Page 57 of Exquisite Monster

I hadn’t hallucinated so far in our captivity, but at this point I was beyond surprise. Lena lived brightly in my chest, so much closer than she’d been before. She was riddled with nerves, steely resolve, and fear. But not fear for her life. She still felt safe, and I hoped it was true.

Zovai. The voice came again. It was real.

I blinked.Idroal?

Thank the Fallen. It is difficult to reach you with all the sand. You are the closest to me.Endre and Sirrus cannot hear me.

A laugh burst out of me. A guard immediately looked into my cell to check. I acted as if nothing had happened.

I thought I was hallucinating.

Not this time, Your Highness. We are here to get you out.

Now fear wrapped around my heart.We?

Myself, six other dragons, and Lena.

What—

I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Highness, but we need your help, and there is little time. We need information. We’ve barely been able to get inside. There is a distraction that will allow us to reach you, but we will need guidance. And a little help from you.

I sighed, flexing my hands inside the metal that held them.We can’t help you, Idroal. Aeghi bound us.

Try.

The simple, single word made chills rise on my skin. Idroal wouldn’t ask us to do that unless…

I called my fire and turned toward the chains that held me, allowing the fire to fly free. Just a brief flash—not enough to alert the guard. Nothing tried to hold me back or stop me from resisting.

It’s gone?

It’s gone.

How?

Laughter touched their voice.That, along with other things, are best discussed after you have been freed, are they not?

Right.You can’t speak to the others?

Not at the moment. The ground is not solid enough. If I were closer to the walls, I could.

Hold.I’ll tell them.

I pushed my thoughts toward Endre and Sirrus. This is going to be a lot of information all at once, and you need to not react. Give the guards no hint.

Endre spoke first.What are you talking about?

Idroal is here. They are here with Lena and six other dragons, and are planning a distraction and rescue. They need to be guided, but more importantly, the command not to resist is gone.

HOW?Sirrus would have shaken the walls if his voice had been out loud.

I don’t know.But this is happening now.I switched back to Idroal in my mind.I told the others. What do you need from us?

As much as you can give,they said.We will provide the distraction to draw as many guards away from you as possible. If you can get yourselves to the surface, we will retrieve you. If you can get over the walls, even better.If not… we’ll improvise.

When?

Soon.This is the only time we will be able to speak, Your Highness.Will you need us to come and get you, or do you think you can free yourselves and meet us?