Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition (85 page)

P
ia was seated
between Queen Mede and her husband. Her breath caught every time she looked at Zoran. He was handsome in tight black slacks and a red silk tunic of Lintianese influence. The upright collar was short and separated slightly at the neck. A row of small buttons worked their way down over his chest, stopping at the waist, so that the material could part at the front, and continue down to the knees.

As they’d walked through the main common hall, he’d whispered to her about his home and family. The Draig mountain palace had steep, arched ceilings with the center dome for light. The red stone floor was swept clean. A space was left clear for dancing. Banners of the family crest lined the walls, one for each color of the family lines—purple for the king and queen, black for Yusef, green for Olek, red for Zoran, and blue-gray for Ualan. Each banner had the silver symbol of the dragon boldly woven into it.

Lines of tables reached across the floor for dining, filled with villagers, and attended to by servants who carried endless pitchers of various drinks. Their murmuring voices could be heard all around the hall, as they excitedly awaited the start of the festivities. All of them craned to get a good look at their new princesses sitting at the head table.

Aside from the three princesses, the royal family all wore crowns. The queen tried to talk to her a few times and she answered as politely and distantly as possible. The woman made her uncomfortable. Next to the queen was King Llyr. He spoke mostly to his wife.

Looking past the king, Pia tried to smile at Nadja, but her lips were stiff. She never dreamed she would be set up on display before so many people. Honestly, she hadn’t known what to expect this night. Looking around the hall, at all the curious eyes on her, she shivered.

Prince Olek was next to Nadja. He had a laughing smile and seemed very easy-natured compared to his somber brothers. Pia could instantly see the man’s complete infatuation with his wife. When Nadja wasn’t looking at him, his eyes were all over her. She was happy for her friend. Although, she wasn’t sure Nadja realized it herself.

Next in line was Prince Ualan. She couldn’t tell much from the man’s blank expression and he didn’t pay her any attention. That was fine with Pia. Morrigan, his wife, was next to him. She nodded in Pia’s direction. Pia didn’t know Morrigan well, but returned her acknowledgement with a slight smile.

Morrigan and Ualan had been the last to arrive, just now being seated. From what she gathered, Morrigan had made herself a slave to purge her honor and had come tonight to ask for a royal pardon. She wondered what the woman had done to shame herself.

Smiling wryly down at her drink, she thought,
Maybe she cut her hair, too.

Next to Zoran was his brother, Prince Yusef. He was a darker specimen of male beauty, contrasting completely to his lighter toned brothers. He didn’t say much when he was introduced to her and she had merely nodded in return. The man seemed preoccupied, as if his thoughts had nothing to do with the evening at hand and he was just there filling a space at the royal table. His wife was at home, sick.

“It is glad I am that all my sons have found brides. We are a house blessed.” Pia looked over at the king as he spoke. He lifted his goblet proudly to the crowd before continuing, “Preost, crown the princesses.”

Pia shivered as she was given a crown to match Zoran’s, though it was smaller and much more delicate. The preost fit it on her head, and she was almost too scared to move under the unfamiliar weight.

After the preost was finished muttering whatever ceremonial blessing he spoke, servants came around with plates of food, serving the head table first. Pia looked absently at the meal. It was delicate and proper, and made her long even more for a juicy, rare steak. Sighing, she dutifully picked up her fork.

Leaning to Zoran, she whispered, “Does no one hunt in the palace?”

He chuckled but didn’t answer.

Musicians played softly in the background, filling the hall with music. Pia looked them over, before turning to study the crowd. A group of blond warriors in the back caught her attention. The silent group was ignored by most of the hall. Only one servant approached them, seeming to hesitate as he filled their goblets. The men held still, not looking at the servant as he made his way around.

Pia dropped her fork, leaning to grab her drink only to flinch when she realized it was wine and set it back down untouched. Zoran saw the gesture and smiled. He waved his hand to a servant and asked him quietly to bring something other than wine for his wife.

Pia leaned over, not taking her eyes off the men. It was obvious they didn’t belong in the hall. Seeing the largest warrior at their table turn his eyes around the room in displeasure, Pia narrowed her gaze.

