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He nodded, pulling Lana back against him much the way Nico held her.
And you re Arikia. Welcome
home.
Riki s heart was so full, her eyes welled with tears, but she refused to let
them fall. She was too happy to mar the moment with tears.
Roland is my husband, Lana clarified.
Yes, I heard. Congratulations to you both. Riki answered, thankful for
Nico s warm body at her back. I married Nico the day before yesterday.
Lana s smile was wide and genuine. Yes, I heard that too.
Congratulations to you both, but, Riki, are you sure you know what you re
getting into? The Prince of Spies is more than a handful, from all accounts.
The teasing question made her laugh. Oh, I wouldn t have it any other way.
Epilogue
As it turned out, a small contingent of Jinn were on hand just inside the
circle of trees to greet their brethren. Magda had insisted on accompanying
Roland and Lana to meet with Nico and Riki. Roland brought his own men with
him as well, so there were a couple of dragons and knights along with the
Jinn, guarding their king and queen from a respectful distance.
They made camp for the day, the soldiers among them guarding while the family
caught up with all the news. Roland was troubled by Nico and
Riki s accounts of Lucan s transformation and his ability to direct the
skiths. He was also astounded by the idea that his younger brother was not
only married, but also now King-Consort of the Jinn Brotherhood.
They crossed the lake after dark and arrived in the Northern Lair a few hours
before dawn. As expected the arrival of so many black dragons raised eyebrows
all over the Lair. The dragons of the Lair saw the blacks
arrival as a sign of great hope, trumpeting their joy to the sky and setting
up quite a stir.
Roland was glad to leave the arrangements for housing all the visitors to
Sir Hal, Sir Jures and the Lady Candis, leaders of the Northern Lair while he
sought a bedchamber for himself and Lana. But a surprise awaited him when Hal
found a moment of privacy. The knight handed Roland a letter, his eyes grave.
This came from the witch Loralie, for you, my liege. It arrived last night,
though how she knew you d be here today, I have no idea.
Roland accepted the letter, his eyes narrowed. She a witch, after all.
is
I ll be standing by if you need me, sire. Hal nodded once and moved off.
Roland stole a moment away from his family to read the letter. He didn t want
to ruin their arrival home with this just yet. First he would read it and see
what the letter contained. Only then would he decide what was to be done.
Still he knew, coming from Loralie, it couldn t be good news.
Roland sat on the edge of Tilden and Rue s wallow. The elder dragons of the
Northern Lair, they were highly ranked and sat on the Dragon Council.
Roland had known and respected them both all his life.
They watched, silently supporting him as he read the letter.
The contents of it weighed heavy on his mind, but he didn t want to ruin
Lana s reunion with her twin just yet. First, he had to sort through what
Loralie s letter might truly mean. He didn t trust the North Witch. Not at
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all.
Have you ever heard of the Wizard Skir?
Roland asked the dragons.
Tilden reared back and smoke issued from his throat to drift toward the vents
in the ceiling. Roland could clearly see his agitation.
That name is not spoken among dragonkind, sire. He is cursed for all time for
his evil.
Rue spoke calmly, but her voice was adamant in Roland s mind.
Loralie claims he is imprisoned in a place called the Citadel and it is this
place Lucan means to go, to free him.
Both dragons reared back at this news, clearly upset.
This cannot be allowed!
Tilden thundered, anger and fear mixed in his tone along with grim
determination.
Roland watched the dragons reactions carefully, weighing their response
against Loralie s words and whatever she wished to accomplish by her missive.
He didn t trust her, but the true fear he witnessed in two of the oldest and
most respected dragons in his land was not to be discounted.
Why? What did Skir do to earn eternal imprisonment from his peers? Few of the
wizards had any high moral standards if the old tales are to be believed. Why
single out this one to lock away forever in ice?
Cold silence met his question until finally Rue stepped forward, her jeweled
eyes grim, her voice in Roland s mind laced with seething anger and
incomprehensible distress.
The Wizard Skir is the one who created the skiths. To destroy all dragons.
About the Author
To learn more about Bianca D Arc visit www.biancadarc.com
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