Page 38 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“Yes, but neither is good, and the King has every right to be suspicious after Octavian. And a brand new, freshly bonded dragon being posted to the second highest rank in the kingdom, isn’t normal.” It wasn’t an act of an irrational man. I knew it wasprobably best for the kingdom, so I didn’t blame Nyx for his choice, but I knew how it looked.

“We get new dragons in all the time. It’s the law.”

“But still, why trust me over fae who have trained here their whole lives? The King doesn’t know me. None of the commanders know me, not the flyers. And then with Nyx acting erratic, how do you expect them to see it?”

“You make a good point,” she said, gathering her things before leading the way out of the dungeons. “So then, what do I do? I have to tell him this is hopeless. We have to put this thing down. We can’t keep it.”

“Why?”

“It’s not right. There is nothing that can be done for him. I have tried everything I could think of. I don’t even know what presence it has, but it’s against the natural order.”

“I know. It’s against the Goddess.”

“Which is why we stopped necromancy in the first place. His soul will never rest.” The worry lines on her forehead were becoming permanent and I hated it.

“If we don’t release his spirit by giving his body a proper ritual, his soul may wander forever.”

“I know,” I said softly, letting her get out her emotions.

“Whoever this fae was deserves to be laid to rest so he doesn’t wander the valley of the dead forever.”

“I’m worried Nyx will tell us to keep going,” I admitted. “He’s too close to it to see reason.”

“That fae has a family. He doesn’t deserve to be in a secret fucking dungeon.” Kiera insisted.

“You’re right.” But if Nyx was pushed any further, what would he do?

“Have they found his family?” she asked.

“I don’t know if Nyx has really looked because he doesn’t want anybody to know. I’ll look into it.” Another thing I’d haveto do behind his back. The weight of all the secrets I kept would drown me.

“We have to talk to him, but maybe I should talk to Zaria first?” she suggested.

“If you think she can help, it can’t hurt, can it?” I asked.

“I guess not. Maybe she’ll have some insight into what’s going on with him, too.”

SEVENTEEN

KIERA

Iknocked on the door to Nyx and Zaria’s chambers, hoping I’d find her alone.

“Come in,” Zaria called from somewhere deeper in their suite.

I opened the door and found Zaria sitting with her feet up and a book in her lap.

“Hey,” she greeted, starting to rise.

“Don’t get up,” I insisted. I knew Nyx had her flying until the small hours, she must have been exhausted.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She laughed, patting the cushion next to her. “Come sit with me then. How are you? It feels like we hardly see each other these days.”

“The healer’s wing has me swamped. I barely have a minute to myself.”

“The healer’s wing? Or that new dragonof yours?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t even start.”