Page 50 of Exquisite Monster

I thought I might feel something when I saw Rensara again. Some sort of longing or attachment. I didn’t. The only longing I felt was to see Helena. Or Taia and Baris. It was a testament to how empty my life had been that I held no affection for the city where I had spent my entire life.

My father?

No longing there. Though I did not doubt he loved me in his own way, I was still more a princess than a daughter to him. Had Andaros told him the truth? Or did he think I’d been killed by the dragons? Would I see him in Caelora? Seeing a dead woman appear in front of every human ruler would certainly be shocking.

“You said the human leaders have gathered in Caelora?”

Yes, Ravi said.When we left, every delegation had arrived.

I elevated my voice so every dragon flying would hear me. “From what you know of where they are, would the best plan be stealth or force?”

Stealth, Sotai said.They have too many soldiers and weapons for force.

“Would a distraction work?”

It’s possible.

I pressed my lips together, knowing I couldn’t take the words back. “A distraction like showing myself to the human leaders, including my father, the King of Gleira, and telling them the truth?”

Shocked silence spread through the skies.

It is very possible they will kill you if you do so, Idroal said.

“Does my immunity from dragonfire keep me safe from scalefire?”

Yes, but it does not shield you from a blade.

No, it didn’t.

“Think on it. There might be a way to use this gathering against them.”

We passed Rensara and began to cross the mountains of the bowl. That was where it happened, the moon nearly full above us, glinting off dragon scales.

Something stirred in my chest.

And then it flared into fullness, though it was still weak with distance. I gasped, my hand flying to my chest.

I drowned in feelings all at once. Relief, longing, love, andfear. The fear was so sharp and visceral, I almost couldn’t speak.

“I feel them,” I managed. “I feel them.”

Good.

“They feel so afraid.”

Andaros sent men after you with the goal of bringing you back, and he certainly didn’t have good intentions. The Heirs do not know we are involved, so feeling you, to them, would mean Andaros was successful.

Oh, no. They thought I was being dragged to them for the sole reason of being used against them. I loved them a little more for that, though I wasn’t sure how much more could exist.

I closed my eyes and focused on the bonds in my chest and brought forth feelings of safety, determination, and happiness. Not fear. If they could feel that I wasn’t afraid, maybe it would be better for them?

We near where we will rest, Mesene informed me.The area around Caelora is open. There is little cover. It is why we have not been able to get closer.

All seven dragons dropped and skimmed the tops of the mountains. Even in total darkness, they took no risks, and I appreciated it. The last thing we needed was Craisian soldiers sneaking up on us with scalefire weapons.

The small valley we descended into was barely big enough for them to land. And as soon as they did, they moved around setting up a camp with synergy that spoke of the last months working together.

Energy danced under my skin. Now that I could feel them I was even more desperate. It wasn’t all mine. Their longing bled through my chest just as strongly. We couldn’t linger, and we couldn’t wait long. All four of us would snap otherwise.