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“We mustn’t linger on such dark thoughts,” Helen insisted as she cast a bright look at all of us. “It’s been far too long since we had visitors. We should be enjoying their company, and they ours.”
Torch shook off his melancholy and nodded. “You’re quite right, my love. Your journey must have been tiring, and we have good food waiting for you if you’ll be seated.”
We took our seats at the grand table with Thorn on Torch’s right and his bride on his left. I sat on her other side, and the moment we settled in Torch rang a small bell. A door on the same wall as the hearth opened and a half dozen servants hurried out. They carried with them pitchers of wine and platters of food which they set before us. I couldn’t help but lick my lips at the succulent meat and glistening fruit. In a few moments, they had finished their serving and stepped back to await further orders.
“Please help yourselves to whatever you desire,” Torch insisted as he poured our glasses for us.
Thorn cast a curious look at our host. “What I truly desire is any information you may have on the Agency. It has no doubt reconstituted itself in some form after your dismantling.”
Torch pursed his lips before he nodded. “Undoubtedly. The coins were too good not to continue the business. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you anything, otherwise I would have paid them another visit myself.”
“And you know of no one who might help us?” Thorn persisted.
Our host sighed. “Alas, no. I exhausted my connections on my last bout with them and my caution against Helen being kidnapped has prevented me from making new contacts.”
“Our caution, dearest,” Helen corrected him in her gentle manner. “I would no more like to part from you than you from me.”
He smiled and inclined his head to her. “I accept the correction.”
Thorn leaned back from his half-finished plate and furrowed his brow. “I see. I will have to see what’s left of my own connections and work from there.”
Torch lifted a glass to him. “I wish you the best of luck, and should you discover who attempted to kidnap Helen those threeyears ago, I would very much appreciate that information.” He stiffened his jaw and his eyes shone with a hard, dangerous light. “Very much indeed.”
Helen set a hand on his shoulder. “Your temper, dearest.”
Torch shook himself and smiled at her. “A thousand pardons, my love. You know as well as anyone that I sometimes forget myself. It’s in our blood to be hot-blooded on all subjects worth worrying about.”
Helen turned her attention to me. “I believe we should be worrying about our guests. There is a weariness in Rose’s eyes that tells me I should show her to her room.”
I set my fork down and gave her a sheepish grin. “I am a little tired.”
Helen stood and grasped the back of her chair with one hand. “Then allow me to show you where you will sleep.”
“That’d be great,” I replied as I rose to my feet.
I will join you in a few minutes,” Thorn told me.
I nodded, and together Helen and I walked up the grand staircase to the second floor. I gawked at every little thing and was especially pleased to find the bedroom that Helen showed me was as comfortable and welcoming as the rest of the house. A large bed stood against the wall adjoining the hall, and opposite the door was a huge fireplace. A warm fire crackled in its hearth and a couple of chairs had been placed before it with a small table between them. A larger dresser finished off the furniture and throw rugs covered the cold floor, stifling the echo of the large room.
“I hope you’ll be comfortable here,” Helen told me as I took a couple of steps into the space.
I turned to her with a smile. “It’s wonderful. I’m sure we’ll both be comfortable here.”
“Does he intend to take you as his bride soon?”
The question was so sudden and out of left field that I started back. “Wha-? I, uh, I don’t really know. That is-” I shook off my shock and my eyebrows shot up. “How can you even tell that?”
She clasped her hands in front of herself and her eyes twinkled at me. “My gift as a bride is a heightened sense in regards to auras. I can see that your auras are not quite in sync yet.”
I blinked at her. “Your gift?”
She cocked her head to one side. “Has he not told you? All brides are endowed with some gift that helps them in their duty as a wife to their dragon lord.”
I shook my head. “He hasn’t said a thing about that.”
She studied me for a moment before her smile widened. “I see. Well, I shall not keep you from your rest. If there is anything you desire, you need only ask.”
She moved toward the door, but a question popped into my mind. “Helen.” She paused in the doorway and half-turned to me. “Are you. . .were you taken from another world into this one?”
