Princess Percipia ran so quickly up the long flight of stairs in the palace that she was out of breath when she reached the summit. She didn’t slow down, but raced down the corridor.

She was annoyed, because she’d been compelled to return from Regalia to Incendium for one of her notebooks. She wished she’d taken it with her in the first place, or recorded the notes in her computing device. As she took the stairs two at a time, she cursed her own lack of foresight.

She was running out of time to coordinate the two massive fireworks displays, one on Incendium and one on Regalia, that would be her gift to Gemma and Venero, to celebrate the official naming of their child.

She was even later than she’d hoped, too late to get the book and return to Regalia immediately. The one good thing was that she’d just used a Starpod and hadn’t needed to dock at the Star Station. The comm said it was secured with no arrivals or departures allowed. She wondered in the back of her mind what had happened, but was more concerned with getting her book.

There was a slim chance she could sneak out without being drawn into a family consultation, but it wasn’t a good chance given the disruption in the palace. Something had happened, but Percipia was less concerned with the specific events than getting what she needed.

In a palace occupied by dragon shifters, there was always some crisis.

When she reached the area of the palace that housed the princesses’ apartments, Percipia was relieved to hear them still arguing about the same thing. They had been deciding who would move into which rooms when she left and apparently the debate continued. Maybe that meant her notebooks were untouched. Percipia could hope.

The apartment intended for the oldest resident princess was so much bigger than the others that the space was highly coveted. Drakina had occupied it for centuries, until meeting her HeartKeeper and moving into the apartment for the heiress and Consort. That apartment was closer to the king and queen’s apartment, and richer again. Gemma had never occupied the best princess suite, having been married to the Prince of Regalia so soon after Drakina’s HeartKeeper ceremony. Thalina, next oldest, had started to move into the suite but had been so distracted by the construction of her automatons that she hadn’t finished the move. Her tools were still in her old room and only her shoes and some of her clothing were in the wardrobe. The other sisters had been prepared to sort everything out, but then Thalina’s Carrier of the Seed had entered the palace and captured her.

Percipia had read about that on the comm on her way back to Incendium and was curious to learn more.

She saw Bellatora striding down the corridor from the opposite direction. That sister marched into the apartment where the sisters were arguing with purpose. Percipia paused on the threshold to catch her breath and saw that most of the unmarried sisters were assembled there.

Percipia always counted her sisters in order of birth. The oldest in Thalina’s absence was Enigma, the fourth daughter, and she sat back in her characteristic watchful silence, listening as she toyed with a tendril of her long, dark hair. There was something languid about Enigma, yet watchful. She always reminded Percipia of a large beautiful cat.

Percipia herself was fifth-born, then Bellatora, Mistress of the Hunt, also blessed with raven hair, was sixth. Bellatora was pacing with her usual restlessness.

Anguissa, the star pilot, was seventh but absent, and curious Callida, with her auburn hair and secret diary, was eighth. The ninth daughter of Ouros and Ignita was blond Tempera; tenth was the equally blond Splendea; eleventh was the romantic Flammara with her glorious red hair—who was, even now, glancing out the window at intervals in hope of spying her admirer, the knight Thierry—and last, but certainly not least, was pretty, sweet Pericula.

“What’s happened?” Splendea asked Bellatora. “What’s all the noise about?”

“What happened to Thalina?” Tempera asked, rising to her feet with concern. “Did she claim the Seed?”

“Who is her Carrier?” Callida asked.

“You just want to record the details in your diary,” Flammara accused Callida.

“There’s plenty about you there already,” Callida taunted and Flammara blushed.

Percipia continued to her own room. To her relief, her notebooks were exactly as she’d left them and she grabbed the one she needed. Apparently, the moving of possessions between chambers had ground to a halt with her departure. She wondered why but didn’t much care. She pivoted, intending to return to her Starpod if possible.

“Father’s been hurt,” Bellatora said, her words making Percipia stop in dismay.

“We heard that already from Kraw,” Flammara said but Percipia hadn’t heard.

That explained the uproar in the palace below.

“How bad is it?” Percipia asked.

Her sisters gathered around Bellatora, all talking at once. She held up a hand. “He’ll be fine.” Relief passed through the cluster of dragon princesses and they became quieter.

“You’re not just saying that?” Enigma asked quietly and Bellatora shook her head.

“What happened?” asked Callida again.

“The greater chronicles of the dragons of Incendium are being compiled as we speak,” Splendea complained in an undertone.

“Think it will be a bestseller?” Tempera teased and they laughed together.

“It would be a page-turner, that’s for sure,” Callida snapped.

