The Dragonprince's Heir (37 page)

Authors: Aaron Pogue

BOOK: The Dragonprince's Heir

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Once my offer was made, the king suggested an hour's respite. We saw Father resting under Caleb's guard and a Beneficent Priest's care in the Great Cathedral. Then I found a chance to bathe and change my clothes, and Toman brought me breakfast while Jen demanded every detail I could recall. But all too soon the summons came, and we gathered in the Hall of the Council of Lords to craft a whole new legend.

Once upon a time, the Dragonprince's heir crossed half a kingdom to swear allegiance to the ancient crown. He gave up his heritage to live in service to the king. The son of Daven turned his back on the Tower of Drakes so he could help rebuild the kingdom that had been.

That was an end to any war my father's name might have inspired. As long as I was safe, at least. As long as I was happy here. The Dragonprince would have no cause to move against the king. Nor would my father dare strike first, not with me in the king's clutches.

The Grand Marshall grumbled in objection, but Seriphenes proclaimed he'd had enough of this blood feud. In the end, King Timmon was satisfied with his token. And the lords all cheered, ignorant of everything else that had transpired.

After that we'd settled down to terms and binding oaths. We consumed a day, from dawn to dusk, and wrote new destinies for everyone who had gathered in the throne room.

I asked only one favor of the king, and that with trembling heart. But I had family and friends around me, old and new. Uncle Themmichus had stood on my left, with Captain Tanner and even Justice Antinus. My knights had stood on my right. And perhaps Jen had arranged to stand so close to me, perhaps it was just chance, but when she fidgeted, her fingers brushed my arm.

But Mother stood behind me, her hands on my shoulders, and all of this I had done for her. So I took courage from her presence and begged the king to allow me visitors. In his generosity, he granted me apartments near his own with quarters for two permanent guests and arrangements for as many as arrived from time to time. I needed nothing more.

When we left the hall, the sunset glowed as red as fire off the palace's golden gates. Out in the wide, white courtyard between the Council Hall and the palace, my entourage gathered close around me. They were more curious than excited, anxious to understand the pieces they had missed, but I felt light as sunshine. Jen walked at my right hand and my Mother held my left. I stopped halfway to my new home and lingered in the shadow of the soaring fountain.

In time, my mother squeezed my hand to catch my attention. I turned to her expecting some reprimand, some plea, some soft rebuke.

Instead she smiled. "You are your father's son."

"My father needs to go back home," I said, serious.

"I know. But he is safe for now, and my dragon can restrain him if necessary."

I didn't let her distract me from what I had to say. I held her gaze. "And you. You need to go back with him."

A pause, and then, "I know."

"To keep him strong," I said. "And just...just to be home."

"Taryn," she said softly. "You have to know, it won't be home without you."

"I'll be right here," I said. "I will be safe. And you'll know where to find me. You will come visit?"

She laughed. "Every other day."

"Until your dragon's wings grow tired."

"My son," she said. "My little prince."

"No. That's not my destiny. But I can find one here."

She touched my cheek. "Are you sure? You will spend your life as a hostage."

"Oh, I will be more than that," I said. "I have a place beside the throne. The king only means to keep an eye on me, but in time I'll earn his trust. Of this king or the next. Then I'll guide his choices and make the kingdom better. In glory or in secret, I'll complete the work my father started."

As I made my speech, the huge, dark shape of Caleb came up silently to stand at Mother's side. I waited for his sneer, for his sarcastic response.

He met my eyes and growled, "That is well said."

"More than that, it's noble," Mother said. "You make me proud. But can you be
happy
here?"

I found Jen's hand without looking. She let me take it.

I smiled. "I will be well."

THE END

There's plenty more stories still to come in Aaron Pogue's World of the FirstKing.

But while you wait, why not explore more great epic fantasy from the author who inspired the release of the Dragonprince Trilogy,

Rethana's Surrender

Rethana Chosardal's life in hiding is over, and she has no one but herself to blame. A foolish choice leaves her in the power of the same vengeful clerics who slaughtered most of her family when she was but a child. Worse, the soldiers also seize her best friend and her frail little sister.

Allasin, the clerics' leader, recognizes in Rethana the Blessing of
comori
, magical energy that can manipulate the elements. Rethana has always craved the power her birthright can bring, but Allasin will only teach her if Rethana serves him in intrigues she cannot hope to understand. Yet this cold, cruel adversary gives her glimpses now and then of a warmer soul—of a master she could fall in love with.

Rethana is torn between two men: the hometown protector who loved her as a girl and the conqueror who loves her as a woman. As the threat of civil war grows stronger, Rethana must choose between her power and her past. Knowing that a reckless act has already cost her the life she once loved, this new choice may well tear her fragile heart apart. How much more will she surrender to protect her precious, dying sister?

Rethana's Surrender
is the first book in the Legends of the Light-Walkers. Approximately 100,000 words.

Also by Aaron Pogue

The World of the FirstKing
Taming Fire
The Dragonswarm
The Dragonprince's Heir

The World of Hathor
Gods Tomorrow
Expectation
Restraint
Camouflage
Faith (coming in 2012)

Short Stories and Collections

Watch for more at
Consortium Books
!

About the Author

Aaron Pogue is a husband and a father of two who lives in Oklahoma City, OK. He became a sensation in the indie publishing community in 2011 with the phenomenal success of his epic fantasy novel
Taming Fire
. Now the author of several bestselling fantasy novels, he's also written mainstream thrillers, urban fantasy, and several kinds of science fiction, including a long-running science fiction mystery series focused on the FBI Ghost Targets task force.

Aaron is the president and CEO of the Consortium, Inc., an Oklahoma City-based non-profit that's striving to establish a new patronage. He's also head publisher with the company's imprint, Consortium Books. Aaron earned a Master of Professional Writing degree at the University of Oklahoma in 2012. He has been a Technical Writer with the Federal Aviation Administration and a writing professor at the university level.

Aaron maintains a personal website for his friends and fans at
AaronPogue.com
, he runs a writing advice blog at
UnstressedSyllables.com
, and he is a founding artist at
ConsortiumOKC.com
.

About the Publisher

Consortium Books is an innovative publisher with a unique mindset. All proceeds from Consortium Books sales are donated to an organization dedicated to injecting money into artists' pockets and art into the culture.

To learn more about the unshackled, free-thinking publishing world that is Consortium Books, please take a step through the looking glass:

http://www.consortiumokc.com/books/

Table of Contents

Also by Aaron Pogue

World Map

Introduction

1. The FirstKing's Heir

2. The Politics of Court

3. A Royal Invitation

4. Travel Plans

5. In the King's Camp

6. Moonlight