I miss her too, Valentine's dragon grumbled, and he bit his tongue so he wouldn't say it out loud.
There were many reasons why he had kept his dragon locked down for so long, and now it was going to be more vocal than ever. Just what he needed.
7
They managed to make it to Taranis's chambers with minimal fuss. His knights flanked them, and whenever anyone got too close, they made it clear that the king was busy.
Valentine admired carvings and tapestries but didn't stop to stare at them. There would be time enough for that later.
When Owain shut the double doors leading into the king's chambers, they all took a collective breath of relief.
"I'm starting to see why you have been spending time in England," Valentine commented.
Taranis ran a hand over his face. "The city had me for centuries whenever they wanted, and it's been an adjustment for them to accept that I'm busy with my family for once. They will learn."
Quinn kissed him. "Maybe you need to tell them you're busy making an heir and see if that will shut them up."
"They will probably try to offer helpful hints," he grumbled, and when he saw Quinn's expression, he laughed. "Gods, don't ask them just to see what they will say."
Emyr crossed her arms, making her biceps flex. "Enough flirting. What have you learned about Yelena and Avallach?"
"You're up, nephew," Taranis said and gestured to Valentine.
"I did some dream magic and tracked them," Valentine said and explained in the simplest terms possible how he had connected with Yelena's magic, and how he saw the ruined camp and the fortress they were being held at.
Emyr swore when he was done. "The best way to confirm what you saw is to head to their last known camp and see what we find. Not that I don't trust you or your power, but we need to make sure. Owain and I can fly out as soon as you have some leathers on."
"Do you know where they were camped?" Owain asked.
Emyr pointed to a map of the kingdom that hung on the wall. She pointed to a scrap of forest on the edge of the farthest border. "Somewhere here. Avallach had sent Vidar a message saying they had received reports of someone seeing a spy in these woods. He and Yelena were going to investigate."
"Do you know of the fortress I saw? It wasn't big, more like an outpost castle," Valentine said, moving beside them. Everything above the border was blank.
"I know of it, but I have never seen it. It was meant to have been abandoned two hundred years ago at least," Emyr said.
Valentine frowned. "It didn't look like it was in the best state of repair, but it was still solid, and there were at least a hundred warriors there."
"Seems odd that they wouldn't take prisoners back to Midir in his barrow," Owain commented.
"Which supports my point that they are trying to bait Taranis," Quinn said, gnawing on a lip.
"Or they were afraid that if their magic shackles failed, Yelena and Avallach would shift in the barrow and burn it from the inside out," Valentine murmured. They all turned to look at him. "What? It's what I would do if I were in their position and Ihad the chance. I still might if Midir or his men have hurt Yelena any more."
"I love that idea, but it's easier said than done," Emyr replied. "The entries into Midir's barrow kingdom are constantly shifting. It's how he's stayed protected for so long. He's in charge of all the pathways and moves them at will."
"Does he now?" Valentine smiled. "I do enjoy a challenge."
"Get Yelena and Avallach first. Valentine? You can use that room over there to change," Taranis said, dismissing him.
Valentine was happy to be dismissed. He headed into the room and shut the door behind him. They were probably going to talk a plan to death, and he didn't have time for it. He pulled his flying leathers out of his large backpack and started putting them on. Black leather lined with fur, high black boots, and a hood. He caught his reflection in a mirror and paused. His eyes were red with magic and beast. No one had said anything, but they all knew he was volatile.
"Doesn't matter," he whispered, pulling on his black gloves before securing his daggers in various sheaths on his chest and calves. As soon as Yelena was back, he could get help with managing the dragon, even if he had to get down on his knees and beg.
Foolish little sorcerer, you're never going to be able to manage me, the dragon taunted.
Valentine glared at his reflection. "We need to work together to get her back, so stop provoking me."
The dragon only grumbled out something that sounded like a laugh, but he didn't push him. His eyes didn't change back to gray, but he knew the beast’s silence didn't mean it would surrender the ground it had taken without a fight.
