Page 48

I dared not open my mind to the wyvern. Magic rolled from Eydis that raked across my skin, and when Anneli pressed her fingers against my spine, I took that as a warning.

“Look,” she whispered, pointing to the sky.

She wasn’t alone in noticing the dark wobbling speck flying closer.

“We swat deformities that small in Alek’sa Santeri,” Eydis said.

The chorus of masculine laughter came with the words; the men from Alek’sa Santeri were entertained. But as Bogo dropped to the ground, his wings faltered and his feet slipped in the sand.

Fury on his behalf drove me. I stepped far enough forward to swing back with my hands out.

Magic surged, sizzled, flowing from my fingers into a shimmering, sweeping protective veil that stretched across the valley, forming a barrier from rim to rim.

A wall of my own creation, cutting off the men from Alek’sa Santeri, Anneli, the King’s Guard, and the red priests from where I stood.

Before I turned away, Anneli smiled and nodded her approval, silently telling me she’d reinforce the magic if needed. Then I was in front of Bogo, cradling his head. He’d grown again. He was larger than a horse, but the stress of his journey sank through me and tears slid when I heard his voice.

I…come help.

“You dear, sweet boy. Lassa—”

She…angry.

“She’s not alone,” I murmured, peering over Bogo’s shoulder toward the sinuous shadow flowing across the ground. The air pressure shimmered, and when Sarnorinth landed, sand skittered everywhere. I said, “Your father’s here.” An unnecessary warning for both of us.

Bogo shrank back while I had to stay strong.

“Courage,” I urged.

The massive black dragon stalked more than he walked, his head lowered, his fathomless eyes burning with golden fire. Between his raking tail and wide wingspan, I didn’t dare move .

He’s wild, he’s wild, he’s not a pet. I didn’t need to remind myself of the threat when Sarnorinth drew his lips back. Rows of pointed teeth dripped with saliva as if he heard my wild musings and agreed.

But when every spike around his head stood straight up, I had little doubt Sarnorinth was posturing for those gathered behind the magic. All of them watched our interaction, probably waiting for the blood—although they couldn’t hear when Sarnorinth spoke in my head.

Did you call him?

My mouth dried at the belling voice. “Of course not,” I snapped. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

You do not wish to know what I think of you.

“How novel, a dragon who repeats his insults,” I said. “Why didn’t you keep Bogo at home?”

Why did you come here?

“To protect myself. And while we’re arguing, maybe you’d like to answer my questions for once instead of always attacking me.”

His head drew back. What questions?

“You’re familiar with the Stone Tower?”

That is a stupid question.

Muted explosions drew my attention; the mages in the Stone Tower were launching balls of magic into the air. Warning signals or a call to arms. Obviously, the sight of dragons alarmed them…and the sight of this dragon in particular.

“What sins have you committed here?” I demanded.

Sarnorinth blinked. His nostrils flared. None that I recall .

“What sins close to here, then, if I have to be specific.” Was I dealing with a child? “Because someone told me a strange story about a dragon and my…mother.”

Sarnorinth shifted his wings, folded them closer to his mammoth body. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You knew my mother, didn’t you? Anoria Vendarian? Twenty-eight years or so ago.”

His lip curled.

“She was in trouble and called out for help, didn’t she? And a dragon heard and came to where men were beating her. That dragon was you.”

Most dragons are black. You cannot say it was me.

“Hah!” I crowed in triumph. “Did I say a black dragon? No, I said a dragon.” I waggled a finger inches from his snout. “You came, didn’t you?”

She needed help.

“You burned everything.”

Of course.

“Sarny…”

He blew out a heated breath that singed my hand and made Bogo chirp.

Sarnorinth, the dragon snarled. Sarny sounds…

“Like the name a friend uses.”

We are not friends.

“We shouldn’t be,” I agreed. “You changed my mother’s life and frightened her enough that she ran into exile.

She died while I was still too young to understand, and when I cried in a garden, Bogo came to find me.

But what if Bogo wasn’t entirely my fault?

What if Orm sent him as the penance you had to pay?

There must be more debts besides Bogo tied around your throat. ”

The dragon’s eyes narrowed into amber slits. I wear no curse tablet.

“Orm wouldn’t need one with you. Wouldn’t he engrave the curses on your heart? While the tablets were given to the dragon lords—to the Draakon, and you’re quite familiar with that one.”

Sarnorinth took a step to the side, and I took an opposite step as we faced off like adversaries. “You should have given my penances to me and not to the Draakon. He shouldn’t pay for my mistakes.”

Sarnorinth’s upper lip quivered as he growled, Bogo was a mistake?

“Of course not.” Impatience harried my voice. “He’s my friend.”

Your…friend?

“He was always there for me. Found me when I needed him.” The circling continued while the dragon whipped his tail and Bogo scrambled to stay close against my side. “But I gave him back to you,” I added, “even though it broke my heart.”

What is this…broken heart?

I closed my eyes against the sting. “Love.”

That doesn’t make me bound to you, Skyborne.

“I never said it did.”

I do not wish to become your slave.

Pressing a hand to Bogo’s neck, I tried to calm him. “I spent years in slavery to Thales. I’ve no wish to impose it on others. ”

But now you are a high mage.

“So no one can own me, force me to do what I have no wish to do.”

Sarnorinth turned his head toward Bogo. You still love him?

“Yes,” I admitted. “I will never harm him or those he loves. Never harm his father, even though I’m not so sure if that sentiment is returned.”

You don’t think highly of me? Sarnorinth grumbled as if I’d shocked him.

I hid a smile. “A dragon with an ego—oh, dear. No wonder you’re volatile.”

Would you like to ride on my back, Skyborne?

“I’ve no way to get up there, and even if I did, I’m quite certain you would drop me.”

What good is a Skyborne mage if she’s afraid to fly?

“I’ll start with something smaller.”

Sarnorinth turned toward Eydis Khoth. Narrowed his eyes. Do you want to ride on that wyvern’s back?

I shuddered. “No.”

Then you won’t mind if I eat him as a snack.

“Actually, I would mind that very much. Too many enemies have gathered, and I’d rather not give them excuses.”

The dragon’s wings stretched upward as he altered his stance. The little one will need help going home.

“Can you get him away from here until he’s rested?”

You should come now.

“I have a purpose here,” I said. “Unfinished business. ”

Sarnorinth lowered his head again, and I swore he had a funny, almost human glint in his eyes before he snorted. The Draakon is here.

I closed my eyes on a wave of…I refused to name the emotion.

“Is Fennor with him?” Visions swam through my head of Kion, tied to the wall in the belly of a Davinicus ship, while Fennor rammed the side with a rebel boat. “Not another rescue mission?”

The dragon grunted.

“Idiots.”

I made it his penance.

“By Orm,” I hissed. “I wish I’d never heard that word.”