Wyvern's Prince (The Dragons of Incendium Book 2) Read Free Page A

as they kissed and caressed, then they fell on the bed with limbs entangled. Drakina braced her hands on either side of his shoulders and looked down at him, smiling at his obvious pleasure.
    “You like this,” she accused.
    He nodded. “But more importantly, I love you.”
    After Drakina bent to claim Troy’s lips in a fiery kiss, no one said or thought anything coherent in the royal apartments for quite some time.
    * * *
    That evening, Gemma strode down the corridor to the briefing session that she’d ordered, ensuring that she arrived precisely on schedule.
    It was held in her own apartment, at her command, because that was the one place she knew was secure from spies and listening devices.
    Some of the party from Regalia had already arrived to prepare for the royal family’s attendance of the wedding the next day. Urbanus remained in his mother’s palace on Regalia, per tradition, so there was no chance of the bride seeing the groom. The staff from Regalia were contained in one wing of the palace on Incendium, and Gemma doubted they had the skill to circumvent the access coding on their keys.
    At least not so quickly as this.
    Kraw bowed when she entered the unit and Farquon saluted. Kraw was viceroy of the Kingdom of Incendium, and had been in the service of King Ouros for decades, ever since his father had resigned the same post. His mustache had been as long and elaborately curved for all the years Gemma could remember him, but now it had turned white.
    Farquon was commander of the regiment assigned to the defense of the royal family. Gemma had augmented Farquon’s training herself, when she had led Incendium’s elite corps of commandos. The military assignment of a royal family member being given a military command hadn’t been a ceremonial post for Gemma. She had trained on Cumae, graduated with high honors, then returned home to serve the kingdom. Under her command, the commandos had improved their response times, stealth, and kill rates. Farquon had been her best pupil, her lover, her friend and remained one man she trusted completely. She particularly admired that their relationship had never been complicated by talk of undying love.
    Farquon had made the arrangements for her pending escape, and she knew he wouldn’t reveal a syllable of her plan to anyone. Even now, he was completely impassive, commanded by Kraw to attend, and apparently without any greater bond to Gemma than any other member of the royal family. He looked slightly bored if attentive. She felt a surge of pride in his talents, then inclined her head to Kraw.
    “Your highness,” Kraw said with a deep bow. “Your father sends greetings.”
    “Of course.”
    “As well as the reminder that you need not proceed with this marriage.”
    “But I must, Kraw, as my father knows.” Gemma sat down and spoke crisply. “I’m sure he smells the Seed on every messenger from Regalia as keenly as I do.”
    Kraw inclined his head in acknowledgment of this truth. “You need not go alone, Highness.”
    “I think otherwise.” Gemma waved a hand. “Speak to me of Regalia, please, Kraw.”
    The wall illuminated behind Farquon, revealing that it was actually a large display screen. An image of Regalia appeared, undoubtedly captured by one of Incendium’s satellites. As the image grew more detailed, it was clear that the surface of Incendium’s sister planet was almost entirely covered in forest.
    “A comparatively primitive world, it must be said,” Kraw declared, turning to watch the display with Gemma. She always respected that he memorized his presentations, and made it look easy to present a wealth of information in a short period of time. “Their economy is heavily reliant upon barter on the planet itself, and simple skills. Their people harvest crops, make bread and ale, supply the royal palace with tithes and other offerings. Their major exports are medicinal herbs and other plants, usually dried for transport. They have only one star