Paegeia’s cheerful morning light peeked through the curtains.
I took a shower to wake up my old body—no matter that I looked no older than my mid-forties, I had lived over half a century and some mornings, I felt like it.
I wondered if Tanya would come out of hiding now, knowing I was here, knowing the truth needed to be told. Or would she cower away like she had thirteen years ago? I’d heard she had a new family, another daughter. That woman broke me so many ways. I doubted I would ever give my heart to another.
She had broken Kate’s promise to raise her daughter until they could come home. In the end, as it turned out, once a Chromatic, always a Chromatic. They weren’t like us Metallics. They couldn’t last as long as we could in our human forms. They needed the shift.
Tanya was what she was.
I knew she loved Elena; otherwise she would’ve never done what she did all those years ago, sacrificing our daughter so Kate’s could live.
I dressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt. Today was a beautiful day.
I needed to find Elena, to tell her I was okay, and to sit down for that talk.
She needed to hear it from me—and not when I told the Ancients.
I knew it was going to be hard. The first time, she didn’t want to accept it. The reality that her parents perished to save her life, that she was stuck with us to protect her. The fact that the mighty Rubicon was real and that he would become dark without her, evil—and that she needed to tame him somehow. The existence of magic. I’d believed a ten-year-old would be ecstatic to discover that fairy tales were real. Wrong.
The original plan was to tell her before she reached puberty and spend six years training to tame the Rubicon.
This was all messed up, not at all what I wanted for her.
I headed out the bedroom door, ready to fetch Elena.
I decided the claiming—her rightful claiming of the Rubicon, not Lucian’s doomed attempt—should take place in the Colosseum here in Tith, not the one at Dragonia. The palace in Tith was perfect to teach her everything she needed to know about a royal life. This was where I wanted her to receive the training she needed. Away from Blake.
No doubt she had met him by now. He knew who she was. A dragon always knew.
I remembered what Matt said at the hospital. A little cunt lied to him.
Did he mean Blake?
At the breakfast table, drenched in sunshine and laden with pancakes and sausages and other riches far greater than jewels, Maggie and Helmut were chatting amiably and sipping coffee.
“Good morning.” Maggie beamed. “How did you sleep?”
I sighed.
“You didn’t.”
“Sorry. I’m worried about my daughter.”
“She is in the safest place there is, Jako,” Helmut assured me.
“I know. Still, it’s the burden of a father.” I shrugged. “Could we please go pick her up?”
“She is in the safest place, Jako,” Helmut repeated, one eyebrow raised. “Look, if you’re in some sort of danger, you know we’ll help.”
“No, I’m sure it’s behind us now. I should’ve come back sooner. It’s nothing to worry about.” The cliché should have been a bold-faced lie, it occurred to me, because telling this bald-faced lie without breaking eye contact felt far too bold. “But I really want to see her.”
“Sure. Just say when.”
I grinned. “How about… now?”
“You don’t want breakfast?” Maggie asked.
“No, I’m fine. Besides, maybe I can eat breakfast with her. The last time I saw her, I promised we’d have a long-overdue conversation.”
“All right, I’ll get everything ready.” Helmut got up and brushed a few crumbs off his pants. “We can leave in a few minutes.”
He left Maggie and me at the table.
She touched my hand. Warm as ever.
“There’s something else I need to ask you. But not yet.” I held her gaze.
“You know my answer.” She smiled.
“Thank you, Maggie.”
I hoped she would be able to forgive me for keeping Elena’s existence from her. Kate had been her best friend. Maggie should’ve known about Elena.
Helmut returned, and after a hasty goodbye, we took the elevator to Elm.
I had forgotten how thrilling it was to travel in Paegeia. I’d missed it.
“Are the Ancients ready for me today?”
Helmut put on the expression he always used when delivering unwelcome news. “No, Jako, they said you have to wait like every other Paegeian citizen. I’m sorry.”
Fucking idiots. Why did we even have them? I nodded.
Reporters assailed us like a murder of crows the minute we stepped off the elevator, bombarding us with questions: Where have you been all this time? What is your business with the King? Why are you in Elm? How do you feel about betraying King Albert and Queen Catherine?
I halted at that one, bristling with indignation.
“I would die for the royals, as I would’ve died for King Louie. They are still my family. I never betrayed them, and neither did Tanya.”
They all gasped. The older ones, anyhow. The younger ones asked who the hell Tanya was.
