Crimson Noon

Chapter One

“Everyone was excited about your engagement,” her cousin Maisie stated.

Vera was walking through the gardens with her and Vera’s oldest and dearest friend, Merida, while Maisie’s little brother, Horatio, ran ahead, playing.

“They needed some joy amongst all this grief,” Vera told her.

“Yet you don’t seem particularly excited,” Merida commented.

Vera gave her a look because Merida knew good and well how Vera felt. “I like James and I’m sure I’ll even grow to love him. I am just preoccupied when other things at the moment.”

“Do you think Mother and Kenneth are alright?” Maisie suddenly asked.

“I’m sure they are. Even the Zanzans have rules they follow, and emissaries are protected by those.”

“They have their dragons, and one another,” Merida added.

“And the Zanzans have scorpions,” Maisie quietly stated.

“It’s natural to worry,” Vera said. “But if I didn’t think that they were capable of doing this without being harmed, I wouldn’t have sent them.”

“Do you think Aly is okay?” Merida asked.

Aly Maple had grown up with them at court. Her father had been on King Darren’s council as head of defense. He had also paid castle guards to allow an archer on the roof, with the intention of killing Vera, but he shot the king instead. Vera had executed him.

Aly had departed days before with her betrothed and her older brother, to return home and get married.

“Probably not,” Vera admitted honestly. “Word has reached her by now. And I’m sure that his plan is why he sent her away. To protect her from the aftermath.”

“Surely she doesn’t blame you,” Maisie commented.

“He was her father and I beheaded him myself. I’m sure that she hates me.”

Merida sighed. “I miss the world before everything got so complicated.”

~

“So Princess, have you began planning the ceremony?” Lord Oar asked.

The great hall was filled with everyone eating dinner. There was music and what merriment that could be found with the dark cloud of grief hanging over the castle. Since she’d announced their engagement, James sat at the head table with her. And that meant that his father did as well.

“I am planning my coronation first.”

Lord Oar briefly paused eating. “I had assumed that you would be marrying first, as your father intended. No matter, we can have it done quickly with the High Priest here in this hall.”

“Father,” James cut in. “We’re not rushing. The king’s intentions were for while he was still alive.”

“And he’s not, so things have changed,” Vera added.

She saw how his mouth tightened, even if no one else did.

“I understand, Princess,” he told her. “I was merely trying to uphold his wishes. I know the world now may demand differently.”

“I will honor my father as much as I can, but my people come first. They must always come first, despite my desires.”

“That is one of the sacrifices of being the crown,” James agreed.

And for a moment she wondered if he truly was oblivious to his father’s ambitions, or if he simply didn’t care for them.

~

“So you’ve announced your engagement.”

She turned from Bane to Macon standing in the entrance to Bane’s chamber. Macon was the only person not of Ember descent or a Scaled Man that willingly walked into the dragon pit.

A low screech came from Bane as he greeted Macon, touching his snout to his chest and getting petted.

“Yes. Everyone needed something light to focus on.”

“Oh, they loved it.” The unspoken question hung in the air between them.

“I’ll begin planning it after my coronation.”

“Is that why Lord Oar appeared so distraught at dinner?”

“That would be correct. He tried to lean on my father’s intentions to persuade me into marrying before taking the crown.”

“You know his reasoning as well as I do.”

She sighed. “I cannot determine whether James is oblivious to it, or if he simply doesn’t care about it.”

“Perhaps you should just ask him.”

“Yes, but then he may take it wrong.”

“You have a dynasty to protect. His perceptions are irrelevant in comparison.”

“This is true.”

He was standing beside her now, having come closer as they’d talked. She closed her eyes, desperately wanting to close the distance between them. “Vera.” His deep voice was low, a comforting sound.

“Are you ever going to tell me what you promised my father the night before he died?”

“That was between him and I.”

“And yet you made me aware of it.”

“To reassure you.” He reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear and causing her eyes to meet his. “All you need to know is that you are never alone in this.”

“But you’ll be returning north soon.”

He cupped her cheek in his hand. “After your wedding. If I leave before, I’ll appear a snubbed pursuer.”

She wrapped her fingers around his wrist, feeling the steady thrum of his pulse beneath her touch. “Will I ever see you again once you do?”

“I’ll come south again, to swear my house to the next heir. If I must return before then, it will be because of terrible circumstances that I do not wish on you, no matter how deeply I wish for you.”

“I’ll be among the wolves without a wolf.”

He shook his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “I told you I wouldn’t allow that. You have a dragon, but your dragon cannot walk the castle halls and attend court.”

“What do you propose?”

“Name Brandon your new head of defense. He has the qualifications and you have the vacancy.”

“But he’s your best friend and right hand.”

“Which is why he’s agreed to protect my most important interest in my required absence.”

“You are not gone yet.” She crushed her lips to his, drinking him in.