Dark Hope of the Dragons Read online

  He forcefully reigned in his enthusiasm. He was the heir to the throne and he simply could not go around hacking people up at his own discretion. Although, recent events had proven that there were even exceptions to this rule.

  Developing an increasingly positive outlook for the morning, he entered the stable with Darkin.

  Dephithus immediately found some pleasure in picking out a mount for his pupil. In a matter of minutes, he was able to point out no less than ten flaws in the mount the other lad had intended to use. There was no challenge in defeating someone when your mount was distinctly superior to theirs. The gelding he redirected Darkin to was a good, sturdy bay with none of Hydra’s flash, but plenty of noteworthy training as a war-horse. This was not a beauty contest. He remembered how ugly Larina’s very capable mount had been. Next to that beast, this gelding would look like a show horse. Darkin frowned once when he saw the gelding though he did himself credit as a student by not openly questioning the selection.

  With mounts and weapons chosen, they headed out to a clearing in the woods. Unofficial practices like this were not forbidden, precisely, but they were discouraged because of the increased risk of injury without someone there to mediate. Darkin’s group joined them, so there were four spectators who might keep Dephithus from trying to finish off his opponent if the bottomless pool of rage inside him ran too hot. He was not especially comfortable out in the woods alone with them when no one knew where he was, but so long as Darkin wanted something from Dephithus, the little band would probably leave him be. If that changed, who knew what might happen.

  As they faced each other over the heads of their mounts, Dephithus swore to himself that he would find a way to even the score between them. Finding some way to permanently silence Darkin was unnecessary for the time being, but what if the other youth grew tired of their arrangement? Or what if he decided that exposing the truth about what happened to Larina was more fun than learning from Dephithus. Worse yet, any one of the others could decide to take that action for themselves at any time, which provided a greater threat given that he did not, to the best of his knowledge, have anything they wanted.

  Dephithus shook his head slightly and focused on his opponent. He could try to figure those things out later. They began armed with sword and shield. It was a hard way to fight because it required you to be able to control your mount almost exclusively with leg signals. He and Hydra were a fluid team in this kind of fighting. The gelding he selected for his opponent he had watched in the practice ring enough to know the animal knew all the necessary leg commands. The question was whether Darkin did.

  The answer was a resounding sort of.

  They moved at one another and Dephithus took the offensive. He drove a hard jab at Darkin, who managed to deflect with his shield and spin his mount to give himself a better angle. They exchanged several blows, maneuvering their mounts to stay in as close as possible, each trying to gain the advantage and unbalance the other. Then Darkin put his power into a heavy swing and Dephithus signaled Hydra to pull back into a half-rear and spin away. Darkin, could have moved his mount into Hydra with the right leg command, but he had committed physically and mentally to the swing. His balance went with his blade and Dephithus lunged Hydra in at a different angle, catching Darkin with a blow to the side that sent him off his mount.

  Dephithus managed to drop Darkin from his perch on the gelding several more times after that. While he was getting back on his feet and up into the saddle, Dephithus pointed out in detail the mistakes his opponent had made. At first, he took a sadistic kind of pleasure in watching Darkin hit the ground. Then, as they both started to break a sweat under the bright sun, he started to enjoy having someone to teach. His manner became more serious and he started taking the time to show Darkin not only what he had done wrong, but how he might correct the mistakes he was making.

  Darkin was unexpectedly receptive to the criticism. Dephithus had always been told that people like Darkin who rebelled against society did so because they were insecure and unhappy. If that were true, he was not seeing it here. Darkin took each fall graciously despite the jeering comments from his companions, who seemed to take even more pleasure from his falls than Dephithus did. Darkin simply dusted off, rubbed out the sore spots and remounted. The lad listened intently to the advice he was given, often repeating things to be sure he had them right, and Dephithus watched with grudging admiration how fast he put his lessons to use. If Darkin was an outcast from society it was because he chose to be. Overall, it made Dephithus a bit more wary of having him as an enemy.

