Prince of Spies (23 page)

Riki?
Nico’s voice sounded through her mind.
Where are you?

I’m in the big yellow tent. They’ve gathered all the wounded here.

Can you get away or do they need you?

Riki surveyed the orderly room. There were far more skilled healers than herself here and they had things well under control.

I’ll come. Where are you? At Estella’s tent. There’s a war council of sorts
gathering. Good. I have something to tell them. Really?
Curiosity sounded in his words and she smiled.
Yes, really. What is it? Wait and see.
She couldn’t resist teasing him.
I’ll be right there.
Nico was waiting for her in front of the tent. He pulled her into his arms the moment he saw her. Nico kissed her deeply, his relief communicating itself through the kiss as he molded her to his strong body. “I love you,” he said as he drew back, looking down into her eyes.

No matter how many times she heard him say the words, they always had the same effect on her. Wonder and joy shone through her spirit.

Nico loved her!

Nothing could rival the feeling of knowing his love.

Nico kissed her again before she could respond, and then stepped back slightly, motioning for her to enter the tent before him. What she found inside was a grim group of faces, dusty and dirty from the hours just spent defending their very lives.

Riki felt a great sense of responsibility for these people. She’d brought Lucan’s wrath down on them.

Silently she walked to the table and stood before them. Conversation ceased as all eyes turned to her. Her mouth went dry, but she knew she had to speak.

“I apologize.” She paused, gathering her courage. “I brought the skiths here. Lucan was looking for me and attacked you because of it. I am deeply sorry.”

Stunned silence met her words until Estella spoke.

“How can you be so sure this was your fault? We don’t blame you.”

“Well, then you should. I know because Lucan spoke to me through one of the skiths.” Shocked gasps met her statement. “He directs them with his mind. He has power over them now, since he merged with them.”

“Merged?” Arabetta’s voice was grave with worry.

“Lucan is no longer human.” Grave silence met Nico’s announcement. “At least not completely. He’s part skith now. I saw it myself. He talks to them.” Nico stepped up behind Riki, standing close with her back against his chest, offering his support.

“And he talks through them,” Riki confirmed. “He sees through their eyes and was able to communicate with me through one of them.”

“What did he say?”

Riki shrugged. “He wanted me back. Or dead. No surprise there. I was the only thing keeping him alive and out of pain. Without me around to heal him constantly, he’ll be in agony.”

“So he’ll be looking for another healer,” Arabetta said shrewdly. “We must get the word out.” Nods all around the table confirmed the grave need to warn other healers. Riki hadn’t even thought of that, but it was an excellent idea. Still…

“Loralie told him he needed a special healer and that I was the only one in Skithdron.”

“A dragon healer then,” Estella said without doubt, but Riki was shocked by her assumption.

“I’m not—”

Nico stopped her words with a quick squeeze of his arm around her middle.

Oh, yes you are a dragon healer. Never doubt that, my love. It is a gift of
your heritage. Female descendants of Draneth the Wise are usually able
to heal dragons.

I had no idea.

And until this morning, you’d never shifted either, so don’t doubt it. You
have much within you that you’re only just discovering. Personally, I’m
going to love every minute of learning just who and what you are.

Nico’s warm arm around her waist branded her, firing her blood, as did the sexy tone of his voice in her mind.

“What happened to the skith Lucan was using?” Estella’s question shocked Riki back to the conversation.

“I killed it.”

Silence met her words until Nico asked simply, “How?”

She turned in his arms and it was as if only the two of them existed. “At first I was so scared. I’m embarrassed to admit I considered jumping out of the tree to let the skiths have at me. At least they would give me a quick end, or so I thought. But then I thought of you,” she reached up to cup his cheeks in her hands, “and I got angry.”

Nico chuckled. “Thinking of me made you angry?”

“No.” She smiled at his teasing. “Thinking of Lucan threatening you—and me—made me angry. The fire bubbled up and before I knew it, flame came from my hand and fried the skith.”

“Sweet Mother!” someone at the table gasped, reminding Riki they had an audience.

Arabetta stood, her smile kind. “Can you show us, child? Can you,” she looked around the tent, her old eyes lighting on the cold central fire pit,

“direct your flame over there, for example?”

