Dragon Touched

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Meikah spun to see who spoke, her mouth gaping when she saw it was the Duke, the chemise falling from her hands to flutter to the ground. The first thing she noticed was his broad shoulders and muscular build that made him look very much the warrior. Next was his black hair and equally dark eyes. Lastly it was his expression that gave nothing away. Exactly how much trouble had Kellan got them into?

Kellan dropped the flag he’d been holding. “Evening, Your Grace. How did you hear about that so quickly?”

“Your mother came to me today and apologised for your behaviour.”

Kellan laughed. “At least tomorrow when she apologises it’ll be for something I did.”

The Duke nodded towards Meikah and Rafe who remained frozen at Kellan’s side. “Are you going to introduce me to your accomplices?”

Meikah wished once again that her face was covered by the mask they wore for their missions. She should have known she’d end up in more trouble than necessary. Letting Kellan do all the planning had obviously been a bad idea.

Kellan gestured to each of them in turn. “Rafe. Meikah.”

“Ah, the previous night’s compatriots in your fictional swim. Or were you planning on making it a reality tonight? The Duchess asked me to inform you, if I should happen across you, that she will not tolerate anyone swimming in her fountain and believes it might be worthwhile punishing the lot of you to discourage others.”

“We have no plans to swim in her fountain and of course if the Duchess feels the need to punish us, we’ll accept whatever she decides.”

Meikah wanted to throw a bolt of lightning at Kellan before he could get them into more trouble. The only problem was that she had no idea how to do that. She was lucky if she managed to make it crawl along the blades of her weapons when she was fighting spirits.

“How were you planning to be discovered for this latest prank?” The Duke gestured towards the chemise that lay at Meikah’s feet.

“If you’d waited a few more minutes, Your Grace, you would have caught us trying to escape after we’d completed the deed,” Kellan said.

“Should I come back in a few minutes? Would that be more suitable for you?” the Duke asked dryly.

Kellan grinned. “That’d never work. The guards you probably have following you at a discrete distance would never believe you let us complete the job.”

“I’m guessing you have another plan ready to put into place.”

Kellan slowly walked around the Duke. “I was thinking it’d be rude of you not to look in my direction while we’re talking. And if I was to move so your back was to the flagpole it would give my companions time to finish the job.”

Meikah shared a look with Rafe who shrugged. Surely the Duke wasn’t going to let them get away with the prank.

The Duke kept turning as Kellan continued to move. “One of my guards is likely to come forward. Have you thought of that?”

“Of course they will, but by then, the new flag will have been hoisted and they’ll be able to say they saw it flying.”

Rafe stepped closer, so he could whisper in Meikah’s ear. “I think he’s serious.”

“I’m afraid he is too.” Meikah bent to tie the chemise to the rope. “Get ready to hoist it.”

“Your companions are taking their time,” the Duke said.

Kellan shrugged. “They’re new to this.”

“Leading them astray, Kellan?”

Kellan chuckled. “So it would appear.”

“Your Grace.” A guard hurried forward, pointing towards the chemise Rafe was hoisting aloft.

The Duke turned and stared at the new flag. “Who are you trying to tell the people is currently in residence? Hopefully it isn’t the Duchess. I fear she’d be most upset.”

“Maybe it’s the ladies who are in residence. No one in particular of course, Your Grace,” Kellan said.

Meikah moved closer to Rafe, not sure what she should do. How could Kellan remain so calm? She wanted to run and never show her face in Dreyton again. She could almost hear the prison door clanging shut.

The Duke gestured the guard forward. “Swap the ‘flags’ and make sure you give Kellan his ‘flag’. He’ll want to wear it tomorrow when he carries my flag through the town. It is obvious he needs to learn what the flag looks like.”

Meikah finally found her voice. He wasn’t going to throw them in prison? “What about us, Your Grace?”

“This is a warning. If you continue to follow Kellan on his escapades you’ll join him for any future punishments.”

Kellan took the chemise the guard held out to him, his grin not faltering. “It’s all right. I take full responsibility for this prank. They tried to talk me out of it. I obviously don’t listen.”

Meikah drew in a deep breath, straightening her shoulders as she met the Duke’s gaze, clasping her hands behind her back so no one would notice the tremble in them. “Your Grace, I’ll walk with Kellan tomorrow and help him carry the flag.” She wanted the rumours to fly. Hiding at home wouldn’t get that done. She didn’t want to have to go through this again any time too soon. It had been a lot worse than she’d expected.

The Duke looked towards Rafe. “And you? Will you join them too?”

“Only if you allow me to do so in a chained coffin, Your Grace.”

The Duke inclined his head. “That will be sufficient. I wouldn’t want you killed over the matter. I’ll expect the three of you here tomorrow morning at eight.” With one last nod towards them, he walked away, the guard remaining at his side.

Meikah waited until the Duke had moved out of sight before she spoke. “How could you talk to him like that?” It had taken all her courage to speak a couple of polite sentences. Kellan had done more than that.

“I’ve known him my entire life. He gave me pastries when I was a child and my mother told me no more or I’d be sick.” Kellan laughed softly. “He’d wait until her back was turned, wink and say it’d be our secret before he gave me two.”

“But-” She looked in the direction the Duke had gone. “He’s…” She had no idea what to say. All her life her family had talked about the Duke like he was the most important person in the world. The one who could change their lives for good or bad. Her stomach lurched. What if she’d caused him to rethink letting her grandfather be on the council?

“Are you all right?” Kellan reached for her.

She stepped away before he could make contact. “We should go.” What had she been thinking? She should have started small and worked her way up to a prank this big. If her family threw her out, when they learned what she’d done, she wouldn’t blame them.

“Ready to go home?” Kellan returned the chemise to the cloth bag.

“I was ready to go home before we arrived,” Meikah said.

Kellan draped an arm around her shoulders, doing the same to Rafe, who momentarily looked startled. “Wait until tomorrow. The gossips are going to be in their element.”

“What are you planning?”

Kellan chuckled. “I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.” He looked towards Rafe as they started forward. “I’ll ask Mace to drive the wagon for you. He’ll make certain no one does anything to your coffin.”

“Should I not have offered to join your parade through the streets?” Rafe asked.

“It’ll be all right,” Kellan said. “There will always be people who hate vampires and want to get rid of you. But you’re one of us now. We won’t let that happen.”

“Does Danton take everyone in?” Meikah asked.

“No. Between him and Amiel they seem to know who to welcome and who to turn away,” Kellan said.