Page 76 of Exquisite Monster

Are you well?

They smiled.Better now that we’re all here. How is Lena?

There was only so much I would say. The turmoil Lena was experiencing was hers alone. They all knew some of it, but it was hers to share if she chose.As good as she can be, considering.

Idroal looked out over the water.And why are you here with me instead of spending time with your mate?

We need to send someone to Doro Eche. I know it’s a risk, but we need to know what the Elders know. Whether or not they are aware of our escape. I thought Sotai might be willing, though I haven’t yet asked.

Their face shifted with their thoughts, features blurring.It should not be Sotai. It should be me.

Why?

Sotai can only disguise themselves so much. And they do not know which dragons in the city are friendly to our… circumstances. I have been doing this much longer than all of you.

That was the truth. Idroal had been opposed to the Elders for longer than we’d been alive. They were too valuable for the Elders to simply kill them, which was why they’d chosen to live as far as they could from our devoted leaders.

Will you arriving in Doro Eche be a sign to the Elders of something wrong? After so many years of avoiding the capital, it might raise suspicion.

They scoffed.Surely you think more of me than that, Your Highness.And beyond, there is something I wish to do. It can only be put into motion in the capital.

What is it?

A slow smile and a slow blink.It is better for now if you do not know.

Idroal was one of the few beings on the continent I trusted implicitly. If they said it was better to remain in the dark, I believed them.Very well.

When would you like me to leave?

I laughed silently.Take as much time as you need. We’re forever in your debt for what you’ve done to help us. And Lena.

They stroked their fingers downVarí’sback.The entire continent will be indebted toyouonce you break us free from the cycle we are bound to.

Turning away, I braced myself on the railing and looked out over the lush greenery and pale sand of the beach, beyond to the shimmering blue. This place was beautiful, and I knew in the deepest parts of my soul that we could be happy here. The four of us. If there was a way to break free.I don’t know if that will ever happen, Idroal. We are not strong enough.

The Elders have betrayed us—their own kind—more than once and more than a hundred times. They believe they are helping us by allowing the humans to perish, but they are not. Nor are they helping dragonkind by resisting their fade. No one can know if it will happen, but I am telling you itmusthappen. You must find a way. We will help as much as we can, but it will come down to the three of you. Or the four of you.

I sighed out a long breath. After so long simply surviving and hiding, the thought of trying and failing made me want to continue to survive and hide. But they weren’t wrong. Neither species could continue like this. In either case, we would destroy each other, or destroy ourselves.

Something changed when Lena touched me in that garden. Chance, fate, or the shock we all needed to realize how far in the sand our heads had been.

We?I finally asked.

We. You will know who your friends are when the time is right. Slowly, they stood, keepingVarítucked in their arms, asleep.I will retire, rest, and fly to Doro Eche in the morning.

A sudden thought had me holding out a hand.Would you be willing to make one more stop?

They looked surprised, but asked,where?

Sythal Itur.The small city was the closest one to this island. Dragons who resided there kept to themselves, rarely involving themselves in matters beyond their own walls. As far as I knew, they had no true hatred of humans and no true love of the Elders. They were as close as we had to a neutral sanctuary as existed in Viria. But there was still risk.I’d like to take Lena there. She needs clothing and perhaps the night market will lift her spirits. But none of us will take her to a place where any of us were in danger. We won’t leave her again.

They inclined their head.I will stop and speak to those I know who are safe, and assess.

Thank you, Idroal.

They paused at the door.Zovai.

I turned and looked. They looked troubled.The rules of our kind cannot be broken.