Chapter 4 AS SAFE WITHIN THE PALACE AS IN A HUNGRY DRAGON''S DEN

I have to pee, I blurted before taking the time to develop a more elegant plan. Time was what I''d abruptly realized I was nearly out of. The horses had begun to climb, dragging the carriage up a hill behind them.

You have to pee? Ring arched a single thick brow that was several shades darker than his hair.

Yes. U-ri-nate," I enunciated. "Don''t act all high and mighty like you don''t pee too. We all do it."

Truly, I had no idea what fae like them might or might not do. The only fae I''d ever met before was Zako and I suspected none of these men were like him. Surely none of them knew how to laugh like he had. Even when there seemed little reason for it, he''d singled out blessings that overpowered the dreary monotony of life in service to the dragons. Zako had mostly been a hardass to balance out the soft underbelly he only ever let me see, but he''d also been extraordinary. Warmth spread through my chest for a moment as his smiling face floated through my memories.

Ring tsked. "You can wait. We''re almost at the palace."

I realize that. It was why I needed to get out of the carriage right the hellfire now. All I could make out through my vantage point from the window was more oddly parched, stark land, more severed dragon heads that helped me better understand Nightguard and what we did there, and not much else. Certainly nothing that would help me plan a future escape route.

If after our arrival at the royal palace I was given a room with a view of the city spreading out before me, then great. Plan away I would. But if I were locked in a dungeon cell, as seemed more probable given my current status, then information about the layout of the palace would be invaluable.

Would you rather I pee all over this fancy seat? I asked Ring. The bench cushion was sheathed in a fabric more detailed than anything I''d ever seen. It was silky and soft to the touch, embroidered with satiny, shiny threads. Of course, the scenes depicted a man with a sword standing atop the carcasses of slain dragons. It gave me one more reason I wanted to return to Nightguard without delay. When I saw him, I''d hug Saffron so hard that his eyes bulged.

Monsters hunted creatures as magical as dragons to near extinction? Oh, that''s right. Murderers.

My need to do some reconnaissance increased. "I''ll do it, you know," I said. "Pee right all over the place. It''s not good to ignore our body''s needs."

The horses clip-clopped right on, climbing more, while Ring stared at me, impassive. "I''ll make sure it gets all over those fancy shoes of yours." His boots were nearly as shiny as the seat cushion.

As if I were a babysitter, he muttered, casting a pained look at Braid who knocked twice on the wall behind them. The carriage eased to a stop. With the skin around my wounds pulling unpleasantly when I rose, I got up as quickly as I could, swallowing a wince and a groan.

I''d pushed the door open and had one foot on the steps leading down from it when Potion grabbed my wrist, stilling me. "If you run we''ll be forced to shoot you again. Or use another potion." Unlike with Ring, I detected no pleasure in his warning. His gray eyes were somber. "There isn''t anywhere to go."

I nodded, resisting the curious and unreasonable urge to thank him. "Finnian, go with her," Ring said. "Watch her."

Bent low, I snapped a glare on him beneath my arm. "I don''t need someone to hold my hand while I pee."

I should hope not. But if you want to relieve yourself, this is the only way it''s going to happen.

I narrowed my eyes at him, but it was like staring down the misbehaving Saffron for all the good it did me. "Fine," I growled.

He smiled like he smelled a foul odor. "Fine. Hurry it up. I won''t keep His Majesty the King waiting because you have the bladder control of an infant."

A colorful insult brewing on my tongue, I swallowed it and stepped outside instead. Mr. Personality would get his comeuppance. I pointed my face to the sun, enjoying its newfound warmth while I stretched my neck and my shoulder, until I realized just how much damage those arrows had caused.

Whatever this Finnian had done had sped up my healing, but they''d still shot me at long range with the force of stampeding dragons.

What''s taking so long? Ring barked from within the carriage.

I''m shy. I can''t go with him watching.

Then get back here. We''re going.

I scowled at the lacquered red walls of the carriage, as shiny and bright as scales, before looking at Finnian.

I''m sorry, he said, "but I have my orders. I can''t look away. But I...

will keep my gaze above your waist. You have my word.

Finnian, we don''t have time for niceties, Ring snarled while I smiled silent thanks at the fae.

The drivers faced forward and though we were theoretically at the final approach to the castle, where I would have thought there''d be significant traffic, I spotted no one on the thoroughfare. Someone we''d passed a while back on our way here perhaps could get a view of my pale ass, but that didn''t matter. There wasn''t a rock or plant to hide behind.

