I woke the next morning with Seraphina's warm body curled against me. I blinked my eyes and looked at my beautiful girlfriend. Strands of silky dark hair fell across her face. Her breathing was soft and rhythmic against me. I resisted the urge to brush the strands from her face, not wanting to disturb her slumber just yet. I could think of no better way to wake up every morning.

  Faint sounds of palace life stirred outside our doors. Servants bustled, distant voices chatted, a few doors opened, and others clattered shut.

  Seraphina stirred beside me. She rolled over with a sleepy smile. "Morning."

  "Good morning to you." I leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad we skipped that after-party," I said, stretching my arms above my head. "I don't think I could have handled another minute of small talk. Not to mention all the alcohol. Restoratives aren't working as well as they used to."

  "Stop using them for a while." Seraphina poked me in the side.

  "Will that help?"

  "It can't hurt," Seraphina said and laughed.

  I nodded at her wisdom.

  "Leaving early was the right move." She sat up, her hair tumbling down her back in dark waves. "Those nobles would have talked our ears off until dawn."

  I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. My muscles ached from days of travel, stress, and standing around in formal wear. "I feel like I could sleep for a week."

  "Same," Seraphina said as she shoved the blankets aside and stretched. She stood and stretched again, something I greatly appreciated. She caught my eye and answered with a slight eye roll, but I knew from my months with her that she wasn't annoyed.

  Seraphina moved to her travel bag and pulled out a simple outfit—a loose-fitting blouse in pale blue with delicate silver embroidery along the collar and a pair of comfortable brown trousers. She slipped the blouse over her head and then stepped into the trousers, tying them with a leather cord at the waist. She completed the ensemble with a vest of deep purple that complemented her complexion.

  "You look nice," I said, pulling on my clothes. "Much more comfortable than yesterday's finery."

  "Thank you." She ran her fingers through her hair. "I prefer practical clothing. That dress was beautiful, but so heavy."

  I fastened my belt. "So what's the plan?"

  Seraphina shook her head. "I need to bring those lilies to my father first. He might ask me to help prepare them. I'd like to visit the baths later. I understand they are spectacular." She gathered the flowers from where she'd placed them in a cup of water. "What about you?"

  "I should check in with the tavern guild. Make sure everything's in order before we leave." I pulled on my boots.

  "Oh. You were going to tell me about what happened back in Everspring with the baron."

  I nodded and launched into a brief recounting of all that had occurred in Everspring. When I got to the part about buying the Wandering Boar, my conversation came to a halt. Seraphina's jaw dropped open, and she seemed at a loss for words.

  "I know. I know."

  "What in the world are you going to do with two taverns?"

  "Profit?" I shrugged.

  Seraphina shook her head.

  "I know what I'm doing."

  "If you say so. It's your business, Varix, but I fear it will keep you too busy for us."

  I rounded the bed, took Seraphina's hand, and pulled gently. She came to me and I put my arms around her waist. "Listen. Nothing will come between you and me. I have a competent staff at the Shadow's Respite. I'll use them to train the staff at the other tavern. I shouldn't have to be in two places at once."

  Seraphina looped her hands behind my neck. "I hope you're right."

  I leaned in to kiss her.

  We discussed the other tavern for a few minutes before my stomach grumbled. We both took turns splashing a little water on our faces and toweling off.

  "I'm going to talk to the tavern guild. Would you like to join me?"

  "No, thanks. If my father doesn’t need my help, he might still have errands for me. I look forward to learning about whatever he puts together to help Baron Swiftwood's wife. I guess we both have places to be." She tucked the lilies carefully into a small pouch.

  "I hope we can go home tonight, or in the morning, at the latest."

  "Same here," Seraphina agreed with a nod.

  We headed out in search of breakfast. As we stepped out of our room, I motioned for Seraphina to follow me and showed her the secret passageway.

  "Where are we going?" she asked.

  "To the kitchen." I grinned. "One of the dwarves showed me yesterday. I ended up helping in the kitchen for a few hours. They were short handed."