Helmut gave me a warning glance.
I crossed my arms over my chest in defiance. “Want to bet the Ancients will see me now?”
He sighed. “You sure know how to get what you want. I forgot about that.”
I smiled.
A limo waited right outside the port. The drive to Dragonia Academy felt like forever.
“You think she saw it?”
“Saw what?”
“There were a few live cameras, Helmut.”
He chuckled. “Your little entrance? No, I’d assume she’s still in bed, Jako. Besides, most teens don’t start their days glued to the news, right?”
I smiled. Good. Not good that she was still unaware that I was alive. But it was good not to have to worry about explaining how the reporters knew me and what I said about the royals being my family.
We finally reached the pickup point. I was surprised to see a carriage waiting for us.
“I called Chong, explained that you want to meet. He’s eager to see you.”
“Me too.” We climbed in and lumbered into the air.
“He did say he doesn’t have a lot of time. Something about spending the day in Elm, shopping.”
“Chong, shopping?” I raised my left eyebrow.
“Yeah,” Helmut said.
“I only need to pick up my daughter.”
“Pick her up?”
“She can’t stay at Dragonia, Helmut. I know I said the danger is probably in the past, but I need to be cautious. It might still be unsafe. More importantly, though, she needs training, loads of it. I’m afraid I might have to take you up on that offer.”
“Of course.” He waved an impatient hand. “But Jako, you do know Dragonia is the best academy for her.”
“I know. Just not yet. Okay?”
“Okay,” he said dubiously. “You’re her father.”
No, I’m not. I should’ve raised her better. She is so not ready for this. And that is on me.
The carriage landed with a thud. I got out to be greeted by Albert’s statue in the center of the courtyard, standing as tall as the real man had been. Though I told myself it was just my imagination, his pupil-less brass eyes seemed disappointed.
He would’ve done a much better job raising her.
I walked over to it and touched his feet.
“I know the feeling.” Helmut’s voice was reverent beside me. “As tall as ever.”
“Even in death,” I added.
The trees, adorned with dazzling reds and oranges, and the cobblestone pathways that sprang out from the statue like a wagon wheel struck me with a profound sense of serenity. Not far off, the castle was as glorious as always, borne on clouds behind the massive gate obscured by intricate metal vines.
“Jako!” Constance hurtled toward me out of nowhere. “Where were you all this time?” She threw her arms around my chest and gave me a long hug.
I stroked her back. “Important mission like always, Connie.” I released her and glanced at my watch. It was just after eight. “I’m sorry, I can’t talk. I still have important business. I’ll speak to you later.”
“Here, at Dragonia?”
“It’s a long story,” I said.
“Go. I’m sure Chong will be pleased to see you.”
The castle gate behind me opened, the metal vines dancing and curling to unlatch it. I turned around as Chong appeared.
I bid Connie farewell, leaving Helmut in my wake to make niceties, and headed over to where Chong waited at the entrance of the academy.
“Jako.”
“Chong, nice to see you again.” I hugged him. He was one hell of a Fin-Tail. He had fought by my side numerous times. We had signed the treaty together with King Louie all those years ago.
“What brings you to Dragonia?” he asked.
Helmut joined us, and at my quizzical glance, he spread his hands. “I left that part out. I didn’t know how much I was privy to share.”
I smiled gratefully—good instincts like always. To Chong, I said, “Elena. I need to see her, please.”
He froze. “You know her?”
“She’s my daughter, Chong. I need to see her now. She thinks I’m dead.”
“Sure.” He frowned. Already putting two and two together. Then, suddenly coming to some conclusion, he spun and strode into Dragonia.
Helmut and I followed. Nostalgia washed over me as we walked into the castle and through hallways filled with armored statues, paintings of dragons, and students who occasionally gave their headmaster a quick “hi.”
I knew the dragon’s mind was whirring like crazy. He had seen her, and now he was wondering one thing: why was she accompanied by a royal dragon?
It was no coincidence.
When we reached his office, he settled behind his desk, activated the school speaker system, and summoned Elena Watkins to his office.
As Helmut and I took chairs facing him, he explained, “We were supposed to go to Elm to buy her some clothes. She arrived here with nothing.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. Our return wasn’t as fluid as we hoped.”
“You didn’t register with the council on the other side. Why?”
“Chong,” I said solemnly. “I think you know why.”
He looked at me, frozen as a statue.
“What’s going on here?” Helmut asked.
