Page 53 of I Dream of Dragons

“Stay,” he says again and the mark on my hand throbs, a dark counter beat to the bright tug inside my mind. “Wait here until I return.”

The throbbing fills my body, turning it heavy. My bare feet stick to the floor. The flames in the fireplace crackle too loudly as the king exits the room, closing the door behind him.

Push, tug, push, tug.I open my mouth but no words come out. I need to move but he told me to stay. I need to stay, but that other, bright pull fights the command.

The king asked me to stay.Marsasked me to wait. But I can’t, I have to… to…

I look down at myself, at my sodden dress, my bare feet, the tips of my fingers that have turned blue. Why keep me here now? Why insist on talking about Phaethon?

He must have his reasons.

But I can’t stay.

Pushing my feet to walk, I walk to the door, open it and escape.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

RAE

As I hurry through the palace, the push-and-tug sensation eases, allowing me the first full breath I’ve drawn since the king appeared in front of me. I stop, struggling to fill my lungs, sucking on sweet air.

What had that been? What was it all about?

Was Jai’s arrival a coincidence?

Setting off again, I look around to orient myself and look for the way to my room, assuming that’s still my room and that I wasn’t assigned a different one this time.

Assuming Ididhave a room assigned to me, that the telchin and the fae didn’t expect to have a palace free of human contestants this time around.

Well, tough.

We’re here.

At least speaking for Jai and myself. I have no idea about the others.

Maybe that’s why instead of my room, my feet somehow lead me back to the infirmary.

Jai isn’t here, he’s with the king, and I left the infirmary furious and yelling at him. But if anyone else survived, they should be here.

It’s that faint hope that leads my steps, and yet when I see a familiar woman seated on the bench outside, it’s a jolt.

“Mera!” I breathe.

“Look who the drak dragged in.” Mera smirks at me. “Didn’t expect to find me alive, did you?”

I lift my little finger at her. A childish insult to hide the relief. “What are you doing here? Are you hurt?”

“Nothing serious. You?”

“I’m good. Just a few scratches.”

“Impressive.” She gives me a long look from under her lashes. “So… you’re here for Athdara, aren’t you?”

I shake my head.

“Good, because he left. The healers are still sulking.”

“Why?”