Page 67 of First Light

Aisling laughed. “I don’t think there’s a chance of that.” She took Carys’s hand and tugged it. “Come. You’ve seen the grand entrance. Now you should go and meet your uncle and aunt.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

By the time Carys and Aisling reached the castle yard, the crowds had grown even bigger, with villagers rushing around and children running out to stare at the two massive beasts that had come to rest on Tower Ridge, waiting like great birds of prey on the horizon.

“I don’t see Cadell.”

Aisling was pushing through the crowd, Carys’s hand gripped in hers as Carys tried not to panic.

“Aisling,” she shouted, “do you see Cadell?”

“He won’t have gone far.” She kept Carys’s hand gripped tightly. “Step back! Lady Carys and Lady Aisling to the castle!”

The crowd loosened, but it didn’t disperse.

I’m here.

Cadell’s voice came from behind her, and when Carys turned, she saw he was in human form again. This time he was walking next to a woman with black hair, light brown skin, and beautiful gold eyes like his. She was as tall as he was, her curly hair cropped short along the sides and longer on top. She was wearing the same leather armor, but hers was in pure black with gold details.

“My lady.” Cadell stopped and spread his arm toward the other dragon. “This is Mared, Lady of Eryri and your uncle’s dragon.”

Mared gave Carys a short nod. “Lady Carys, we will escort you to the keep.” With Mared taking the lead and Cadell safe at her back, the crowds parted, and she and Aisling were able to cross the yard with no further problems.

They walked through the inner courtyard where the Cymric soldiers were making camp, assisted by the Alban guard. The men and women shouted back and forth, mostly in English—which seemed to be the common language—teasing their compatriots with good-natured insults and more than one lurid proposition.

“The Dragon Guard and the Moray Guard are very often in the same places,” Aisling said. “The soldiers in Lord Robb’s castle here are the ones he travels with, so most of the men and women know each other.”

“That makes sense.”

The soldiers fell silent as the dragons passed. None of them engaged with either Mared or Cadell with more than a respectful nod.

“Lady Dragon Mared.” The Alban guard at the double doors snapped to attention as they approached. “King Dafydd has requested an audience with Lady Carys in the portrait gallery.”

“Understood.” Mared turned to Aisling. “You must leave us now.”

“Of course.” Aisling turned to Carys and, after a moment of hesitation, gave her a quick embrace. “I’ll meet with you later. Good luck.”

Good luck. I hope you don’t hate them.

Good luck. I hope they don’t hate you.

Good luck. I hope you don’t burst into tears when you see the face of your dead father.

All of that was running through Carys’s mind as she followed Mared through the castle and into the same long hall where she’d spoken with Lachlan right after she’d arrived. The flickering blue lights were the same. The oppressive darkness of the walls was the same. But this time, instead of feeling alone and confused, she had Cadell at her side.

Carys wasn’t alone anymore, but she was still confused.

Mared drew back a thick red drape and ushered Carys into the portrait gallery.

“Lady Carys.” She nodded and stood at attention but did not walk farther into the room.

Dafydd, king of Cymru, was standing alone in front of Seren and Lachlan’s wedding portrait when Carys walked into the gallery.

He turned, and Carys didn’t burst into tears but it was close.

They stood frozen, both of them looking at each other for a long time.

Dafydd finally spoke in a low voice. “You look just like her.”