Danna

She walked into the house. It had been a strange week. Commander Chastain had settled into a rhythm. He woke in the morning, greeted her and Tanner, did whatever it was rangers did and returned in the evenings. He was friendly and pleasant and kept his distance.

But she noticed him watching her, even when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. She hadn’t been to see Seshi again, worried that the Commander might follow her.

And there was of course the voice in the back of her mind that didn’t mind the way he looked at her, with something between desire and fascination. She walked towards the kitchen to start on dinner when Cole walked in and shouted for her. She walked out to the hall and froze, seeing him standing with Commander Prior Chastain.

“Hello Mistress Finn,” The Commander walked over and took her hand and kissed it.

“Commander,” she said with a swallow. Cole narrowed his eyes. “I’m surprised to see you.”

“Well, I saw you weren’t present so thought I’d take Master DuParner up on his invitation,” he nodded to Cole. “I remembered your warning about Tanner’s cooking.” She smiled inspite of myself.

“Please,” Cole smiled. “Call me Cole.” Commander Chastain smiled warmly back, but, she noted didn’t ask Cole to call him Prior. “Danna, had you started on dinner.”

“Not yet,” she said. “Was just about to.” Cole kissed her possessively and swatted her behind as she hurried back to the kitchen.

“She’s something isn’t she?” Danna overhead Cole say.

“You’re a lucky man,” she heard the Commander say. She sighed and began boiling some of the stock she’d made with a rabbit carcass, thickening it with flour to make a gravy, as a second rabbit roasted on the stove. She looked out the window and jumped seeing a smaller golden dragon waiting and staring at her. “Jersa, you can’t be here.”

“Lord Seshi said you might be in trouble,” she whispered, but a dragon’s whisper was still quite loud. “I wanted to apologize if it was my fault.” Danna smiled at her.

“I’m not in trouble, Jersa, but you will be if you don’t go,” Danna said. She tossed her head and took off. Dragons were impossible creatures. Jersa was young, according to Seshi she had been just a baby when Amina had trapped them.

“Danna,” Cole called out. She exhaled and walked out to the parlor. Commander Chastain’s smile looked like cracked plaster, until his eyes met hers and they lit up again. What did he see, she wondered, that changed everything about his face when he looked at her? “How long will dinner take?”

“An hour or so,” she said, “I was planning to have it when you got home, but you were early.” She sat on Cole’s knee and he kissed her neck gently. “What were you two talking about?”

“Dorin,” Commander Chastain said. “When were you last there?” Cole laughed.

“Five years,” he shrugged. “I ought to go back soon.” Danna felt her body tense. “I’ve built something here though.” He ran a finger against her jawline. Suddenly Danna realized what was happening. Cole was marking his territory. The Commander smiled. “Do you know my city well?”

“Well enough,” Commander Chastain said casually and sipped on his drink. “I was last there for the naming of Alexander DuCray’s youngest child.” Cole froze. “So, a year ago? Quite the feast. Not quite as extravagent as Alex and Emily’s wedding, but the queen didn’t come so I imagine that was the reason.” Cole’s face was stone cold.

“You’re acquainted with the Chancellor’s family, then?” Cole said. The Commander shrugged.

“Tristan Dugarry was my partner for many years, before he returned to leading the guard.” He said casually. Danna stared at him. Even she’d heard of the Dugarry twins. Chastain wasn’t someone the guard had thrown away. He was important, or at least, moved in important circles.

“I see,” Cole’s voice had gone cold. Not good. Very bad. “So you know the Chancellor well enough to know he likes his secrets.”

“I know The Old Man well enough to know if I ask for a charter in Annalise’s name, and it wasn’t provided, someone daring to use him for cover without leave would find himself in a storm very quickly,” Chastain’s eyes were sharp. “But that isn’t the case here, I’m sure. Lady Dugarry said that she knows your sister.” Cole nodded.

“Yes, my sister was friendly with the DuKarras girls when I left,” he said. “I’m not sure where the paperwork for the charter is, if I’m honest, been a while since I had to pull it out. But I’ll get it to you.”

“Much appreciated,” Chastain drained his drink.

“I should check on the meal,” Danna stood up and went to the kitchen. So he wasn’t here about the dragons. He’d smelled that Cole’s operation wasn’t on the level.

Danna wasn’t sure which was more dangerous.