There were certain areas of a human body that would give Gwennore the best reading of a person’s health. She could press her fingers on the neck beneath an ear, or place her palm against a brow, or the method she favored the most—wrapping her hand around a wrist and pressing her fingertips against the pulse.
Would her gift work on a dragon? She was eager to know. Closing her eyes, she pressed the palm of her hand against his chest. The warmth of his skin melded with her hand and soon, she could feel beyond the skin to the rushing of blood through his body and the steady beat of his heart. It was a powerful beat, much stronger than she’d ever felt from a human.
What are you doing?
She jerked her hand back as her eyes flew open. “Nothing.” Had he felt her reading him?
You should rest for now. We have a long way to go.
“As you wish.” She burrowed her hands into the folds of her skirt and rested her cheek against his warm skin.
After a while, she lost all sense of time. Her world closed in till it was only her, cradled in a soft leathery cocoon, resting against the comforting warmth of the dragon’s chest and hearing the steady beat of his wings.
When everything around her suddenly turned white, she realized they were traveling through a cloud. She held out a hand, and the cool, white vapor sifted through her splayed fingers. Amazing. She smiled to herself. She was inside a cloud!
Fluffy wisps blew past her, feathering her cheeks as the dragon descended, then suddenly they were surrounded by a beautiful, clear blue. She ventured a look down and wasn’t frightened this time, for she was being held so close.
The view was stunning. Mountain peaks blanketed with snow. Mountainsides thick with forest. Wide valleys of green pastures. Bursts of color from clumps of wildflowers. Rivers rushing and foaming, flooded with snowmelt. Every now and then, a deadly spot of scorched earth where hot steam ascended from geysers and cones of white ash.
Norveshka. A land of extremes. Where the highest mountains on Aerthlan stood sentinel over the deepest valleys. Where cool green meadows collided with patches of hot, barren crust. Where people lived among dragons.
Fascinated, Gwennore watched the land pass by beneath her. The dragon swooped down, giving her a view of a lovely waterfall crowned with a rainbow. Down in the valley, a young boy was herding goats. He glanced up and waved. Farther along the valley, she spotted a village. Brown log cabins were topped with green grassy roofs. Window boxes overflowed with bright-red flowers. Several people looked up and waved.
“They have no fear of you.”
Why would they? We protect them.
“But why do you kidnap children?”
She heard something like a hiss. I don’t.
“Why did your brother take Eviana?”
There was a long pause. It’s … complicated.
“I have time.”
We’re close to Dreshka now.
She recalled the geography she’d learned at the convent. The village of Dreshka spanned the Norva River, only a mile south of Norva Lake. “That is the capital?”
Yes. Most probably, my brother will deposit the child in the garden at Draven Castle. It has a flat space that is large enough for us to land. I will leave you there—
“Leave? But you said you would return us.”
As soon as it can be arranged. Trust me.
Could she really trust a dragon?
He tilted to the left, heading north to follow a rushing river as it cut through a deep canyon. After a while, the canyon opened up to a wide valley. White, fluffy sheep dotted the green meadows, along with wildflowers of purple and yellow. In the distance, she saw Draven Castle perched on a mountain.
It was magnificent. White limestone gleamed in the afternoon sun. The numerous towers and turrets were topped with differently shaped spires of greenish copper.
As they drew closer, Gwennore spotted the village that straddled the river. Dreshka. The community looked idyllic with all the grassy roofs and window boxes overflowing with flowers. A few stone bridges arched over the Norva River.
The castle presided over the village, its thick walls rising from the gray granite of the nearby mountain. The dragon veered to the right, headed to the south side of the castle. She spotted a long flat lawn, surrounded by flower beds and fruit trees.
As they approached, she saw the first dragon set Eviana on the grass then fly off, slowly gaining altitude so he could clear the nearby forest. Eviana remained huddled on the ground, her white dress stirring slightly in the breeze caused by the beating of the dragon’s wings.
I will drop you close to her.
“Thank you.” Gwennore felt a twinge of reluctance to part with her dragon. For the time being, he was the only ally she had in Norveshka. “Will I see you again?”
He glided down toward the lawn. I’ll send the general to you.
“General? Will he take us back to Eberon?”
The dragon’s forelegs opened, and she rolled forward, falling a foot onto the ground.
“Umph.” She lifted herself up on her elbows in time to see him soar past her. “Puff…”
I am never far away. He circled around the castle, disappearing from her view. Gwennore. His last word floated through her mind like a soft whisper.
She slowly rose to her feet. Eviana was some twenty yards away, not moving.
“Eviana!” She ran to the little girl, who raised her head and blinked sleepily.
Had the poor child fainted out of fear? Tears crowded Gwennore’s eyes as she fell to her knees and gathered the girl into her arms. “Eviana, sweetheart…”
“Gwennie!” Eviana wrapped her arms around Gwennore’s neck. “I thought you…” She let
