My father’s chambers weren’t far from the main palace. I wondered if Kull had made it back yet. If he’d taken the light-rails, it was a possibility. I would avoid the main palace at all costs, though paying a visit to my dad didn’t seem much more appealing.
A knot formed in my stomach. Even on a good day, I dreaded seeing my father. Now I would have to confront him.
I slid off Fan’twar’s back and landed on the ground. I hugged him tight, feeling his smooth scales under my fingers.
“Will you reconsider?” he asked me.
“You know I can’t.”
He let out a snort. “You are strong, Olive. Someday soon, I predict your powers will exceed my own. Until then, you must take care. Remember what I have taught you. It is no coincidence that I am your guardian.”
“I’ll remember.”
He nodded. “My journey begins now. I have not heard from the wild dragons on the outer islands, even when I used the spellcasting to contact them. I fear the danger there is worse than we imagine.”
“Do you think it’s the Regaymor attacking them?”
“I am almost certain of it. The Regaymor are attracted to places of power. I fear they are not only infiltrating the goblin lands, but the outer islands as well. The Regaymor must not be allowed to capture the magic. I fear to leave you alone, but I know of no other way.”
“I can take care of myself, Fan’twar.”
His smile looked strained. “You have grown into a great practitioner. Still, you must be cautious. The Regaymor are not easily destroyed—if they can be destroyed at all.”
“But what are they? Where do they come from?”
“I have not been able to discern that. I feel as though their magic clouds even mine. None of my spellcastings have given me any clue as to their identity.”
“Very strange.”
“Yes. I hope my quest will reveal some answers to our questions. Take care, young one. I will return as soon as I can.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Very well.” Without another word, he gave his wings several massive flaps and then leapt into the air. He disappeared over the towering parapets and into the sky. I watched him go, feeling my stomach sink. I knew he cared for me, but I wished he didn’t have to leave. I felt safer with him watching over me. Yet, even as a child, the sky king had given me more freedom than I should’ve had. He trained me through his example. He had a strange understanding of protecting me. Perhaps it was because he was dragon and I was human. Dragons cared for their young, but they didn’t constantly watch over them as a human would have. Still, unlike most beings I dealt with lately, I knew he loved me.
The path to my father’s chambers wound through a small elven grove. Trees that reminded me of cypresses grew along the path, their dark, mossy foliage moving with grace in the gentle breeze.
My footsteps sounded unusually loud on the gravel path. A clammy sweat broke out over my body. I thought about what I would say to my father when I saw him. Hey, Dad, I hear you’re casting evil spells and you may be trying to kill me. Anything else new?
The wind rustled the mossy leaves, making a soft sighing sound. My heart clattered in my chest. As a child, I’d never suspected my father had wanted me dead. He’d been cold and distant, but I wouldn’t have thought him capable of murder.
I reached the door. Gold leafing overlaid a smooth-grained wood. I knocked and waited.
It opened sooner than I would have liked.
My father stared at me. I’d expected a servant to answer. Last time, it had taken an act of the Almighty just to see him, so I wasn’t prepared to meet him so soon. I guess the shock must’ve shown on my face.
“Olive?”
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
I wanted to bolt. I didn’t want this conversation. But if I ever wanted to see Jeremiah again, I knew I had to stay. The dream catcher sat in my backpack. I decided now would be a good time to pull it out.
I unzipped it, grabbed my handkerchief, and carefully lifted the talisman out. “I came to ask you about this.”
He knitted his eyebrows, glanced outside as if searching for someone, and then ushered me in.
His home hadn’t changed much. It was built in the typical elven style with arched windows and doorways, overly embellished pillars, floors made of differing patterns of wood that wove together to create a tapestry. I still had trouble walking on them. I felt as if I were disturbing a work of art.
The furniture wasn’t built for comfort. Every piece was carved and inlaid with gold or pearls, yet arranged to create the most efficiency of space.
Bookshelves lined the walls, though I didn’t see a single tome out of place. Even though Mom and Dad lived worlds apart, I could see their attraction to one another. They were both too OCD for their own good. I should’ve counted my blessings not to have been raised by them.
The door banged shut, and my father rounded on me. “Where did you get that?” He never displayed emotion, except now. His face looked livid, though he spoke with calm calculation.
“I found it in the Wult tombs. Any ideas how it got there?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did you touch it?”
“Yes,” I answered.
He collapsed onto one of the chairs. I sat across from him and replaced the dream catcher. Even with the handkerchief, I still felt its taint.
I gave him a moment. Honestly, I’d never seen him so shaken up.
“I’m sorry,” he finally said.
He was sorry? This came unexpectedly. “Did you intend for me to find it?”
He shook his head.
I didn’t believe him. “Yet you knew where I was going. You were the spellcaster who created it—”
“Yes,” he said, cutting me