  "Of course you did…"

  I triggered the door, and we stepped into a narrow stone passage. Moments later, we emerged into the bustling kitchen. Several dwarf cooks looked up from their work, their faces pinched with irritation at our intrusion.

  "Sorry!" I called as we hurried through the kitchen and into the dining area.

  Frostfire sat at a table near a window, her plate piled high with food. She waved enthusiastically when she spotted us. Most of the tables were full of guests from the ceremony. I recognized a few, but most were not known to me.

  "There you are!" Frostfire exclaimed as we approached. "I saved a few seats."

  The table before her overflowed with a feast—platters of roasted meats, wheels of cheese, fresh-baked breads, flaky pastries, steamed vegetables, and bowls of colorful fruits. I looked around and realized all of the tables were equally supplied with food.

  "This is quite the spread," I said, taking a seat beside her.

  Seraphina sat next to me and selected a few items for her plate—a slice of bread, some cheese, and fresh berries.

  I helped myself to a hearty portion of everything within reach. After yesterday's excitement, not to mention last night's excitement with Seraphina, I realized how hungry I was.

  "The wedding was absolutely beautiful," Frostfire said between bites, mouth stuffed with a flaky pastry that resembled a croissant. "The decorations, the music…it was all so lovely and perfect."

  "You were there?" Seraphina asked, surprise widening her face.

  Frostfire nodded eagerly. "I snuck in the back to watch. No one noticed me." She winked. "I can be quite stealthy when I want to be. Can you imagine? Me—a huge dragon." She looked down at herself. "Okay, a tiny dragon in this form."

  Seraphina laughed, reached across the table, and clasped Frostfire's hand in hers. "I'm so glad you're in our lives."

  Frostfire practically bounced up and down in her chair. "Thank you, Seraphina. You both are a pleasure to have in my life as well."

  We continued to eat, me sampling everything, Seraphina focusing on a few things, and Frostfire putting away every bite she could.

  "After breakfast, I need to figure out how to get to town," I said, spreading jam on a piece of bread. "I'll ask around."

  "You're going back into the city? I want to go," Frostfire enthused.

  "You should go with Varix. Keep him out of trouble, and out of dwarven taverns."

  "Here now," I said and laughed, then muttered, "Drinking with dwarves. Never again."

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  "I'll go. I'll go!" Frostfire added. "Wait. Where in town are you going?"

  "To the tavern guild to ensure they don't close down the Shadow's Respite."

  "Where the bard is?" Frostfire stopped eating.

  I nodded. "It's okay. Everything should be in order now. The baron was pretty explicit about his directive to the guild to cease their meddling, even though he started the meddling. The guild master is a relative of his."

  "I'll go and help," Frostfire said firmly. "I have to protect Kieran's home."

  "And my home," I added.

  Frostfire nodded and shoved a piece of smoked fish in her mouth.

  Seraphina smiled. "You two have fun. I expect I'll be with my father most of the day."

  When we finished eating, Seraphina rose from her seat. I walked her to the door and kissed her goodbye.

  "I'll see you later," she said, touching my cheek before leaving.

  "I can't wait." I watched her walk away, heading toward the east wing where her father was staying.

  Frostfire clasped her hands together. "You two make such a cute couple! It warms my heart to see you so happy together."

  On the way back to our room, Frostfire peppered me with questions about the tavern guild and what other places were near the guild. Would she be able to get some pastries? I answered as best I could while navigating the palace corridors.

  "I need to grab some papers before we head out," I said as we reached my room.

  I pushed open the door and hurried to my travel bag. The purchase documents for the Wandering Boar sat neatly folded inside, along with the Lord Commander papers Roland had presented to me. I fished out the Lord Commander pin and shoved it into my pocket.

  My leather jacket hung on a hook by the door. I slipped it over my shirt, adjusted the collar, and then shoved the thick packet of papers into the jacket's inner pocket. The boots of fast travel I already wore would come in handy—Frostfire moved at a surprising pace for someone her size.

  "Ready?" Frostfire asked, bouncing on her heels.

