Page 80 of Ashborne Forged

“My betrothed was contracted to me months ago. If she’s spoken any vow since then it is superseded by that contract,” Breckon said tightly. “And a dragon’s position in the territories has no bearing on—”

“Lord Breckon, while I recognize your position in Fyrehold and indeed, have no desire to foment ill-feeling, I am instructing you to keep your mouth firmly shut, sir. This is my kingdom, my castle, and indeed, my chamber. You will wait until your input is requested in future.”

Breckon went rigid with rage, his face pinking. But he offered another, stilted bow. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he seethed. “Please accept my apologies.”

“Of course,” she said with a smile, as if he’d truly repented, and she was being graceful. Then her smile faded. “Now, it seems we cannot progress further until you produce this contract of which you are so fond.”

Everyone in the room, including me, turned to Breckon. My heart rose with hope—who traveled with a marriage contract on their person?

But it fell again when Breckon smiled. “If you could bid a servant to run back to the carriage, I will have it for you, forthwith.”

The queen snapped her fingers to summon her man, who’d remained silent in the shadows behind her since we arrived.

“You will take Lord Breckon back to his carriage to locate the marriage contract and return him here, with the papers.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” He bowed and turned to trot from the room, but Breckon stiffened.

“Your Majesty, if I’m to go myself, then Grace must accompany me—”

“Lord Breckon, I appreciate that you have endured a long journey, and do not wish to lose sight of your betrothed after such a hunt. But do you dare imply that I am not a safe chaperone for her in your absence? I assure you, I do not make a habit of secreting women from their would-be husbands. And before you answer, consider that my appetite for veiled insults is waning.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Breckon said reluctantly, because he was an ass, but he wasn’t stupid. “I will hurry to the carriage, and return here with the contract immediately.”

“I trust that you will.”

And then she smiled like a snake staring at a mouse, until he had bowed, and followed the servant out, glaring a warning at me over his shoulder before the door was closed, and he was out of sight.

I slumped with relief the moment he disappeared. Bren hurried to my side, and the queen pushed to her feet, walking straight to Donavyn. “What the hell have you and your dragons brought down on my head this time?” she muttered.

“We knew nothing of this until moments before we brought her to you.”

“Do not treat me like a fool, Donavyn. She just happened to be Chosen as you left Fyrehold. Just happened to find her way here within days of your return? And mated to one of your men?”

“Yes! We have no control over the dragon bonds.”

Diaan stood before him, looking fierce and skeptical. To my shock, he didn’t cower under her gaze, but merely waited.

I looked at Bren, surprised to find that she, too, didn’t seem overly concerned about the queen’s anger.

“Well, shit,” the queen muttered a moment later.

I spluttered a laugh—then clapped a hand over my mouth, apologizing profusely when the queen shot me a look as she whipped her skirts around and returned to her seat.

“It is no laughing matter.”

“I assure you, Your Majesty, I couldn’t agree more,” I breathed.

Her gaze sharpened as she dropped into the chair. She stared at me. “Are you everything you appear to be, Lady Grace? Or is this supposed coincidence because of your machinations?”

I shook my head vehemently. “The choosing came as an utter shock to me, Your Majesty. I had no hand in it, but it is everything I have ever wished for. And I am certain this is my path. If you could see your way clear to allowing me to stay, I will serve faithfully—”

“Barnslow is your house?” she asked abruptly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Her lips thinned. “If I remember correctly, yours is an old family. Old blood. Honorable. But not longer enjoying the flush of, shall we say, new growth?”

I swallowed hard. “That is accurate, Your Majesty.”