Prince of Spies

chapter Eleven

Nico took the reins as they started on the road for the Jinnfaire. Breakfast had been a friendly, tasty affair. Drake was a good cook and an even better friend. He knew instinctively how far to go with his teasing and didn’t cause Riki any undue embarrassment. For that, Nico would thank him later.

Drake wandered back into the wagon, emerging moments later with a few small musical instruments. Nico knew the bard would begin to test the limits of Riki’s powers and help set some basic foundations to protect her, if he were right about her magical, musical gift.

“Do you play an instrument, milady?” Drake asked politely, as if simply curious.

“No,” Riki replied wistfully and Nico could hear the longing in her voice. Perhaps Drake wasn’t far off the mark in his suspicions about her gift. “I’ve always loved music but have never had the opportunity to learn. Oh, I had a little tin whistle when I was a child, but that was long ago. My sister used to dance and I’d play a tune. I think it was called ‘The Washerwoman’.”

“Ah, I know that one.” Drake launched into a complicated pattern on his small traveling lute, impressing even Nico with the dexterity of his fingers as they flew over the fret board.

“That’s it!” Riki sounded breathless with excitement, reminding Nico of how she’d gasped his name in the night. But such thoughts were dangerous. He had to pay more attention to the road and less to the beguiling woman who had stolen his heart.

“As you can see, it’s more suited to a whistle or pipe, but I can fake it on the lute as well.”

As Nico drove the horses, Drake taught Riki the rudiments of both lute and hand drum. She was a natural, even Nico could tell, though he’d had to work very hard himself to master even the first few chords on the lute when he was taught as a child. Riki picked it up almost instantly, having a natural sense of rhythm and pitch that helped her immensely. Nico was duly impressed.

He was also impressed by the way she used her voice the few times Drake encouraged her to sing. No matter what she was singing, Nico was affected deeply by the words and moods of the selections. When she sang a lament, he felt as if his heart would break, when she sang a jig, he wanted to dance and sing along. And when she sang a fight song, he felt ready to take on Lucan and his entire army single-handed.

She could sway people with the magic of her voice, just like Drake had claimed. Nico became a believer during that long ride, as Drake put her through her paces, all without ever pushing her or letting her realize she was being tested. Drake’s pointedly raised eyebrows spoke eloquently to Nico of the depth of their discovery. Riki had a powerful gift that impressed even Drake, who was used to such things. That alone brought home the importance of her gift to Nico.

As twilight rolled over the land and barren rock gave way to alpine trees, Drake indicated they were nearing their destination. They traveled a bit more slowly then, watching for the challenge Drake assured them would soon come.

The trees grew thicker and the road more narrow, when suddenly their path was blocked.

“Who seeks to enter here?” A Jinn warrior materialized out of the mist. Nico stopped the wagon, but it was Drake who took the lead, standing in the seat to put himself between any possible arrow and Riki who was still in the back of the wagon.

“Drake of the Five Lands,” he announced in a strong voice.

“And who is this with you?”

“I am Nick, Swordmaster of Melnibown, Swordsinger of Eastbourne, Knifemaster of Westerdown… Shall I go on?” A raised eyebrow challenged the Jinn warrior who was smiling now, widely.

“I have heard of those three men. Interesting to see them all before me claiming to be one person. Can you prove your titles?”

Before the soldier could blink, a knife thunked into the ground at his feet. He bent to pick it up, then threw it straight at Nico, but he was prepared. Moving lightly, he raised his hands and caught the flying knife between them, without flinching, evading or drawing a single drop of blood. Nico held up his uninjured palms to show the man, then sheathed the knife back into its hidden resting place over his chest.

“Well met, Blademaster,” the Jinn warrior finally conceded. “I am Zachari. I lead the warriors of the Black Dragon Clan. You will be welcome among our people for Drake’s sake and your own.”

“There is another. Possibly, the One we seek.” A woman’s voice rang through the mist-shrouded trees off to the side of the track. “Bring her forward.” A tall, raven-haired woman strode from the trees. She was stunning and had emerald green eyes. She wore the gold jewelry of her Clan, a pendant shaped into a dragon, wings stretched in flight. Nico’s gaze lit upon it and he smiled, despite the demand to see Riki.

“You have a woman with you?” Zachari demanded, looking from Drake to Nico and back again.

