I jerked my chin toward a group of soldiers laughing raucously around the fire. “You might like that one. His name is Jorek, and he has quite the sense of humour for a hellspawn. Or there’s Calder?—”
“Oh, I know Calder,” Eliza drawled. “He made sure I knew who he was.”
“Yeah, but don’t let him get into your head. It’s nothing personal. He and Sareth have an…unnatural thing going. But I think she’d hand his ass to him if he ever…” I gave a crude gesture.
That made Eliza laugh again, which had Sareth turning once more. This time, she sighed and shook her head. Yeah, we were going to have to rein in those siren powers.
“Don’t overthink it,” I told her. “They’re going to love you because I love you. By tomorrow, you’ll just be another mouthpiece around the fire.”
Her mouth quirked. “Yay me?”
Somewhere to our left, another cheer went up—louder this time, like someone had just won something big. We both turned on the rock to get a better look, only to find Rathgor pumping one massive fist in the air, bellowing that he was the “undisputed champion.” Next to him, a brimlord sat flattened in the dirt, wearing a filthy scowl while he rubbed his arm. A few nearby soldiers stomped the ground in time to Rathgor’s chant, and the noise rolled through the camp like a battle drum.
“While you’re here, sitting next to me, chatting all happily, I gotta ask…” Eliza’s voice trailed for a moment. “I know you were worried about the resurrection turning you dark. So, this is me checking in with you while we have a moment. How are you feeling?”
A tired smile pulled at my lips. “Way to ruin a perfectly good vibe.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nothing’s ruined. Not unless you’re about to tell me you’re turning into the new Emperor Palpatine.”
I chuckled, though the sound was quite weak. “I’m fine. Really. No ominous whispers in my head, no homicidal urges, no sudden need to build my own evil empire. Yet.”
A little voice chanted in my head, one that didn’t belong to me:Liar, liar, pants on fire.
“You sure? Because a lot has been going on. Those weird shadow-tendril things. Then the new wings. Not to mention the entire arsenal of weaponry you created out of thin air. Or, you know, the dragon you freaking slew pretty much by yourself.”
I snorted. “You make it sound so dramatic.”
“Because itis,” she said, but there was a smile tugging at her mouth. Then, softer: “But you’re okay? You’re sure?”
Other than the bone-freaking-exhaustion and the strange darkness slithering inside me, I wasfiiiine. I could handle it. So, I nodded.
Eliza squinted at me like she could see through the lie. For a heartbeat, her expression slipped—the humour gone, replaced by quiet concern.
“You’d tell me if you weren’t, right?”
I forced a grin. “Cross my heart.”
She held my gaze another moment, then exhaled, relief softening her shoulders. “Good. Because I don’t want to have to fulfill our little murder pact.”
“Aw,” I said, bumping her shoulder. “You like me.”
“Don’t push it.” Her gaze dropped to my side. “So, what are you going to name it?”
I jolted. Name what? The darkness?
“Your new sword,” she said when I didn’t immediately answer. “Every awesome sword needs a name.”
I blinked. Of course she meant the sword. Not…the other thing.
“Right.”
I stared at my side, at the scabbard that once held Shadow’s Embrace, and now held the new sword. The dragon-bone handle gleamed in the firelight, illuminating the black veins of magic that ran through it.
My hand drifted toward it before I could stop myself, and I brushed the hilt.
“Dragonbane,” I murmured.
Eliza nodded, a crooked grin tugging at her lips. “That’s badass.”
