Page 108 of Exquisite Monster

KATALENA

My mates and the rest of the dragons gathered in the courtyard with the princes, forming a plan. Isaelle’s turn would come soon enough. But for the moment we strolled along the coast nearby.Varíflew above and around, diving into the water over and over again.

It was strange to feel such a sense of urgency but also calm. We would leave in the morning and fly to the southwestern kingdoms to retrieve the pieces of thesheyten, and then north to the stone itself. It needed to be done.

Isaelle, Arris, and Dalas hoped that by healing the lands and showing people they could live without war, that we could stop the coming battle.

The rest of us knew the truth.

Andaros was too far gone to stop his conquest because it was a lie. He knew the truth and was choosing to challenge the dragons because he hated them. He wanted their lands for himself and not for humanity. If anything, he would twist the land coming back to life as yet another sign of dragon treachery.

Still, we needed to try.

“Are you and Arris betrothed?” I asked.

“We may be,” she said. “But not at the moment, no.” When she saw my questioning face, she laughed. “Our three countries have been allies for many years, and the three of us have known each other since we were children. We are not betrothed because it would be impossible for the courts to choose which of them for me to wed, so it was decided that we would simply not. Until you.”

I stopped suddenly. “Me?”

“You are with all three of them, are you not?”

“Yes.”

She smiled and looked out over the sea. “It never occurred to us there might be a different way, and maybe the three of us could simply be together instead of choosing one or the other. It is something we must discuss with our parents.” She made a face. “Unfortunately. You know how that is.”

“I do.”

“But not yet. There are more important things right now. After this is settled, we will return to it.”

We started walking again, slowly. “Is it what you want?”

“More than anything.” A fervent whisper. “It would have beenpainful to only belong to one of them. We would all rather have nothing at all than exclude one of us.”

I smiled. “I hope you will succeed. And I will happily speak to your families, if you think that would help.”

Isaelle laughed. “I’m not sure it would.”

“Me either. If I survive this, perhaps they’ll feel differently.”

We both fell silent at that.

I looked back toward the main house and listened to the intense focus within me. Precision and details. But also hope.

“Will your courts be in disarray because you are missing?”

“We left letters. Honest in our intent to meet with the dragons, but no details about location or even our goals. They will not have time to send out search parties while mustering their armies.”

Sirrus and Dalas appeared at the top of the embankment.One plan complete, he spoke to me.Time for the other.

“They’re ready for you.”

Isaelle looked up to where they stood watching. “What’s it like? The way they watch you is… I’ve never seen anything to compare.”

“It was strange at first,” I admitted.

Varílanded on my shoulder with cold wet feet, making me jump. He chirped, and it sounded suspiciously like a laugh. His new pouch was wet too, but the one made by the dragon seamstress was far sturdier.

“But now… I cannot imagine anything else. It has not been long, and yet there is aknowing. This was always meant to be, and if we had not met, it would be a tragedy we would feel but never understand.”