“She’s mine,” Nico growled, making his possession clear.

But the woman raised her eyebrow, grinning at him slyly. “Isn’t that for her to decide?”

A hand on his back urged Nico to stand aside so Riki could make her way out from the back of the wagon. Nico jumped down and offered his hand to help her alight. Bravely, she faced the other woman. She was shorter and thinner than the voluptuous black-haired beauty, but they both had a regal bearing that was unmistakable. Nico was never prouder of her than in that moment.

“I’m Riki,” she said simply. “Nico’s mate.”

The dragon inside him roared while Nico took Riki’s hand in his and raised it to his lips. How he loved her! His brave, beautiful mate.

Turning back to the Jinn, Nico was shocked to see both Zachari and the woman lower themselves to one knee before them. Riki looked similarly surprised, allowing Nico to pull her backward, into his embrace as they waited to see what was afoot.

“Friends, what means this?” Drake spoke into the silence.

The woman looked up and smiled, though tears leaked down her face. “We welcome you, Arikia, the one who was foretold. We’ve long awaited your arrival.”

“How do you know my name?” Riki breathed.

The woman laughed. “The Jinn have ways of knowing. We of the Black Dragon Clan have our own additional methods of learning things…cousin.”

“Cousin?” Riki was clearly confused, as was Nico.

In answer, the woman chuckled, raising her arms as a black mist enveloped her body. Within moments, she stood before them—a black dragon. Nico felt the threat she posed and without thought transformed himself, facing down the female black who threatened his mate.

The Jinn warrior jumped back and suddenly a legion of Jinn soldiers emerged from the trees to surround the wagon and the two black dragons who now eyed each other warily. They faced off, tension clear in every line of their sleek bodies, each unsure of the other’s motives, until a small, brave woman strode between them. Riki.

She put her small hand on Nico’s scaled knee, the connection comforting even as he watched the other dragon. He had no idea of this startling woman’s intentions. But no one shifted to dragon form without good reason.

Riki faced the dragon-woman bravely. “Please, can we talk about this as humans? We have no idea what’s going on here and we need to understand.”

The tension diffused as the woman shifted back to human form. Nico followed suit, though he still eyed her warily. But the woman only smiled.

“You, then, are our cousin as well. Be welcome, Prince Nicolas, and forgive me for alarming you. I have long dreamed of this day. We have all dreamed of this day.” She gestured to the warriors watching all around. “I am Estella, Steward of the Black Dragon Clan.”

“You can shift,” Riki observed with wonder.

“Of course. Can’t you?”

Sadly, Riki shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

But Estella only laughed. “Don’t worry, little cousin. It comes to females later than males.”

“Really?” Riki looked so wistful, Nico hated to get her hopes up in case this startling woman was wrong.

“Enter and be welcome, dragon-cousins. Now I understand why the seer guided us to include Drake among the Brotherhood. He was the instrument that would lead us to you. Thank you, Drake.” She turned to Drake, who had also come down off the wagon when the warriors appeared, and kissed him soundly. “We are again in your debt. Come, let us find comfort. Zachari, have your men take the horses and wagon while I show our new friends to the camp.”



Riki was startled to find an entire city of brightly colored tents as they emerged from the line of trees. She felt a tingle against her skin that warned her magic was in the air. No other way could this many people and tents remain hidden, she reasoned. The Jinn were rumored to have a great deal of magic and Riki could easily see and feel the rumors were true. She had always been sensitive to the use of magic and her senses had only grown more acute as Loralie had done her dastardly work with Lucan.

Each time the North Witch used her power, Riki had felt it like a blow to her senses. Dark and evil magic was what skiths thrived on and the feel of it tainted all they touched. But this Jinn magic was pure and bright. It felt happy and it welcomed Riki like the arms of a mother. She felt Nico bristle next to her and put her hand out to hold his.

“Don’t worry, Nico,” she said softly. “We’re among friends. I can tell.”

“Are you certain?” She knew he spoke in her mind to avoid detection and realized it was a good idea.

“I can feel the magic of this place and these people. It isn’t evil. They have no evil intent toward us. At least not right now. I would feel it if they did.”

“Truly?” Nico sounded skeptical and she moved to reassure him.

