Forbidden Honor (Dragon Royals #1)(26)

“Honor Hannaby can’t just disappear,” he said. “It will make people suspicious.”

“Will it, though? I don’t think anyone is going to imagine I’m a dragon royal.”

“You can do both,” he assured me. “I’ll have an enchanted trunk for you at the academy tomorrow. It will allow you to hide items to make it easier for you to change back and forth. Simple spell.”

“Simple spell,” I repeated. “And I’ll just…work two jobs. Fantastic.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“Or I’ll be dead, apparently. Right?” I raked my fingers through my hair. “Why didn’t the Elders just kill me already?”

“Because they aren’t allowed to,” he answered. “They can’t touch you—or any other dragon—unless you prove unworthy.”

“Who do they answer to?” I demanded. “Are you sure they know that?”

He paused, and I realized we were under the white flowering trees that marked the start of our property. “Give them hell, Honor.”

He said my name as if he knew me. Wait, had he known my father?

I started to ask, but he had already gone, vanishing into the shadows.

Caldren. I’d have a million questions to ask Caldren.





Honor



I glanced toward the house, which was brightly lit, then turned back toward the dark streets. Was Damyn still watching me? I decided to pretend to make my way up toward the house, then I doubled back through the trees—keeping an eye out for my sister, but apparently Alis had successfully locked her up in her room tonight—and headed through the city.

It was beginning to rain, slow, fat drops that still managed to soak my hair by the time I found the Twisted Pines. I was thankful to push open the door and duck inside.

Then I raised my head, and found two dozen people staring at me.

I was getting really sick of people looking at me as if I didn’t belong. “Good evening!” I called cheerfully.

Caldren made his way to my side. “You look like a drowned rat.”

“I think you’re pretty too, Caldren.”

He didn’t respond to that, but he frowned down at me before his hands settled on my goosebump-covered arms. I really should have gone inside to change instead of wandering around in my skimpy temple dress.

He rubbed his hands vigorously up and down my arms as if he were trying to warm me up. “Come in front of the fire.”

I should’ve pushed him away, but I was damp and freezing, and his warm hands on my body felt good. I let him pull me to a table in front of the fire. There were two young men sitting there already, but when they saw Caldren moving toward it, they rose and went to the bar.

I side-eyed him, curious about the power he seemed to have here when the Elders had been so dismissive.

“The Elders don’t care for you much?” I asked.

“Nor do I care for them much, so at least it’s mutual,” he said brightly. He pulled a chair out for me and, as soon as I took a seat, he whirled his jacket around my shoulders. His hand rested on my back for a second as I sank into the warm, soft fabric.

“I was worried they’d hurt you.”

“You don’t have to worry for my sake,” he promised. “I’m good at keeping myself out of trouble.”

That had the note of a lie, and I raised my eyebrows.

He smiled slightly. “All right, I’m good at getting myself out of trouble. Better?”

“It sounds like we have something in common.”

He scoffed. “Well, so far I haven’t seen you get yourself out of much trouble. You seem to have captured Jaik and Talisyn’s attention.”

“I don’t know why.”

“Mm.” He didn’t seem to believe me, but whatever he’d been about to say next died on his lips as a barmaid sashayed up toward us. She rested her hand on his shoulder, a smile fixed on her lips, and she ignored me completely.

“What can I get you, Caldren?” she purred.

“My friend and I will both have cider and brandy. Hot, please.”

“I’d love to know about desserts,” I added, which got me a look from both of them, but it was true. I always loved to know about desserts.

The two of us sat quietly for a few moments—I needed time to process my evening—while the fire crackled behind me, warming my skin and beginning to dry my clothes. The fiddler in the corner had begun to play again, and conversation had picked up around us, as if Caldren’s approval of me meant I belonged.

It wasn’t long before the barmaid returned with cider and brandy, and a very large dish of toffee bread pudding for me. The hot drink warmed my insides, and the sugary scent of the pudding teased my nose. I tucked in as he regarded me skeptically, but death threats always make me hungry.

He studied me, kicking back in his chair. “So, you are going to be the new and perhaps improved Lucien Finn.”

“He doesn’t sound like someone who’s made wise choices,” I said, thinking about how he’d stolen from one of the royal families.

“No, no, he does not make wise choices, he’s definitely someone who’s made interesting choices instead. But as much as Branok and Lynx hate him, he’s not nearly as hated as you would be yourself.”