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“No, she isn’t,” Kormac stated loud enough for everyone to hear. He stalked toward his mother, a glower on his face. “We spotted a dragon when I visited Risead Pass, weeks before her arrival.”
“And it most likely came to Wexkord because of her,” his mother argued.
“Now you just sound foolish,” he harshly stated. “It is a wild animal, most likely drawn by the herds that have been travellingfor the yearly trading festival.” The farmers ran the flocks to the border of Ulkruuba where merchants bought them en masse.
“She doesn’t belong here!” his mother insisted.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Lady Frieda announced. “My granddaughter has every right to be here.”
A dead silence fell before his mother sputtered, “You have no grandchildren. Your only daughter fled with that merchant.”
“She left, yes, and had a child. Pretty sure you know how that happens, seeing as how you birthed one. Then again, given your mouth, it could be Gurlok chose to do his duty while you were asleep,” Lady Frieda stated with a curled lip.
His mother huffed. “Even if she is your granddaughter, she’s still only a half-blood.”
“So what? It’s not like she’s the only one. Why, I do believe your own sister married an Ulkruuban.”
His mother’s face turned red. “That’s different. They’re our closest neighbors.”
Lady Frieda laughed. “Just like my daughter’s husband. Also, when you speak of my granddaughter, you will do so with respect as she is a lady of this territory.”
“A witch can’t be?—”
Kormac cut off his mother. “The title of lady is Fionna’s right by birth, and she will be treated with respect not only because of her blood, which I will remind comes from a noble family that’s been around for generations, but because today she showed a bravery rarely seen. She didn’t cower and hide when the dragons attacked. She climbed atop the highest tower where she expended herself in defense of this city and everyone living in it. The only words I should be hearing from anyone are thanks. Thanks that she did have magic and we are not all frozen outside like those poor soldiers caught by the dragon’s breath. Or are you so caught in a hatred with no basis other than habit to recognize that without her, we’d most likely all have perished?”
His mother’s mouth opened and shut, but she didn’t speak, his father did. “Well said, my son. I’ve long been bothered by this hatred of the witches of Acca. They’re actually quite a nice bunch.”
“What would you know of them?” his mother hissed.
“Did I not mention my meetings with their queen? Lovely woman. I hear Fionna is not only the queen’s adjutant and envoy, but her personal ward. A lady twice over.”
With that announcement, his mother stalked off, and Lady Frieda beamed at Kormac. “Thank you for your words.”
“Don’t thank me for the truth. Fionna saved us today and it’s long past due we rid ourselves of baseless prejudice.”
“Such a good man you raised,” Lady Frieda said to his father.
“He is. Since I appear to have lost my dinner companion will you join me for a meal?”
“I actually came to check on my granddaughter.”
“She’s resting,” Kormac informed her. “The doctor says she overtaxed herself.”
“She must be feeling better. I went to her room, but she wasn’t there.”
Kormac felt heat in his cheeks as he mumbled, “She’s in my bed.”
The Lady Frieda lifted a brow.
“Because it was closest,” he hastened to explain. “She fainted and we lay her down after bringing her in from the rooftop.”
“Highly improper,” Lady Frieda sniffed.
“I assure you, nothing untoward has happened, and the door is being guarded by two of my most trusted men.” Peter and Bruun who’d shown they admired Fionna and wouldn’t be likely to kill her in her sleep.
“I’d like to see her.”
“Here I am.” Fionna’s sudden arrival choked all conversation in the room.
