The Dragon's Pledge by K N Lee

Author:K N Lee [Lee, K N]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragon Roots Emporium
Published: 2019-07-31T18:30:00+00:00

16

As Elle headed away from the dowager queen’s quarters, Etian met her in the hallway. He took her by the hand and instant comfort flooded her.

She’d just looked evil in the eyes, and now her son held Elle’s hand and all was right with the world.

“How did it go up there, with my mother?” Etian asked, his voice soft, eyes laden with concern. “Was it too much too soon?”

She nodded, forcing a smile despite the heavy weight of weariness and uncertainty.

“I’m just a bit scattered,” she said, leaning her back against the wall. Light came in through the window to her left, highlighting Etian’s brown eyes. “Everything is happening so fast. Sometimes, I don’t know if I truly belong here.”

“Of course,” he said. “I understand. But, you belong here, Elle. That much I’m certain of.”

Is it certain?

She forced a smile despite the warnings in her belly. “You’re too kind, Etian. Thank you.”

Etian tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Why don’t you join me on a trip into the city?”

The city? She’d love any excuse to get far from the dowager queen.

She perked up. “That would be brilliant.”

“Good,” he said. “It’ll be a day’s journey, but I think it will do you some good.”

“Fantastic,” Elle said, eager to leave that palace as fast as possible. Putting some distance between her and the dowager queen was all that she needed in that moment. “How soon can we leave?”

He chuckled. “Tomorrow morning. How does that sound?”

She’d wished it was at that moment, but she nodded, nonetheless.

“Perfect,” she said.

“Have you eaten?”

She shook her head and he motioned for her to follow. “Then, join me.”

Eagerly, she walked at his side and they headed down to the dining area. Matthias and Drevah were already seated.

“Good of you to join us,” Matthias said, and resumed sipping whatever was inside his chalice.

Drevah grunted, and shoved a spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

She frowned at him. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he didn’t want her there at all.

Elle sat in her chair at Etian’s side, and looked to Alexi’s empty seat.

She wondered if he’d join them, or if his mother would keep him much longer.

With the way she left things with the dowager queen, she doubted he’d be in the mood to be around her at all. She sighed, looking down at her hands folded on her lap.

Once she was seated, a palace servant placed a steaming, hot bowl of porridge before her. She perked up at the sweet scent of cinnamon and honey. There were bright, red berries piled on top.

She eyed them, and took her spoon to ladle them on her napkin at the side of her plate.

Etian lifted a brow. “You do not like raspberries?”

She grinned, remembering how Claire would eat them back in the monastery. She missed Claire and Magda, more than she thought she would. They had been her best friends for her entire time amongst the monks.

She wondered what they were up to. Magda, out there somewhere unknown, and Claire with a mate, perhaps.

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