“I figured Fleur would be more likely to hide stuff in a spare mattress than in the ones patients use.” Kierion gestured to some pallets stacked against the wall. “There are a few more to check yet.”
Adelina undid the corks and test-sniffed the contents. “None are the antidote.”
Where was Roberto?
Surely, if he was injured, he would’ve been brought to the infirmary by now. Was he dead? Dread filled her like an ominous tide. “Lars, have you heard from Singlar yet?”
Grim lines tugging at his mouth, Lars shook his head.
§
Zaarusha’s glimmering thread was fading, her breathing slowing again. The antidote had helped, but it wasn’t enough. Melding with the queen wasn’t working. Or with Roberto. Or Erob. “Singlar,” Ezaara melded, “Zaarusha’s fading again. Are Erob and Roberto all right?”
“We’re nearly there.” At least she could reach someone. Within moments, Singlar landed at the imprinting grounds.
Kierion jumped off Singlar, cradling a bottle as tall as an ear of corn. “We found the antidote,” he announced. “And lots of it.”
How should she administer the remedy? All at once? In smaller doses? Too little, and they could waste the whole bottle in dribs and drabs, and not combat the poison. Too much, and it could kill Zaarusha.
“Adelina’s stayed in the infirmary with Gret. Kierion will keep vigil with you over Zaarusha,” Lars said. “I have to get back to the dungeons to help Tonio interrogate Fleur, Bruno and Simeon.”
“Of course. Any word of Erob, or Ajeuria?”
“Not yet. We’re not sure where they fell, but riders have gone searching. None of our dragons can meld with them at the moment.” His glance slid away.
He feared they were dead.
Her stomach lurched. No, not Roberto.
Time for that later. She had a queen to save. Swallowing, Ezaara cupped the bottle in her hands and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply, sensing Zaarusha’s life thread. Pale gold—no longer glimmering. Kierion held up Zaarusha’s top lip so she could jam the bottle in a gap between her fangs. Ezaara dribbled liquid into Zaarusha’s maw. The queen swallowed.
And again.
Ezaara waited, then dribbled a little more. The gold of the queen’s life thread started to glow a little more. Last time she’d deteriorated a while later. If only Ezaara knew what Zaarusha’s life thread looked like when she was healthy. She’d only ever seen it tonight, while her queen was dying.
Surely, Zaarusha needed more. Ezaara gave her twice as much as before.
The gold grew stronger.
After a while, it faded again. She still had most of the bottle left.
She doubled the dose again, and waited.
“Trial and error,” said Kierion lightly. “You’re doing well.” He shrugged a shoulder. “You can tell me I’m being nosy if you want, or you can refuse to answer. I mean, I’m just curious ...”
“What is it?” Ezaara met his gaze.
“Well, at the trial, you were accused of loving Master Roberto.” Kierion paused, awkwardly. “Is it true? Are you in love?”
Was Kierion Tonio’s spy, gathering information against them?
It came in a flash—she didn’t care what anyone thought anymore. They’d been banished. Roberto had had his guts slit like a rabbit. She’d saved him from murder. And now he was ... what? Dead? Alive? The dragon masters’ opinions weren’t important anymore. “Yes, I love him. But I’ve never acted upon my feelings.” Thank the Egg, Roberto had stopped her.
“What does it feel like? How do you know ...?” Kierion blushed.
So, he liked someone too. “I imagine it’s different for each person. For me, love is sunlight shimmering on water, dancing into the darkest corners of my soul.” Despite her missing connection with Roberto, and despite Zaarusha’s state, the thought of Roberto’s love made hope grow in Ezaara’s heart. She paused as Kierion nodded to himself. “How does it feel for you?” she asked.
Kierion started. “Me?”
She let a faint smile touch her lips. “Yes, you.”
Blushing beet red, Kierion stammered, “A-as b-bright as an eagle’s eye, as soft as the clouds and as if I’m about to burst with joy.”
“Does the person you like feel the same?”
“Um, ah, I ...”
“The one you love doesn’t know?”
He grinned and ducked his head. “No, not yet.”
Under Ezaara’s hand, Zaarusha moved. She had to focus. As Ezaara tipped the bottle, Kierion shifted his weight and bumped her. A gush of fluid rushed into Zaarusha’s mouth.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Kierion’s face twisted with worry.
Ezaara bit her lip to stop herself from yelling. It was too late. He’d wasted half the huge bottle. The Egg only knew what the effect would be.
Suddenly, Ezaara’s mind was bathed with colors swirling in golden light.
“Ezaara?” the queen melded.
“I’m here, Zaarusha.” A hot tear slid down her cheek. Then another. “Thank you, Kierion. Don’t be sorry. I never would have given her that much at once, but it was exactly what she needed.”
Kierion’s face lit up like a fistful of candles.
“Ezaara.” Zaarusha raised her head, voice shaky. “Why are my littlings fighting?”
Littlings? Ezaara frowned. “You mean the masters?”
“No, my son and daughter.”
Her son? And—
Erob! Ajeuria! “They’re alive?”
“And that master you’re so fond of—Roberto’s alive too.”
A wave of relief whooshed through Ezaara, so potent she was glad she was kneeling.
“Sorry, Ezaara. I shouldn’t have doubted you and forfeited your right to ride me.” Zaarusha nuzzled her hand. “How can you forgive me?”
More tears slid down Ezaara’s cheeks. “I already have.”
“You’ve always trusted me, right from the moment you saw me, but I let my heart be darkened by aspersions from others. They convinced me you’d fooled me, and were still fooling me, even though I found no malice in your heart.”
Ezaara flung her arms around Zaarusha’s neck. Her skin was warm and comforting, like soft leather.
“Singlar tells
