The Nanny Who Stole the Dragon Lord's Heart

They stripped me of everything, my lands, my title. A flyer on a weathered stone wall caught my eye. Help wanted, caretaker for a dragon heir must speak hydroconic. Patient heart required. Room, board, and protection guaranteed. Now I stood before the bronze gates of Dragonspire. Our Lord is looking for someone who can care for his heir, not someone trying to become his wife. Remember that. our Lord's bloodline runs six generations deep. I kept my eyes down, straight ahead. This job was perfect. I had lost my inheritance that very morning. Marriage was the last thing on my mind, but caring for a child gave me a roof. I would not need to pay for a leaky inn; it was a lifeline. I bowed my head. I understand, trust me. Romance is the last thing I'm looking for. The steward led me into the great hall. At the long stone table, a dragon lord and his son faced off. The lord held a clay bowl and wooden spoon; he looked annoyed. The boy pressed his lips shut—he would not give in. Time froze. Finally, the lord sighed. He lost. He set the bowl down. His strong fingers pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just one bite... one tiny bite. "Please. my lord, another petitioner. This one looks quiet. The man turned slowly; he wore simple black leather trousers and a white linen tunic. The top bone clasp was undone, and I saw a shadow of collarbone. His sleeves were rolled up, and his pale forearms were solid muscle. I had heard Bard sing of this face, too handsome to forget. I had worried about a trap, but then I saw his face. And the faint dragon scales at his temples. A man like this had no reason to trick a ruined woman like me. His voice held exhaustion. Your name? I guessed he had just finished a dragon bond negotiation. He had not even removed his armor before trying to feed the boy, and he had failed. Feeding this child was harder than sealing 10 ancient packs. Sarah gave a tiny nod and held out the bowl. Sarah, try.

This was the test I had to pass. If I stayed, I would not sleep in the wild tonight. I took the bowl. I smiled my best caring smile. I walked toward the boy. He darted under the table. Only his dark eyes showed. They looked like dragon crystals. He shouted at the Lord. "No! Send her away! I don't want her! They're all bad women! " So I was not the first. I had to do better. I looked around. Dragon Hero carvings sat in every corner; I grabbed two Flame Garden Winglord and placed them under the table beside him. Don't worry, I am not feeding you. I am feeding them. Eat up! You need strength to guard your people. A baby dragon who won't eat stays skinny. He cannot protect himself. How can he protect his clan? Oh, you want fire root? Yes, that gives you flame. The boy lay there forgotten. He pouted, his nose turned red, he was about to cry "Oh. there is a baby dragon here, Flame Guard, can you share your stew? "He needs it to grow strong like you. Before my spoon reached him, he bit it. He ate several mouthfuls, then he glared at me. Why didn't you give me fire root? Are you scared I will beat Flame Guard? Bad woman! I looked back at the Lord, his brow relaxed, he gave me an approving smile.

Earl ate three bowls, his belly swelled round, he hiccoughed like a hatchling. I walked him and the Griffin around the Worm Gardens for half an hour. I did not know Aldric watched from the tower window, he saw his son race over the field. A. thin smile touched his lips, the first in ages. The steward sighed. She must know some old dragon magic. A young lord would not eat, would not speak, would not move one day, and he is changed. My lord, I think we found the right one. When I went upstairs, Aldric sat in the hall, legs crossed. I was about to take oral to the baths, Aldric stopped me. Sarah, a word. I gave the boy to the steward, I sat across from the Lord. You have a way with young dragons, have you raised one before? No, but I cared for the young of my exhusband's. clan for two years. His family had mocked my dragon tongue studies; they ordered me to quit. I quit, then they called me useless, they fired the servants, they made me nurse the children, they took my books Aldric. nodded The records say your marriage bond was broken. Yes. why different ranks? Aldric's eyes darkened. You saw the noticeI need a guardian for Ariel; he has no security. He stays inside, refuses to leave the gates, and will not attend the academy. I am busy with the conclave; I need a patient woman, a caretaker. We will sign a formal bondmate pact witnessed by the conclave. I nodded, I understand.

