Kastali Dun

Reyr stared into the fire, sipping his wine. He should have poured something stronger, but it wasn't wise. This way, at least he could drink and keep his wits. The keep was quiet, the hour creeping well past midnight. Still, he was not abed.

How did Talon do it, all those hundreds of years. Day in and day out. Balancing the cares of the kingdom in one hand, and his life in the other. Reyr had never truly understood until now. No wonder the king had such a temper. He was impressed Talon wasn't fully insane—

"Something's happened." Koldis's voice interrupted his silence. Immediately, his body went on full alert, muscles tensing. "Taylynn's just arrived with Fright. She won't tell me what's going on. Can we call a meeting?"

"At three o'clock in the morning?" he demanded.

But that was the way of it, wasn't it? They'd instituted an unspoken rule, made it a point to gather together whenever anything serious needed discussing, or decisions needed making. Whoever was present, at least.

Saffra had been gone for weeks, so the rest of them were carrying on as best they could.

"It seems serious," Koldis warned him. "And you know Taylynn isn't one to overreact."

"Yes, fine. Gather them."

He pushed aside his worry—his fear. Talon and Claire had been gone months. His stomach ached just thinking about it. Yet, they'd expected this. Planned for it, even, in the form of a body-double.

His mind went back to those days after Cyrus had gone missing. When one month had stretched into another, and then another. When Talon had been worried sick, more temperamental than ever. He'd sent three of his own shields to search for Cyrus when he could no longer risk the uncertainty. When was too long long enough? When should he make the same call, to send someone after Talon and Jovari. After Claire. With Bedelth gone, there were only four of them here. He couldn't risk it.

He took a long gulp of wine and considered. Cyrus had been gone more than half a year, seven or eight months. He frowned, considering. How long had he been with Claire? A week? He swore under his breath, surging to his feet—

Koldis strode in, hand in hand with the sprite princess.

"Time is different there," he blurted, voicing his realization. "We never questioned it because we were too fraught over Cyrus's death. Too caught up in what was happening to Claire when we reached the capital. But he was gone for months, even if he was only in her company for days."

Koldis blinked, frowning at him. "What's this about, now?"

"Time—in Claire's world!" he said, exasperated. Koldis wasn't keeping up. He looked at Taylynn. "Did you know?"

Her brows rose. "About time? Yes."

He swore again, louder this time, then hurled his goblet into the fireplace. The wine exploded out of it, metal thudding against the logs, causing one to split. An eruption of sparks and embers followed.

"Gods, man, get yourself together." Koldis gripped his shoulder and gave him a little shake.

Reyr took a deep, steadying breath, then ran a hand through his hair, trying to pick at the snarls. It was a wonder it hadn't all fallen out. "We should have known," he scoffed. "We should have known when Talon went through the gate. Should have known it would take an age for him to return to us. I never would have agreed—"

Koldis snorted at the same time Taylynn said, "You know that is not true. You would have done whatever your king asked of you, no matter the situation."

He made a distressed sound in the back of his throat. Mostly because she was right. He would have done anything Talon asked of him.

At least Taylynn didn't berate him for being so blind. They'd had all the evidence, all the pieces right there in front of them, but they'd never truly discussed it. They might not get Talon and Claire back for many more months, if not years.

The room began spinning. "I...need to sit," he breathed, then collapsed into his chair—Talon's chair.

The door opened and a sleepy Desaree shuffled in, Verath on her heels. Verath looked none too pleased to be pulled from bed at this hour. Not that the drengr needed much sleep. He was probably more irritated that they'd pulled Desaree from bed, than anything.

Jocelyn followed, along with Dallin.

The sprites slept in the lower levels of the tower. They were summoned shortly thereafter.

"We have a problem," Taylynn said, when everyone was settled. Desaree and Jocelyn, falling into old habits, had grabbed drinks for those who wanted them. It had taken Verath pulling Desaree onto his lap to settle her. He'd been unusually clingy since her near death experience. Rightfully so.

"We have a lot of problems," Verath growled, "so you're going to have to be more specific."

"It's lovely to see you too, Drengr," Taylynn purred.

A low growl sounded from Koldis's throat, a threat, a warning, that none ought to cross his mate. Gods, they'd all been at each other's throats lately. Despite the fact that they relied on each other now more than ever, they were also quicker to bicker. Quicker to anger. Quicker to lob insults.

Every single one of them was stretched thin on patience. Him, most of all. He felt as if he might shatter at any moment, a mixture of loss and stress, fear and uncertainty.

"Forgive me," Verath said, exhaling. "Please, explain."

Taylynn took a deep breath. "It took me some time to discover it, tied up as I've been with the dragon eggs. I came as soon as I could. The magic of the forest is broken."

The room fell silent. Then—

"What do you mean, broken?!" Feowen stepped forward, frowning. "The forest doesn't...break. That's...that doesn't even make sense."