“Yes, truly. Having spent so much time around Lucan, don’t you think I’d recognize evil magic if it faced us? I’ve felt it on our trail from time to time, but this isn’t it. In fact, this is protective magic. Nothing can harm us here.”

Estella led them to a large, central tent in one section of the huge encampment, inviting them in with a flourish and a warm smile. The woman was gorgeous and she could shift to dragon form too. Riki felt a pang, wondering if Nico would prefer Estella to her. It was clear the woman was much more accomplished than she was.

“Sit here, please, and I’ll have food and wine brought in. I know your road has been long to find us, as has ours to find you. The seer will want to speak with you, I know, and I’m sure you have many questions. Just give me a minute to arrange things.”

Estella left the tent and the three of them were alone for a few moments.

“What do you think?” Drake asked quietly.

“Riki seems to think there’s magic in the air and I’m inclined to agree.” Nico pulled her hand into his lap as they sat at a low table.

“But it’s good magic,” Riki insisted. “Not evil. They use it to hide their encampment, for one thing. I felt it as we walked through the barrier, didn’t you?”

Drake shook his head, blue eyes wide. Nico seemed to consider before responding. “I felt a kind of tingle but shrugged it off. Was that the barrier?”

“Probably. It felt like a million butterfly wings tickling against my skin.” She smiled at the memory. “It was friendly and benign.”

“At least to you.” A new voice sounded from the entrance to the tent. In the doorway stood a stately older woman in long, colorful robes. She walked with a slight limp as she moved toward the table and the men rose in respect until she was seated across from Riki. “I am the seer, Arabetta. Welcome, Arikia, daughter of Adora, descendant of Kent. I have awaited your arrival these many years.”

“You see the future?” Nico asked softly, his eyes measuring.

“Sometimes,” the woman shrugged. “Not always in enough time to do anything about what I see, or I would have sent men to prevent the murder of your parents, Prince Nicolas. Please accept my apologies and condolences. Your father was a great man and a true friend to the Jinn. Sadly, the connection was lost when he died, for your brother Roland knew nothing of our bonds, nor did any of the other royal princes. It’s taken us years to reestablish the link that should never have been lost. You, Sir Drake, have been instrumental in that, and for that great service, I thank you.”

Riki looked over at Drake. He looked as if he might object to the old woman calling him “sir”. After all, he was the son of knights, not a knight himself, but just then Estella returned, bringing with her a troop of people with platters of food and flasks of wine. They set them on the wide table and looked over the new arrivals with open curiosity. They placed the items mostly in front of Riki as if seeking her approval. She made a point to smile and thank everyone who sought her eye, flushing a little with the strange attention, but impressed by the friendly eagerness of these people.

Estella sat next to the seer and began to pour out the wine. When she was finished, she raised her cup. “To the Mother of All with many thanks for reuniting the black dragons on this day. Blessed be the Mother of All.”

“Blessed be.” The others repeated the words and Riki followed suit, raising her cup of wine and drinking with the rest of them. The wine was fruity and delicious, tartly zapping Riki’s tongue and making her smile.

“This is delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Estella topped up her cup before sitting back and lifting some roasted meat from a platter. “Please eat. We’ll talk while you refresh yourselves with a meal.”

“Are you the only black dragon here?” Nico asked quickly.

Estella chuckled. “No, Prince Nicolas. We of the Black Dragon Clan are descended of Jintau, the youngest son of Draneth the Wise. He had many children. It was they who founded the Jinn Brotherhood generations ago. Since then, the Jinn have spread out all over the lands, but the black dragons remain the core of the Jinn. Our clan rules all the other clans, and only our clan has the ability to shift. Among our clan, we have perhaps a dozen younger dragons and several elders who do not do much flying these days.”

“You’re one of the latter,” Riki said astutely, her eyes on the seer.

Arabetta nodded. “Sadly, when one reaches a certain age, flying is something that can be painful as well as uplifting. I don’t fly much anymore, but I can still do so if needed.”

“Amazing.” Nico’s whisper brought a smile to the older woman’s eyes.

The seer nodded her head with a gentle smile. “I must tell you of the danger I have foreseen, Prince Nicolas. It concerns all the lands, but most especially Draconia.”

That got the attention of everyone at the table. They waited for the older woman to continue.