“There was a battle and Father was hurt,” Bellatora said, looking ready to seek vengeance. She hadn’t been appointed Mistress of the Hunt without reason.

A battle? In the palace? Percipia was shocked.

“Surely, he will heal?” asked Peri, her eyes wide with concern. “I could ask Nero to do a chart.”

“There’s no reason for that,” Bellatora said, as impatient with astrology as ever, never mind Peri’s fascination with the newest astrologer at court. “Father will be fine. Thalina was captured by an intruder, who retreated to the Hoard with her.”

“We know that,” Callida said, rolling her eyes.

Bellatora glared at her before continuing. “You might not know that Ector led a charge against them, intending to save Thalina. Instead, Father was hit with the dart containing the sedative that was intended for Thalina.”

Flammara frowned. “Surely it was intended for the intruder?”

“He’s the Carrier of her Seed,” Percipia said. “I heard it on the comm.”

Bellatora nodded. “Father was afraid she’d shift to defend him.”

“Captured by the Carrier of the Seed!” Peri said, her eyes sparkling. “How romantic!”

“How dashing!” Splendea agreed.

“How foolish,” Bellatora said crisply.

“Is he imprisoned now?” asked Percipia. “Or dead?”

“What about Father?” Callida asked.

“Father’s just drowsy,” Bellatora supplied. “By tomorrow, he’ll be his usual self.”

“Probably roaring for heads to roll,” Flammara predicted and the sisters calmed a little more.

Percipia persisted. “Is the Carrier captured, killed, or did he escape?”

Bellatora looked grim. “He and Thalina fled to the starport. Father had closed the Star Station in anticipation of their flight, but this is the incredible part.” The sisters leaned closer, eyes bright. “Anguissa had just docked the Archangel, and she took them on board.”

“Anguissa’s back!” Peri cried with delight.

Bellatora shook her head. “Not any more. She left with Thalina and the Carrier.”

Percipia wasn’t truly surprised that Anguissa, the most rebellious of them all, had helped Thalina and her Carrier escape. Where would they go?

Enigma sighed and spoke for the first time. “I miss Anguissa and Drakina. They never were afraid to challenge Father.”

Splendea frowned. “But could Anguissa override Father’s command to secure the Star Station?”

“That co-pilot of hers could have done it,” Callida said. “Bond is his name.” She flipped through her diary and her voice dropped. “I’ve heard things about him.”

“What kind of things?” Enigma asked, her tone lazy but her eyes glinting.

“He can break security systems and get around safeguards,” Callida supplied. “He’s supposed to be brilliant with compromising nav systems.”

“No wonder he and Anguissa get along so well,” Bellatora said, a thread of disapproval in her tone. Enigma chuckled. “But Anguissa didn’t break the security code. I think her crew had left the Archangel already.”

“Then they should be trapped at the Star Station,” Flammara concluded. “You must be wrong that the Archangel left.”

Bellatora shook her head. “No, Mother gave them clearance to depart. Father isn’t very happy, even though he agrees that Thalina needs to claim the Seed.”

A boisterous chatter broke out at that, though Enigma remained silent. She was thinking, maybe even scheming, and Percipia knew it.

Percipia smiled at her. “I guess that means you get the best room. You’re oldest now.”

“I guess so, but I’d rather do something other than move clothes and shoes.” Enigma got to her feet as languid and elegant as ever. She shook out her hair. “We should go dancing tonight.”

“Even with Thalina on the run and Father injured?” Peri demanded, her eyes wide with horror.

“It’s a perfect opportunity,” Enigma said, her manner confident and persuasive. “Father and Mother are busy with each other. The palace must be in chaos as everyone tries to tend to Father’s needs, or anticipate them.” She glanced at Percipia who nodded agreement.

“There are servants running in every direction. It’s wild down there.”

“But Father has forbidden us to go into the city to dance,” Peri said.

“That hasn’t stopped Enigma,” Callida said darkly and the youngest of the sisters looked alarmed.

“No one will miss us,” Enigma insisted. “Even the guards will be regrouping after their attempt to stop Thalina.”

“They sustained some injuries,” Bellatora confirmed.

“Not Thierry?” Flammara gasped.

“Not Thierry,” Bellatora confirmed, weariness in her tone. Percipia exchanged a glance with her. Why Flammara thought so much of that knight was beyond both of them, and they’d discussed it repeatedly.

“Unfortunately,” Percipia murmured, earning a glare from Flammara.

“But Nero said that there will be three royal babies born in rapid succession,” Peri said. “He said that there’s a conjunction in the sky and that the triple births will be a sign of new prosperity for Incendium, and that...”