That night I stayed in here. The citadel had three towers. Orle and I shared the second floor solar. Lord Aldric kept the third floor worm roost. The steward warned me again and again. never go to the third floor. A previous petitioner tried to climb into his bed at midnight. He drove her out with dragon fire and banned her from his lands for life. I nodded fast; I promised to stay in my place. Strong fathers raise strong sons. The heir slept alone at four, that made my job easier. The next afternoon, Aldric returned from the conclave. I stood before the gates feeding Orla Stu. Or else sat on the courtyard steps beside a golden griffinone bite for the griffin, one bite for Orla. They ate happily. Sarah, explain why my heir is eating the tension beside a Griffith. His voice was sharp and cold; I jumped. Row rather we are playing! See, I eat faster than Gold Feather. Rar rar rar. Aldrick's frown deepened. He looked at the steward; the steward's face was a mask. He hesitated. My lord? Her methods are odd. but they work before we chased him, he would not eat today. He ate two bowls, he swore to beat the Griffin. Aldric's jaw tightened, his lips pressed flat. He watched as his air ate roots, venison, and broth. He let out a breath. Well, their dishes should be separate. Don't worry, my lord; your gryph is clean. She never touches his spoon. Aldric blinked; his face darkened. He turned and entered the citadel.

From that day, oral stayed by my side, Aldric was busy at the conflict. Only we two were home, and I needed to visit the healing house for a checkup and herbs. The steward had warned meOral could not pass the gates; the stress would seal his heart tighter. I asked him to wait in the soul. "I'll hurry back," I said, but Oral grabbed my hand. He said nothing; he looked at me with sad eyes. The steward sighed, "He fears you will leave. "That you will not want him. I stroked his head. I am not leaving. I will see the healer and return read epochs with you. Play alone for a bit, yes. before I could explain more, he climbed onto the saddle, the steward asked the word. young Lord, you go with Mistress Sarah. Silent, the steward wept . "The fire sees all. Bless House Valtherax.

That night, I lay in the solar. Arrel pushed open my door. He stood there, torn. What is it. Sarah, will you read me Dragon Epic. what for a moment I thought I had miss her. I will ask Father to pay you more if you do not want to forget it. Come here, I beckoned. The young dragon climbed in that night; he fell asleep to the old epics. The next morning, Aldric heard shock flicker across his face, then approval. "Sarah, you have done well. I will add 15 gold dragons a month. " "My lord, that is too much. " It truly was; I had given far more in my last marriage. When it ended, I could not even afford an inn. My lord, you pay too generously. I like Arid; he hides a warm heart beneath his silence. He is kind. I only read to him. It was nothing truly. Then I felt her war. A little hand grabbed my hand. Earl held it. He looked up at me. His face was serious. Past petitioners only cared about my bloodline. They ignored Ariel's heart. The raised stands. I could not refuse, I thanked him.

High Dragon Clans always do this. My last marriage bond started with free will, no ceremonies and no supports. The rank gap between my exbondmate and me was too wide. We still signed papers before the conclave. When the fire died, the bond ended. I lost everything, even my ring; Aldric was higher than anyone, and his pact would be strict. I only need a safe place, no formal pact needed. The pact is for Arviel; he needs a longterm guardian. A marriage bond is the strongest oath. I obeyed. As you wish. you will receive 30 gold dragons a month for your needs. This matter is important to me; I had been burned before. My lord, if the pact ends one day. can I keep the gold? Of course, it is yours. Good, the word Ruth has ancient wards, I do not seek a true bond yet you stay in the solar, I stay. above good, I do not seek one either three days after my bond broke, I entered a new one. Like the first, there was no fire ceremony at dinner. The steward added rare dishes; Aldric handed me a dragon scale ring, which I waved off. Not needed... For Ariel. Fine, thank you for the expense.