  "You bet. Let's find someone who can point us to the train station."

  "I would fly us there, but landing in the city might create too much of a spectacle. I don't want to crush anyone or destroy a building."

  "Very thoughtful," I agreed.

  We stopped a passing dwarf guard who wore a polished bronze helmet and carried a short ax at his belt.

  "The train station? Down that corridor, take the second left, then follow the signs," he said. "Look for the blue line. They'll know how to get you where you need to go."

  "Thank you," I said with a nod.

  "The blue line comes back every half-hour," he added. "Take that one. It's been especially created for the king's guests."

  I nodded thanks again, and we set out.

  Frostfire beamed at everything as we walked. "Look at these wall carvings! And the lanterns! Oh, these floor tiles—the pattern changes in each section!"

  Her enthusiasm made me smile. We followed the signs to an underground platform carved directly from the mountain stone. Brass fixtures gleamed against the rock walls, and dwarven runes etched into metal plates marked different waiting areas.

  "I had heard about the train inside a mountain," Frostfire whispered. "Extraordinary!"

  The rumble came first, then a blast of warm air rushed through the tunnel. The train rounded the corner. Like the first time I had seen one, I was again amazed at the engineering involved in creating the trains. It was a magnificent contraption of brass, copper, and iron. Steam hissed from valves along its sides. The engine had glowing red lamps that looked like eyes.

  "It's beautiful!" Frostfire clapped her hands.

  A few others stood around when the train arrived, murmuring conversations as they entered one of the three small cars. Frostfire and I boarded near the engine and found seats in a car lined with polished wooden benches and brass handrails. The windows featured intricate metalwork frames.

  The conductor's gray uniform featured brass buttons arranged in neat rows down the front of her jacket. A matching cap sat atop her braided hair, and she carried a punch for tickets.

  "Which districts?" she called.

  A few riders chimed in with their destination. When she looked at me I said, "I'm not sure. I need to visit the tavern guild."

  She nodded. "Guild district, it is. We'll have you there in a flash."

  "How much do I owe you?" I reached for my coin purse.

  The conductor pulled out a silver token the size of her palm. Dwarven runes circled its edge, with the royal crest stamped in the center.

  "This is yours," she said, placing it in my hand, and handed Frostfire another. "Compliments of King Alister. It grants you free passage on all city trains during your stay." She raised her voice and her hand to show the coin. "Anyone else need one?"

  Polite head shakes answered.

  "That's wonderful," I said, tucking the token into my pocket. "Thank you."

  The train lurched forward. We picked up speed and quickly raced through the mountain tunnels. Frostfire pressed her face to the window to watch the occasional lanterns flash by in the darkness.

  After about ten minutes, sunlight flooded the car as we emerged from the mountain. The train slowed as we approached a station built of stone and metal. People milled about. Eyes turned to look at the blue train. Their faces quickly turned to disappointment when they realized this was a special train.

  "Guild district!" the conductor called.

  We stepped onto the platform. Frostfire turned to the conductor with a wide smile.

  "I had a wonderful time," she told the dwarf. "Your train is exquisite."

  The conductor tipped her cap with a pleased expression.

  Outside the station, I paused to get my bearings. The streets looked vaguely familiar from my previous visit.

  "This way, I think," I pointed down a broad avenue.

  As we walked, Frostfire commented on everything—the architecture, the people, the shops, even the cobblestones. Dwarves, humans, and elves rushed around. Many were well-dressed, and I guessed they were here for the ceremony. Now that it was over, they probably tended to business in town. I imagined a lot of trade deals had been worked out here in the last few days.

  "And look at those flower boxes! And that fountain! And those little mechanical birds in that shop window!"

  I laughed. "Never change, Frostfire."

  She linked her arm through mine. "I never intend to."

  After half an hour of walking around, I spotted a familiar-looking street. We rounded the corner and just ahead sat the large building with a wooden sign hanging above the entrance. Carved into the sign was a foaming mug of ale alongside various tools of the tavern trade.

  "This is it." I pointed.