“You’ll know in a few seconds,” I said. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you last night. He didn’t say anything, did he?” I looked at Chong. He knew who I was talking about.
The dragon sputtered. “That little bastard.”
“Who are you talking about? Jako, please.”
“A few more seconds, Helmut. Please try to control your reaction. She doesn’t know the truth. It’s my fault.”
“The truth about what?”
“Soon,” I said. “The truth will come out soon.”
The door opened and a girl with short black hair appeared. She had big doe eyes and looked like a real rider, muscles from wielding swords visible on her arms, as well as the mark.
Behind her, Elena was laughing at something she’d said. She didn’t see me yet, but Helmut saw her, and he gaped at her, his mouth moving like a fish gasping for water.
She finally looked up and saw me.
Tears filled her eyes. “Dad!” she yelled. She ran the last few feet and jumped into my arms. I hugged her tightly.
“I thought you were dead,” she cried into the hollow between my neck and shoulder.
“Shh.” I stroked the back of her head. “I don’t die that easily.”
“Your majesty,” the other girl addressed Helmut with a neat curtsy, who snapped out of it.
Elena pulled away to look at Helmut.
The king studied her. Seeing his best friend in the features of this unknown sixteen-year-old. That keen mind of his was calculating fast.
Elena tried to curtsy too, but almost fell over. I grabbed her, my reactions honed by so many years with this adorable klutz. Her friend laughed.
“It’s okay, bear.” I jerked my chin toward Helmut. “He’s a really good friend of mine.”
“The king?” she asked.
“Yes, the king. There are things we need to discuss—or rather, we need to finish the discussion I started at the wrong time.”
Her face told me she knew precisely which one I was talking about.
“Is it okay if she comes with me, Chong?”
“Of course,” he said, all brisk administrator. “But I need to know what the plan is here, Jako.”
Elena scooted closer to me, her stance uncertain. Poor bear. I’m making her run again after all.
I slung an arm around her shoulder. “Everyone will soon. I promise.”
Chong nodded.
Helmut hadn’t spoken a word, as if he had turned to brass the moment he laid eyes on Elena.
“Can we please go to one of the nearby hotels? I don’t think Elena’s ready for the elevator.”
“Elevator?” She sounded cautious. “Something tells me we’re not talking about real elevators.”
“No, bear. Elevators in Paegeia are like nothing you’ve ever experienced, and you’re not ready quite yet.”
“Dad, please tell me you have my bag.”
“Sorry.” I touched her cheek. “We’ll get you clothes soon, okay? And I promise, no rushing this time.”
Helmut cocked his head.
Yeah, that was our life. Always rushing, always running.
“A nearby hotel?” I reminded him.
“Of course.” He closed his eyes. Probably to conceal the hurt and betrayal in them.
“Later, Chong. And thank you, miss, for your friendliness.”
“I’m coming back, right?” Elena asked.
“Soon.” I smiled.
“Dad, I know that look.”
“Elena, please, we need to talk. We can sort out everything later. I promise.”
“Okay,” she said. She gave the other girl a hug. “Keep my spot, please, Becky.”
“You know I will. Go. I’m happy your dad’s alive.” She grinned. “See you later.”
“Yeah, hope so.”
I followed the king out of the headmaster’s office. The corridors seemed brighter with her in them.
Elena linked her arm with mine. “Dad, I was so scared. Thinking you died. Stuck here with all these questions. Why didn’t you tell me about the mark of the dragon riders, or that I have one, a really dark one?”
“I’m sorry, bear.”
“Am I a dragon too?”
I chuckled. “No, you’re not. You are much more. Believe me.”
“Okay.” She sounded uncertain. “I’m more than a dragon?”
I laughed. “Special, Elena. You’re as human as humans come. I’ll tell you everything over breakfast, okay? First, fill me in. How is Dragonia?”
“Different. Difficult to grasp everything. How on earth are you friends with a king?” She whispered that last part.
“Over breakfast, Elena.”
She sighed. “Okay.”
I knew she was bursting with questions, but she didn’t press. For now. She should have been livid, yet she was overjoyed to see me.
I kissed the top of her head and found Connie staring at us as we walked back to the gate.
She had to be putting two and two together. Seeing someone who looked that much like a Malone, accompanied by a royal dragon, had to answer every doubt.
I didn’t look at her.
It will soon come out.
Elena stopped at the carriage.
