see it in your face. Come, sit by me and tell me.”
“Dillon has decided it is time to marry
“’Tis time,” Nidhug responded.
“But Nidhug, do you not see my problem?”
“Do you still fret yourself over that foolish old law, child?” the dragon asked her.
“I have known a man other than my husband, Nidhug. I am no better than a common creature in some tavern,” Cinnia said.
“Nonsense!” the dragon replied. “That law was a foolish law created by men who did not mind doing what they shouldn’t, but penalized Belmair’s females for being victimized by the Yafir. The king was right to declare it null and void. You, yourself, have told me that the Yafir never return a woman until it is absolutely certain she cannot produce children, and then only if they chose to return. And how do they return? As frail old women who are then driven out of their families and their communities for being impure. Left to die! This was not a law worthy of our Belmairan hearts, Cinnia.”
“I am not an old woman, Nidhug,” Cinnia said.
“Nay, you are not. Nor did you bear the Yafir lord a child. Did you ever consider why you seemed to be infertile?” the dragon asked her.
“There is another reason Dillon should send me away!” Cinnia exclaimed. “No matter how often Ahura Mazda used me I did not conceive his child.”
“You are not infertile, Cinnia,” Nidhug told her. “When you were first wed Dillon enchanted your womb in order to protect you, and any child you would bear him. He feared that until he could make peace with the Yafir a child could be used against Belmair. He wanted to spare you such pain. And a good thing, too,” the dragon declared. “We certainly never expected Ahura Mazda to steal you away.”
Cinnia was astounded. “Oh, he has saved me from such misery,” she cried, but then she said, “Poor Sapphira! Her womb is not closed.”
“It was while Dillon kepther, but it is no longer,” Nidhug told her.
“Was she really as Dillon has portrayed her, or has he just said those things in hopes of soothing my battered conscience?” Cinnia asked the dragon.
“It was quite odd,” Nidhug began. “She looked just like you but for her eyes, which were darker. The king lightened them, however, before he sent her to Yafirdom. But in character she was your opposite. Greedy. Spiteful. Mean-spirited. The servants despised her and feared her.”
“So that is why they avoid me,” Cinnia noted thoughtfully.
“What of Sapphira’s family? I know little of her but that she is Duke Tullio’s niece. Who are her parents?” Cinnia wanted to know.
“Her mother is the duke’s sister, Margisia. Her father was a wastrel who ran off years ago. She was raised in the duke’s household,” the dragon said.
“Am I apt to see the duke and his sister? Do they come here often?” Cinnia asked. “Certainly they will know that I am not Sapphira.”
“They have not been back since the day Sapphira came to the castle. It is unlikely you will see them often,” Nidhug said.
“If Dillon persists in this foolishness to marry
“The king can give you enough of Sapphira’s memories temporarily if they come. But of course we can arrange for a great storm to encompass Belmair when you marry the king again. That way few guests can come. I suspect you would like it better that way.”
“Dreng would get here no matter,” Cinnia muttered.
“Poor Dreng. He paraded two of his granddaughters, sweet girls, I must say, beneath the king’s nose, and your husband could see neither of them. Lina and Panya were their names. They liked to dance sedate little dances for the king. And then Sapphira came, and danced a dance stripping off the many scarlet veils she wore, making their dances irrelevant.” Nidhug chuckled.
“Sapphira sounds very bold,” Cinnia murmured.
“She was bold,” Nidhug said. “She made it clear that she wanted the king. That is why I am certain she has settled in quite nicely with the Yafir lord. Once she gained the lay of the land she would come to terms with it, for Sapphira may be venal, but I do not believe anyone could call her stupid.”
“That is what Dillon has told me,” Cinnia said thoughtfully.
“It is true?”
“Of course it is truth,” Nidhug responded impatiently. “Why would you doubt the king’s word, my child?”
“Because he has manipulated the law to suit his purposes,” Cinnia said stubbornly.
“All men are capable of lying,” Nidhug remarked. “But I do not believe the king would ever lie to you, Cinnia. His love for you is such that he moved heaven and earth to find you. And then when he found you, he found a way to bring you home. You are a fortunate woman to have such love lavished upon you. True love such as King Dillon has for you, Cinnia, is rare. It should be cherished, not callously tossed aside.”
“Have you found love with Prince Cirillo?” Cinnia said slyly.
“He is faerie. I am dragon,” Nidhug replied. “And we are speaking of you, not me, my child.”
“Is it forbidden somewhere that you cannot love one another simply because of your differences?” Cinnia asked softly.
“We take pleasures together,” Nidhug allowed.
“Is not love required for pleasures?” Cinnia probed.
“You know from your own experience that it is not,” the dragon said sharply.
“I have heard the rumors since my return. Rumors of a passion shared by both you and my husband’s uncle,” Cinnia murmured. “Are they truth?”
“We take pleasures together,” Nidhug said stubbornly.
“Dragon, answer me! Remember who I am,” Cinnia said.
“Sorceress of Belmair, remember ’tis I who have taught you what little you know,” the dragon responded. “Now let us return to your problem.”
A light knock sounded upon the privy chamber door.
“Come in!” Nidhug called. “Ah, Tavey, bless you. I am just in the mood for a light repast. What has Sarabeth sent us?” The dragon viewed the tray eagerly. “Meat pies! A roasted duck! Fruit jellies and a bowl of baked apples! Did you bring something for my guest, Tavey?”
“I have brought Queen Cinnia a little plate of iced cakes and camomile tea,” Tavey said with a little bow.
“The lady Sapphira, Tavey,” the dragon corrected her servant.
“If you wish, mistress,” Tavey replied.
“What do you mean,
“Mistress, I have served you several hundred years, and I believe I have come to know you well,” Tavey said. “Even if you had made your peace with the lady Sapphira you would not allow her the privilege of your privy chamber. Nor would that lady have known you well enough to instruct me to bring refreshment as she entered your house.”
“You’re a busybody!” Nidhug said.
“I am observant as a good servant should be,” Tavey said with a small smile. “And I understand the king’s need for secrecy, given the narrow minds in Belmair.”
“You are not repelled by me?” Cinnia asked him.
“I see nothing repellent,” Tavey replied. “I see only my queen.”
“Thank you,” Cinnia said, and tears filled her eyes.
“I will withdraw now, and continue my duties,” Tavey told them, and departed the dragon’s privy chamber.
“You see!” Nidhug said triumphantly.
“He is your dear and loyal retainer, and has known me my whole life,” Cinnia responded. “His heart is good, but even he knows the dangerous path we travel.”
“And he will keep the secret. Cinnia, my child, aye, the path is fraught with peril, but believe me when I tell you
