Last Dragon Standing (Dragon Kin #4)(36)

“Aye. But as I said, it’s just a rumor.”

Just a rumor indeed. Yet a rumor that Princess Keita would easily believe. And he knew why, too. Because she probably liked the idea of bedding spies. Spies who could use her to find out information about the courts of the two queens. He wanted to ask, “Could she be so stupid not to see that?” But then he already had the answer to that question, didn’t he?

She was too stupid to see that.

Ragnar did, however, wonder how far Keita would go to keep her bed filled with “spies.” Would she simply provide information to her lovers or actually search information out? What had she already told? Was Esyld suffering now because her niece had become bed acquaintances with those who would harm her? Ragnar really didn’t know.

Although he did realize that he longed for the days when he didn’t have to deal with the royal Fire Breathers.

Gorlas watched one of his favorite beings pace restlessly around his private office. He clearly remembered when Keita had first wandered into his store. She’d been a bored student then, but with one look, Gorlas knew that sitting at a desk all day, listening to boring old professors give lectures, wasn’t the life for this beauty. Within a few days, the only classes she attended were his. Along with her Eastland friend, Ren of the Chosen. Both of them beautiful, smart, and devious. And considering the path Keita truly wanted to take, it was a perfect match for all of them.

Too bad she continued to forget the most important thing he’d always tried to teach her—her mother was not to be f**ked with. Something Keita refused to believe. And now…now she was here.

“What the f**k was Esyld thinking?” Keita demanded. “She couldn’t keep her lovers in the Outerplains? She had to come here to meet them?”

“Calm down.”

“I will not calm down! Has she lost her mind? Has old age set in early? She’s going to get both of us killed!”

“Keita—”

She rested her hands on her hips. “Where?” Keita demanded. “Where was she meeting him? Here? In a rented chateau? At the queen’s favorite human pub? Where was this dumb female settling in to meet her lover so that everyone who reports to my mother could see her clearly? Where, Gorlas?”

“She was staying at Castle Moor.”

Keita gasped, reached back for her chair, and dropped into it. “No!

You must be wrong.”

“That’s where she was sighted by my people. More than once.”

“My aunt was at Castle Moor?”

“I’d assumed you’d sent her there. It’s the one safe place I know when one wants to be discreet.”

“But…” she said, still dazed. “Castle Moor? My aunt?” Smirking, Gorlas relaxed back in his chair. “I must say I’m a little surprised by the tone, Keita. Coming from you, I mean.”

“It would surprise no one that I have been to Castle Moor…several times. Or that I’m on a first-name basis with your oddly alluring fellow elf, Athol. But Esyld is not me.”

“It is a smart choice.” Castle Moor was far removed from Southland politics and the notice of either the Dragon Queen or her human counterpart, the Mad Queen of Garbhán Isle. For enough coin, anyone looking to have some private time with a lover or lovers could find it at Castle Moor. And Athol, lord of the manor, was well known for keeping his mouth shut.

Gorlas only knew who came and went because he made it his business to know, and he didn’t spread around what he heard.

“I guess that’s true,” Keita said “Do you think she’s there now?”

“It’s possible, but I haven’t exactly been monitoring your aunt.” Perhaps he should have, but he’d never thought the dragoness would be so foolish as to get caught. Now Gorlas wished he’d contacted Keita and told her what he knew, but he thought her aunt simply had desires that needed to be filled. He knew it must be hard to live all alone in the Outerplains with nothing but your herbs, spells, and forest animals to keep you company.

“I’ll need to go there. See if I can find her.”

“How long has it been since you were there last?”

“Ages. Think Athol will mind?”

“Extremely doubtful. He was always quite fond of you.”

“That’s good. Because if my mother finds out about all this, I may have to hide in Castle Moor myself.”

“Will that be such a hardship, my lady?”

“At the moment…yes. Besides, you know I don’t like being trapped anywhere.” Keita rested her elbow on the table, her chin in her palm.

“What else, Keita?” he pushed. He knew she wasn’t telling him everything.

“There is the slightest chance…that Esyld’s lover is a Sovereign.” Gorlas’s heart plummeted. “Oh…Keita.”

“I know,” she sighed. “Because this all couldn’t just be bad, my dear friend. It had to be very bad!”

Keita had just turned a corner, heading toward the city gates, when Ren fell into step beside her.

“Well?” she asked, her mind turning.

“The Northlander was right about the necklace. Designed and created by Fucinus himself, most likely.”

Keita stopped walking and stamped her foot. “Fuck me!” she snarled.