The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 101

Henry was there in the throne room with his parents and brother when Shade returned without Elysia. He was drenched from the storm and threw his cloak off in a fury. Henry had never seen any trace of fear on that man's face until that moment.

"They took her." Shade's voice was dark and pained.

Queen Ariana was the first to respond. "Elysia? Who took her?"

"I don't know for sure, a dragon. They headed north toward the Nieblan border. The little girl set us up somehow."

"Little girl?" Henry asked. "What little girl?"

Clearly exasperated, Shade answered, "Elly or Emmy or whoever she was. Conniving little thing was in on it apparently, along with her moronic brother, Phillip."

"Phillip did this? But how would he have access to a dragon?" Ralf was the one to ask the question this time, though Henry was wondering the same thing. It wasn't adding up. Phillip was Elysia's friend, and little Emmy wouldn't hurt a fly. 

Shade turned on him. "How should I know? The only reason I'm even here right now and not across the border is because I need a dragon."

In that moment, Finnian and Queen Lilith rushed into the room, followed by the royal messenger. He was holding an ink-sealed envelope, which he extended to the King as he bowed. 

When King Alan first read through the note, he was distracted. But upon one sentence, he immediately reread the entire thing three times through. Henry watched his father's face switch from a look of fear, to concern, before settling on pure anger. He thrust the note to his wife, then took two steps forward to address those in the room. 

"I know who has taken Elysia and David, and I know their motives. They are being used as a way to keep us from attacking or defending ourselves against Niebla's troops. I assumed as much, I just never imagined the person who took them was still alive, let alone commanding Neibla's army."

"Who signed it?" Henry asked, directing his attention toward his mother, who was now holding the letter with one hand, the other hand covering her mouth, as if to stifle a scream. 

A shudder ran through Ariana. "Jordan."

Finally Shade spoke up again. "Who is Jordan and why does he have my wife?" He looked ready to murder someone and Henry suddenly felt sorry for whoever this Jordan fellow was, because Shade was clearly going to enjoy killing him slowly.

"Jordan is my half brother," King Alan said.

Both Henry and Ralf turned to look at their father in disbelief. "You have a brother?"

In all of Henry's life he had never once heard his father mention any siblings. Everyone knew well of King Nicholas and his reign of terror, but none of the horror stories ever mentioned another son. Dozens of questions entered Henry's mind, but he knew now was not the time to ask them. He would find his answers another day, when his family wasn't in such danger.

"I don't consider him family. He was just as evil as my father and I never knew him to be of my blood until he betrayed me during the First Dragon War. He fled once King Nicholas was killed and I haven't heard from him since. Until now. I'm going to kill him."

Queen Ariana stepped forward to meet her husband. "Not if I kill him first. There's no way I'm letting him marry Elysia."

"Whoa whoa whoa," Shade was livid. "Will someone read this letter so I can understand what exactly is going on here?"

Ariana nodded, taking a breath to steady herself.

"My dearest brother,

I took the liberty of introducing myself to your daughter, since you failed to do so. I figured she should know who her uncle is. Your dragon bond, David, will be here shortly as well. I'm making sure he's as incompetent as my spies tell me. Wouldn't want him using any magic to get away, now would we?