Percipia interrupted her. “Could we abandon this talk of destiny, foretold events, and astrological charts at least amongst ourselves?”

Bellatora nodded agreement. “Yes, please.”

“But why?” Peri asked. “Don’t you want to find love and romance?”

“Don’t you want to define your own life?” Percipia replied, knowing she sounded pragmatic. “Don’t you want to choose your own partner, plan your own destiny, make your own choices?”

Peri sobered. “But the Carrier of the Seed for each of us is the only one who can father our children.”

“And we all want to have a HeartKeeper,” Flammara said.

“But what if the man you love isn’t the Carrier of the Seed?” Percipia asked. Her younger sisters blinked. Enigma smiled and Bellatora nodded. Percipia knew which of her sisters were as rebellious as her. “What if you want to be with a man you choose, not one chosen for you by biology or destiny or Father?” She continued into the room and took a seat, knowing she had to tell them the rest. “The Carrier of Thalina’s Seed is a cyborg. I heard it on the comm.”

Her sisters gasped but Bellatora nodded. “That’s why they fled. Scintillon’s Law condemns him.”

“But that’s impossible!” Splendea protested. “How could the Carrier of the Seed be a machine?”

“Apparently it’s not impossible,” Bellatora said. “She fled to be with him, because of Scintillon’s Law, and Anguissa helped her. So did Mother. That’s displeased Father as much as the dart of sedative, but I’m glad she made a choice.”

“You wouldn’t choose for love,” Enigma teased. “Neither you or Percipia.”

“No,” Bellatora said flatly.

Percipia smiled. “I might choose to have the father of my child survive. It seems only right.”

Splendea threw herself into a chair. “I’d rather fall in love and be caught up in passion, then swept off my feet until I surrender my heart forever.”

“Me, too!” Peri agreed.

Percipia shook her head, impatient with what she considered to be romantic nonsense. “I don’t understand why I can’t make a sensible match for myself, one that I think will make me happy, instead of waiting on this Carrier of the Seed, who could be anyone at all!” She lifted a hand. “Maybe I don’t even want a partner. Maybe I’d just like to have a little place of my own.”

“Where no one touches your notebooks,” Splendea teased.

“Or messes with your supplies and experiments,” Bellatora added.

Percipia shook her head, knowing that Splendea was the worst about rearranging her things. “I’d like to at least have the chance to try it.”

“Funny you don’t think that about other things you could try,” Enigma purred.

“I’m not interested in sex and passion,” Percipia said. “I have two fireworks displays to plan.”

“How is that going?” Bellatora asked. “It won’t be long until the naming ceremony.”

Percipia shook her head. “I’m having trouble synchronizing the display between here and Regalia.”

“Does it matter that much?” Enigma asked. “Who will know if there are a few seconds difference?”

“It won’t be right,” Percipia said with such vehemence that her sisters smiled.

“Perfectionist,” Callida said, making a note.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Percipia replied.

“What about when you find the Carrier of your Seed?” Bellatora asked.

“I’ll do the responsible thing, of course,” Percipia admitted, hearing how grumpy she sounded. “But it sounds messy and inconvenient, and if there never is a Carrier of the Seed for me, that would be just fine. If it doesn’t happen for centuries, that would be fine, too. I might decide to live with a friend instead.”

“Sansor!” Callida and Enigma chanted together and Percipia felt herself blush.

“We have interests in common,” she said hotly but those two sisters just laughed.

Peri still looked shocked. “But that’s not what we’re supposed to do, Percipia.”

Percipia leaned forward to challenge her little sister. “What about Nero?”

Peri blushed.

Percipia continued. “He’s not the Carrier of your Seed.”

“Not yet at least,” Peri interjected.

“And even if he was, Father wouldn’t let you stay with him. He’s common-born, and Father would think him unsuitable for you.”

Peri looked agitated. “But if he was my HeartKeeper...”

“Father still wouldn’t approve,” Bellatora concluded and Enigma nodded agreement. “Just look at Thalina. She had time to claim the Seed, then they meant to eliminate the Carrier.”

Peri appeared to be very worried at that prospect. “But it’s not fair!”

“Wouldn’t you rather just choose for yourself?” Percipia asked.

Peri looked flustered and unhappy then, and fell silent.

“Same with Thierry,” Bellatora said to Flammara. “Not being the Carrier of your Seed is, I have to say, pretty much the only thing I like about him.”

“He’s a knight!” Flammara protested furiously. “He’s a member of the palace guard!”

“And neither a prince nor a king,” Enigma concluded. “Even if someday he is the Carrier, which I think unlikely, it won’t be enough, Flammara. Without him being the Carrier, you have no chance of being with him for the long term at all.”