Squatting and yanking my britches down as little as possible, I committed what I saw to memory. A gigantic palace loomed at the top of the hill as if it were itself a mountain. Many stories high with multiple towers, it appeared to be made of stone, wood, and enormous panes of glass, though I saw no sign of where they might have come upon those resources in such great quantity.

The road, instead of weaving a switchback route, cut straight up the rise. Pillars with lumps atop them, which I assumed were more dead creatures, continued to dot the long path between trees that increased in size the farther up they went. The treetops became bushier and fuller, and eventually grasses stretched across the land in hues of green, lilac, yellow, and orange.

But what was most striking was how bright the palace itself was. Even from a distance I could tell it harnessed more color than anywhere else I''d seen over the past hours combined. Red and azure banners flew from turrets. Roofs were a cheery blue. And large glass panels across the upper floors shimmered as if they were mirrors.

What looked perhaps like a moat circled it, filled with water that glinted like starlight as it reflected the sun. This was what I''d imagined of Embermere based on Zako''s stories.

That''s enough, Ring said. "Come this instant or I''ll command Finnian to bring you."

I grunted, but not entirely due to Ring''s charming manner. The palace was isolated from its surroundings. There was no hustle and bustle to hide me as I snuck out. Unless there was a thriving community below and behind it I couldn''t see from here, there''d be nowhere to hide.

I''m coming, I''m coming, I grumbled. "Hold your horses."

Books were an extravagance in Nightguard but Zako had still somehow managed to finagle a nice, though small, collection for me. One of my favorites was the Princess and the Dragon. The princess lived in a palace as large as a thousand dragons. "As a young girl, I''d imagined her home, so very unlike mine, much like this castle. Now...

that I stood within Embermere''s, however I realized the princess thousand-dragon abode was like a playhouse compared to its stunning vastness. It was luxury of the kind I''d never even heard described before, not even by Zako, who''d probably at least seen it at some point in his life before moving with infant me to Nightguard.

Ring, whose name turned out to be Dougal, led me, Finnian, and Sandor through massive doors several times my height across several endless, echoing halls and walkways, their walls covered in art through another set of ridiculously large double doors, these a bit smaller though far more ornate; down another hallway, this one narrower than the others; before pushing open a door in a long line of them, and standing beside it, staring at me.

Well?" he growled when I didn''t walk through it like a puppet at the end of his strings. "Hurry on now.

Hesitantly, I peered through it to find a bedchamber with satiny buttercream walls, white moldings, a vanity with a mirror and stool beside it, and the biggest bed I''d ever seen. It was almost identical to the princess until she had to upgrade to make room to sleep with her dragon.

Dougal tsked, my only warning before he shoved me through the door with a hard slap to my back inches from the wound still working to close. I staggered but caught myself, turning toward him and willing my eyes to transform into daggers so I could murder him on the spot.

You''ll remain here until someone comes to get you, he said. "A goblin will be in to aid you in washing the smell of beast from you shortly. Do not tarry. The king will surely want to see you posthaste."

That''s.. that''s it? I asked when he began to draw the door closed behind them. I took in the warm brown of Finnian''s skin before meeting his eyes. They revealed nothing of what awaited me.

Dougal swung the door all the way open once more. "What did you expect? A fanfare of trumpets and a royal ball to welcome you to court? Yes, that''s it." Again, he went to close the door.

My weapons, I rushed to say. "I need my weapons."

Not here you don''t. You''ll be safe within the palace.

I held back a snort. Not so long as the likes of him were within its walls. "I want them anyway."

No.

They''re of sentimental value to me. Zako had given them to me once he''d determined I''d earned them. But more than that, I was sentimental about making it through the day without having a potion or arrow shot at me.

Females have no need for weaponry or their own defense here. There will be a guard stationed outside your door at all times.

My smile could have snapped a twig. "I appreciate that. I didn''t. But they are mine, and I shall have them. They are the property of the Crown now."

He studied me from top to bottom, seeming to take in my ragged tank top, the dried blood crusted on it, my well-worn britches and boots, and the empty weapons sheath at my back. His upper lip curled toward his nose. "As are you."

He pulled the door behind him before peeking his head in through the crack. "Oh, and don''t even think about escaping through the windows. They''re enchanted not to open for you. Besides, you''d never survive the fall."

That was assuming I would fall. I occasionally scaled the foothills of the Nightguard range to build strength and skill.

The only way in and out is through this door. Don''t open it unless you''re summoned. Do you understand?

I refused to dignify that with an answer.

He slammed the door with finality. I stood where I was while I listened to three sets of soft footfalls retreat. The men, though all taller than me, moved with the lightness of someone a fraction their size.