“It’s okay, bear. Not all dragons are like those who attacked us. These are good. They are Metallic and—”
“Becky told me about them. It’s still weird taking everything in.”
“Becky seems like a good friend.”
“I really like them, Dad. Please let me come back here. I can make it.”
She was afraid, yes, but also brave. Up to the challenge. That’s my girl. “I know. I believe you. You sort of don’t have a choice about it. I need you to hear me out.”
“Just as long as we’re not running anymore.”
“No, we’re finally home, bear.”
“Home?”
“Yeah, you belong here, like everyone in this world belongs here.”
Hope warred with doubt on her face. “It doesn’t feel like it.”
“I know it doesn’t, and that’s my fault. I’m sorry.”
We climbed into the carriage. Elena sat really close to me, her head on my shoulder. I held her tight and kissed her head again.
Helmut kept stealing furtive glances at Elena. He had figured out that she was the important mission I’d mentioned.
I was still wondering one thing. “Hey, you okay?” I asked Elena.
“Yeah, I’ll live. I think.” She chuckled.
“I’m talking about the prank. Lucian told me about it last night.”
She straightened. “You met Lucian?”
“Helmut here is his father. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you two. Helmut, this is Elena. Elena, the king of Tith.”
She held out her hand and he took it in both of his. “Nice to meet you, Elena.”
“Same here.”
“About the prank,” I insisted. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Dad. I wasn’t at that moment, but I made peace with it. If this is my life now, I need to get on board, right?”
I smiled. “That’s the spirit! And… one more thing.”
“Sure,” she said.
“Have you met Blake Leaf?”
She grunted.
“You did,” I said.
“Yeah, his sister is one of my roommates. She’s really nice but he’s… not so nice.”
Helmut narrowed his eyes.
I pressed the subject. “What did he do when he saw you?”
She shrugged. “Nothing. Well, Sammy thinks he’s behind the prank. She gave him a piece of her mind yesterday. But I don’t think so. I mean, he’s, like, the main dragon of all dragons, right? I’m a nobody.”
My lips thinned. “You are not a nobody, Elena.”
“Fine, then the new girl who doesn’t belong.”
“I told you. You do just as much as anyone else in that school.”
“Even more,” Helmut said.
He knows. Without a doubt, he knows.
She took a deep breath. “They’re really beautiful—the dragons, I mean.”
I smiled. “Yeah, I can only imagine how it all feels for you.”
She was silent for a while, then burst out, “Why are you asking me about Blake?”
“Over breakfast, Elena.”
She sighed. “Okay.” She looked out the window. I could feel her anxiety ratcheting up.
“Does she understand Latin?” Helmut asked in Latin.
I shook my head.
“How is this possible, Jako?”
“Long story.”
Though Elena didn’t demand to know what we were saying, annoyance radiated off her as she gazed at the clouds streaming beneath us.
Helmut shifted. “He knows, doesn’t he?”
“A dragon always knows. The question is this: why doesn’t he tell anyone who she is?”
“He’s too far gone.”
“No. If he was, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Helmut looked confused. “What?”
“It’s not too late. I need a private tutor, some trainers. She can’t attend Dragonia. Not now.”
“Jako. If she is?”
“She is.” I said in a stern tone. “Tanya would confirm it too.”
“One small problem,” he said without humor. “She is nowhere to be found.”
“She will come out once news of my return spreads.”
He took a deep breath.
“Please, Helmut. I kept her safe as long as I could. It wasn’t an easy life. Fox… well, you know what Goran is like…”
Alarm flashed across his features. “Goran knows about her?”
“I can’t be sure,” I admitted. “All her life, we’ve been running from Fox, who is desperate to kill her.”
He couldn’t stop looking at Elena. “Whatever you need. How much does she know?”
“Nothing.”
“Jako!” he hissed.
“I tried, okay? She didn’t accept it, had a total breakdown. Tanya had to take the memory away for her to be normal. I’m dreading this conversation. She might not be my flesh and blood, but she is my daughter. I raised her like my own.”
He squinted. “Where is Cara?”
Tears blurred my vision. “Over breakfast.” I stared out the window too.
We landed at last. The Marionette hulked in front of us. It was one of the most beautiful hotels in Paegeia.
When the concierge saw us, the hospitality staff all leaped to do the king of Tith’s bidding. Within five minutes, we’d secured a room.
Elena regarded him with keen attention, unaware as some guests took an interest in her. I could tell they were seeing her father in her features, the king they all loved.