"But it does," Taylynn said, blinking. She was calm, even now. Too calm. Too ancient. It was almost creepy. How did Koldis stand it? "The magic is tied to the king tree, and the king tree is tied to its queen—our queen. Who is no longer in this world."

Several of the spriten guards swore.

"Well, that indeed is a problem," Koldis said.

"One I've no idea how to fix."

"Can it be fixed?" Reyr asked.

"Oh, certainly," she said, nonchalantly. "It just requires the return of our queen."

Reyr scrubbed a hand over his face. "Which we discovered, as of a few minutes ago, could be years." His voice cracked on years. Several voices in the room erupted. What did he mean, years? So he explained what he'd only just realized about the time difference.

The sprites didn't look as shocked as the drengr, as Desaree and Jocelyn. Never mind that Bedetlh and Saffra were gone. He could only imagine what their reactions would be upon discovering this. At least they need not worry about their king and queen returning before them.

"What do we do in the meantime?" Gorded asked, stepping away from the wall where he'd been leaning. "If the forest cannot protect itself, our blessed city is also unprotected. And the stones?"

"That's my biggest concern," Taylynn mused. "We have two options. The first, hope no one notices that the forest is currently merely a forest, and stays away. It does have a reputation, after all. The second? I get the stones out, and we find a different way to protect them—"

"The last time the stones left the forest, Kane tried to take them," Desaree warned.

"Kane is currently working to gather the other stones he's hidden, isn't he?" Koldis asked. "Based on Saffra's vision?"

Taylynn lifted her brows, glancing around the room. "I take it that's why Saffra and Bedelth are not here?" Koldis nodded. "Then perhaps we use this distraction to our advantage."

"I'll come with you—" Koldis said.

"You will not!" Reyr interrupted.

"You let Saffra and Bedelth go." Koldis lifted his brows in challenge.

"Because Saffra needed a mode of transportation and her mate would never allow it otherwise. Your mate is perfectly capable of handling herself."

"I'm going with her," Koldis said, a finality in his voice.

Reyr clenched his teeth. And this was why shields were not supposed to take mates. It turned them into overprotective ninnies. Not that he could blame either of them. He'd have done the same with Gemma. In fact, he'd do the same with Claire, even though she wasn't his.

Claire's cat—no longer a kitten—hopped into his lap. He absentmindedly stroked Batty's fur, reining in his frustration and worry. What difference would it make, having Koldis here or not? He still had all of Claire's guards. The thought of Kane getting the remaining two stones...no, he couldn't consider it. "What of Fright?" he asked.

"He will return to the hatching grounds. Some of the eggs should hatch any day now."

A feminine squeal sounded. Jocelyn quickly covered her mouth, her brown skin flushing. "Sorry," she muttered. He knew all too well how badly the females of their group had wanted to be there for the initial hatching, to see the baby dragons.

His heart tightened, thinking of Claire, at the thought of her missing this. Perhaps she'd get to see one of the later hatchings instead. Assuming she returned. Ever. There was still another female who hadn't yet laid their eggs. Gods, he needed her here, needed Talon back. He missed them both so badly he ached. And not just because their jobs were too damned much.

"Fine," he said, rubbing his temples, trying to stave off his budding headache. "I cannot keep you here, Koldis. Do what must be done. Keep Kane from getting the stones. If we lose this kingdom before our king returns..."

For the first time, he saw a flash of worry on Taylynn's features. She caught her lower lip between her teeth. His brows pulled together. He didn't like her expression, not one bit. It was too unlike her. And that frightened him most of all.

***

Talon's throne was cold. His job, thankless. His people, demanding. Reyr had been holding court for months. Each day stretched into the next, endless, monotonous, draining. The only thing keeping him sane was his nightly flight. He'd taken up one of Talon's habits—many of his habits, really—but one that helped. Each evening he flew to Irelia island and back. He walked its shores, its ancient hatching grounds, the old ruins of a dragon clan lost to time. It helped clear his mind.

When time permitted, he sparred with Verath and Dallin. He was pleased with Dallin's progress, his mastery of the blade and other weapons. He'd taken to shadowing Verath in most of his duties and was a quick study.

A knock at his door startled him out of his thoughts. "Enter," he called. Taylynn walked in leading a dark-haired woman with blue eyes.

He frowned, looking the stranger over. Strangers weren't supposed to enter the king's tower. Not now that they were working doubly hard to ensure their secrets didn't slip. "What's this?" he demanded, tossing his quill on the desk.

"Claire's new body-double."

"I'm sorry. What?" He surged to his feet.

Taylynn laughed, the musical notes of her voice momentarily captivating. "I'm leaving with Koldis tonight, Your Majesty. This must be done before I go."

"This?! Her? You cannot possibly—"

"I absolutely can, and do."

"She could ruin us."

