“So, you endangered a fellow rider, a young one at that, and two dragons—just to have fun?”
“It wasn’t really fun, sir.” Even though Marlies had healed them, Kierion’s ribs still ached.
“No, fighting tharuks isn’t,” thundered Lars. “Why are you such an irresponsible whelp?” His boots stomped on stone, like a battle drum.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
Flames leaped up, licking at a log. The wood issued a high-pitched squeak as the tortured air inside it tried to escape.
“I don’t want you to be sorry. I want you to stop being so impulsive. Think before you act.” Lars exhaled forcefully. “You missed kitchen duty as well.”
“They hardly need me there, sir,” Kierion muttered.
Lars shook his head. “You were given kitchen duty to remind you to think about the consequences of your actions. From now on, it’s your top priority. Organize kitchen duty before anything else. Got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Kierion, although you might be willing to risk your own neck, don’t ever risk your dragon or another rider again.”
As if he’d ever risk Riona.
Lars glared. “Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, sir, crystal clear.”
“You’re dismissed,” Lars barked, eyes still fierce.
Kierion left Lars’ cavern, the heavy wooden door thudding shut. Thank the Egg, Lars didn’t know he’d been with a mage. He’d put him on kitchen duty for the rest of his life.
“Kierion, I have an idea,” melded Riona. “We’ll lay a trap to catch some tharuks, then I’ll flame them.” Riona showed him an image of her, bleeding out on the snow. When tharuks approached, she snarled, and flapped her wings helplessly, but when they got closer, she burned them.
Shards, it was brilliant, although he’d have to find some fake blood and a waterskin to put it in. Hang on. What was he thinking? He’d just promised Lars he wouldn’t risk his dragon. “No, Riona. You heard Lars. I’m not to put you in danger.”
“You? Put me in danger? Who do you think you are? It’s my decision. Nothing to do with you or Lars. Besides, we’re meeting your mage friend, and he’s a fair shot with a fireball.”
Kierion laughed. “Well, Lars did tell me to organize kitchen duty. He never said I have to do it myself.”
Riona chuckled. “Before dawn again?”
“Too right,” Kierion replied. “That’s when Fenni agreed to meet us.”
§
“Quick, they’ll be here any minute.” Leah squeezed into the cupboard beside Mara, wrinkling her nose. “Oh, this is tight. Here, let’s move these pails.” She nested the wooden pails inside one another, shoving them against the back wall.
Mara moved a soggy mop to one side. “Turn those pails upside down and I’ll sit on them.”
Mara got the comfortable seat, while Leah sat on the cold stone, hugging her knees.
“Hurry, they’re coming,” hissed Mara. She grabbed the door, pulling it shut, nearly slamming her fingers. A tiny slit of light came through a crack in the door, giving them a narrow view of the cavern.
Girls laughed as they entered the dorm. “Of course he knows you like him. You turned as red as a blood-beet when he looked at you,” one said.
“I couldn’t help it. He’s just so … I don’t know.”
Beds creaked as girls sat down. The cavern door thudded shut.
“Right, girls. You all know why we’re here.” Snake-tongue.
Mara nudged Leah. Leah automatically put her finger to her lips. If they were caught, they’d be beaten and made social outcasts, but they had to find out what Snake-tongue was planning.
“Enough gossip. It’s time for action,” said Snake-tongue. “We need someone from Anakisha’s bloodline to fulfill the prophecy. Her heir should be Queen’s Rider, ruling at Dragons’ Hold alongside Queen Zaarusha. Are you all in?”
A drip from the mop hit Leah’s hair, making her flinch. Shards, she had to stay still and not make a sound. The stone was chilling her backside, but it was too late to move now. If she bumped something, Snake-tongue would hear.
Mara squeezed her hand in the dark, and Leah squeezed back.
A timid voice spoke up, answering Snake-tongue. “W-what sort of action?”
Snake-tongue’s voice was smooth, almost friendly. “Anyone else with questions?”
A shiver ran down Leah’s neck, like fingertips walking across a grave, as two more girls expressed their concerns.
“Thank you for asking,” Snake-tongue said in her oiliest tone. “Are you scared of hurting someone?”
“Y-yes, the thought m-makes me nauseous,” one of them said.
Fingers snapped, and Snake-tongue’s voice took on a hard edge. “I have the prefect cure for nausea. Bring her here.”
The sounds of a scuffle ensued. The girl’s muffled protests were cut off with the smack of an open hand meeting flesh.
Leah bit her lip. This was worse than she’d thought. Adelina had warned them not to get involved, only to gather information and not give themselves away. She pressed her nails into her palms, fighting the urge to burst out of the cupboard and scream, “Stop.”
“Pass me the rumble weed tonic,” Snake-tongue barked.
The girl gagged and spluttered as she was forced to drink the vile stuff.
“That should fix her.” Snake-tongue laughed. “Now, get a pail before she vomits all over the floor.”
Boots stomped across the stone toward the cupboard. Leah’s heart froze. In the dark, Mara clutched her arm, making her start. The cupboard handle squeaked.
Leah grabbed Mara’s hand and tensed, ready to run. The door opened a finger’s breadth.
“Don’t bother,” Nadira—one of Sofia’s closest friends—called. “I have a pail here.”
