Page 14 of The Dragon Maiden

“Where is he?” I asked, my eyes still searching for him. My heart quickened as I realized that Lord Dracul had probably found out who had run into me and that Henrick had been punished. “Where is Henrick?”

After a moment’s pause, the woman said, “It was decided that it would be in his best interest that he no longer work in this area.”

“Who decided this? Where is he now?” I demanded.

“Lord Lorka gave the order,” she said, her face paling.

I realized that my hands were clenched, and I probably frightened her. Slowly, I relaxed my body and nodded.

“He’s in a place where he won’t run into anyone anymore.”

“Did Lord Lorka order anything else?” In reality, I knew it was Lord Dracul who had made the order. I could not believe he would go so far as to punish such a young boy.

The woman shook her head. “Not that I know of.”

“Then may I see Henrick?”

Everyone within earshot gaped at me.

“I guess so,” the woman said. Her face showed her obvious surprise at the request. “I just don’t understand why.”

“I would like to talk with him,” I said, my patience wearing thin. I only had so much time before I would be missed. “That’s not a problem, is it?”

“Not at all, my lady,” she said quickly, trying to backpedal. “I’ll go fetch him immediately.” She scurried off.

I looked around the cave, and everyone flinched, going back to their work. Once more, I took off my slippers and buried my feet in the dirt. Though it had only been a few days, I had missed the smell of freshly tilled soil. Kneeling, I examined a squash plant, gently probing its curling vines and the flower that was primed to soon turn into a vegetable.

After a couple minutes, I heard two pairs of footsteps padding down the corridor.

“And be sure you don’t screw up this time.” I could hear the woman coaching Henrick on how to behave. “If Lord Dracul hears about you messing up again, there won’t be another chance.”

Henrick entered the cave, walking towards me with his gaze glued to the floor. He stopped a few feet away from me. The woman who had fetched him came up from behind and nudged him, clearing her throat.

“You asked to see me, my lady?” he asked, eyes still on the floor.

“Please look at me, Henrick.” I tried to make my voice as gentle as possible, to show him that he had nothing to fear. “I promise I don’t bite.”

Slowly, he looked up at me, shame written all over his face. “I’m awfully sorry for the other day,” he said. “I promise I didn’t mean to run into you.”

“I know. I just wanted to talk. Is that okay with you?”

He looked to the woman, who gave him a look. “You can do whatever you want, my lady.”

“Please, just call me Valora,” I said, quickly growing tired of the formalities. “Come, walk with me.” I moved to exit through where they had just come from, once more feeling the prickle of everyone’s eyes. After a few moments’ hesitation, I could hear Henrick following me. I led him a few yards into the corridor before stopping.

“Why do you want to talk to me?” he asked once we both stopped. “Are you going to yell at me? Lord Lorka and Lord Dracul already reprimanded me and I said I was sorry.”

“Lord Dracul didwhat?” I asked, appalled at his words. I hoped that the Dragon Lords had not been too harsh on the boy.

“He told me that if he ever heard of me doing something like that again, I would be punished. And it’s not that difficult to figure out what happens to people who don’t obey the Dragon Lords.”

I remained silent, although I did agree with him. They were dragons—of course it was easy to think up ways that they could punish someone. “Regardless, I’m not here to yell at you. I just want to talk.”

“Why?” he asked.

I shrugged. “There’s not really anyone else to talk to and I wanted to know more about you.”

He looked closely at me, a suspicious look on his face. “You want something,” he said, sensing there was more that I had not told him.