"I've sworn her to secrecy. I've bound her oath with magic. While I don't have Claire here to do a perfect replica, I know enough going from memory."

"This is preposterous," he cried, rounding the desk. The woman kept her eyes downturned, her expression blank. "How could you possibly think this would work. Never mind the body-double idea, but the fact that she's obviously a poor fit."

"She will do fine," Taylynn lifted her chin. "Besides, this whole charade needs to work, Your Majesty. Claire has been gone months. You cannot explain away her absence any longer. Don't think I haven't heard that people are talking. The throne next to yours remains empty."

He hated that she was right. Hated that it felt like failing. That he couldn't do this alone anymore.

"And what? You think this—this girl—can simply step in and fill Claire's shoes? It's absurd. She could never possibly." He didn't miss the way the woman's cheeks flushed at his truthful statement. "No. This isn't happening. Take her...home, or wherever you found her."

"I will do no such thing. You want this ruse to work? Then it must happen."

Gods damn it! His heart began to race. His eyes darted to the woman, assessing. She didn't even have the courage to look up at him.

"We haven't gathered to discuss it," he argued. "The others won't—"

"The others have already agreed. I talked to them while you were at court this morning."

He rocked his jaw back and forth, irritated. They were supposed to have meetings for this sort of thing. Decisions were made as a group. Then again, Taylynn hadn't been around when this habit began. Still, it felt as if she'd gone behind his back.

"I would advise, Your Majesty, that you do this. The alternative could have catastrophic results. If Claire and Talon are gone for years—?"

"All right. Fine. Fine." He pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't allow her to finish her thought. He hated thinking of his king and queen being gone so long. "But how do you expect her to—what's her name?—to pull this off? She's nothing like Claire."

"Her name is Merrian. She merely needs to sit with you during court, at public dinners, be seen wandering the halls of the keep. The people of Dragonwall must see that their queen is hale."

He ground his teeth, holding back a growl. There were so many reasons why he didn't want to do this. None of which he wished to voice. Thus, he had no choice but to agree.

"Merrian," he said. The woman finally lifted her blue eyes to his. He didn't miss the slight shadow of apprehension that passed over her features. Likely from beholding Talon's face. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes—Your Majesty. I mean...that is to say, I know that you are not truly King Talon. That he is with his queen, away on business. That we must stand for him until he returns. I am sworn to secrecy. Should I try to tell others—besides the king's inner circle—of who I am, the words will fail me."

Her voice was pleasing, though not as pleasing as Claire's. She was fidgety, and unsure of herself. She looked nothing like Claire, but that wouldn't matter, once Taylynn worked her magic on the woman.

He let out a loud exhale. "Good."

Taylynn said, "You will need to help her with her mannerisms and behavior—"

"Desaree and Jocelyn can help with that." He waived a dismissive hand. "Or her handmaidens. I've got about six hundred letters to write"—it was a vast exaggeration—"so unless you need anything more from me, take her and be done with it."

Taylynn eyed him. He didn't miss the irritation on her features. Likely because of the way he was dismissing her. But, he didn't care. He'd stopped caring about how his words and actions affected others weeks ago. Months ago?

It was unlike him, so unlike him. But what had they expected? Becoming someone else wasn't simply a cloak he could don and shed at will. He'd had to fully become something that wasn't him. Still, he was desperate for the day when he could abandon this role, go back to feeling like himself again.

"I'll complete the transformation, then set her up in the queen's chambers below. Feowen assured me they'd make all the arrangements to see her comfortably settled into the role."

"Good," he said, taking a seat at his desk. "I'll let him handle it, then." With that, he returned to his work without so much as a glance towards his new queen as she departed.

💕❤️💕Don't forget to heart this chapter!❤️💕❤️

Dear Reader,

Okay. 

Okay...so. 

Was that unexpected? I mean, we kind of knew that time was different between the two worlds. There has been what? Fifty generations of drengr kings? And Irelia is only 2,000 years give or take? So...I had to do a lot of math. And a lot of hand waiving. And now you see why you're getting a lot more Dragonwall chapters than Earth chapters? Because a lot of time is passing in Dragonwall. 

Please understand that what's happening in Dragonwall is not simultaneously parallel to earth. Otherwise, you would have had to wait until like chapter 10 to see Claire/Talon/Jovari POVs and I didn't want to make you wait that long. So, for example, this chapter is a few months after Talon's departure, which would be maybe 3-4 days in Claire's world. But from last week's chapter, you see that it's really been 7 days. I took George RR Martin's approach and didn't worry so much about making everything happen in parallel. 

Also, if you read some of my older versions of these books as I was working out details, you probably already knew about the time thing. 

Anyway, our next chapter is from Merrian!!! She's our newest character to the cast of characters and I have had SO MUCH FUN writing her. Seriously. I love her already. But Reyr?? I don't think Reyr loves her all that much. 

--Mel