“There is a place, far in the northland wastes, known only as the Citadel. It was to this place the last of the wizards sealed their enemies and set a caretaker to watch over their resting place. It is to the Citadel, Lucan prepares to go. You must stop him before he succeeds in waking the sleeping wizards trapped there or our lands will know terror the likes of which we have not seen since the Wizard Wars.”

“I’ve been taught about the Citadel, Lady, but I thought it was only legend.” Nico regarded the older woman with respect and a bit of awe.

“Oh, the Citadel is real enough, as is the hereditary caretaker, though the caretaker’s powers have grown weaker with each successive generation. It is all the current caretaker can do to stem the tide and she has made some…unwise choices on her path as she fought to keep the secret of the Citadel safe.” Arabetta sighed. “But the time is coming soon when we will all be tested. Dragons, humans, and others will unite to hopefully prevent a catastrophe beyond which even I cannot see. The fate of our world lies in the balance. You must leave soon for your homeland. Your brother and his mate must be made aware of what is coming. And you will take with you an honor guard of emissaries from the Jinn to Draconia. Our time of hiding is over. The Black Dragon Clan will fight alongside our cousins in Draconia. You must tell your brother that as well.”

“I will. Thank you, Lady Arabetta.” Nico’s voice was formal and somewhat subdued. “I cannot say how glad I am to find the black dragons will rally together. The dragons of my land will be heartened to know the line of Draneth continues to grow strong, even outside the borders of our land. You will all be welcome among us.”

“Well spoken, Prince Nicolas. But there is one thing that must transpire before you can return to your home.” The old woman looked from Nico, pointedly to Riki and back. “You must marry our new queen.”

“Queen?” Riki could hardly believe her ears. “What in the world?”

“It was foreseen generations ago that a daughter of Kent would come to us, to unite the Black Dragon Clan with our allies. The leadership of the Black Dragon Clan has ever been only a stewardship. Estella’s line holds authority over affairs of state until such time as the daughter of Kent arrived. The leadership of the Black Dragon Clan is at least partly yours, Arikia. Our system was designed so the queen rules over diplomatic affairs, and her steward deals with tribal matters. It has ever been thus, from the beginning.”

“But that’s impossible! I’m not even Jinn. And I can’t shift.” She was near tears as all eyes focused on her.

“You have the soul of a dragon, child. That is all that is required to be Jinn. As for shifting, it will come—or not—in time. In truth, it makes no difference. You are the One who was foretold. You are the One we will follow into battle. Other than that, Jinn royalty serves little purpose, since we are a mostly scattered people. Perhaps that will make you feel better.” The old woman chuckled. “Regardless, our queen you shall be. As it was foretold.”

Estella spoke up, her warm voice gentle and sure. “Bloodlines are very important to the Jinn. Jintau married Jora, a princess from Elderland in the far east. In that land, even today, men are protectors and warriors, but the women rule. That is how Jora designed the Jinn. She ruled over her many children and their mates, plus the other displaced peoples who came to them to form the Jinn Brotherhood. Jora was a strong seer and foretold of this time in great detail. She knew her children would lead the Jinn in battle, but she also knew it would take new blood to reunite the Jinn with the other children of Draneth.”

“Draneth himself, it is said, counseled his youngest son to follow Jora’s vision.” Arabetta nodded wisely as she stated her belief, but Riki could hardly believe what these women were saying. It seemed so ridiculous. So impossible.

Nico’s hand found hers, grasping tightly, lending her his strength. “Say nothing yet, sweetheart. Let’s see where this leads, all right?”

She looked up into his eyes and fed on his surety of purpose, his strength and his conviction. These people were important for their safety and for the safety of all the dragons and people of Draconia. Riki would not let them down out of fear. She’d take Nico’s advice and see what these people wanted of her before giving in to the fear threatening even now, to overwhelm her.

“I need you to help me, Nico. I’m afraid.” Admitting that was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, but Nico was her rock. He would help her. She knew it in her soul, when she would never have said such words, or admitted such weakness, to anyone else in the world.

Nico squeezed her hand. “I will always be here for you, Riki. I will always be at your side, ready to catch you. Don’t be afraid. Together we can handle anything.”

Tears gathered behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Summoning her courage, fortified by Nico’s support, she faced the Jinn women.

“I don’t understand any of this, but I’m willing to listen.”

