The Dragonprince's Heir by Aaron Pogue Read Free Book Online Page B

to do what he did here. Daven believed in something better, and he made it a reality."
    She took a deep breath, blew it out slow, then turned to meet Caleb's eyes. "Go," she said. "Confiscate their arms. Put them somewhere safe. The king understands we have a small defensive force, plus your knights."
    "How small?"
    "Perhaps a hundred. Perhaps. The king is prepared to forget the show of force that greeted him at the gate."
    "But—"
    "I do not want a war," she said. "Now go. I must speak with my son."
    Caleb wanted to argue with her further. I could see it on his face. But after a heavy handful of heartbeats, he turned smartly on his heel and left through the door. I saw my knights once again at their station outside the door. I sighed.
    Mother caught it. She frowned down at me. "Taryn—"
    "I'm sorry, Mother," I said, meek enough to cut her off in absolute astonishment. "I acted like a child, I made a fool of myself, and I embarrassed you before the king. I harmed your reputation out of selfish pride. I'm sorry."
    She didn't answer. After a while my curiosity won out, and I raised my eyes to hers. There were no easy emotions to read. I'd hoped to find sympathy, forgiveness. I'd feared to find anger, disappointment. She only looked tired.
    I hated to see her like that, and this time it was my doing. The shame was sharp-edged and swift. Somehow, I would have to set it right.
    "I'm sorry," I said again.
    She shook her head. "You are, and for all the wrong reasons. I care nothing about the esteem of King Timmon."
    "But you were just defending him. You said Father was dedicated to him."
    "Daven fought for the kingdom, Taryn. Not for this king. No, your father fought for the kingdom despite this king. I tried to warn you earlier. I suppose I should have spoken more clearly. You did act as a child, but perhaps it is only because I've treated you too much like one."
    I hung my head at that. She pulled me into a hug and held me against her for a moment in silence. "The king does not like us," she said. "Your...performance today played only a very small part in that. He has never liked us."
    "But Father did so much—"
    She nodded against the side of my head. "He did. And everything Daven achieved made him seem more a threat to King Timmon. Every success, every sacrifice, every dragon slain increased your father's popularity and frightened the king further."
    I thought about it for a moment, and my breath caught. I had to swallow before I could speak. "You said...he called it insurrection."
    She nodded.
    I shook my head. "No. He really thinks that was Father's plan? Oh, Haven's name, he called me the heir !"
    She nodded again. "You called yourself the Dragonprince."
    "I just...I wanted to impress him."
    "And in so doing, you confirmed every jealous fear he has ever felt about this place. About your Father. About us."
    "I can...apologize," I said, but it sounded weak in my own ears.
    "No," she said. "No, these are things he has believed in defiance of proof and reason for fifteen years. You will not sway him with an apology."
    "But.... Is there going to be a...a war? What will he do to us?"
    "He will grace us with his presence for the span of three days," she said. "It is somewhat customary. We will treat him to every courtesy and provide him a tour of our lands and an accounting of our current developments."
    "That doesn't sound so terrible."
    My door opened, and Caleb joined us again. The emotion he'd shown earlier was gone now. He was himself again, still and dark and distant as a thundercloud and just as deadly. Mother glanced at him, but when he kept his silence she returned her attention to me.
    "It will be very polite," she said. "You may even enjoy some of it. There will be feasts in the great hall, and there will be songs and stories."
    I shook my head. "No. I'd just be a reminder."
    She gave me a frail smile. "He has requested your attendance, and there is little left to gain from hiding you away."
    I hung my head. "I've made