  When they decided to stop for the day, Darkin still had not unseated Dephithus, but he was much closer to it than he had been when they started. Both horses were covered with a healthy sheen of sweat. Darkin’s black hair was slicked down with the sweat that dripped down his face and Dephithus knew he looked the same. The exhaustion was strangely refreshing. There was no energy left for anger or frustration.

  Darkin ran a hand through his damp hair and regarded Dephithus for a few silent seconds. A weary grin stole over his features and he gestured with his chin toward the trees on their right. Knowing what lay not far in that direction, he nodded agreement and they turned their mounts that way.

  Not far from the clearing was a deep lake. They removed the equipment from the horses and rode them into the water. Hydra splashed at the water with one foreleg, sending up a deliciously cool spray that washed over Dephithus. He sat in the shower his stallion created for a minute, then he slipped off Hydra into the lake, leading the stallion in deeper. He and Darkin floated in the water next to their mounts while Darkin’s companions engaged in a furious water fight closer to the edge of the lake, shouting insults at one another and laughing.

  Eventually, Suva disengaged and swam over beside Dephithus. Seeing her predatory look, he began instantly to miss the dagger he had left on shore with Hydra’s saddle.

  “I could drown you right now and you would be too exhausted to stop me.”

  Her casual tone did not at all go with the threatening tenor of her words. A chill swept through him. He knew full well that she might be strong enough to hold him under after the workout he had already had. Before he could respond to the threat Darkin moved in close to her, displeasure apparent in his scowl.

  “Even you have more honor than to attack someone who isn’t your enemy when they are at a clear disadvantage, Suva.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “And who says he isn’t my enemy?”

  Darkin, who was just as tired as Dephithus and treading water with the rest of them, shifted closer still and somehow managed to make himself look intimidating. “I advise you to back off.”

  Suva snarled at them both, then turned and swam back to shore.

  Dephithus gave Darkin a somber nod. It was the closest he ever planned to get to thanking him for anything. Darkin nodded back, an understanding in his eyes that brought back that ever-present irritation that plagued Dephithus of late.

  “Have you ever lain with Myara?”

  Dephithus scowled. Whatever reason Darkin had for asking, he did not like the other youth thinking about Myara in that way, or any way if he were to be honest. “Of course not. We both have our social standing to consider and she’s not old enough yet.”

  “Soon though?” Darkin nodded without waiting for an answer. “If you asked nicely, I’m sure Suva would show you a few things.”

  Dephithus feared his jaw might drop off and become lost at the bottom of the lake.

  Darkin shrugged off his shocked look, a gesture mostly lost in the water. “I know she doesn’t seem to like you, but she finds you attractive.”

  “I didn’t get that impression.” Dephithus protested, completely baffled and disturbed that the idea of her was suddenly arousing. “Besides, isn’t she with you?”

  Darkin laughed. “Suva is with Suva. Come on, let’s head out. You can think about it.”

  They both swam back to shore and recovered their equipment. Dephithus had the uncomfo
rtable feeling that he had somehow betrayed Myara simply by talking about Suva in that way. It was not at all unusual for someone to have many sexual partners before settling on one or more to marry. It was almost common. Still, something about the mere possibility that he might lay with someone like Suva when he had a lady like Myara, who would be with him because she loved and wanted him, made him feel unworthy of her.

  “That’s a fine dagger,” Darkin commented as Dephithus donned his belt.

  Sucking back on a surge of resentment for the giver of that gift, he turned to saddling Hydra. “I suppose so. It was a gift, of sorts.”

  “I told you that people wouldn’t like it if you relied on your weapons to solve things for you.” Rather than elaborate on the current relevance of that comment, Darkin continued, “I suppose you won’t want to be seen with us if you are going to keep up proper appearances.”

  “I will do as I like,” Dephithus snapped.

  The two gossiping lovers in the garden were still fresh enough in his mind to make him angry again. He hauled on Hydra’s girth and the stallion stamped the ground hard with one back leg in warning.

