Page 52

52

ESSA

I made it back to Charcain feeling frail as a leaf blown in on the wind.

I was alive. I was Irska. I was sole heir to the crown of Maethalia. Everything I’d dreamed of had been in my grasp—and I’d already thrown it away for the love of a man who had been deceiving me all along. The shame of it was so immense I’d considered pitching myself off Othura’s back more than once as we crossed the narrow sea back to Maethalia. But I knew Othura would just pluck me out of the water again. And besides, I had to tell mother about the golenae and the Lacunae stealing the dragon eggs.

Something ominous in the crates under the city... Viable dragon eggs being smashed on the cliffs... And now, golenae and Lacunae working together on Dorhane. It all had to be connected. I didn’t know how it all fit together yet, but I was beginning to see a picture taking shape, a mosaic that looked to me like a diabolical conspiracy with the Gray Brothers at its center.

I would find out the truth. I would warn Mother.

But first, I was supposed to meet my friends and Kit’s—no, Charlie’s—dragon.

Othura alighted in the small pasture behind Clua’s blacksmith shop—our appointed meeting place. Our landing sent horses whinnying and scattering and Othura eyed them, no doubt hungry after our long flight.

Don’t even think about it, I chided.

She huffed in rebuke as, together, we entered the stables. As soon as we were inside, she immediately curled up, eager to rest her weary wings.

I found Lure, Pocha and Dagar sitting together around a rickety table, playing cards. When they saw me, they sprang up from their seats, all speaking at once.

“Essa!”

“Did you get him delivered safely?”

“Here, sit.”

“What happened to your head?”

I reached up to find a goose-egg on my forehead from where I’d headbutted Kit—no. Charlie. Curse him—Charlie Inman. The ace. The Silver Wraith . My head spun with fury and shame and another feeling more like heartbreak—which, in turn, made my anger burn hotter.

I slumped into the chair they put beneath me and let my face fall into my hands. I felt a heat of tears rising to my eyes and quickly sat up, taking a steadying breath. There would be time to share my feelings later. For now, I had to get my update from them and then make my report to Mother.

“I delivered the poet back to his people,” I said briskly. “He’s gone.”

“Oh, Essa,” Pocha put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

I waved off her concern. “There’s more to tell but I don’t have time for it. Tell me of your mission. Did you get the little dragon saved?”

They all exchanged a look.

“We were going to try,” Dagar started, “but…”

“Lure spotted a Lacuna going into the hatchery,” Pocha said. “So we hid and watched the place. There were hundreds of them there, Essa. Half an army. But they were trying to hide, as if waiting to spring a trap. We crept away before any of them saw us.”

“I think they knew we were coming to rescue the dragon,” Lure concluded, arms crossed. “Someone betrayed us.”

I frowned, glancing around. “Where’s Clua?”

“She’s here. Finishing her chores,” Pocha said.

“And Ollie?”

“Had to go back to the palace,” Lure said. “To check in with Hoatan.”

“Any sign of Rohree?”

All three shook their heads.

I bit my lip, thinking through what my friends were telling me. “So the little dragon…?”

“Is still locked up in the hatchery as far as we know,” Lure shrugged. “Sorry, Essa.”

It galled me that the baby dragon was being treated as a prisoner. Really, he should have been reunited with Kit—Charlie—even if he was a traitorous bastard. A bonded dragon separated from their rider so young often succumbed to madness. It would be difficult to rehabilitate the little dragon, but I or another experienced rider might have done it with months of careful effort. Locked up in the hatchery, however, isolated and under guard, the poor thing didn’t stand a chance. It was a terrible thing to waste a sweet young dragon like that, and I vowed to help the creature if I could. But I had bigger concerns now.

“What now, Irska?” Lure Pocha asked, putting special emphasis on my new title.

“Now I go to my mother. I have important information to relay to her. I saw some alarming things at Rograd Point. The Gray Brothers and their Lacunae are not to be trusted.”

Lure snorted. “Did we ever trust those creepy shadow-worshippers?”

“No,” I agreed. “But we have less reason than ever to trust them now. We’ll find Rohree and free that little dragon. And I have much more to tell you. But first, I must fly and report what I’ve seen to my mother.”

Pocha looked alarmed. “The Queen will know by now that you rescued Kit. She’s going to be furious, Essa. Why not wait a few days, let her cool down?”

I shook my head. “The news I have can’t wait. You three get back to the barracks. Eat and rest. I have a feeling we may be needing your wings soon.”