“All right,” I said. “Let’s finish this.”
“Very well,” Aunt Gwynna said. “Leave now, but one of you stays behind.”
I looked at my companions, frustrated that we couldn’t all leave together.
“It will be me,” Drekken said.
“Someone else can do it. It doesn’t have to be you,” I said.
“Yes, it does. I’m a lost soul from a foreign land. No one will miss me if I’m gone. But you—all of you—have a greater purpose than me. I only ask that you remember me.”
Odette stepped forward. Behind her, the sun rose, catching the coloring on her gown, which I now realized was covered with tiny shimmering scales.
“Your heroism won’t be forgotten.”
“I appreciate your words, but the question is, will you come back for me?”
She hesitated, as if debating whether to choose freedom or bondage, her life for his. “I will,” she finally answered.” “I’ll come back, but don’t think you won’t owe me.”
He nodded. “I won’t forget, my lady.”
“Call me Odette.”
She moved away from him, then stood before the witches.
“The curse,” she said. “You promised to remove it so I can fly during nightfall.”
“Only for a short time, child. Then you must return to us.” Aunt Gwynna waved her hands. Magic formed, coalescing into a glowing orb that formed in her cupped hands. The light grew to encompass Odette in shimmering waves. As the magic lifted, Odette breathed deeply, then she took a step back. Her eyes caught my attention—dragon-like—with long, slitted pupils. She looked at her hands, then scanned her arms and body.
“The curse is lifted?”
“For now,” Aunt Neleia said, a warning edge to her voice. “You’d best return quickly.”
“Very well,” Odette snapped, then backed away. We followed her to the ledge where the waterfall thundered. Odette stood on the edge, water droplets splashing her skin, then raised her arms. As the woman dove off the ledge, her body morphed, an elegant neck forming, and her long gown lengthening to create wings. With powerful thrusts, she beat her wings and gained altitude until she flew level with the platform where we stood.
Raj and the wolf both leapt atop the dragon’s back, but I hesitated, looking back at my mother.
Despite the hurtful feelings I harbored toward her, I had trouble leaving. We’d only just reunited, and my heart ached at the thought of leaving her—and of being alone once again.
“Mother, I’ll miss you,” I said.
She came to me, hugging me to her chest. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I love you, daughter. I know I’m not a perfect person. I’ve done many things I regret, but I will never regret being your mother. I am so proud of you. You’re a better person than I am. You’ll do great things.”
I nodded. “Will I see you again?”
“You may visit me in my palace any time you wish. But I can never come to you. I’m sorry.” She brushed the hair from my face. “You’re such a beautiful, brave girl. There’s much you have to learn about yourself and about your own powers. Don’t forget who you are. You’re stronger than you think.”
I couldn’t speak past the lump in my throat. I only hugged her, wishing I could’ve stayed longer, feeling cheated at losing her too early.
But I wouldn’t let this moment go to waste. For one thing, she was alive, and I had a chance to prove myself and make her proud. Even if she wasn’t perfect, she was my mother, and despite her faults, I knew she loved me.
I pulled away from her, standing tall, realizing that I stood a few inches taller than her now.
“I will be watching over you,” she said. I nodded, stepping back toward the dragon. I gave one last look at Drekken.
“We’ll return for you,” I said.
He gave me a small smile, held up his flask, and nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”
I turned toward the dragon. Air whooshed as the massive beast flapped its wings. It was then I realized how enormous this creature was. Raj reached out his hand. I grabbed it and leapt behind him. Smooth silver scales spread out before me. In front of Raj, the wolf crouched, and Raj held him tight to his chest.
With a flutter of beating wings, the dragon soared away from the tower. A landscape of ice and snow spanned beneath us. Jagged mountains loomed in the distance. I caught my breath as gusts of cold air rushed past my face, though I barely noticed the chill, and had to laugh at how free I felt sitting atop the dragon, watching the world unfold beneath me, realizing we’d escaped my aunts’ palace with the shears.
We climbed higher, and mountains turned to sloping hills, then to plains. As we flew south, the snow disappeared, replaced with forests of red and orange that looked like flames from this perspective.
Clouds passed us by, their dampness cool on my exposed skin. As we flew, it gave me time to ponder what I’d learned at my aunts’ castle. I still had trouble believing I was the daughter of the evilest person in the land.
In truth, I had to admit I’d suspected it. Mother had spent a great deal of time with the high sorcerer—too much time, really. I remembered their quiet conversations, the times Varlocke had shown up at our cottage for no good reason, and the looks they’d shared. Now that I thought about it, it made too much sense.
How would I ever be able to confront him now that I knew the truth? Would I really be able to defeat my own father?
Sighing, I leaned forward, resting my head on Raj’s back. His clothing had the spicy, male scent I’d become used to, and having him near made my fears grow distant. How much longer did I have with him? I didn’t want to think about it. The