“Whoa,” Elena said as a bellhop bowed.
“He has his perks.”
She laughed. “I still want to know: how is it that you are friends with the king, Dad?”
“I know you do. Soon, okay? And I need you to be open-minded, Elena. The last time…” I didn’t finish.
“The last time what?”
“Not here.”
“Let’s go,” Helmut said.
The concierge led us to a cozy dining area and gestured us inside with flamboyant sweeps of his arms. The door whispered shut behind us.
“Where do you want to sit?” I asked her.
She blinked, dazed. “Wait, what?”
“Anywhere.” I smiled.
Her mouth formed an O. “They closed the dining area exclusively for us?”
“They sure did.”
“Holy crap.”
I raised one finger. “Elena.”
“Sorry, Dad. This is crazy.”
“Not as crazy as what I’m about to tell you.”
“Fine. Right here.” She took the closest chair. Helmut and I joined her.
A white-gloved waiter placed menus before us. Helmut and I both opened ours.
“You’re seriously ordering now?” she demanded.
“I’m hungry, bear.”
“Dad.”
“A few more minutes, please.”
The waiter poured coffee for Helmut and me. Elena waved him off. Maybe she already ate.
I glanced at the menu. Helmut was already ordering, far more than he could put away, and he gave a shaky sigh as he handed back his menu.
He was nervous. Why was he nervous?
I closed my eyes. He knew what awaited Elena. The reason I need his help. He was one of the two remaining royals.
I ordered and surrendered my menu.
Helmut and Elena both waited for me to speak.
“Okay, I made it to a restaurant. I guess it’s not a fancy dinner, but close enough.” I toyed with my cup of coffee.
“You know I love you more than my own life, Elena.”
“Yes, I do. And now I know why we were always running. Why didn’t you tell me that dragons wanted to kill us, Dad? I wouldn’t have fought with you so much.”
“I tried a long time ago, but you didn’t handle it so well.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “What? When?”
“You don’t remember it. Your mother came and took that memory away.”
She gaped at me. “What?”
“The dragons weren’t after me, bear. They were after you.”
“Why?” she finally asked.
“Because of who you are. Fox, the guy who was there that night in the road?”
She nodded.
“He’s a blue dragon. They’re called Moon-Bolts.”
“I know what he’s called. Becky told me.” She unrolled the silverware in front of her and balled up the cloth napkin with jittery hands.
“I like this Becky,” I said. “They can see into the future. He was a very old Moon-Bolt. I have a feeling he saw you and that was why he wanted to kill you.”
“Saw me? Dad, that doesn’t make sense. Why did he want to kill me?”
“Many other dragons on the other side found out about you when you were little. They took one look at you and knew the truth. They vowed to keep you safe.”
“Keep me safe?” Her hands worried at the napkin until I felt sorry for it. “Why?”
“The reason I asked you about Blake, Elena, is that I need to know what he did when he first saw you. And if he was behind that prank.”
“Dad, it’s crazy.”
“Open-minded, Elena. It’s the truth, everything I’m telling you.”
“Blake did nothing, okay? I saw him and stared like an idiot because he’s nothing like anyone I’ve ever seen before.” She wiped away her tears. “I doubt he even noticed me.”
“No, he noticed you. Otherwise he wouldn’t have pranked you.”
“I’m the new kid who almost got the serum, Dad. They see me as some sort of vermin because my dad was a dragon. I don’t understand half of it.”
“He’s your dragon, Elena.”
She froze. “What?”
“He’s your dragon.”
“No, Dad.” She had gone pale. “Becky says his rider doesn’t exist. I’m not even supposed to be born with the mark because my dad is a dragon.”
“What else did she tell you about his rider?” I ignored the dad-being-a-dragon remark.
“Only that he was supposed to be the child of King Albert and Queen Catherine. I’m not his rider.”
I didn’t say anything, my gaze steady, locked with hers.
“I can’t be his rider,” she whispered, face filled with confusion and denial.
“Your friend is right, Elena. His true rider needs to be of King Albert and Queen Catherine’s bloodline. You are his true rider, bear.”
Her eyes widened with shock. Already frozen, she now became so motionless, I feared she had stopped breathing.
Helmut looked winded, as if he’d been punched. Though he’d already figured it out and I’d as good as confirmed it in the carriage, hearing the words out loud for the first time was another thing altogether.
