HEIR OF THE DRAGON

CHAPTER 12

Though it was deep into the night when they arrived, Princess Lalisa and her new wife couldn't land in the middle of the Dragonpit without causing a commotion. Even at that hour, there were dragon keepers awake and as soon as Syrax hit the ground, several ran out to meet them. Lalisa recognized one of them, an older beta named Edmund who'd been tending to her dragon all her life, when he offered her a hand down.

"Welcome home, your Grace. It's good to see you again. We heard you'd fallen ill. Poison, some said. There were even rumors you'd died."

"I appreciate the concern," she said, sliding down to the ground. "But I'm all right."

Roseanne followed close behind. She was still a bit awkward getting on and off Syrax but Lalisa enjoyed seeing how much she'd improved. In her heart, she knew her wife would never love to ride on dragon-back the way she did but it was nice for them to share a little of her passion.

Our children, though... Them, I'll really teach how to fly.

A carriage was arranged to take them back to the Red Keep but word of their arrival must've traveled faster because when they reached the inner courtyard, her father was there to greet her. The king was only half-dressed, a cloak embroidered in their house's colors thrown over his sleeping gown, but his face lit up as soon as Lalisa stepped down from the coach.

He opened his arms in welcome and she embraced him. "Gods, Lalisa," he exclaimed as he hugged her tightly. "When the raven arrived saying that you'd collapsed, I nearly died myself. After your mother and brother, I couldn't have borne it."

"I'm feeling much better," she assured him. "Roseanne deserves most of the credit, though." She turned her head back toward her wife. "She's the one who realized it was poison."

Henry released her and went over to hug the omega as well. "I can't tell you how grateful I am, Roseanne," he said before looking down at her stomach. The swell was growing larger by the day, clearly visible even in torchlight. "And how is our future prince or princess?"

"Well, thank the Gods. We're both doing very well."

"I apologize for the shabby welcome," he said, gesturing at his own clothing. "We weren't expecting you home for several weeks. The last raven said you were getting ready to travel but I assumed you'd sail from Sunspear."

"It seemed safer to come back this way. I wasn't certain if there'd be another attempt on my life."

Henry shook his head. "This whole business is dreadful. I'm having Ser Harrold take charge of your security personally but we'll speak more of it in the morning. Right now, I imagine both of you could use some rest."

Roseanne suppressed a yawn. "Thank you, your Grace. I fear I don't have your daughter's stamina when it comes to flying."

"No one ever did," he agreed, beaming with pride. "She's a born dragon rider." They walked into the castle together, several knights of the Kingsguard trailing close behind. Lalisa wondered if she would ever have the same confidence in them again. Ser Harrold she trusted completely, but it was clear now a white cloak offered no certainties. "The whole city has been praying for your recovery," Henry continued. "Even your uncle was worried enough to return home."

Her eyes widened. "Eric is here?"

"He arrived on Caraxes a day ago. Apparently, he had word of your condition even in the Stepstones. But as I said, we'll speak more in the morning."

"Of course," she agreed, but her mind was racing. She only hoped Eric's presence reflected concern for his favorite niece and not a desire to finish what his agents had started in Dorne.