When a Princess Proposes by Kerrelyn Sparks

Author:Kerrelyn Sparks [Sparks, Kerrelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

That afternoon, the Raven located the queen’s caravan. After leaving Ebton Palace that morning, he’d flown southeast until the main road to Vindalyn had come into view. From there, it had been a straight shot south until he’d spotted the two dragons circling about.

It was his first time to see dragons, since they normally stayed in their home country of Norveshka. He circled wide so he could admire them. The afternoon sun gleamed off their scales in shimmering hues of green and purple. Their wings were wide and powerful, their necks long and graceful. Clearly, with all the circling they were doing, they were accustomed to traveling at a much quicker speed. As Bran studied them, he noted that one was slightly smaller than the other and its purple color was tinted with more pink.

Down below, the long caravan of mounted soldiers and supply wagons moved slowly down the road. In the middle of the train, he spotted a covered wagon. No doubt, that was where the queen and princess were hiding.

As the caravan passed through a small village, the people stopped their labor to wave. But the soldiers were soon forgotten when the villagers spotted the dragons overhead. They grew still, their mouths gaping in awe, their gazes fixed on the magnificent creatures. No doubt, like him, it was their first time seeing dragons.

He flew into the village, keeping low under the canopy of trees to remain undetected. Then he landed on a windowsill of dark timber where he could blend in and remain unnoticed. Not only did he need rest after hours of flight, but this spot gave him a great view of the caravan as it passed by.

Four troops of soldiers, well armed, but bored and weary. Only two supply wagons. No doubt they planned on buying more foodstuffs as they traveled. As the covered wagon lumbered past him, he focused on the windows. Luckily, the shutters were open to allow air to flow through, so he caught a glimpse of two women inside with black hair. One had her hair piled on top of her head, and the other . . . Her long black hair fell loose down her back. The queen and the princess.

He waited until the caravan had moved down the road, then launched himself into the air and flew quickly southwest toward the monastery.

At the slow pace the caravan was moving, he figured it would take two more days for it to reach the ferry at the Ron River. At that point, the queen’s party would be only about ten miles east of the monastery. If the Brotherhood of the Sun waited until half of the troops had crossed the river, it would be easier for them to attack a caravan that was divided.

But with the dragons airborne, ready to breathe fire on any attackers, such a venture would be suicidal. And the princess could always put all the humans to sleep. Vera was right: kidnapping the princess was impossible. And any poor priest who was given the mission would end up dining on poison.

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