Arabetta beamed at her. “Spoken like a true queen.”

Riki felt pride at the woman’s apparent confidence in her, but it was tempered with fear and bewilderment. How could these people really think she was a queen? Didn’t they know she was a coward?

“Now to the marriage,” Estella said briskly, shocking Riki back to the strange conversation.

“Bloodlines are all important among the Jinn. That is something that’s been passed down from Jora and her Elderland beliefs. You two must marry in our traditions for your union to be fully recognized, and you must do it now, before you leave for Draconia.”

“But—” Riki was cut off by the old woman.

“I know you’d rather have a big ceremony. What bride doesn’t want that? But we cannot afford the time. We’ve already begun preparations for a feast tonight, preceded of course, by the joining ceremony.”

“But—”

“One of our finest tailors is preparing a wedding dress for you as we speak.”

“But—”

“The minstrels are preparing their best songs and representatives of all the Jinn clans are gathering from every corner. This is the largest Jinnfaire in a hundred years. As many as possible have come to witness your joining.”

Riki shouted to be heard, her frustration building as the old woman rode right over all her objections. “But he hasn’t asked me to marry him!”

Dead silence greeted her outburst and frowns were directed at Nico from every corner, raising her protective instincts.

“Don’t you look at him like that,” she scolded. “We only just met a few days ago. How could anyone expect a man to fall in love in so short a time?”

“But a woman could, couldn’t she?” Drake’s knowing words caused heat to rush to her cheeks.

“That isn’t the point of this discussion.” She pointedly ignored Nico, afraid of what she might see on his face.

But Nico tugged on her hand, demanding she face him. “I knew you were mine the first moment I saw you, my love. The dragon in me recognized its mate from the beginning. I do love you, my Arikia, and I want you to be my wife, my lover, my mate for life. Will you consent? Do you love me, even a little?”

His words, for her alone, touched her deeply. She raised her gaze slowly to look at his beautiful face and the tender expression in his hazel eyes nearly made her cry. She saw love shining from his eyes—and this wasn’t the first time, if she were being honest with herself. No, but this was the first time he’d spoken the words plainly.

She reached out, practically throwing herself into his arms. “I love you so much!” she whispered into his ear before pulling back and kissing him soundly.

Nico deepened the kiss, lifting her right off the seat and onto his lap as he devoured her mouth. Riki’s senses spun with the wonder of him and his words of love. She felt the bands stretching from her soul to his strengthen and she knew without being told, of his deep and true affection. She could feel it. Just as he could probably feel echoes of her feelings for him.

When he drew back, she was pressed against his chest, her bottom seated snugly in his lap, and his smile stretched from ear to ear. There was a tenderness in his gaze she had only ever seen when he looked at her and she knew it now for what it was…love.

“Will you be my bride, Arikia?” His tender tone left her breathless.

“Yes, Nico,” she whispered, lost in his hazel green gaze.

“About time,” Arabetta groused good-naturedly, reminding Riki starkly that they had an audience. She tried to straighten, but Nico’s arms held her tight against him.

“Forgive me, Lady,” Nico addressed the old woman. “Riki has not had the easiest life and I wanted to give her time to adjust to me. I didn’t want to scare off my true mate by acting too soon.”

Arabetta’s frown cleared. “You are far wiser than I gave you credit for, Prince Nicolas. I beg your pardon.”

The shock on Estella’s face showed just how surprising the old seer’s words were to her and Riki felt some satisfaction the woman would admit to being wrong about Nico. He was as close to perfect as a man could be, after all.

Riki hugged the knowledge of his love to her heart and crowed like a child inside, where none could hear. Nico loved her and wanted to marry her. It was a miracle of light in her formerly dark, sad, desolate world. Nico brought joy and happiness to her when she thought she would never know it again…and love. He brought her love when she’d despaired of ever feeling such tender emotions for a man in her life. He was a miracle.

Nico nodded, accepting the woman’s apology without comment, letting the moment pass naturally. He was a good diplomat, Riki realized with pride.

“I’d planned to marry in Draconia, once we returned, but if you say the Jinn must be satisfied—and Riki is willing—I’m happy to do so here. The sooner we are joined in the eyes of all, the happier I will be.” He leaned down to kiss her temple, holding her close in his strong arms. Riki felt cherished for the first time in many, many long years.