Chapter 58

FELIX

I decided that if I was going to America, I had to do it right.

There was a diplomatic conference happening in a few days near the nation’s capital, and I had been planning to attend even prior to meeting Mila. Several small countries were meeting with legislators from the American Congress to discuss moving our nations into the 21st century in terms of infrastructure and foreign policy.

Fresonia had long been a kingdom with few powerful allies. This was, of course, due to our secret dragons, but that was not something I could exactly tell the leaders of other countries. So it was good for me to show my face at these types of conferences and pretend like I needed advice on getting WiFi into rural areas.

America also meant Mila, and the possibility of a fresh start.

I decided to finish her restaurant as a peace offering. I made sure the furniture we ordered from Carnea was placed exactly where she wanted it, and paid all the vendors to stock her walk-in refrigerator and pantry and give the place one more clean up.

When Mila returned, the restaurant would be ready to open. All it needed was her.

All I needed was her, too.

My hands were trembling the entire time I was packing my bags. I had practiced my speech of what to say to her a million times in my head, but each version sounded false and empty. I could only hope to find the words once I saw her face.

Joseph and I were heading to the castle airstrip to board the royal jet when Esmeralda summoned us to to the throne room.

It was rare for Esmeralda to ask us for a meeting, and even rarer for her to ask for the throne room. We only met there when serious business was afoot. Joseph and I hurried to the throne room, fearing for whatever news the witch had to tell us.

My mother and father were already gathered when we arrived. Esmeralda looked haggard, as if she hadn’t slept.

“I bring troubling news,” she said, in a voice both ancient and trembling.

“What is it?” My father took a step closer to her. “Is it about Felix’s curse?”

And to think, I had managed to go about five minutes without remembering my death sentence.

“I fear this is a new danger,” Esmeralda said. “Something even darker than a curse.”

We all looked baffled at that declaration.

“The wicked heart of a scorned man,” Esmeralda continued. “I can sense Charles’ anger and resentment from all corners of Fresonia. He may not be heir to the throne, but he has a great power all his own, and it is turning darker by the moment.”

She was right–Charles had always had a deep well of power, an unusual strength for a second son. The idea of him turning that magic to darkness was terrifying.

“What is it that you can sense?” My father asked. He was already calculating the best plan of attack–or defense—in his head. The sign of a true King. I could only hope that I would have an ounce of his wisdom when it came time for me to rule.

If it came time for me to rule.

Esmeralda waved her hand, and a shimmering map of the jagged mountain range in the north of Fresonia appeared in the air. “There is trouble brewing in the Dragon’s Teeth Mountains, something even I cannot fully fathom.”

So Charles had returned to the mountains, the most powerful, sacred place in the kingdom. He was clearly drawing strength from the power that ran through the very rock of the Dragon’s Teeth.

“Do you need someone else to investigate?” I found myself offering.

My father gave me a long, significant look.

“I was about to go to America,” I said, “but I can take Ignatius and see what I can find in the mountains.”

“There is something evil lurking there,” Esmeralda warned. “I am sure that your magic will sense it, too. I have searched, but I fear there are wards up even I cannot penetrate.”

If Charles was managing to put up magical wards that were too strong for Esmeralda to see through, we were in trouble indeed.

“The jet will be waiting for us,” Joseph assured me. “We will depart as soon as you return.”

I gave him a nod before making my way to the aviary portal.

Ignatius was restless when I arrived. The aviary was nestled into the mountains, and if there was indeed something evil brewing, my dragon would be able to sense it.

I could sense it, too. My own magic tingled in response to the too-still air. On a normal day, this area should have been the windiest place in Fresonia. Instead, there was no sign of breeze. It was as if something had shifted in the air, willing everything to freeze in place.

It was eerie. I could not help but feel as though someone was watching me as I approached Ignatius. I glanced over my shoulder, but saw nothing.

Ignatius roared in greeting when he saw me. I gave him a sharp nod before saddling up. He shifted underneath me, clearly grateful for the opportunity to stretch his wings.

We took off, flying as low to the ground as we could manage. I searched the treeline for any signs of disturbance, but there were none.

The air was thick with magic, however. It rippled over my skin and over Ignatius’ scales as we flew. I could tell that the dragon was sniffing for his former stablemate.

But Esmeralda was right–there was nothing to indicate anything was amiss, aside from the hair standing up on the back of my neck. Whatever Charles was doing, he was using a magic I could not even begin to wrap my head around.

I searched for a few hours before we returned to the aviary. We combed the Dragon’s Teeth, but if there was any civilization at all, it was well-hidden.

When I returned to the castle, I recommended my father send a group of spies into the mountains. There was certainly nothing to be seen by air, so perhaps a land invasion was the way to go.

“And you did not see Charles?” my father asked, for the third time. I could tell that he was afraid–not just of his youngest son, but for him. It was every parent’s nightmare to lead an army against their own offspring. But Charles had drawn a line in the sand, and there was no going back now.

“I did not,” I told him. He gave me a quick squeeze on my shoulder before stalking off to his office. There was much to think about.

I had my own problems to deal with. I rushed over to the jet, glad to find Joseph already seated and our bags safely stowed.

“Did you find anything?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I said. “But Esmeralda is right. There’s something going on.”

“Maybe we can ask for help from some of our allies at this conference,” Joseph suggested. I nodded.

“I must warn the other countries of Charles’ treachery,” I told Joseph. “They need to start preparing.”

“Preparing for what?” Joseph asked. His eyes were fearful. “What is it that you are afraid of?”

My voice was as grim as my heart. “Preparing for war.”