Ah, yes, your son—Rajah, I want you to know that it was the kidnapping of your son that propelled my wife to return to the Old World to check up on our drake cousins. She felt the balance of the world shift as the wizard gained power and wanted to help. She has been gone for so long.
So we understand each other on a different level as well. I am lucky that the Nature Walker loves my son as much as I do, and has helped me raise him into the fine male that he is today. I am pleased that your Andyth is still alive, and I hope that she will return soon, and you will not have to raise your daughter alone any longer. It is hard work.
Yes, it is. So to the business at hand, as you said—Daelyth told me that the orb is where my mate took her to see the drakes fly. I know where that place is, and I can take you and the Nature Walker there. Is that acceptable to you?
Omerith, is the orb well hidden there?
Yes, very.
Does the Mother Dragon know of that place?
No.
Of course, I will need the other Guardians to approve, but I think we should just leave it where it is. The gods do not need to know where it is, as evidenced by Sephine’s attempt to meddle in our affairs—again. To be honest with you, after what it brought out of me, I do not wish to know where it is or have anything further to do with it. I do not think that Gin or Nelenie would disagree, but what are your thoughts? You represent the dragons and the dragonkind.
We are not a part of the Old World any longer, Rajah, so I do not think it matters what I think.
Gin would say it does. She is nothing if not fair.
Of mind and face, Rajah. When are you going to make her your First Wife, as I understand, is Qatu custom?
Sath was chuckling with the red dragon when the sound of enormous wings flapping just outside the great hall arrested his mirth and took hold of his attention. The Mother Dragon had arrived. He looked up at Omerith, who nodded solemnly before heading out the massive doors and starting toward the stairs that led to the roof, where she most likely would land.
At the same time, Gin thanked her dragonkind escort and sent her on her way before removing the magical barrier Omerith had erected in Daelyth’s doorway. She heard the Mother Dragon land on the roof and hurried inside the room. A dragonkind female was huddled in the corner, staring at Daelyth. She hopped to her feet at Gin’s presence; she was taller than Sath, just, and her high elf features faded to a deep cobalt blue near her hairline. Her dark hair integrated seamlessly with soft-looking blue scales that covered the back of her head and neck, and also her arms. She wore a sleeveless black tunic except for gold bands that symmetrically surrounded both her biceps and forearms. A matching gold pendant hung around her neck, the face of which was engraved with what looked like a dragon’s head and neck. Gin felt Sath tense through the bond—he had never had good luck with dragonkind, and Gin would never forget Salynth charming him, both in the Western Tower and again at the Outpost right before Ben killed her. But this female did not feel threatening to her, not at all—more curious. Gin bowed her head respectfully to her.
“Your Highness, Princess Embyr?”
“Nature Walker! Where is my mama?” Embyr cried out. “I don’t like my older brother, he is very mean.”
“Highness, you must give your brother another chance—he acts out of concern for his daughter, just as your Mama would for you. Now, your mother is here. If you wait, I will take you with me once I have checked on Daelyth. She is your niece. Have you ever met her before?”
“No. Mama wouldn’t let me. She said that Omerith’s family doesn’t like dragonkind like me, and they might hurt me.” She sniffled and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. “I just want to go home with Mama.”
Gin’s heart twinged a bit. She had no idea what had happened to Embyr to make her remain this perpetual young one in heart and mind, but she could remember clearly Khuj crying out for his Papa when he was in Aynamaede with her. “Now, listen, Embyr, you have magic, yes?” Embyr nodded. “You can tell if I’m lying, can’t you?” Again, the princess bowed her head. “Good.” Gin held out her hand to Embyr. “Take my hand, and know that I will not hurt you, I will not let Daelyth or your brother hurt you, and I will take you to your Mama just as soon as we make sure your niece here is well. Deal?” She winced as Embyr squeezed her hand and then nodded, releasing it. “Good girl. You can come over and watch if you like.” She walked toward the golden dragon in the corner with Embyr tiptoeing—if a giant creature like a dragonkind can tiptoe—behind her. “Daelyth?”
Daelyth’s head rose on her slender, golden scaled neck and moved toward the sound of Gin’s voice. Gin bit the inside of her cheek as she noticed the familiar hollow look in the amber eyes before her—but they were amber, not silver. All was not yet lost.
“She’s pretty and sparkly,” Embyr said from behind Gin. She picked up a torch and moved closer to her niece, perhaps to get a better look at the gilt scales on Daelyth’s back, and the dragon leaped to her feet, snorting puffs of frosty smoke. Embyr cried out and nearly dropped the torch.
“Put it back on the wall, Highness, please,” Gin barked, pleased to see that Embyr did as she was told.
