The Last Dragonlord by Joanne Bertin Read Free Book Online

added. “It’s
amazing what someone will let slip in a conversation at dinner or a hunt, especially when they don’t realize just how sharp your hearing is.”
    “That won’t be hard,” Linden grumbled, thinking of how many invitations had been pressed upon him already.
    “You, too, hm?” Kief said sympathetically.
    “Mm. I’m going to get more wine.” Linden set off, looking about in curiosity.
    He’d never seen anything quite like this. Galleries for minstrels, yes; even his father’s small mountain hold had had one. But never before had he heard of a balcony for the guests of honor to survey the room. Here and there were small tables with comfortable chairs set around them. Larger tables held refreshments so that the favored occupants need not brave the crowd below to seek food and drink. At either end of the balcony wide stone staircases spiraled down to the dancing floor.
    It was all very elegant, with the carved stonework of the railing, the bright tapestries covering the granite walls, the torches blazing in their sconces of gold.
    And it was extremely public.
    Every time he or one of the other Dragonlords went to the rail, Linden’s sympathy for the denizens of a wild beast show grew. Half the people in the place seemed to be standing just below, waiting for a Dragonlord to look down. Even from this distance—and despite the music—he could hear the rising buzz of conversation every time one of them approached the rail. He noted glumly that the squeals and giggles seemed reserved for his appearances. As Linden waited for the servant to fill his goblet with spiced wine, he tried to decide whether he felt more like the trained wolf or the dancing bear.
    Stop looking so sour, Kief’s mindvoice said.
    Linden growled back, And why shouldn’t I? You wouldn’t be so smug if they were hunting you as well. But no; they see that you’re with Tarlna and shy off. It wouldn’t be so bad if there were someone else to distract them.
    I went through it as well before Tarlna Changed. You’ll
live, little one. It’s nothing; stop making such a fuss. Kief’s laughter rang in Linden’s mind.
    Linden grumbled. He knew Kief thought him silly. But it bothered him that so many women saw only the rank and not the man. He had accepted many long years ago that all too often he was pursued as a lover’s trophy, a conquest to flaunt before rivals.
    He accepted it, but he didn’t have to like it.
    From the corner of his eye Linden saw Prince Peridaen come up the stairs. Since the elderly Duchess Alinya had retired early, the prince, as the ranking member of the family, was now their host. Linden had noticed that Peridaen and Duke Beren of Silvermarch had been carefully avoiding each other all evening.
    Peridaen was flanked by two women, Baroness Anstella of the council on one side, a young woman on the other. The girl’s eyes looked down modestly as she walked. Another man, dressed in sober grey and green, followed them; he looked vaguely familiar.
    Linden thought a moment before he recognized the man: Peridaen’s steward. The fellow certainly looked the part; he had a lean face that revealed nothing; his master’s secrets were well hidden behind it. The torchlight glittered on his heavy silver chain of office.
    Peridaen and Anstella led the girl to Kief and Tarlna and introduced her to the older Dragonlords. The five of them chatted. The steward stood to one side, awaiting his lord’s bidding.
    Linden knew he was next to be introduced to the girl. He groaned, wondering if this one was a giggler. That was better than those who stood before him terrified, as if he might Change and gobble them up. At least he thought it was better.
    He waited politely as Peridaen bore down on him, the girl following. He inclined his head, saying, “Your Highness.”
    Peridaen made him a small bow. “Your Grace, may I present my lady Anstella’s daughter, Sherrine of Colrane?”
    As the girl held out her hand, Peridaen excused