Dragon's Heart (6 page)

D
arkness enfolded Serena
, tempting her to remain. It was soothing, simple, carefree in the black. There were times when disjointed voices filled the silence. She didn’t hear everything the speakers said. What little she did, slipped through her mind before she could make sense of the words. Killian’s voice was soothing, encouraging her to come back to him. She felt his love and the fear he had for her.

If you remain, you can have him forever.
A sibilant voice drifted through the darkness. No court.
No difference in your station to keep you apart.

Do not listen, Serena.
A woman’s voice broke through the whispered promises.
Your time is not finished. If you leave him now, Killian will be broken-hearted. He will not be the man… the king you know he can be. This is not your time, little Fireball. Fight.
The woman’s voice disappeared but left an occasional hint of her final words running through Serena’s mind.

After the echoes had faded into silence, Serena decided to fight. She began clawing her way out of the darkness, making slow progress, struggling her way toward Killian’s voice. He was her guiding star. She rested when he wasn’t by her side. After a while, she didn’t know how long, she could feel her body again, a dull aching pain in her back. When Killian came, she sensed his hands touch her cheek, knew when he held her hand in his, felt the too brief press of his lips against hers.

She thought she was alone. When she opened her eyes, they roamed, taking in her surroundings. Serena was in one of the private chamber healing wards.
This explains why Killian had no fear of touching me. Or perhaps it was all part of the fever dream,
she mused, her mind fighting the fog, clinging to it and slowing her thoughts. Her focus landed on the queen. Anastasia sat in a chair a couple of feet from her bed. The monarch’s sharp hazel eyes fixated on the younger woman as though she could read every secret Serena held.

“You’re awake,” the queen said, glancing down at the book she held. The volume was bound in black leather and had a seal Serena didn’t recognize embossed on its cover.

“Your Majesty.” Serena tried to get up, to rise and offer proper obeisance, but her arms gave out, and she fell back on the pillows, sweat forming on her brow and her breath coming in short, panting bursts.

“There is no need to rise.” Anastasia laid the book on her lap, folding her hands on top of it. “So, you are the girl I have heard so much about from my grandson.” The queen’s eyes locked on Serena’s and fixed with an appraising gaze.

Serena shook her head, hoping that would clear some of the cobwebs clouding her mind. “I believe so, Your Majesty,” she said, frowning with confusion.

“You believe so?”

“I have not been privy to all of the conversations you shared with the prince.” Serena kept her tone and words neutral.
I don’t know what he’s told his grandmother, but I don’t want to say too much.

The queen wore an expression of surprise and some confusion. “My grandson has not shared everything with you?”

Serena nodded. “The prince keeps his own counsel on certain matters.”

“You do not object?”

“Of course not. I understand some things the prince will not be able to share with me or perhaps anyone.”

The queen considered her words. For several moments, the only sound in the room was the soft swipe of her hand across the cover of the book. Something about the seal on the cover tickled Serena’s memory as though she should recognize it.

Anastasia’s hand froze, covering the seal. “Ryan and Michaels tell me you put yourself between the prince and the assassin.”

Serena’s heart leapt into her throat, and it felt as though someone was strangling her. “Dear Gods, the prince, was he injured?”

“No, he is well, currently attending a meeting with his father and several of the provincial lords.” Anastasia paused, considered something for a moment before she continued, “The attempted assassin has been captured, will be interrogated and put on trial.”

Serena closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the Gods.”

“And you, young lady.” The queen glanced back at the door to check that it remained closed. “What are your intentions where my grandson is concerned?”

“I love him,” Serena admitted without hesitation.

The queen’s eyes narrowed, and Serena felt as though a protective grandmother, not her country’s monarch, studied her. “What will you do when he must marry another?”

She didn’t hesitate and met her sovereign’s eyes as she spoke, knowing her words would measure and weigh by both queen and grandmother. “I will remain with the Royal Guard offering my life to protect king and country.”

“Even though doing so means a vow of celibacy?” she asked, one gray brow arched high.

“I have made my choice.” She took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and confessed to her monarch the honest truth, “I know what my heart wants. If it is not to be, then I will accept that fate.”

“Such wisdom in this matter.” The queen paused and shook her head, frustration clear. “I do wish Killian had your insight.”

“He is confident and headstrong at times.” Serena glanced at her hands, not sure if she should go on, but when the older woman remained silent, she continued. “However, Killian is a young man with strong opinions and passions. Once his heart is set, he cannot be easily swayed.” When she finished, a soft smile curled her lips, and a faint blush warmed her cheeks.

The queen had considered her words for a few moments before a slight smile curled her lips, and she stood. “I have reviewed your service record, young lady. It appears you have done well both as a member of the regular military and in your training for the Royal Guard. Bearing that in mind, the country and I are in your debt. Your actions saved the second in line to the throne. Moreover, you have saved the life of my only grandson. For that service,” she said and paused, considering her next words with care, “I name you Lady Harlowe, governor of Lakeshire province.”

Serena’s breath caught in her throat, and she frowned. “Your Highness?” she asked confused.

“I believe the official ceremony can wait. Killian’s naming day perhaps?”

“I thank you, Your Majesty,” Serena took a deep breath and plunged ahead before she really had her thoughts in order. She felt as though the ground was shifting underneath her, and she fought to remain standing. “However, I would prefer that it be done sooner rather than later.”

Anastasia smiled and nodded. “As you wish. Once you are well enough.” A soft knock on the door and a voice on the other side asking for the queen interrupted the moment. “I must go.” She turned and started to leave the small room, but paused before reaching the door. The queen turned and met Serena’s eyes. “I do hope you know what you are getting yourself into, young lady.”

