was floored by the idea. She hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, but obviously the dragon had.
“In time,” the dragon nodded. “ If the Mother of All so decides to bless us.”
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Bianca D’Arc
Something wondrous blossomed within Lucia at the thought, but there was also trepidation. The knights—and dragons—would have to be told about her heritage before this went any further. Fear filled her. What if they rejected what she was? What if it conflicted with their allegiance to Draconia?
She hid her thoughts carefully as Marcus settled in to sleep beside her. Kaden dozed as well and Linea remained silent. Watching.
Lucy had to talk to someone about this. But who?
“The queens are very good at solving problems, if you have one, Lucia de Alagarithia.” Linea’s jeweled eye winked at her once before shutting. The dragon, too, dozed as Lucy’s mind spun.
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Wings of Change
Chapter Eleven
Later that day, Lucia woke to the smell of roasted meat and herbs. Her stomach growled and she realized she was famished. The bed was empty except for her and she wasted no time bathing and dressing, eager to get some food into her deprived body. When she reached the small kitchen, she was surprised to find two women there before her. Marcus and Kaden were nowhere in sight, and neither were Linea or Reynor. It seemed the two queens had come to cook dinner for her and Lucy realized her moment of truth had arrived. Whether Linea had arranged this or if it was the queens’ idea, she didn’t know, but the time to reveal the truth—and seek advice—was finally at hand.
“Good evening, Lucy,” Queen Lana said. “We thought you’d be hungry after sleeping so long. I hope you don’t mind our taking over your kitchen.”
“Not at all, Your Majesties. Thank you.”
“Oh, please call me Lana, and this is my sister, Riki. We aren’t very formal and we’d like to get to know you a bit better, if that’s all right.”
Lucia knew darn well the two women hadn’t been raised in privilege as she had. Everyone in Castleton knew the story of how they’d been stolen from their home and sold as child slaves, only gaining their freedom and birthright as members of one of the royal houses of Draconia in recent months. Both had married into the ruling line. Lana was married to Roland, King of Draconia, and Riki was married to his brother, Prince Nico, king-consort of the Jinn. Riki herself had been crowned Queen of the Jinn just weeks before, in a surprise move that still astounded many of her Jinn brethren. It seemed Riki and Nico had fulfilled some mysterious and ancient prophecy, revealing themselves as the ceremonial head of the wandering Brotherhood. The two queens dished up three plates of roasted meat and vegetables, setting them on the table. They sat and Lucia followed suit. She was a bit uncomfortable in the presence of such gifted women. Both were healers of great renown with magical abilities far beyond most people.
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Bianca D’Arc
“Please be at ease, Lucy,” Queen Lana said with a kind smile. They began eating and her hunger reared its head again. She devoured half her plate before coming up for air. When she did, she met understanding smiles on the faces of the two women. They were watching her closely and Lucia flushed with embarrassment at her poor manners.
“I’m sorry.” She wiped her mouth with the napkin. “I guess I was hungrier than I thought.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve been in your shoes, Lucy. Healing takes a lot out of you and when you finally wake up and get over the lethargy, you’re ravenous. Not to worry. We understand.” Riki’s green eyes were kind as she continued to eat. “In time you’ll learn to channel the energy so you don’t wipe yourself out. We can help you learn, if you like.”
“Um.” She didn’t quite know what to say. “I’m not a healer. Not like you are.”
“Well, you did
“In time,” the dragon nodded. “ If the Mother of All so decides to bless us.”
www.samhainpublishing.com 69
Bianca D’Arc
Something wondrous blossomed within Lucia at the thought, but there was also trepidation. The knights—and dragons—would have to be told about her heritage before this went any further. Fear filled her. What if they rejected what she was? What if it conflicted with their allegiance to Draconia?
She hid her thoughts carefully as Marcus settled in to sleep beside her. Kaden dozed as well and Linea remained silent. Watching.
Lucy had to talk to someone about this. But who?
“The queens are very good at solving problems, if you have one, Lucia de Alagarithia.” Linea’s jeweled eye winked at her once before shutting. The dragon, too, dozed as Lucy’s mind spun.
70
www.samhainpublishing.com
Wings of Change
Chapter Eleven
Later that day, Lucia woke to the smell of roasted meat and herbs. Her stomach growled and she realized she was famished. The bed was empty except for her and she wasted no time bathing and dressing, eager to get some food into her deprived body. When she reached the small kitchen, she was surprised to find two women there before her. Marcus and Kaden were nowhere in sight, and neither were Linea or Reynor. It seemed the two queens had come to cook dinner for her and Lucy realized her moment of truth had arrived. Whether Linea had arranged this or if it was the queens’ idea, she didn’t know, but the time to reveal the truth—and seek advice—was finally at hand.
“Good evening, Lucy,” Queen Lana said. “We thought you’d be hungry after sleeping so long. I hope you don’t mind our taking over your kitchen.”
“Not at all, Your Majesties. Thank you.”
“Oh, please call me Lana, and this is my sister, Riki. We aren’t very formal and we’d like to get to know you a bit better, if that’s all right.”
Lucia knew darn well the two women hadn’t been raised in privilege as she had. Everyone in Castleton knew the story of how they’d been stolen from their home and sold as child slaves, only gaining their freedom and birthright as members of one of the royal houses of Draconia in recent months. Both had married into the ruling line. Lana was married to Roland, King of Draconia, and Riki was married to his brother, Prince Nico, king-consort of the Jinn. Riki herself had been crowned Queen of the Jinn just weeks before, in a surprise move that still astounded many of her Jinn brethren. It seemed Riki and Nico had fulfilled some mysterious and ancient prophecy, revealing themselves as the ceremonial head of the wandering Brotherhood. The two queens dished up three plates of roasted meat and vegetables, setting them on the table. They sat and Lucia followed suit. She was a bit uncomfortable in the presence of such gifted women. Both were healers of great renown with magical abilities far beyond most people.
www.samhainpublishing.com 71
Bianca D’Arc
“Please be at ease, Lucy,” Queen Lana said with a kind smile. They began eating and her hunger reared its head again. She devoured half her plate before coming up for air. When she did, she met understanding smiles on the faces of the two women. They were watching her closely and Lucia flushed with embarrassment at her poor manners.
“I’m sorry.” She wiped her mouth with the napkin. “I guess I was hungrier than I thought.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve been in your shoes, Lucy. Healing takes a lot out of you and when you finally wake up and get over the lethargy, you’re ravenous. Not to worry. We understand.” Riki’s green eyes were kind as she continued to eat. “In time you’ll learn to channel the energy so you don’t wipe yourself out. We can help you learn, if you like.”
“Um.” She didn’t quite know what to say. “I’m not a healer. Not like you are.”
“Well, you did
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