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Well, almost free …

Tugging up the lapel of the uniform, I buttoned it under my chin to make sure it covered the damn collar. Too bad Frexin hadn't removed mine when she did Kaiya's.

What I wouldn't give to be able to feel the life around me again …

No matter, though. My magic was pretty much useless anyways.

And I was out of that cage!At least for a bit.

Thank the gods Gram's house was still halfway whole. Otherwise, I'd never have been able to find my way into the tunnels in her cellar that connected to some of the other buildings in the area — tunnels which Frexinobviouslyknew nothing about.

They'd gotten quite a bit smaller since I'd last moved through them, though — or maybe I'd just gotten bigger. But with a little wiggling, I'd managed to make my way outside the prison part of camp to the building Frexin was using as the guard's laundry facility.

Sneaking around was risky, but I wouldn't be gone long. And I needed to get info on Gram and Mirrim.

I just couldn't get the memory of them on those stretchers — so still and pale — out of my head.

Footsteps sounded to my left, and I turned to see a soldier marching down the street in my direction.

My heart skipped a beat.

The man eyed me as he approached, and I tried to keep my expression calm as I saluted him with three fingers.

No — that felt wrong.I quickly added a fourth.I'd seen the low-ranking soldiers saluting this way …

He nodded and continued on his way.

The second he passed, I grinned.

Today was going to be one of those lucky days! What did Gram call them? Kissed by the Fateweaver?

Well, I was certainly due some good luck. Frustrationand despair had become my constant companions over the past few days, and I was sick of it.

Tonight, I was going to help Gram and Mirrim — on my own.

And I had a plan.

Well, perhaps it was more of the start of a plan. But I'd figure out the rest as I went.

I just needed to find someone who knew where the bonded were kept, then get the information out of them without anyone being the wiser.

Simple as cake.

I let out a bitter chuckle and looked up at the darkening sky. Frexin's ugly black metal lamps began to flicker on. Further down the street at an intersection, the man from before was joined by two more, and they made their way towards what was once the market.

They looked pretty excited.

Wherever they were headed had to be somewhere fun … perhaps even somewhere with drinks, which meant loose lips …

Perfect.

I strolled after them, the thought of cold bier — with those tangy amber bubbles — making my mouth water. I wasn't exactly looking forward to drinking with the soldiers, but gods knew it would be nice to get a break. Everyone had an opinion on Kaiya, or Frexin … or worse, my alleged 'stone dick.'

Gods. Given how long the stone curse had been affecting the dragons, you'd think my people wouldimmediately dismiss it. But no, they clung to it like a life raft!

And I had a feeling they'd keep the 'hilarious' torture going as long as they could.

If it had been anyone but Kaiya, I'd have thought she did it intentionally to keep potential lovers away. But I'd ruined any hope of that long ago …