a flower from behind his back.