No. She wasn’t a big fan of the Fins, but she could appreciate their engineering skills because this was amazing.

Ghleanna turned and saw the two dragons guarding her door. The two sleeping dragons. Her first thought was that they were lazy but then she wondered if they’d been on duty since her arrival. She knew a few commanders who did that at home. They’d get so caught up in whatever they were doing that they’d forget the little things. For instance, that dragons can’t stay awake all day, every day until your hostage leaves your custody.

About to return to her bed—even if she were completely healed, she wouldn’t be making a run for it without Bram—Ghleanna heard someone call out, “My Lord General!”

She looked over and saw a large dragon stop at the end of a hallway and turn to face whoever had called him.

Realizing how the sleeping Fins would look—and having been in the same position more than once when left on duty too long—Ghleanna went to the guards and lifted the eyelid of one, then the other.

“Get up,” she said low. “Your commander is coming.” She gestured with her free arm. “Get up, get up, get up!”

They did, scrambling to their claws and standing at attention just as the General made his way down to her room.

“What’s she doing out here?” the General demanded.

“I’m looking for my companion.” Not much of a lie. “Where is he?”

“I have no idea. But I want you back in your room.”

“Just admit it.” She walked up to him, leaned her head all the way back so she could see that far up. “You’re afraid I’m going to take you on. Right now. Just like this.” She held up her one fist. “Let’s go, General. Let me show you my skills.”

The General chuckled and shook his massive head. “Get some rest, Land Dweller. Perhaps, when you’re feeling better, we’ll have that challenge. Until then . . .”

“Your fear amuses me, General.” She grinned and headed back to her room.

The General moved on and one of the soldiers let out a breath. “Thanks for that.”

“No problem. But if you’ve been here for more than a day, you need a break. Have someone else take watch as soon as you can manage it. Besides—” she shrugged and headed inside her room—“it’s not like I’m going anywhere at the moment.”

“You sent for me, Empress?”

“I did, Bram. Please.” She motioned him closer. And he was surprised to find Helena in her human form, her bright blue dress glittering in the glowing light coming from the walls. “What do you think?” she asked when he stood beside her.

“It’s beautiful, my Lady.”

They stood on a landing that overlooked an enormous hot spring.

“Would you like to try it out?”

“No thank you, my Lady.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I’ll never be able to relax while I’m in it.”

“Because of Kleitos?”

“Because of all of you.”

The Empress smiled. “I do like your honesty. You know, Bram, when I sent you off the last time I truly never thought to see you again. And I never expected to see my lover return—but you did as you promised. You got him released.”

“I did. But I haven’t seen him since my arrival. Is he—”

“I had him executed,” she told him flatly. “For treason, a few years back.” She shrugged, not appearing remotely fazed by that. “Long story. Anyway,” she went on, “I’m relying on your innate nature now.”

“I don’t under—”

“A truce, peacemaker.”

“With me?”

“With Rhiannon.”

Bram blinked. “Rhiannon who?”

“Your queen.”

“The one you called wide ass?”

“One time. Gods that viper forgets nothing!”

“If you want my honesty, Empress, there is no way—”

“Make it happen.”

“Rhiannon will—”

“You’re not hearing me, peacemaker.” Helena stepped closer to Bram. “You will get me a truce. I want it and you’ll get it for me.”

“I can’t force Queen Rhiannon to do anything.”

“You can persuade her. You’re very good at that.”

“Yes, but—”

“And I am trying so very hard to keep your low-born pet safe. Yet Chancellor Kleitos loathes her. I have him on a tight leash, but . . .” Helena briefly pursed her lips. “What if that leash slipped from my grasp?”

Bram clenched his jaw, but said nothing.

“I’m sure you remember your time with Kleitos, yes? I’m sure I need not remind you.”

“No, my Lady. You need not remind me.”

“Excellent. Then you’ll promise me, yes? A truce. A favorable truce with your queen.”

“Aye. I promise.”

“Excellent,” she said again. “Excellent.” Then Helena walked off, leaving Bram to stare off across the cavern, rage and hatred making him unable to move for quite some time.

Ghleanna waited up as long as she could manage, hoping to see Bram before she fell asleep. Human servants came in, bringing her food and a tub so she could bathe. She’d done that and eaten—but still Bram had not returned.

And while she’d debated whether she should go out and track him down—she’d fallen asleep. Yet now she sensed Bram’s return, and knew he stood over her—staring.