Lovina turned her blue eyes to Adelina. “That would be great.”
Adelina fetched some blankets. “Here, it’s cold. You’ll need these.”
Tugging the blankets over her, Lovina curled up on the sofa. “Thanks,” she said. “I haven’t had a friend since I was a littling.” She drifted to sleep.
Shards, how awful, spending your life in Death Valley and then as a slave to one of Zens’ spies. Lovina was lucky to be alive. If it hadn’t been for Tomaaz, she wouldn’t be. Adelina jumped into her own bed and lay staring at the stone ceiling. The thing was, Roberto had been on her mind since … she counted back the days. Five days, too. Was it a coincidence or had something happened to him?
Hours later, rapping at the door woke Adelina.
Tomaaz stepped inside.
Bleary-eyed, Lovina sat up on the couch, her face breaking into a smile. “Tomaaz, you’re back.”
But Tomaaz didn’t smile and run to hug her. He gave her a short nod. Face grave, he walked stiffly into the cavern, holding himself as if he had an old leg injury. “Sorry, Lovina, first I need to talk with Adelina.”
Adelina’s heart cracked. Her hands grew clammy. She sank into a chair, eyes fixed on his somber face.
Tomaaz took her hand, his fingers like icicles, but nothing compared to the icy shivers that ran down her arms. “It’s Roberto, isn’t it?” Adelina squeaked, throat tight.
Tomaaz nodded. “Zens has captured him. I’m sorry.”
The room seemed to still. Tomaaz continued talking, explaining how her brother had been captured, but his voice was muffled, far away, as if someone had stuffed Adelina’s ears with sheep wool. Her mind spun. Roberto. With Zens again. Zens would be doubly vigilant this time—and four times as mean. Roberto already had enough scars from Death Valley. How could her brother survive? She stood, feet like lumps of wood, and walked to the door.
“Adelina, shall I come with you?” Lovina asked, rising.
Shaking her head, she fled into the corridor, Tomaaz’s protests echoing along the rock walls.
Adelina ran to Roberto’s cavern. Here, she’d find comfort. Here, she’d find Erob. She dashed through to Erob’s den. It was empty. “No, not Erob, too,” she gasped.
Adelina sank to the stone. For years, she’d dammed up sorrow, putting a bright face on life. Through her father’s betrayal, through him selling Roberto out to Zens and causing her mother’s death, she’d tried hard to be cheerful for Roberto’s sake. He’d borne the brunt of their father’s treachery and it had broken him. But he had been her mainstay, and now, he was gone. Hugging her knees and burying her head in her arms, she let her tears come.
§
Despite him calling after her, Adelina had fled. Tomaaz stood in the doorway, staring down the tunnel. Should he follow her?
A gentle hand rested on his arm. “She needs time, Tomaaz, just like I’d need time if it was you who hadn’t come back.” Lovina’s cornflower-blue eyes looked up at him.
He nodded. He’d talk to Adelina later. He stepped back inside.
Lovina had changed in the six weeks he’d been gone: her face had almost lost that gaunt haunted look; her skin glowed; and her hair was glossy and healthy.
“Do you mind?” he whispered, his hand hovering above her hair.
She closed her eyes and flung her arms around him, and he ran his hand over her hair, her back and then hugged her—the way he’d dreamed of hugging her every day he’d been in Death Valley. Her hair had a floral scent, and her body was warm against his. He’d been cold for weeks. Blankets in Death Valley had always been thin, and although it wasn’t snowy like here, the nights had been bitterly cold and much of the valley shrouded in shadow, even during the day.
Lovina’s back trembled under his hands, then shook. She was sobbing.
He pulled back, and tilted her chin. “Lovina?”
“I’m great,” she said between sobs. “I couldn’t be better. I’m just so glad you’re home.”
He pulled her back into his arms, rubbing his cheek on the top of her head. He’d never thought of anywhere except Lush Valley as home, but she was right—Dragons’ Hold was his new home. Now that he’d imprinted with Maazini, it was the best place for him to live, but what about her? “Lovina, is this your home too?” he murmured.
Through tear-filled eyes, she smiled. “Yes, Tomaaz, it’s my home too.”
“Then why are you crying?” He stroked her cheek.
“I had the most terrible dreams for the last five nights. Always the same. You were trapped under a landslide with tharuks swarming down a hill toward you. I’m so glad they’re not true. So glad you’re safe.” She sniffed. “And when I paint, the pictures come out the same as my dreams—you injured, lying under rocks.”
So, they were tears of relief. “Five nights?” It was five days’ flight to Death Valley. “Lovina, your dreams were true. I was trapped under some boulders five days ago, but Maazini freed me.”
“And you weren’t hurt?”
“Ma healed me. My hip was shattered.” Tomaaz tilted his head. There was more to her than met the eye, but then, he already knew that. “You might have the gift of prophecy.”
“Me?” Her eyes flew wide.
“It’s possible. You dreamed of something that happened. You should talk to Pa. He has visions and dreams too. His dragon Handel does as well.”
Lovina pulled his arm, leading him toward Adelina’s couch, but he resisted. “Lovina, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not here for long. I have to go back and help Ezaara and Pa find Erob. He’s wounded and can’t fly.”
“Erob?” Adelina’s voice came from behind them. “Erob’s wounded? Where is he?”
“Near Great Spanglewood Forest,” Tomaaz replied, turning