She worked her hand against Zoran’s arm to get his attention. She felt his eyes on her, but didn’t take her eyes off the strange guests. The largest at their table turned his stare to the royal table. The man did not have good intentions. Pia recognized the evil in him. It was in every one of his micro-expressions.

“That man plans something,” Pia said quietly to Zoran. “I’m going to make my way over there.”

Zoran tensed beneath her touch and reached to squeeze her fingers. Pia blinked, pulling out of her concentration. His eyes lowered in warning. “You are doing no such thing. That’s King Attor of the Var. He rules the kingdom to the south. He’s our guest tonight, and he’s being watched very carefully.”

Pia, realizing what she’d said, paled. “Sorry, old habit.”

She instantly understood Zoran didn’t like the man’s presence in his family’s home. His eyes were suspicious as he turned to peer over the hall.

The Var king snarled slightly in anger, though the man reigned in his emotion well.

“Why is he here?” Pia asked, her instincts quickening with the familiar rush of intrigue and danger. It was a sensation she hadn’t felt for a long, long time and she clung to its familiar pull. “He does not look like a friend.”

“He’s not,” Zoran allowed. “But his presence serves a necessity.”

“Ah,” Pia said, nodding in instant understanding. “It proves that we’re unafraid of him to invite him openly to our home. Smart.”

A servant came back and switched Pia’s wine with juice. Pia eyed the man in surprise.

Zoran leaned to whisper in her ear. “I’ll make a standing order in the kitchen never to serve you wine. If you find a drink you like better, let a servants know and they will see to it.”

Pia shivered as his breath hit her throat. All thoughts of Var intrigue left her as she turned her face to Zoran’s. His lips were really close. Her eyes dipped, unwittingly inviting him to kiss her.

Zoran glanced behind her back to where his parents sat. He smiled wryly, and turned his gaze back to his wife.

“Thanks,” Pia said, leaning back when he didn’t move closer. She swallowed nervously, again becoming aware of the crowd, though her eyes couldn’t focus on them and her ears couldn’t hear them. Her heart beat erratically in her chest. She itched to reach under the table to touch Zoran’s leg.

“You’re welcome,” Zoran withdrew from her.

A shout of laughter resounded over the hall in front of them. Pia turned her dazed attention to the sound breaking into her turbulent thoughts. A young boy limped to his feet from the floor. A group of Draig warriors were laughing at him. One foot turned in slightly and started to drag. Pia’s face fell in horror. Without stopping to think, she jumped up from the table and rushed down to the floor to help the child.

Z
oran had
the insane urge to haul Pia onto his lap to start kissing and groping her like some commoner. When he looked over her shoulder, he noticed his father’s eyes on him. The king urged him with a nod to kiss his bride and make a show of their happy marriage for those watching. Zoran ignored the man. Pia would not appreciate such a display.

Closing his eyes, he took a calming breath. He needed a freezing cold shower. Hell, he needed to dip his overheated body into a river of ice.

Zoran tensed as Pia flew past his back. Instantly, he opened his eyes and looked toward the table of Var warriors, thinking she meant to go there. He stood, intent on chasing after her. Then, to his surprise, she turned and went down to where Heinrich tried to prove his worth to the soldiers in an effort to be admitted into their ranks.

Several large Draig warriors chuckled as they watched the slender, sickly boy from the nearby table. Zoran knew that the boy wanted more than anything to be a soldier. He’d even dared to hound him at the practice field on many occasions. But, being that the orphan was born with a deformed foot that turned in when he walked, he wasn’t the most likely candidate.

The boy, who was climbing back to his feet to do whatever trick the drunken Draig warriors had good-naturedly bid him to try, blinked as Pia sidled next to him. Heinrich paled to see the princess watching him and tried to bow. The boy’s position was precarious and he stumbled before righting himself.

Zoran saw the protective looks on his men’s faces as she approached the boy, though they kept them guarded. Sure, the warriors gave the orphaned boy a hard time, but they were trying to make him strong of character. If he was going to fight with his deformity, he would need nerves of steel.