When silence settled out in the hallway, I waited another few minutes, then opened the door, looking out.

Oh. I squeaked, clearing my throat. "Hi there."

A man who appeared only a few years older than me nodded his acknowledgment but said nothing. He had sun-kissed skin, sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and plump lips—the only plump thing about him. An old faint scar sliced across his temple. His hair, long and pulled back from his face, did nothing to hide it or the pointed tips of his ears. He wore a tunic that ended at his thighs and a short sword on one side of his belt, a set of daggers hanging from the other. Their wooden handles were molded to his hands, the polish worn dull from where he must practice with them often.

Do you see something that interests you? he asked, his voice deep with apparent amusement.

I looked up, meeting his eyes: a rich light gray, like the silver of moonlight.

Actually, yes. Only once I returned my attention to his hips could I not help but notice what hung between them, his britches molded around a noteworthy bulge. I clicked my tongue. "Not that. Your sword."

When I felt him staring down at me, I rolled my eyes. "Not that sword, jeez. Your weapon."

Some might say my ... ''sword'' is a weapon.

Again, not that sword.

If you say so. He stood with his slim booted feet hip-width.

apart, his arms crossed over a muscular chest. His biceps strained against his shirt enough to mark their developed curve.

I do say so, I grumbled.

His brow arched.

I scowled. "I was admiring your weapons belt since it''s actually filled with weapons." A set of slim, small throwing knives was tucked behind the daggers and sword.

I spun and pointed to my lower back. See? My holster is woefully empty." I offered a hopeful smile. "You think you could fix that for me? They took everything I had on me. My blades weren''t theirs to take."

His brows lowered as he scanned the length of me, this time interest illuminating his eyes. "I can appreciate the gravity of the loss of one''s weapons, but I assure you, you won''t need them here."

I disagree.

I''ll be your guard.

While you look plenty competent, I swept my admiration up and down his body. The man looked like he could move. "I protect myself."

That''s... new.

What''s new?

He didn''t answer as he once more studied me.

I cocked a hip to one side. "I don''t know if you''re aware, but I''ve been kidnapped."

No reaction beyond a blink of dark thick lashes.

You know? Taken from my home against my will? Drugged with some kind of sleeping potion or other and snatched while I was passed out.

The Crown must have its reasons, he muttered, but the tilt of his eyes suggested he wasn''t entirely convinced.

I don''t even know why I''m here.

I''m sure that will be made clear soon enough. Her Majesty the Queen will command you.

I was told the king''s behind me being here.

The king?

Yes. Why? Is that weird?

No, not at all.

Liar.

You should get cleaned up quickly. They''ll be coming for you soon, he said in a clumsy attempt to change the subject. "Your goblin awaits you."

My goblin awaits me? Now there''s a phrase I never figured I''d hear—

Hurry, Mistress, said someone from behind me. I whirled to find a creature as tall as my thighs standing in an alcove I hadn''t...

previously noticed doors hanging ajar. Behind them the goblin, I supposed, whirled its slender, gnarled finger and the sound of rushing water cut through my stunned silence.

You can''t be late. Never late. The goblin''s voice was at once both squeaky and rough, reminding me of a frog''s croak. And you''re filthier than a stable.

"Hey, I can''t help that I was kidnapped at the end of a long day. And yes, part of that time was spent in stable-like dens—

No time for this. Can''t be late."""

The goblin stalked toward me and started unfastening my boots. Hurry. Off with your clothes before it''s off with your head. Dried blood to boot," the odd creature muttered while I turned back toward the guard, whose name I hadn''t even caught. Apparently they weren''t fond of introductions here in Embermere.

But the door was closed, and the guard was gone, presumably just outside.

The goblin unfastened my weapons belt and let it drop to the floor.

Be careful with that, I cautioned.

No time for careful. Besides, empty. Useless. The goblin tugged at my pants, and I slapped its hands away.

I can do that.

Then do it. The goblin stepped back only enough to give me room to kick off my pants, tapping its bare foot, marking out the passing seconds it seemed so obsessed with.

I stilled, one leg in, one leg out. "You have dragon feet."

No, I have my feet. Off with your clothes.

When the goblin reached for my pants again, I stumbled backward. "I got it."

Then get it already.

Exhaling loudly, I took care to pull the fabric from the wound on my thigh, then slid off my pants quickly, doing the same with my shirt. "Okay, now what?"

But the goblin was already in the alcove, tapping its strange dragon feet. "Hurry, hurry," it called. "In the bath you go."

With a steeling inhale, I obeyed, wondering if everyone in Embermere was fond of barking orders, or if I''d just gotten lucky with the company I''d met so far.