“It’s time for a killing spree.”
“I’ll find you some slaves,” 000 said, “and bring them to your chamber.” He stalked from the cavern, his boots echoing with menacing thuds down the tunnel.
Zens laughed. Today was getting better already.
Kierion’s Folly
The torch in her cavern was burning low when Ezaara got in, peeling off her damp jerkin and stamping her cold feet.
“You’re out late. It’s way after midnight.”
She started. She hadn’t seen Tomaaz, sitting in the shadows. “Hey, how are you, Maaz?” She’d been out, stunt-riding Zaarusha.
He unfolded himself and approached. “That’s what I wanted to ask you. Nightmares again?”
She shrugged. “Every night. And you? Why are you up so late?”
“I don’t know. Restless.” He shifted from foot to foot.
Perching on the bed, she removed her boots, and pulled on a fresh pair of woolen socks.
“You’re Queen’s Rider,” Tomaaz said. “You can meld with any dragon. And you’re a great healer. But I don’t know what my role is here.”
It wasn’t like Tomaaz to doubt himself. Something must be eating at him. “You’re incredible. You saved Lovina, Ma and the boy from Death Valley.”
“Taliesin’s his name—he’s talking now.”
“That’s good. While you were off saving lives, all I’ve done is sit at Dragons’ Hold.”
“And go to the Wastelands to save Roberto. And save Zaarusha from poison.”
“We do what we can for those we love.”
“Exactly.” He sat on her bed beside her.
She knew her twin. “Is this about Lovina?” she asked. “You love her, don’t you?”
His voice softened. “I do.” He stared at her. “And you, Ezaara? I guess I can’t ask you that question.”
He knew she loved Roberto. They’d never been able to hide much from each other. “We have to save him,” she whispered.
“We do,” said Tomaaz. “I feel terrible for leaving him behind.” He patted her hand. “Only four more days and we’ll return with the strength of Dragons’ Hold at our backs. I wish we could go now.”
Ezaara nodded, throat too tight to speak.
Tomaaz walked to the door and put a hand on the handle. “Believe me, Ezaara, every day he’s there kills me. It’s not fair that I’m at home with my loved ones while he’s subjected to the dragon gods know what.”
Exactly. When Tomaaz shut the door, Ezaara lay on her bed, staring at the cold stone ceiling.
§
By the time dawn touched the tips of Dragon’s Teeth, Kierion and Adelina were far from Dragons’ Hold, skimming over the northern part of Spanglewood Forest. The peaks protecting Dragons’ Hold were distant sentinels behind Kierion’s back. There was nothing quite like the thrill of flying above the realm while the sun bathed the snow-dusted trees in its glow.
Kierion mind-melded with Riona, “Where did Septimor see Roberto?”
“Just below this ridge, in the trees.” Riona shared Septimor’s memory.
Adelina hadn’t said exactly where Roberto was supposed to be or what he was doing away from Dragons’ Hold, just that he was on council business. But Kierion wasn’t stupid. She was holding something back. Since Tomaaz had returned without Roberto, she’d been troubled. Even Erob was back, although he was still resting on the infirmary ledge. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Roberto had been attacked by tharuks. Maybe he was missing. Rumors said he’d gone rogue, but Kierion didn’t believe Roberto would desert Erob.
Linaia and Adelina swooped down the ridge. Kierion followed on Riona, the rising sun making the gold highlights in Riona’s purple scales blaze. Exhilaration swept through him. He’d never imagined flying could feel like this—the wind in his face, the peace so high above everything, or the love he’d feel for such a magnificent beast.
“You’re not such a bad beast yourself,” Riona said.
Kierion grinned.
Their dragons dived between the trees, banking steeply to prevent their wings from hitting foliage. Riona and Linaia settled onto the ground, furling their wings against their sides.
“We’ll search for him by foot,” Adelina called.
“Good idea. The trees are too dense to scout by air.” Kierion took his bow and quiver from Riona’s saddlebag and checked his sword was secure in its scabbard. He slid to the ground.
“Look.” Adelina pointed to boot prints in the snow. “Maybe that was him.”
The prints led deeper into the forest. Kierion nodded. “As good a chance as any. Let’s go.”
Their boots crunched through the snow as they wound between the trees. Kierion was bursting with curiosity but he waited until they’d walked a while before questioning Adelina. “So, what’s Roberto been doing away from the hold so long?”
Adelina’s shoulders tightened. “Stuff.”
“Come on, Adelina. Something’s been eating at you.”
She raised a sardonic eyebrow. “Oh, has it? Then why don’t you tell me what it is?”
Kierion shrugged. “Erob was hurt, so tharuks must have attacked. Is your brother hiding somewhere, or injured?”
Her face paled.
Oh, shards. He’d blurted it out without thinking about how she’d feel. “Come on, Adelina. You know me. You can trust me.” He pounded his fist against his chest. “Always.”
She bit her lip and kept trudging after those darned boot prints.
They probably weren’t Roberto’s. If he’d been hurt this close to the hold, he would’ve signaled a blue guard to collect him, surely. Unless he was hiding from the council. Kierion hurried after Adelina, then fell into step beside her, passing her an apple from his pocket.
She cradled the apple in her palm, murmuring something so quietly, he missed it.
He kept his trap shut and ears open, not biting into his apple in case he crunched too loudly and missed what she said.
Sure enough, after a few more paces, she spoke again. “He was on council business, you know. I wasn’t lying.” He nodded, and she kept talking while they walked. “Roberto and Tomaaz were
