The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

surge to the surface at any moment.
    “You, Prince Darville, have sullied the reputation of our beloved princess.” Kevin-Rosse wheeled to point an accusatory finger at Darville.
    Mikka choked back a protest, or was it a chuckle. They both knew that for the last two years, at least, she had been anything but beloved by her uncle and his officials.
    “The marriage must take place immediately,” the ambassador continued.
    “As soon as the banns have been posted,” Darville agreed. That would give him three weeks to find a way to separate Mikka from Rosie and get them both back into their appropriate bodies.
    “Tonight!” Kevin-Rosse demanded.
    “Such unseemly haste, my dear ambassador, will cause more gossip than a day’s adventures away from the palace. We will be married with all the appropriate pomp and ceremony as soon as the banns are posted.”
    “Tomorrow at the latest,” Janataea demanded, stepping around Mikka’s chair to face Darville. “Gossip runs through this palace like a wildfire on the plateau. By midnight the entire capital will know that our princess has been compromised. If word reaches her uncle. . . .” She paused and looked at each of the Council members in turn. “Regent Rumbellesth will have every reason to assemble an invasion force to punish you.”
    Heavy silence followed her pronouncement. So the threat was still there. Rumbellesth didn’t want an alliance, he wanted an excuse for war.
    A few days ago, before Darville knew the truth about Mikka and her cat, he would have welcomed the opportunity for returning the princess to her native land, signing a new treaty with SeLenicca, and massing his own army on the borders.
    Now he couldn’t do that. He loved Mikka too much. He looked forward to the day he would truly marry her—Mikka, not Rosie. How could he marry either while they both resided in the same body?
    “Since you are all so concerned with gossip, why don’t we just all agree never to speak of this matter again,” Darville suggested. “The marriage will take place at the appropriate time and not a moment sooner—or later. When the banns have been posted.”
    “The marriage will take place tomorrow at noon!” Lord Krej marched the full length of the room to stand before Darville and the ambassador. “As Lord Regent of Coronnan, I command it.”
    “You aren’t regent now, Lord Krej. And you will never be king,” Darville growled.
    “The Council backs me on this. Over half the army owes allegiance to me first, Coronnan second, and you not at all. You will not be king until you wed the Princess Rossemikka. My term of regency was voted to end on the day a new king is crowned. Refuse to wed her and you will be removed from the line of succession. Then I will be king. My troops will see to that.”
    Darville rose in challenge to his cousin. His hand automatically reached for the dagger Zolltarn had restored to him.
    “Excuse me, my lords.” Holmes cleared his throat behind Darville.
    “The Lady Brevelan, Lord Krej’s acknowledged daughter, has just give birth to a son.” Holmes bowed his head in respect. “The baby is blond and promises to have golden eyes, sir,” he whispered so that only Darville and Krej could hear.

Chapter 24
     
    M ikka pricked up her ears at the aide’s whispered words. There were advantages to retaining her cat senses. She heard every nuance of the last statement. The aide implied that Darville was the father of Brevelan’s baby.
    Depression threatened to overwhelm her. She should have known. She had been with Darville and Brevelan and Jaylor on that long quest last spring. The three of them had been inseparable, supporting each other, thinking for each other much of the time. And she, Mica, had been only a cat, a cuddly comfort on cold nights or during a brief moment of solitude.
    Her truly close companionship with Darville hadn’t come until Jaylor and Brevelan had retreated to the clearing. Mica had elected to stay with Darville, sensing he needed her more than Brevelan and Jaylor did.
    Who needed her now?
    Not Darville. He was still in love with Brevelan. She had never deluded herself into believing he would ever love anyone as completely as he did Brevelan. And now there was the baby to bind them closer.
    Her brother, Rossemanuel, would achieve his crown soon. Perhaps he would make a place for her in his court. She was certain there would be no more marriage offers after she refused Darville. Not that she could ever marry