“Say something.”
“You want to tell me I’m King Albert and Queen Catherine’s daughter?” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Just like last time.” I kept my tone gentle. “You need to accept this, Elena. Paegeia is not just your home… it’s yours.”
She gasped.
I touched her shoulder. “I was King Louie’s Dragon. You do know about him, right?”
“No.”
“He was Albert’s father. Your grandfather.”
“You’re not kidding, are you? No, this can’t be. Constance told me about the Wall. If I’m their daughter, how did I get past the Wall? Huh?”
“Your mother…” I stopped. “Tanya was Kate’s dragon. When Blake’s egg hatched, a prophecy—”
“I know the story. Becky told me. But the queen never got the chance, Dad.”
“No, she did, bear. She was pregnant with you.”
She shook her head.
“They didn’t want anyone to know because there was a separate foretelling that someone close to them was going to betray them. When she started to show, they concocted the lie that she had to go on a self-discovery quest to enhance her hearing—but you see, Tanya and Kate were a Dent. Their bond was so strong, Kate didn’t need to enhance anything. She wanted to have you in secret, to protect you. Tanya was going to keep you hidden in the wilderness until they could deal with the coming betrayal. But then you got sick, so sick you were on the brink of death.”
I sipped my coffee, the taste far less bitter than the words I had to speak next. “Tanya did something awful, bear. There used to be a type of dragon called the Thunderlight. They were extremely rare and are now extinct. There was a young Thunderlight named Cara, who didn’t have her human form yet.” I sniffed. “The Viden gave Tanya a foretelling. It wasn’t easy for the Viden to see the royals’ future, and that protection extended to their dragons too. So, when the Viden made this prophecy, Tanya took it very seriously. She told her one wouldn’t make it, but two might. When you got sick, she gave you and Cara a potion that soaked up your essence and transferred it into Cara.”
“What?”
Helmut gasped and placed a hand over his heart.
“She did it behind my back. But she was certain that was why Cara was born. She figured out what her foretelling meant. When Cara’s human form arrived, it would be you. Cara would be no more.”
“Oh.” Elena started to hyperventilate.
“A bag please,” Helmut yelled, and a waiter brought a brown paper bag.
I gave it to Elena and she took it breathing hard into it.
“Deep breaths, bear, deep breaths.”
She did as I said.
“That’s how you got past the Wall. You were safe inside Cara.”
“Who was Cara to you, you said that Mom,” she closed her eyes. “Tanya did it behind your back.”
Silence linger.
“Tell me please.” Tears lingered in her eyes.
“My daughter.” It barely came out.
Her lower lip trembled and tears rolled down her cheek as she looked away. “I killed your daughter.”
I touched her shoulder and then our eyes met.
“No, no, no. Don’t.” My own tears trickled down my cheeks. “I love you more than I love myself. I was furious, believe me, when a little girl of eight months emerged in place of a girl of five. But I fell in love with who you are, Elena. You are my daughter, though I didn’t sire you. I raised you, I was there when you got sick, I provided for you, and it was my greatest honor to have you call me Dad. I miss Cara still and think of her every day. But her life meant something, Elena. She died for a good purpose: saving you.”
“She wasn’t given a choice, Dad.”
“If she were here right now, I know she’d say she would do it again. If she knew you as I do, she wouldn’t think twice.”
She sniffed hard. Helmut was a solid rock in his chair. Pensive or stunned or both.
“I know it’s not easy to accept what happened, but I truly believe Cara lives in you. You can’t give up. You need to do what you were born to do, bear. Your parents died to give you and Paegeia a chance for a better future. And I’m sorry I was a coward and didn’t tell you sooner. If the original plan had succeeded, things wouldn’t have been so hard today, but it just didn’t work out that way. I’m responsible for most of that, and I hope one day you can forgive me.”
Once I’d had my say, she sat there, staring at the place setting in front of her.
Helmut stared at her, eyes full of tenderness and compassion.
The waiters came and set out a dozen plates, food perfectly presented like edible works of art. They topped up our coffee, one set an unasked-for glass of water by Elena’s crumpled napkin, and then they retreated. None of us made a move for the food.
“So, what is the plan now?”
“Blake knows who you are. A dragon always knows.”
“No, he would’ve said something.”
“He wouldn’t, Elena. You are still in danger when it comes to him. You always will be, until the day you tame him.”
“Tame him?” she burst out. “Dad, I can’t.”