Serena grinned, and a vision of Killian laughing flashed before her eyes. “I believe I have some idea.” When the only response was a skeptical glance from the queen, Serena felt compelled to explain. “The prince will need someone at his side offering support, not trying to push him in one direction or another for political reasons.”

“Well said.”

“Might I beg your indulgence, Majesty?”

“That depends on your request,” her lips quirked up in a half-smile. “Lady Serena.”

“I would like to be the one to tell Killian about your Majesty’s most generous gift.”

“A most reasonable request.” The queen nodded. “It will be as you ask.” Without another word, she slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her with a resounding thud.

Serena leaned back on her pillows and closed her eyes, letting her mind wander, drifting through pleasant daydreams of not only dragons and dragon-like creatures, but also of the future she hoped to share with Killian.

When the door opened again a short time later, Serena looked up, hoping Killian would walk through. Instead, she was disappointed as an elderly healer entered carrying a change of bandages and a foul smelling poultice. After a few perfunctory questions, the healer sat on a stool beside the bed and leaned forward.

The woman asked Serena to sit on the edge of the bed, back to her, shirt pulled out of the way to expose the bandages. Then she muttered something under her breath as she leaned close and pulled a small knife from her kit, using it to cut the bandages free.”This may hurt. I am sorry. However, there is no other way.”

“I understand,” Serena said. A moment later, her breath hissed through clenched teeth as the healer peeled the bandages from raw flesh and dried blood. Serena gritted her teeth and bit back a cry of pain when the healer probed the area around the wound with her fingers. She didn’t hear the door open and close or the three quick, sure steps entering the room.

When the woman looked up from her work, she bobbed a quick bow of her head as her hands began the work of rebinding the wound. “Your Highness.”

“Healer. I came to see how my protector fares.” He spoke without emotion. For a moment, when she looked back at him, Serena caught a glimpse of how he would appear as king. Handsome, but untouchable, his expression was cool and calculating, words chosen with care.

“I believe she will mend quite nicely, your Highness,” the woman answered though her voice was distant as if distracted.

“No doubt in large part due to your excellent care.” He smiled and watched as she finished her work, never taking his eyes off Serena’s. After a few minutes, the healer tied off the bandages, stood and bowed before leaving the room.

When they were alone, Killian crossed to her bed and sat beside Serena, touching her cheek. “You’re back,” he whispered. A sheen of tears welled up in his eyes before one spilled over.

“Don’t do that,” she whispered, reaching up to brush away the tear with a calloused finger before it fell from his chin.

“I thought you were going to die.” He frowned, his brow furrowed deeper. “All that blood,” he admitted in a shuddering whisper.

“I’m here,” she assured, laying one hand over his. “I will heal.”

“Don’t you dare do that again,” Killian admonished in his most commanding tone.

“I’m afraid I cannot obey that command.” Serena shook her head and slipped her hand into his. “My prince. It’s my job to…” She kissed the back of his hand and continued, “do that.”

“I know,” he whispered. “And that is what terrifies me.” He sighed and gave her a long, mournful look.

“Killian, please don’t. I am careful.” Serena reached up and stroked his cheek, promising. “I will always be vigilant.”

The prince shook his head and sighed. “Careful does not mean throwing yourself between a dagger and me.”

“No. That was love and would not matter if you were a prince or stable boy.” She turned his head, so he was looking at her. “I would do the same thing, every time.”

He met her eyes and stroked her cheek. “I hope to have the chance to repay you.”

She smiled, one that lit up her eyes. “I hope repay does not mean you will put yourself in front of a blade meant for me.”

“I do not know what it means,” he admitted, shaking his head.

After a few moments sitting in silence, Serena came to a decision. She lifted Killian’s hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. She didn’t think about the consequences of her actions but let her instincts guide her as she had so often in her twenty-one years. “Lock the door.”

Killian blinked several times, his mind trying to work out what she had in mind. “What?”

“You heard me.” Serena leaned forward and feathered a light kiss on his lips. “Lock the door.”

Confusion flashed on Killian’s face for a moment before he stood, crossed to the door and slid the bolt in place. When he turned around, Serena had risen and was leaning on the bedpost.

“What are you doing?” he scolded, rushing to her side.

She gasped, as the wound in her back protested the changes in her body position when she found her balance.
I’ve had wounds before, but nothing as deep as this one. I was lucky it didn’t kill me.
Her mind couldn’t quite grasp why she was in such pain. “I want to be on my feet when I tell you this.”

Killian eyed her with suspicion but reached out a hand to steady her. “Tell me what?”

“I had a visit from your grandmother.” She paused and smiled when the lines appeared between his brows as his mind started working out some problem.

“Well, that would explain why she said she’d seen my young lady. Which is strange because usually you’re that girl.” He paused, tilted his head to the left while letting out a small laugh.

As he spoke, Serena reached out and tucked an errant strand of hair behind his ear, rather enjoying watching him try and work out her meaning.

“Never mind the fact that you gained your majority years ago, you are still
that girl
to the queen. Except for just now… now you were, my young lady.”

Serena stepped forward and slid an arm around his waist. “Saving your life
might
have something to do with her change of heart.” She paused and stroked one calloused finger down his cheek to his throat, smiling at the soft sigh her touch elicited. “I look forward to the day when I can do this in the open.” Before he had the chance to ask what she meant, Serena pressed her lips to his, drawing him into a long, passionate kiss. When they broke apart, Killian shook his head and frowned.