Page 58 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

Nyx returned his attention to me but directed his words to Luka. “Can you give us a minute? Jaxus and I are having a discussion.”

Luka looked uncomfortable. “About that—” he hesitated. “Apparently, they only use the silencing magic thingy on these rooms while they are discussing cases and running tests. You know, for the privacy of the patients.” He glanced at the door. “I thought I should just, you know, pop in and tell you that the rest of the time, these walls are pretty thin and well, we can hear everything you’re shouting at each other out there.” He grimaced. “Sorry, but Zaria wasn’t here when you got going, and I figured someone should tell you.”

“Thanks, Luka. I was just saying what needed to be said, but I appreciate your loyalty,” I seethed. It was a pointed jab at the lack of loyalty I was feeling from Nyx, and from his expression, he knew it.

He took a step closer, looking like he wanted a fight, when suddenly, Luka was pushing between us.

“Hey, fellas, do you think this is the place for this?” he asked without a flicker of fear in his tone. He got so quiet we couldbarely hear him. “What you’re saying is treason. Is that what you want the healers to be gossiping about tomorrow? Do you want it to spread to the rest of the palace so everyone knows you two aren’t in alignment?”

I looked down at him, wedged between us two hulking dragon shifters. He looked about half our size, but the male had the courage of a dragon, that was for sure.

Nyx eyed him, too, then looked up at me. His shoulders slumped and he hung his head in shame, giving it a shake. “No.”

Luka eased him back, and the air in the room changed. All the tension was diffused.

“Why don’t we all take a seat, and we can talk this out.” I hadn’t pegged Luka as the mediator, but he was stepping up to the role. He pushed a couple of chairs close to the bed on the other side and ushered Nyx into one, taking the other.

I went back to my position at Kiera’s side, taking her hand in mine and checking her for signs of change.

“How is she?” Luka asked, and I saw the guilt in Nyx’s face that he hadn’t even asked. But I couldn’t blame him for that since I went on the attack and didn’t give him the chance.

“She’s stable,” I told them both. “But no change.”

“They’re sure it’s all been cleansed from her blood?” Nyx asked.

I nodded. “Yes, but her recovery could be long. The traces in her blood before cleansing were alarmingly high.”

“I don’t understand. She has been exposed many times before, treating the flyers who come in with poisoning.” Nyx frowned.

“She wasn’t a ryder then. Now that we are bonded, she will react the same way we do, only her system is far more fragile than a dragon’s.”

“What was Dragon’s Bane even doing at the festival?” Nyx seethed.

My anger rose again. “Maybe we would know if you had stayed to investigate.”

Nyx stiffened. “I was worried for my friend. What would you have me do?”

“I’d have detained the traders to question them or followed them after the festival to see if they would lead you to a nest. Maybe tried to obtain a sample to see if it could be traced. I don’t know. Anything would have been better than nothing.” I felt how deep my words cut and I was sorry, but I was also at my limit, and there would be no more sugar-coating shit.

Nyx closed his eyes. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m sorry.”

I saw the defeat in him and I hated it. But he had to sink to this place before he would see reason. Now maybe there was a chance he could turn things around.

“Nyx,” I commanded. He opened his eyes and they shone with regret. “It’s understandable given what you’re going through. but enough is enough. There are people here now, who love you enough to call you out when you need it and will back you all the way. Don’t waste that on what ifs and maybes.”

“You’re right.” He softened for the first time in what felt like weeks, and I really did feel like he had listened.

“Good. So what do we do now?” I moved the topic on because I needed something new to focus on as much as he did right now. “We have no leads, so where do we start?”

“Um, actually,” Luka interjected. “We might have some leads, That’s where I’ve been the last few hours.

Nyx and I both just stared at him. This small, unassuming male who we all seemed to underestimate at every turn continued to shock me.

“Go on,” Nyx urged.“Well, when we came back here, I knew you all needed to be here for Kiera, so I thought I should go back to see if I could find out anything about what had happened. I was no use to any of you here. I just thought I’d make myselfuseful if I could.” He paused, looking at us like he was making sure he had done the right thing.

I wholeheartedly approved, as apparently did Nyx, which he confirmed by urging him to continue. “And?”

“The stall was cleared out and the hawkers were long gone. I asked around, but they weren’t regular traders with the travelers. Just some of the many who came to the capital because it was the biggest festival on the circuit. Nothing suspicious. But the other traders said as soon as you both took off, they packed up like their lives depended on it and fled before any palace guards could get to the scene.”