“But Troy isn’t a prince. Drakina married him!” Peri argued.

“And a Terran,” Flammara added with a grimace.

“Drakina has always made her own rules,” Percipia said.

“And now Thalina is trying to do the same.” Bellatora added.

“I think we should all choose our own destinies.” Percipia met the gaze of each in turn, then challenged them. “Maybe making the choice changes the future.”

The sisters were divided on that, Percipia could see, and an awkward silence filled the apartment.

“All this serious discussion when what I want to do is go dancing,” Enigma complained, her dark eyes gleaming. “Come on! Let’s take advantage of the disruption in the palace tonight and break Father’s rules.”

“Oh no!” Peri whispered.

“We’ll be together,” Bellatora said. “Nothing bad will happen.”

“It’ll be fine,” Enigma insisted, showing a confidence in the plan that confirmed Percipia’s conviction that her sister often snuck out of the palace at night.

“I’d rather figure out what’s wrong with this timer,” Percipia said, opening her notebook.

“And ask Sansor for his ideas,” Callida teased.

“You’re going to stay home and read?” Flammara challenged. “After that lecture on making choices?”

“You have to come,” Splendea said, as if the decision had been made.

Enigma smiled a little. “We could ask Arkan for suggestions.” She referred to the viceroy Kraw’s nephew and apprentice, who had recently moved into the palace. “He must know which places are best. Maybe he’d even escort us.”

Percipia heard the approach of a man’s footsteps and turned toward the door, just like all of her sisters. Not surprisingly, Arkan himself stood in the doorway. He was a handsome man, a widower with two children, his hair and eyes dark. His gaze flicked over the princesses and he smiled a little. “Why do I get the feeling you were talking about me?”

“We heard you coming,” Percipia said, knowing he would understand that their senses were sharper.

“Because we were talking about you,” Enigma said before he could be relieved.

He looked alarmed instead. “Why? Have I made a mistake or caused offense, your majesties?”

Enigma smiled encouragement as she strolled toward him. Arkan straightened just a little. “Because we want to go dancing in Incendium city tonight,” she whispered. She tilted her head to study him and Percipia had the sense that hers wasn’t an idle question. “You must know the best places to go.”

Arkan flushed. “Not any more, Princess. I haven’t gone to a dance hall since my wife...”

“Reformed your ways,” Enigma concluded. There was a tension in the room then, as Arkan looked intently at Enigma.

Had they known each other before?

Did Enigma know something about the viceroy’s apprentice?

He frowned and cleared his throat. “I doubt there are any places suitable for the entertainment of princesses,” he said, sounding a lot like his uncle. “I could summon musicians to the hall for you...”

“But that might disturb Father while he recuperates,” Bellatora said.

“Exactly,” Enigma agreed. “Get your dancing shoes, everyone. Let’s go out. We’ll find a good place ourselves!”

“But...” Arkan protested. He fell silent as the sisters ran to seize their shoes and purses, to toss on a jacket or a favorite piece of jewelry. Percipia didn’t have time to change, but Enigma cast a length of sapphire blue silk over her shoulders. Arkan was still standing in the doorway when they flowed around him in their hastily gathered finery, and he still looked both bewildered and perplexed. “But...”

Enigma was the one to stop beside him. “Don’t tell Kraw,” she whispered, touching his arm quickly with her fingertips. “Please.”

“But...” he protested again, but Enigma laughed as she ran after her sisters.

Percipia glanced back in time to see Enigma blow a kiss at Arkan. The two sisters grabbed hands and hurried down the great staircase, leaving the viceroy’s apprentice watching helplessly.

“He won’t stand aside again,” Percipia warned.

“Maybe once is all we need.” Enigma took a breath, and her eyes danced. “Don’t you smell the Seed? It’s coming from Incendium city. That’s why we have to go tonight. One of us is going to have a very interesting evening.”

Percipia inhaled and realized that Enigma was right. The scent was faint but definitely present. It wasn’t from Thalina’s Carrier, because it was slightly different from the scent in the lower floors of the palace, though just as enticing. As much as she would have liked it to be otherwise, her body responded, her blood quickening and her arousal growing.

“A perfect night to dance,” Enigma said. “What else can a dragon princess do when the scent of the Seed is in the air?”

Percipia didn’t entirely agree. She’d never been much for dancing, and would have preferred to have spent the evening solving that problem—maybe with Sansor’s help. But the scent of the Seed set a fire deep within her, making her blood simmer and awakening a new urge to be reckless and wild.

A night of dancing might be exactly what she needed.