Bram smiled, enjoying the knot that could clearly be seen on Kleitos’s pasty white forehead and the obvious destruction of his nose. “How’s the head, old friend?” The slithering bastard snarled a bit, then said, “The Empress requests your presence.” “Why?”
“Don’t ask questions, Land Dweller. Just come along. I promise your pet will be perfectly safe.” Bram glanced at Ghleanna one last time, unsure of what waited for him outside this room.
He walked to the door and stopped, glaring down at Kleitos. “She better be safe.” “Or what? What will the peacemaking Land Dweller do?” Bram jerked a little and Kleitos slammed back into the door, trying to get away from him. And to think Bram had at one time been afraid of this dragon.
Bram walked out and let Helena’s guards lead him to their Empress.
Chapter 9
Ghleanna woke up with a Fin standing over her. Again.
“Good. You’re awake.” He handed something to a young assistant behind him. “I’ve taken out the stitches. You’ve healed up incredibly well.” Glancing around, Ghleanna sat up. “Where’s Bram?” “Who?”
“My companion. The Silver.”
“With the Empress, I think. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.” The Fin motioned his assistant away. “Now, I know you’re feeling stronger, but don’t let that fool you. You still need some time to recuperate. But I doubt you’ll be indisposed for long.” He gestured to her. “You’re quite the specimen. Built like a sturdy building. Are all your Low Born females like you?” “You’ve begun to annoy me.”
“Sorry, sorry.” He smiled and it suddenly struck her that he was in his human form. Perhaps that was for ease of treating her. “Drink lots of fluids. Water. A little wine. Eat well but nothing too heavy. I’ve tied your left arm down to ensure you don’t move it around too much. The outside of the wound has healed up but I don’t want to take the chance you’ll rip something internally. Although if having your arm tied down irritates you when you sleep, and if you’re not a flailer, untie it when you go to bed. Understand?” “I do.”
“Good. Good.” He nodded his head and walked out, closing the door behind him. She didn’t hear it lock.
Ghleanna sat up and threw her legs over the edge. She stood and quickly sat back down again. The room spun, and she closed her eyes, waiting for everything to stop. When it did, she blew out a breath and slowly got to her feet. Slowly being the key. Once she was up, she found a long cotton shirt that looked like it belonged to Bram. She put it on and went to the door. She carefully eased it open and, after a quick glance around, she stepped outside.
Ghleanna’s mouth dropped open as her gaze swept everything around her. This floor of rooms was just one of many. A rotunda built into the rock wall of the cave, with rotundas above and below that went miles in either direction. She leaned over a steel railing and gawked at all she could see. And she knew without being told that this was just a wing of the Empress’s palace. A place they kept their human “pets.” No. She wasn’t a big fan of the Fins, but she could appreciate their engineering skills because this was amazing.
Ghleanna turned and saw the two dragons guarding her door. The two sleeping dragons. Her first thought was that they were lazy but then she wondered if they’d been on duty since her arrival. She knew a few commanders who did that at home. They’d get so caught up in whatever they were doing that they’d forget the little things. For instance, that dragons can’t stay awake all day, every day until your hostage leaves your custody.
About to return to her bed — even if she were completely healed, she wouldn’t be making a run for it without Bram — Ghleanna heard someone call out, “My Lord General!” She looked over and saw a large dragon stop at the end of a hallway and turn to face whoever had called him.
Realizing how the sleeping Fins would look — and having been in the same position more than once when left on duty too long — Ghleanna went to the guards and lifted the eyelid of one, then the other.
“Get up,” she said low. “Your commander is coming.” She gestured with her free arm. “Get up, get up, get up!” They did, scrambling to their claws and standing at attention just as the General made his way down to her room.
“What’s she doing out here?” the General demanded.
“I’m looking for my companion.” Not much of a lie. “Where is he?” “I have no idea. But I want you back in your room.” “Just admit it.” She walked up to him, leaned her head all the way back so she could see that far up. “You’re afraid I’m going to take you on. Right now. Just like this.” She held up her one fist. “Let’s go, General. Let me show you my skills.” The General chuckled and shook his massive head. “Get some rest, Land Dweller. Perhaps, when you’re feeling better, we’ll have that challenge. Until then. .” “Your fear amuses me, General.” She grinned and headed back to her room.
The General moved on and one of the soldiers let out a breath. “Thanks for that.” “No problem. But if you’ve been here for more than a day, you need a break. Have someone else take watch as soon as you can manage it. Besides—” she shrugged and headed inside her room—“it’s not like I’m going anywhere at the moment.”
“You sent for me, Empress?”
“I did, Bram. Please.” She motioned him closer. And he was surprised to find Helena in her human form, her bright blue dress glittering in the glowing light coming from the walls. “What do you think?” she asked when he stood beside her.
“It’s beautiful, my Lady.”
They stood on a landing that overlooked an enormous hot spring.
“Would you like to try it out?” “No thank you, my Lady.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’ll never be able to relax while I’m in it.” “Because of Kleitos?”
“Because of all of you.”
The Empress smiled. “I do like your honesty. You know, Bram, when I sent you off the last time I truly never thought to see you again. And I never expected to see my lover return — but you did as you promised. You got him released.” “I did. But I haven’t seen him since my arrival. Is he—” “I had him executed,” she told him flatly. “For treason, a few years back.” She shrugged, not appearing remotely fazed by that. “Long story. Anyway,” she went on, “I’m relying on your innate nature now.” “I don’t under—”
“A truce, peacemaker.”
“With me?”
“With Rhiannon.”
Bram blinked. “Rhiannon who?” “Your queen.”
“The one you called wide ass?” “One time. Gods that viper forgets nothing!” “If you want my honesty, Empress, there is no way—” “Make it happen.”
“Rhiannon will—”
“You’re not hearing me, peacemaker.” Helena stepped closer to Bram. “You will get me a truce. I want it and you’ll get it for me.” “I can’t force Queen Rhiannon to do anything.” “You can persuade her. You’re very good at that.” “Yes, but—”
“And I am trying so very hard to keep your low-born pet safe. Yet Chancellor Kleitos loathes her. I have him on a tight leash, but. .” Helena briefly pursed her lips. “What if that leash slipped from my grasp?” Bram clenched his jaw, but said nothing.
“I’m sure you remember your time with Kleitos, yes? I’m sure I need not remind you.” “No, my Lady. You need not remind me.” “Excellent. Then you’ll promise me, yes? A truce. A favorable truce with your queen.” “Aye. I promise.”