Dragon Blood

Five: Time for a Party

Jonathan seemed to stand taller at that statement. "I would be honored, but it would be better manners for you to dance with one of your guests first."

Disappointment filled Skylar, but she understood his reasons. "Second then."

Her statement was rewarded with a chuckle. "I'll hold you to that." Perhaps her birthday celebration wouldn't be too horrible after all.

"How are your grandmother and grandfather?" Skylar asked him. She hooked her elbow through his and they began to stroll leisurely through the quiet courtyard. The birds that lived there always avoided her, as though they could sense how much of a danger she imposed. Her presence didn't stop the bumbling bees and other insects that lived amongst the flowers and she grinned at a particularly large bee as it meandered across their path.

"Well, as I expected, though it had been far too long since I had gone to see them," he sighed. "I need to visit them more." His father's parents lived on an estate that was about a week's ride south of the castle. They could have taken in the young Jonathan when his father was killed, but when the king offered for the orphan to live at the castle, the elderly couple quickly agreed. To have their grandson live amongst the royalty? Who would say no to that? When he was younger, servants would accompany him to the estate twice a year to stay with his grandparents for a few weeks. But ever since he became a knight, that had stopped. It had been three years since he had been able to make the journey.

"I'm sure that they are just glad to see you when they can, Jonathan," Skylar assured her friend. "They understand that you have your responsibilities just like everyone else."

"I know, but they're family, Sky," he lifted one shoulder and let it drop. "They're all I've got left."

"Hey," she pulled him to a stop. "You seem to forget that we've been friends ever since you intruded upon our home."

A corner of his full-lipped mouth lifted. "Intruded?"

"Yes, intruded. You were three years older than me, and you were mean, quiet, and ignored me."

"That obviously didn't stop you trying to get my attention."

"I'm not easily deterred, you know that. Either way, I've always been there for you to keep you from making a fool of yourself and I'll continue to do that until I've decided you can do it on your own."

"A fool of myself?" he raised a blond eyebrow with a bemused grace.

Skylar nodded at him, pleased that he was coming out of his sullen mood. His hazel eyes gleamed in amusement at her. "Mmmhmm. Like saying things that aren't true. Everyone at the castle is your family. Everyone adores you and would be greatly offended to hear that you don't feel the same."

"And that would make me a fool."

"Of a sort."

"You're right." His eyes narrowed. "I hate it when you do that."

"So, all the time?"

That got her a true laugh, which filled her with pride. It was easy enough to amuse Jonathan but to get him to honestly laugh was a feat that she did not take lightly.

"Yes, Princess, all the time." He offered his elbow, which she took once again. As he lead her down the deserted path, he chatted about his time spent with his grandparents. His eyes lit up as he spoke of finally beating his grandfather at chess, which he had been attempting since he was a little boy. Skylar loved watching him talk about things he was excited about; it was the only time he really let himself go. He used his hands to talk and his mouth contorted endearingly as he tried to talk around his grin. "My grandmother sent something for me to give you."