  We approached, and I pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside. Scattered oil lamps cast faint light throughout the room. Bookshelves hugged the walls, packed with what appeared to be accounting volumes. Wooden beams stretched high overhead in a latticed pattern across the vaulted ceiling. The place was remarkably clean, but I was again struck by the pleasant scent of old leather and paper.

  Thadeus Blackburr stood beside a massive oak table, his quill scratching across the pages of an enormous leather-bound book. Hovering next to him stood a portly man of advanced years who pointed at something in the book. The pages looked like ledger entries, filled with neat columns of numbers and names. His rail-thin frame bent over the work, monocle fixed firmly in place.

  His narrow face pinched even tighter when he spotted me and his lips pressed into a thin line.

  "Good morning, Thadeus," I said with forced cheerfulness. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

  Several guild members paused their work around us. They exchanged glances and whispered to each other behind cupped hands.

  "You," Thadeus said. His voice dripped with contempt. He slowly set down his pen. The other man stepped away and made himself busy at the other side of the room.

  "I'm here to make sure everything's in order and you got the notice that the Shadow's Respite is not to be closed," I said and smiled.

  Thadeus laughed—a sharp, humorless sound that bounced off the walls. "A bit late for that. Several ranking guild members should arrive in Everspring tomorrow morning. They'll soon be shuttering your doors."

  "No one will close that tavern!" Frostfire exclaimed, her voice rose to fill the room.

  I placed a hand on her arm. "Keep your cool, Frostfire. I'll handle this."

  "I am always cool." Her body trembled beneath my touch. Small bursts of snow erupted from her skin, falling in tiny flurries around her feet. The temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

  The guild members gasped. Their whispers grew louder, more urgent.

  "Baron Swiftwood said he would send notice. But I have these just in case," I reached into my pocket with deliberate slowness.

  "What? What is this? Papers? Anyone can forge papers."

  I shook my head. "Thadeus, look…"

  He straightened his back and adjusted his monocle. "You will address me as Mr. Blackburr."

  "Mr. Blackburr. You're about to be very cold. And sorry." Frostfire said.

  I shook my head at her.

  Frostfire's eyes had turned the color of a frozen lake.

  I pulled out the papers for the Wandering Boar and spread them across the table, covering his ledger. Baron Swiftwood's signature stood bold at the bottom, with his official seal pressed into the wax beside it.

  "Perhaps this will interest you," I said.

  Thadeus glanced at the documents, then waved his hand dismissively. "You purchased another tavern. How is that important to me? You are out of business for good. I'll not have some outsider try to step in and meddle in guild business."

  Frostfire growled beside me. Her head elongated, scales rippled across her skin, and her face stretched into a draconic snout. It only lasted a moment before she pulled herself back to human form. The growl that escaped her throat rumbled like a dragon's roar.

  Thadeus backed away slowly. His monocle dropped from his eye and dangled from its chain.

  "I tried to be nice, Thadeus. I really did. I get that the baron is family, but he and I have come to an agreement. So I came here to play by the rules, but you are being a real pain in my ass."

  Thadeus' mouth opened in shock.

  "That's right. I said it. A pain in the ass." I punctuated each word.

  "I will not tolerate this rudeness in my…!"

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out my Lord Commander badge. With precise movements, I snapped it to my collar. "Enough out of you. You will call me Lord Commander Vel'Naris. Is that understood? Now we are going to sit down and hash this out. And if we can't come to an agreement, I believe I'll let my friend here, who happens to be a big fucking dragon, take you for a ride that you will not enjoy."

  Frostfire somehow unleashed a draconic growl that shook the rafters, unleashing dust that fluttered down on us.

  The color drained from Thadeus's face. His jaw hung open and his lips worked soundlessly. I wished cameras existed in this world because the look of shock on his face deserved to be preserved for all time.

  "That cannot be real!"

  "Oh, it's real alright," I replied sharply. "It's real, and it was presented to me by my friend King Alister, himself. Now, shall we get down to business, or do you first need to change your undergarments?"