Everyone flooded toward the doors.
Master Marlies approached Lars. “Please, Lars, this is madness. Let me go in their stead.”
“The queen’s decision is final,” Lars said, ending the discussion.
Thumping his fist over his heart, Roberto bowed to the dragon queen, then followed the other dragon masters and Tomaaz toward the chamber’s exit. His head reeled. How had that happened? How had he agreed to return to Death Valley? Last time he’d been there, Commander Zens had broken him. He’d become a monster, a pawn in the hands of the enemy. A powerful pawn.
He shuddered, remembering the people he’d killed while under Zens’ power. If it hadn’t been for his dragon, Erob, he’d still be Zens’ prisoner, living in a drugged fog of numlock, subservient to Zens’ will. “I’m so glad you found me, Erob.”
“Don’t go all mushy on me, now,” Erob mind-melded. “Mushy is the last thing you need to face Zens.”
“I don’t want to go back and face my worst nightmares,” Roberto replied.
“Worse than nightmares,” Erob said. “People wake from those.”
Roberto sighed. He’d just promised Zaarusha, his dragon queen, he’d return to that arid hell, but right now, he needed time alone to think.
Ezaara, the Queen’s Rider, was inside the huge double doors, chatting with the Master of Flight, Alyssa. The elegant flight master tipped her dark head back, laughing. Torchlight played across the highlights in Ezaara’s honeyed hair. How could he leave her when their love was so new and bright, and head to Zens’ soul-crushing slave camp? She furtively mind-melded, while nodding at something Alyssa was saying, “Roberto, you don’t have to go.” Jade eyes met his, full of concern.
His heart jolted. Gods, what had he done to deserve her? Every time he looked at her, he felt the wonder of a new dawn in spring. “I wish I didn’t have to, Ezaara. You heard Tonio and Giant John. Zens is creating a new type of monster, something that can destroy dragons. We have to find out more.”
Someone tapped Roberto’s shoulder. “Roberto, a moment, please.”
It was Tonio, the spymaster.
“Ezaara, I’ll meet you in the orchard in an hour.” He had to hold her one last time before he left. Burn their time together into his mind for the bleak days ahead.
“Of course. I look forward to it.” She was swept outside amid the flow of masters and dragons.
“I’ll be on the ledge,” said Erob. “Watch your step with Tonio.”
Tonio waited until everyone had left, then pushed the huge double doors shut with an ominous thud. He paced before Roberto, boots snapping on stone.
Roberto drummed his fingers against his thigh. So little time left with Ezaara. “Lars wants us gone by nightfall. I don’t have much time to prepare. What is it you want?”
Wheeling, Tonio grabbed Roberto by the shoulders, slamming him against the rock wall. “Antonika was flying the perimeter of the basin earlier. She saw you kissing the Queen’s Rider in the orchard, Master Roberto.” He spat on the rock beside Roberto’s face. “You’re her master. The law says you should be banished for this crime.”
Roberto clenched his jaw. So, it had finally come to this. “You’ve always had it in for me, Tonio. You tried banishing me using Fleur’s false evidence, and now this.”
“How long has this affair been going on?” Tonio snapped.
Roberto’s blood boiled. Who was Tonio to dictate who he could and couldn’t love? Ezaara had nearly died for him. Had given up her role as Queen’s Rider, had risked everything she loved to save him. And the law said he couldn’t kiss her? Roberto’s mind raced. Antonika’s memories could be used as evidence, but having recently lost four masters from the council, Dragons’ Realm was in a precarious position. They couldn’t afford to banish him now. He had nothing to lose by being honest.
“Just that one kiss in the orchard. She’s nearly qualified—Lars said so himself. She saved the queen’s life, for the sharding Egg’s sake.” Roberto’s breath sawed in and out of his chest. “And mine.” Tonio’s eyes narrowed, and he jabbed a finger at Roberto, but Roberto cut him off before he could start. “And maybe she saved your life too, by catching the traitors you failed to detect.”
That last bit was too much. Tonio’s dark eyes flashed.
Roberto had never noticed the similarity before, but Tonio looked just like Roberto’s abusive father, Amato, with his calculating Naobian eyes. Shards. He shouldn’t have goaded him.
“I could have your head for this, sent to the Wastelands on a platter,” Tonio snarled. “However, this trip will probably kill you.” He shoved his finger in Roberto’s face. “Find out about those new creatures, Roberto, and get out. If you get stuck in Death Valley, we won’t be coming after you.”
Roberto pushed off the wall, forcing Tonio to take a step backward. “So, you can forgive Marlies for killing a dragonet, but not me for being Amato’s son? What is it that Amato did to you, Tonio? Why do you hate me so much?”
Pain flashed across Tonio’s face. Stiff with rage, he stalked out.
§
With Tomaaz and Roberto about to leave for Death Valley, and
