ine

e the balustrade, a crowd of nobles searching for

light, then looked at Grant's rigid ba

voice. "Good heavens, Lord Marshal, why were yo

ped toward me, and a wave of nas

his golden eyes narrowing with

ight, staring Brittnie down. "I was merely passing

ne staff. His sharp eyes locked onto the golden glow still fading beneath Grant's coll

the garden. Not a singl

Keeping his eyes fixed on my face, he raised his right ha

er the courtyard. "I, Grant Walters, swear by the dragon

a giant invisible fist crushing my heart. A muffled groan escaped my li

l voice cut above the rest. "Did you hear that? E

etallic taste of blood filled my mouth

e flame, a booming voice carrying absolute royal a

Upon the king's brow sat the Dragon Crown, forged from the First Dragon's core. It flared with blinding golden fire, i

f his son and looked down.

his head up through gritted teeth. "Father, she is a ruined Dra

s scepter against the flagstones. "The will of the First

e so only the three of us could hear. "

hands balled into white-knuckled fists agains

life, Grant squeezed his eyes shut and cru

ediate backlash. Grant's shoulders jerked, and he cough

None of them had expected the supreme Dragon King

me. "Prepare yourself. Three months from now, on

ve me. A suffocating wave of dread washed over me. I could not marry

ade, I hauled myself to my feet and bowed

glove and stepped close to me. "You won," he whispered, his voic

s glare with a mocking smile. "Then I

raised his crystal goblet towa