Riki tilted her head, thinking. “I don’t know, but I’ll try if you like.” She stepped out of Nico’s arms and clear of the table, summoning the fire within her blood and trying to aim for the shallow pit filled with stones. The blue flame came forth, crackling against the stones, but not setting fire to any of the twigs that had been set for kindling. “It did that in the forest too.

It burned the skith, but not the grass or dead wood.”

Riki stopped and turned back to the table, surprised by the nearly uniform looks of awe directed at her. Only Nico smiled, grinning from ear to ear as he watched her.

“It is as it was foretold,” Arabetta spoke at last, breaking the silence. “Her magic burns evil alone.”

The gathered Jinn whispered excitedly among themselves while Arabetta and Estella watched her with new respect in their eyes.

“I don’t understand. I mean, I know this is a strange development. I was shocked by it, but why are you so amazed. I thought the Jinn were comfortable with magic of all kinds.”

“Magic, yes,” Arabetta nodded. “It is part of our daily lives. But this kind of magic is something special, even for us. This magic could be our salvation in the fight to come.”

“Speaking of which…” Nico drew their attention away from her, thankfully.

She had a lot to think about and was still uncomfortable being the center of attention. “If Lucan sees through the skiths’ eyes, he surely knows what’s happened and where we are. He’ll be sending soldiers to finish the job.”

Grave nods met his assessment. “We must disperse,” Estella said strongly and all nodded in agreement, “but before we do, we must arrange for your escape across the northern border and then into Draconia. We’ve also learned this day how badly prepared we are to fight as dragons. That has got to change. I’ve already sent a messenger to our people in Draconia. They will be meeting with your brother to bring him up to date on your travels and also to request training for our dragons in your Lairs.”

Nico nodded, a smile on his face. “Roland will be surprised, but all dragons are welcome in Draconia. Black dragons especially so.”

“Good.” Estella smiled as well. “Then you’ll enjoy the company of five of our kind on your journey home. They will act as honor guard, decoys, and emissaries to your land. You’ll leave tonight, as will all the Jinn. This Jinnfaire must be concluded with all possible haste and our people dispersed to avoid Lucan’s soldiers. It’s no longer safe for Jinn in Skithdron.” She addressed the leaders sitting around the big tent. “Spread the word to all the Brotherhood.”

Nico and Riki were among the last to leave, their parting with Drake bittersweet.

“Won’t you come home with us?” Nico asked his old friend, already knowing the answer.

“Not yet. Besides, you’ll make much better time without me along, and I can’t leave my instruments and my wagon.”

Riki stepped close to hug Drake, though Nico had to hold back his growls as Drake held her a little too tightly. “Thank you for all you’ve done.” She kissed his cheek.

Drake swooped in and kissed her lips, laughing when Nico tugged Riki out of his arms, effectively ending the kiss. Drake winked at her flushed face and she giggled like a carefree girl. The sound lightened Nico’s heart, and he forgave Drake’s outrageous behavior.

“We’ll all meet again. I promise you.” Drake shook the hand Nico offered, then surprised him by dropping to one knee. “Nicolas, I swore to serve you years ago as Prince and Spymaster to the King of Draconia. I renew my vow now to you as King-Consort of the Jinn Brotherhood. If ever you need me, just call. Any service I can perform, for you or your queen, I will do gladly.”

Nico felt the gravity of Drake’s vow, and the slight tingle of magic shooting from where their hands were still joined. He didn’t question the new title yet, though his thoughts were racing. Slowly, he placed his other hand on Drake’s shoulder and tugged him to his feet.

“I accept your oath, Drake, and welcome your friendship and service.”

Formality done, he hugged the other man close, pounding him on the back once for good measure. When he released his old friend, his face was confused. “What’s this King-Consort stuff?”

“Didn’t you realize? By marrying our Riki here,” Drake laughed and winked at Riki, making her smile, “you became, in effect, King and Spymaster of the Jinn? Your network has just increased five-fold, Nico.

The eyes of the Brotherhood now report to you.”