“You are his true rider.”
“I fall over my own two feet. I can’t even wield a stupid sword. I’ve tried, believe me, but it’s not for me.”
“Not yet. We’ll get you tutors and trainers, bring you up to speed. In time, you’ll be ready to face him. It’s going to take loads of work. Bear, I’m sorry, but it can’t be avoided. You have to claim that boy. Otherwise, when he goes dark, you do too. And our whole world hangs in the balance.”
“This is insane.”
“You have a bond with him, Elena, even if you can’t feel it.”
“No, I don’t believe you.” She gritted her teeth. “He pranked me, for the love of blueberries. And he didn’t tell anyone who I am.”
“I know it doesn’t make sense, but you do have a powerful bond with him, Elena. You’ll see for yourself soon.”
She wiped her face hard with both hands.
“So, you see why you can’t sit this one out? You need to claim him before it’s too late. Because once he is dark, there’s no turning back.”
She nodded.
Now that some of the tension had dissipated, Helmut started packing his food away like a dragon who hadn’t eaten for a whole winter. I barely touched mine. Elena was quiet, pondering what I’d just told her.
“So, I take it I’m not going back to Dragonia?”
“For now. You go back after you claim him, okay? I promise, bear.”
Her shoulders slumped. “You really think he’d hurt me, Dad?”
“Dragons, especially ones as powerful as the Rubicon, don’t like words that even rhyme with tame.”
Helmut chuckled around a mouthful of asparagus frittata.
“Helmut, can we please train at the palace in Tith, where we can be secluded? We can’t let him see her training—we don’t want him to have a ready defense. Also, if I can get access to Lucian’s two previous attempted claimings, it would help a ton. We need to see what he can do. She needs to be prepared.”
“I’ll get tutors too,” Helmut said, nodding. “Now I know why you want to see the Ancients so urgently.”
I set down my fork. “They must be told that the heir to the Malone bloodline exists—and she’s come home.”
“Malone?” Elena’s voice was meeker than a sparrow’s chirp. “I’m a Malone?”
I touched her face. “You can be whoever you want.”
“I’ll teach her as much as I can about her royal duties. Like Lucian, she isn’t just a princess, Jako. She is a queen.”
Elena rocked in her chair. “Holy crap.”
“You’ll going to be all right, Elena. Incidentally, who chose that name?” Helmut asked.
I smiled. “Her mother.” I looked at Elena. “Her real mother.”
“Maggie is not going to be happy.”
“I know. She’ll be upset with Kate keeping this from her. And with me. But hopefully she’ll come to understand.”
“They were best friends, Jako.” Helmut reached for an éclair. “I’m struggling with this. Why didn’t he tell us? We would never—”
“I know.” I saved him from completing the sentence. “They were scared, Helmut. You know how desperate they were for a child. They didn’t want to jeopardize her.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Does Robert know?”
I shook my head.
He opened his mouth to curse or shout but swallowed whatever it was; he closed his mouth again with an audible clack of the teeth.
“Who is Robert?” Elena asked.
“Sir Robert to you. He’s your father’s dragon… and Blake’s dad.”
“Blake’s dad is my father’s dragon.” She cringed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t apologize, bear. I’m glad you’re accepting this.” I squeezed her shoulder.
She flashed a rueful grin. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
“You are. It’s who you are. You’ll see. Fighting with swords, casting spells, all of it will be a walk in the park before you know it.”
She gave me a tentative smile. “Do we have to speak to some council?”
“A different one, but yes, in a way. I doubt they’ll believe me. I hope Tanya comes forward.”
Elena leaned forward. “Mom’s here?”
I nodded. “She’s hiding because everyone thinks we played a role in your real parents’ betrayal.”
“What?”
“I’ll sort it out. Don’t worry about a thing, bear.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Helmut promised too. “Your dad, your biological dad, was one of my best friends. It’s true what Jako said: you are like your father in so many ways.” He smiled. “You have his kind green eyes, his golden hair, even his smile, but everything about your personality screams Kate.”
She squirmed under the praise. “What if the Ancients don’t listen?”
“They will. I’m still your grandfather’s dragon, Elena. My voice holds sway in Paegeia.”
She scooted back and wrapped her arms around me. “Okay, I trust you.”
Finally. I’d earned my daughter’s trust back.
Helmut stood. “Are we going shopping for clothes in Elm, or what?”
Elena glowed. So I did too.