  Was he anything more than a pawn on an elaborate chessboard? What was the point in keeping up all these foolish appearances anyhow? Perhaps he should be seen with the likes of Darkin and his companions. Had he not proven himself to be no better? Vicor certainly would not be surprised.

  He finished cinching the saddle and glanced over his shoulder at Darkin. “Come on. I know where we can get some excellent refreshments. If your appetite is up to it, of course.”

  Darkin grinned. “Do you have to even ask?”

  Dephithus shook his head and turned to swing up into the saddle.

  “Hey, kids,” Darkin called out to the three still in the lake. “Food, compliments of our lord. Hurry up.”

  They took the horses to the stable Hydra’s stall was in, tethering the animals the others had borrowed outside while Dephithus took a moment to bed his stallion down. Darkin watched this with a puzzled expression, but he said nothing until they were walking around to the back door of the palace kitchens.

  “Don’t they have stable hands for that kind of work?”

  Dephithus shrugged, “Hydra’s touchy.”

  Darkin grinned, bumping Dephithus with his shoulder in a good-natured fashion. “I think Hydra suffers more from a touchy owner.” Dephithus smiled and shrugged, drawing a chuckle from Darkin. “Does this mean we have to prepare our own food too?”

  Dephithus shook his head as he opened the door for them. Everyone except for Suva accepted the habitual gesture graciously enough. Suva hesitated outside the door and scowled at Dephithus while the head cook on duty looked them all over. With a stern look the stocky woman set her flour-dusted hands on her broad hips and addressed him.

  “Dephithus, my boy, bring them in or take them out, but don’t stand there letting bugs into my kitchen.”

  Suva glanced up at the woman and Dephithus took advantage of her distraction. He met Darkin’s eyes, hoping for backup, and gave Suva a firm shove through the door. Trying to stifle a laugh, Darkin caught hold of her arm before she could retaliate. Suva glared hatred at Dephithus, but he ignored her. The wonderful smells of the fine foods and the oppressive warmth of the ovens took hold of his senses. There were five other people at work under the head cook, all of whom looked away conspicuously when they saw who had entered.

  Did they too believe he was turning bad? Did they believe his scales and strange eyes were dark omens now? Had they always believed that?

  He suppressed the urge to glare at them all and turned back to the intimidating woman in front of them. “What culinary masterpiece might you spare us a bite of today?”

  The woman’s hard look disappeared and she shook her head at him. “Flatterer. Six of you? Usually you’re not so demanding, but I think I can handle it.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Silence prevailed while the group satisfied their hunger lounging around one of the small garden pools. Suva even seemed to have forgotten her anger with Dephithus for pushing her through the door, at least for the moment. He caught his gaze wandering to her more often than he intended. Had Darkin really been serious about what he had said at the lake? From the scowl that crossed Suva’s face when she saw him looking, it would take a lot more than asking nicely to get so much as a peck on the cheek. Not that he would want even that.

  Dephithus adjusted his position to look out at the garden past Darkin, anywhere but at Suva.

  Kovial lifted a fancy tea cake in toast to Dephithus, smiling appreciation. “Could you ever grow tired of eating like this? No wonder you rich kids never eat in the Legion dining hall. Where do they scrounge up the cooks down there anyway?”

  Dephithus smiled and made to reply when a Darkin caught his attention with a wave of one hand and gestured past him with a jerk of his head. Dephithus looked in the direction Darkin gestured to see Myara walking up behind them. He knew her well enough to recognize the apprehension in her eyes when the others turned to scrutinize her, yet she kept her posture and her stride convincingly confident. He rose to greet her, spurred to his feet by the realization that he was supposed to have met up with her almost an hour ago.

  She stopped in front of him, her gaze passing over the others briefly before she spoke. “I thought we were going to spend some time together today.”

  “I’m so sorry. I guess I forgot.” He cringed inwardly at how weak that sounded. How could he have forgotten the one thing he had woken up for?

