Dragon's Challenge - D. R. Rosier Page 0,26
of life they had left. His lifespan encompassed multiple millennia, but his sister could end that very early if he didn’t defeat her first. Still, it felt good to know Stephanie would join him in his world should fate be willing.
She melted against him and said, “I never want to get up, or out of your arms, but I’m hungry, and you wore me out, again.”
He grinned proudly and spanked her playfully.
She snickered, and they got up and he used his cleaning cantrip as they got dressed. It took a little longer, as the princess brushed her hair and put it up before they headed downstairs.
She looked stunning, and quite dreamy and sated as she took his arm and leaned against him as they took the stairs. They made it down about half way, three flights, when they heard the sound of steel striking steel below, followed by a cry.
He growled and pulled her behind him.
“April!”
April said, “The guard on the stairwell entrance just died, there are two of them. No magic. They’re dressed like castle guards, but I don’t recognize them.”
He was frozen in indecision, loathe to leave her there alone, and he feared to take her with him.
The sounds of them running up the stairwell broke him out of it, and he channeled and converted some water magic. He sent it out as a battering ram as soon as they rounded the stairwell into their flight, and it sent them flying into the wall. Several of their bones snapped and shattered as they hit the wall, and they dropped their weapons as they fell unconscious.
Stephanie had a tight grip on his shoulder, and she didn’t try to get around him. She was the crown princess and the last line of defense for her personal safety, and he was glad she understood that. Still, he wasn’t at all surprised to see the dagger in her other hand, when he turned to her.
He frowned, “This is because of me.”
Stephanie snorted, and said in passionate authority, “Nonsense. I’m a princess and heir to the throne. Assassins have been after me all my life. Even if you are right, and your nature galvanizes some into enemies, that is the fate of all rulers. Only an idiot goes through life without making enemies.”
He smirked and just stared at her for a long moment.
She asked self-consciously, “What?”
He replied, “You’re so damned sexy when the inner queen comes out.”
She snickered, “Good to know, husband. Now behave, we have to report this, and have them questioned.”
He nodded, “They’ll be out for a while.”
He took the time to disarm them and tie them up anyway, just in case, then they went to find some more guards. He wanted to do the questioning himself, but they had interrogators for that, and a court wizard with a truth spell if they failed. He suppressed his curiosity and need, since he’d find out the truth soon enough.
That was one of the hardest things to get used to in being in human form, and in living in a human society. He didn’t have to do everything himself. Outside of the instincts he had to control of course.
After dinner, they learned the men had admitted under questioning that they came from Daca on orders from the emperor himself. They also found out that it was him that was the target, not the princess. Under the assumption the demoness would be returned to the lower planes upon his death. They also confessed to killing two guards who were in the city drinking and carousing in their off hours, which was how they’d gotten the uniforms.
No doubt, it was all done on his sister’s ploy and advice, assassinate her younger brother and rival. Bitch. He wasn’t all that worried about it, since he was always vigilant, and April had his back too, but it took some time to calm his princess’s worries and ire.
Assassins were better than an invasion, after all. He’d hate to see a full-on war happen between Uradia and Daca because of his rivalry with his sister. Yes, it was her fault, but he was involved and that made it his responsibility to a certain extent.
After all, he’d known of the danger and her presence, but had married the princess anyway. Because he loved her, and she was his, and he would protect her.
The king decided to send a stern message, and he returned the heads of the assassins to the emperor in a box. He wished he could be there