“And who led them before?” Nico had a sneaking suspicion, but it needed confirmation.

“Why, I did, of course!” Drake laughed, setting Nico’s mind at ease.

Taking over someone else’s network was risky at best, but if the network was Drake’s to begin with, the situation just became a whole lot easier to deal with.

“Then you will continue, Drake of the Five Lands—Drake of Draconia—to serve as Spymaster for the Brotherhood of the Jinn.” Nico used his best formal voice even though his heart was light with laughter. “But you’ll have to let me know what’s going on now, of course.”

Drake bowed his head, all smiles. “Of course, my liege.”

“You sly dog. I’ve been trying to crack the Brotherhood’s spy network for years.”

Drake laughed. “Yes, I know.”

“And you’ve been leading me in circles, haven’t you? I ought to pummel you for that, my friend.”

“You can try,” Drake dared him, laughing all the while. “But think of it this way…you’ve finally got an in with the Brotherhood and it cost you nothing at all.”

Drake walked away then, leaving them with a smile and a wave as he jumped aboard his loaded wagon and drove out. He was whistling as he left them, waving as they waved back.

“He’s wrong, you know.” Nico pulled Riki into his arms as they watched Drake drive off. “It cost me my heart. But that’s a price I’m more than willing to pay.”

* * *

For someone who had only just discovered they could become a dragon that morning, Riki flew beautifully that evening as they took off with their five new black dragon friends for the north. Nico marveled at how quickly the Jinn had dispersed. One moment a giant gathering had filled the encampment, the next all that was left was a circle of smoldering skith corpses. Nothing of the Jinn remained. Even the grass cooperated, looking as if nothing had trod upon it in ages. The land was as pristine as it had been before the Jinn arrived. Only the dead skiths marred the beautiful, forest landscape.

Their honor guard flew in formation, one in front, one on either side of Nico and Riki, and two behind, guarding their backs. They hadn’t known at first what positions to take until Nico gently guided them into a formation used regularly in Draconia.

Of the five black dragons, two were female and three male. Of the females, one was about Riki’s age,

or perhaps a few years older. Her name was Kira and she flew to Riki’s side, quite obviously hoping to make friends with someone near her own age. She looked to be a fierce fighter as well. When she’d walked up, decked out in leather from head to toe just like a male warrior, Nico had taken a second look. Jinn women were known for their bright dresses and gold jewelry, but this girl was very different.

The other female was older and had a more mystical quality about her.

Although she looked like she could handle herself in a fight, she had healer written all over her and Estella had confirmed she was, in fact, a seer as well. Zallra was her name and she had asked to come on the trip because of a vision she shared with none but Arabetta.

The men were all seasoned fighters, though Arabetta had confided to Nico that one of them, an older man named Seth, had quite a bit of magic at his disposal. The other two were twins named Jase and Jeffry. They fought as a unit both on the ground and in the sky. They, of all the black dragons, were the most likely to be able to fight well from the air, under Nico’s command, without much training. Nico was glad to have them and as they winged their way through the dark night over the northern border of Skithdron, Nico was glad to talk with them all and make friends.

Because all the skiths in the area had been herded to attack the Jinn, they crossed into the Northlands with relative ease. Only a few soldiers’

watchtowers had to be skirted or otherwise avoided, and all in all, Nico was surprised by how easily their escape from Skithdron had been accomplished. Still, they weren’t home yet. They had to traverse the cold northlands, heading for Draconia.

Nico decided their best bet was to make for the Northern Lair. It hadn’t been too long since Salomar’s defeat, so the area near the Lair should be relatively free of obstruction. There were those diamond-tipped weapons to be wary of, though. Salomar might be gone, but his armies of brigands survived for the most part. Nico knew it was only a matter of time before a warlord or two rose to replace Salomar.

As night turned slowly toward day, Nico sighted the shining waters of Crystal Lake. They would be able to sleep the day away in a secret cove he knew there. Silently, he signaled to the contingent of dragons, altering their course slightly toward the lake. They followed his lead smoothly, having learned through the long night how to fly in formation as he had them rotate positions every half hour. It was the way he drilled young dragons and knights and it worked well with these black dragons too.