  Suva smiled a sultry smile. “It wasn’t his fault. He was a little distracted.” She winked at Dephithus and he fancied he could feel the heat rising off Myara in response.

  “Yes, well, do you remember now?” Myara’s eyes narrowed, bitterness putting a sharp edge on each word. Her glare lingered on Suva for a moment then moved back to settle on him.

  “Of course I do. Shall we go?” He offered her his arm, trying to keep his tone light and pointedly not looking at Suva.

  Myara hesitated and he wondered if she might not refuse his arm in front of everyone. Finally, she nodded to herself and slipped her arm through his, giving Suva a hard look once more as they started to turn away.

  “Dephithus, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

  Dephithus met Darkin’s gaze. There was something sinister in his smirk that reflected in the dark pools of his eyes. “No, I don’t believe I am.”

  “Well enough,” Darkin gave Myara a nod. “I’m sure our paths will all cross again.”

  Dephithus nodded. He was not going to explain his sudden protectiveness to Darkin. To any of them. He wanted Myara and Darkin’s bunch of troublemakers kept exclusively apart. Myara looked surprised at his curtness, but Darkin did not seem to be offended, though the other four, who probably had no real desire to meet her, did look insulted. Darkin waved him on his way, as though he needed permission, and Dephithus turned his back on them, leaving them to do as they wished in the palace gardens. He expected that they would probably not stay long. They did not seem the types to lounge around and chat in elegant gardens.

  As they were passing the stables Myara freed her arm and bent down, picking a clover that she began spinning back and forth between her thumb and forefinger. Dephithus reached over, using his quick reflexes to playfully pluck one of the leaves as she spun them around. Myara frowned and dropped the damaged clover, gracefully slipping her leg out to trip him when she bent back down for another without missing a stride. He stumbled over it and caught himself, then chuckled at her as she smiled smugly down at her new clover.

  “Not much of a lady are you,” Dephithus teased.

  “Not much of a gentleman. You didn’t even introduce me to your new friends, shady though they were. It seems my little rebel is branching out on his own.”

  Dephithus rolled his eyes. “They’re not friends, just…” He faltered, trying to decide what they were.

  Her brow pinched with a dubious look. “Political connectio
ns? What?”

  Dephithus scowled at her and she laughed. What a lovely laugh, even with that slight edge of tension beneath it. There was so much he wanted to do with her. So much he was afraid to try. He could not believe that she could be so perfectly beautiful and so enchanting. She deserved so much better. If she knew that Larina’s death had been no accident she would shun him or worse. Dephithus kicked at the ground with his boot toe, scowling more deeply. Why had he been so foolish as to tell Darkin about Larina? Not only Darkin, but all of his pack as well. Then again, who would believe those five over the heir to the kingdom and pride of Imperious?

  Myara’s fingertips touched his cheek briefly, surprising him. Dephithus looked up and mustered a smile to wash away the concern in her eyes. She continued watching him a moment longer then glanced down the hill they were topping and her eyes sparkled to life.

  “Race you to the bottom.”

  His long dueling with Darkin still weighed his limbs down. He shook his head. “No, I’m much too tired.”

  Not one to be dissuaded, Myara shoved him knocking him off his feet and dropped next to him. Pulling him with her, she started them rolling down the hill. Dephithus rolled with her, laughing at how absurd they must look. When they reached the bottom, he was lying partially under her. Seeing the mischievous mirth in her eyes he looked down to see that his foot was the furthest down the hill.

  She followed his gaze. “Looks like you won again.”

  They both laughed and she rolled off to lie on her back beside him. Together they lay in the cool grass and stared up at a beautiful blue sky.

  “I suppose you have even more issues to work out since the tournament,” she said, taking them back to their conversation the night at the tower. That was the first time they had kissed. It was also the last time.

  Dephithus remained carefully silent.

  “I just want you to know that I’m here for you.”