The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

fresh. And fear gone stale. Rosie wanted to run from him and the coiled tension in his muscles.
    “Why do you fear me?” His free hand jerked out to grasp her arm, as if sensing her need for flight.
    Rosie shrugged again and swallowed a scream.
    “You seem to fear many things.” Darville’s hand turned gentle, but still restrained her.
    “There are many things I do not understand.” She looked behind her, seeking a way out. “Until I do, I’m . . . I prefer to watch from a distance.” Rosie tugged her arm a little. Politeness had been drilled into her for so long she feared offending her betrothed almost as much as she dreaded remaining in his presence.
    “Wise advice, Princess. We would all profit from watching and listening rather than jumping to raw conclusions. My Council should be so cautious. And so must I.” A smile touched his lips. But his eyes were too weary to echo the sentiment.
    “I was told you were patrolling the hills with the army. Have you been gone all of these last five days?”
    “I’ve just returned.”
    “Alone?”
    His smile spread further. “We stable the steeds on the mainland. I came across by boat to the end of this tunnel, rather than walk through the city across the bridges.” The smile vanished. “There are times when even a king must be alone with his thoughts. When he must make a decision without benefit of council.”
    “Then I will not intrude, Your Grace.” Rosie ducked her head and tried to back away. He retained his grip on her arm.
    “Please stay. I need to see someone fresh and beautiful and innocent. You’re the only one I know in the city who answers that description.” His sadness radiated from him in almost tangible waves. “And call me Darville. If we are to be married, we might as well enjoy the privilege of first names. I understand your family calls you Rosie?”
    “I must return, Your Gr . . . Darville. My governess does not like me to be out of her sight for too long.” She struggled against his grip.
    “A young woman needs a chaperone. But I hope when you are my queen, Mistress Janataea will not continue to govern all of your actions.”
    What did his expression imply? He was both fierce and disgusted. She hoped he would not vent his emotions on her.
    “Janataea is very devoted to me. I cannot dismiss her.” True enough. Rosie couldn’t dismiss her guardian; only Uncle Rumbelly could do that. But she would certainly like to. Especially when Janataea came back from one of her secret outings in the middle of the night. For a long time Rosie had suspected her governess of having an affair with her uncle, or even with Kevin-Rosse. Now she wasn’t so certain. Janataea’s disdain for men seemed too genuine to allow a sexual liaison.
    “I’ll consider retaining her for our children.” Darville smiled down at her as he took a step along the corridor. His grip on her arm remained.
    “Release me. Please.” Rosie gulped.
    “Release my hand or release you from our betrothal?” He stopped walking to turn his glittering eyes on her.
    “Both.”
    “Explain.” His hand fell away. Flickering torchlight made his golden eyes fierce and feral.
    She was reminded of a wolf. Then she remembered the elusive scent on him. Death. Darville had recently killed something. Or someone.
    “I’m afraid of you. I’m afraid of marriage. Uncle Rumbelly made all the arrangements before he told me. I don’t know you, or your country.”
    Darville’s face lost all expression. “Ignorance breeds fear,” he muttered. At a cross corridor he paused, then moved on past it. “I’ll show you back to your apartment.”
    Rosie didn’t ask what was down the ignored tunnel. Her curiosity pulled her. Next time. She’d explore that one tomorrow. If he allowed her to stay in Coronnan.
    “This next corridor leads to the royal suite. We’ll move in there after the wedding. And off to our left is the staircase that will take you to your present bedchamber.” His tone was cold and impersonal.
    “You still insist on marrying me?”
    No answer.
    They began to climb the narrow stone steps.
    “Do all of the bedrooms have secret exits?” Rosie was surprised she hadn’t found this one. But then, she hadn’t had the opportunity to explore her own suite, not with Janataea keeping watch on her.
    “No. Only the family chambers are important enough to need an extra way out. This is the oldest part of the palace—the keep. It was built almost a thousand years ago, before