“Leave him be!” an angry Pia demanded to the table of stunned warriors. Zoran frowned at her forceful words. But, even as he watched her, he couldn’t help thinking how beautifully defiant she was. Besides, it was nice to see her turning her fire onto someone else for a change—even if they were some of the highest ranking men under his command.

“What do you want with Heinrich, my lady?” Stot asked, a burly soldier with a beard. The soldier’s face was hard, but he didn’t raise his voice as he tried to protect Heinrich. Zoran knew the man often cared for the boy, letting him sleep over with his sons, and taking him camping with his family to teach him how to be a proper man. Orphans were the responsibility of the entire community. And, whereas they didn’t have a stable, permanent home, unless they were taken in by nobles like what happened with his cousin, Lord Vlad, they were never left wanting. “Does he offend you? I will have him removed.”

Zoran watched, enthralled, as Pia’s body shook in irritation. Standing up to some of the most fearsome men under his command, she declared, “
He
does not offend me. You, however...”

“I don’t think your wife understands that Heinrich is being put through the paces to prove his worth as a soldier. Perhaps you should stop her and explain before she makes a scene,” Yusef broke in at his side.

A grin threatened the side of Zoran’s mouth, though he hid it well. Turning to Yusef, he said, “Perhaps you’re right brother.”

“My lady,” the confused Stot defended, not understanding what he’d done wrong. “The boy knows we mean no harm. Don’t you, lad?”

Heinrich dutifully nodded his head. He understood perfectly well. He too was confused as he looked at the princess.

“See,” Stot said.

“Yeah,” another drunker soldier with a pockmarked face added. “He thinks to become a warrior, don’t you boy?”

The men laughed good-naturedly. Zoran stood, stepping leisurely around the table to fetch his loud wife. He was all too aware that those in the hall were studying him for a reaction.

“Well, I’m a princess,” Pia announced, “and he will be my personal warrior.”

Those gathered were stunned. Heinrich’s mouth almost dropped to the floor at her declaration. Yusef took a drink, trying not to laugh at the mischief Pia caused. Zoran came up behind her, crossing his arms over his chest and said nothing.

Stot glanced at Prince Zoran in confusion at the declaration.

“If my lady wishes for a warrior,” the bearded man said when he could finally talk. “Let us battle for the position. Do not insult us by naming a boy.”

“Let us have a tournament,” one of the Draig warriors called. A shout of agreement came for the men eager to do battle for the princess’ notice.

“Do you dare to question a princess?” Zoran called with authority over the hall.

The onlookers fell instantly silent in respect. The warriors growled and looked darkly at the boy whose chest was puffing up with his new authority over them. Zoran sighed. He was going to be in for a headache of complaints after this incident. The men wouldn’t take kindly to his wife publicly slighting their ability in favor of an untrained boy.

Pia turned in surprise to see Zoran behind her. As he saw her face, he didn’t care how many grumpy men he had to deal with. Her open look of pleasure and gratification made it all worth it. She looked as if he’d just handed her a pile of stars.

“He’s my warrior too!”

Zoran turned around to see Nadja standing next to Olek, looking very defiant—well, as defiant as a meek woman of her stature could look.

“And mine as well!”

Zoran glanced to Ualan, who appeared amused. It was his wife, Morrigan, who had spoken.

Zoran glanced at his father and shrugged. The king merely gestured his fingers lightly, urging him to put an end to it. They could well deal with the ramifications of the wayward princesses later.

“There you have it,” Zoran announced. “You cannot deny the wish of three princesses. Heinrich is now under royal protection and will be treated according to his new station.”

The princesses glanced at each other, a silent camaraderie building between them. The idea worried Zoran a little. He wasn’t sure what kind of trouble the woman could get into if they banded together.

Pia nodded her thanks. The stunned crowd picked up its celebration once more.

Zoran lifted his hand and motioned the musicians to start playing. Pia told Heinrich to come to the high table to join them. The boy nodded his head, his chest lifting with pride as he saw some of the nearby boys looking at him with respect and awe, and quite a bit of jealous confusion.

Pia gestured expectantly at Yusef, and then to the empty seat beside him. The boy beamed. Yusef glanced at Zoran, shrugged, and moved over so the boy could take a seat beside Zoran. Pia waved a servant to bring the boy a plate.