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There was even a cluster of vibrant green vines cascading into the room through the bars.

The sunlight illuminated the bed's pale blue sheets and the patterned red-stone floor to my right. The only other objects in the room were a table with a wash basin, and a piss pot.

A warm breeze ruffled the tangled sheets, bringing with it the salty scents of ocean air — summoning memories of the last time I'd been in Dragon's Peak.

I leaned forward to look out the window, half-expecting to see a dragon swooping to the ocean below, and a friendly Jaiel waving up at me …

Instead, I looked out at a small courtyard, holding stacks of Empire labeled crates. My chest ached as I studied the makeshift storage space. It ended in a red-stone wall that seemed to wrap the building.

They'd put me on the bottom floor, with a climbable wall directly outside, and only a single lock on my cell's newly installed window bars to get through.

It would take me less than five minutes to escape this place, and Frexin knew it.

No. She'd put me here for a reason. To taunt me with the knowledge that I could be free but wouldn't — not with the Harlsteds and other villagers still trapped.

I let out a bitter laugh, then laid back down and rubbed my face.

Maybe I could go back to sleep and find one of thosegooddreams like the one with Tye and Eli the other night…

My body heated at the thought, and I pulled my sheets up to my chin, trying to turn off my brain.

Gods — the sheets were soft. I nestled deeper into the fluffy warmth and let out a long sigh.

It was the first real bed I'd slept in for months, and it felt luxurious —

A luxury the man with blue eyes would never experience again …

Oh fuck.

That weight was returning, suffocating me under all the things I'd done — all the things I was about to do.

Why am I here? Why can't I stop hurting everyone?!?

"Kaiya?"

I jumped, eyes flying open to search what I'd thought was an empty room.

The door was still closed …

I looked out the window. But there was no one in the makeshift storage area, either …

What in the seven hells? Where was that voice coming from?

It sounded a little strange, but not really threatening. Then again, things were never simple on the Isle …

"Hello?" I asked, cautiously leaning to look under my bed, moving the dangling sheets out of the way.

But that just revealed some dust and an old sock …

Confused, I sat back up — and collided with a scaled, dark blue face with swirling green eyes and flarednostrils.

"Fuck!" I leaped from the bed, brandishing my pillow like a weapon.

The creature leaped into the air, flapping leathery blue wings, holding itself aloft as it tilted its head to the side and huffed at me.

Wait … I knew those eyes …

My heartbeat gave an excited surge, and I stepped forward. "Serali?!"