“Get this home as soon as you can, then make sure you rest, alright?”
With Braxius sitting in my palm, I raised him to my mouth and pressed a kiss to his scaly side. His little snout nuzzled into my cheek.
“Go. Stay high to avoid the ogres.”I knew he didn’t want to leave, but Taja would be carrying out his threat in just over a week’s time. Miraculously, Dae and I had survived The Order, and we didn’t have to return. Maybe I should plan a trip to the temple while we’re in this neck of the woods, offer an abundance of thanks to the gods for saving the day.
We stepped outside, and I mapped the stars before pointing him south. I watched until his tiny black shadow disappeared into the night.
The beat of my heart became more prominent. I needed Dae to return before The Order so we could leave.
A minute later, movement broke from the darkened tree scape and a giant elegant feline frame traipsed in my direction.
“Did you hear all that? About the dragons?”I asked.
“I did. It’s the first I’m hearing about it, they’ve kept it quiet.”
“I sent Braxius back to Rahana.”
He angled his head in a feline manner. “So, we should leave. Now. Before they get to you.”
My heart softened at his use of ‘we’. He really was prepared to leave behind the cause he’d dedicated years to. “You ready to be a deserter?”
He released a harsh puff of air through his nose, twitching his ears. “They’re the ones who made me a deserter.”His words hung heavily in the air, like the guilt of years away from his family had finally hit its breaking point.
“I have a plan,”I said timidly, hoping he’d be willing to take a little detour.
He cocked his head in question.“Lay it on me.”
“In the mood to go hunting for some dragons?”
56
Nora
The dagger's comfortable weight in my hand was familiar and soothing, like holding the hand of someone I loved. These leathers Nick had custom made allowed me to move with ease. I lifted my leg, resting my foot on top of a wooden crate, and leaned on my knee with my elbow.
Several guards waited in the lobby of the butcher shop, but I remained in the back room. Skinned animals hung from hooks, bled dry, the evidence staining the floor beneath. The already unpleasant smell was made more nauseating since some carcasses had started spoiling. Left abandoned by their shop owner who would never return.
The bell at the front door chimed when it opened, the woman’s protests filling the foyer. I didn’t look up, only stared at the sheen of metal that twirled in my hand, the tip dimpling the pad of my index finger.
She stumbled through the curtain, irritation radiating off her. “Who the fuck are you?!”
With slow and precise grace, I removed my foot from the crate, dragging my eyes to the woman who almost killed my husband. “I am your queen,” I stated coldly.
Recognition glittered in her eyes, her throat bobbing. She bowed her head and lowered in a fake placating bow. “Your Majesty.” The quiver in her voice only stirred the brewing fury in my belly. She knew why I’d come.
“You nearly killed my husband.”
She didn’t move, eyes fixed on the bloodstained floorboards.
“This kingdom isgoingto change. Magic wielders will no longer be seen as less or something to be feared. I’m going to make sure of it.”
Her shoulders tensed, but she remained respectfully lowered.
“Anyone who violates that progress by violent methods shall meet their end.”
She looked up at me then. I expected to see fear, perhaps regret. Instead, a lifetime of hatred and prejudice flared in her blue eyes, her teeth clenched. She rose in slow defiance. “You’ll pervert this kingdom. Sully its goodness and its peace if you bringthosepeople here.”
“You place yourself above them?” I lifted a questioning brow.
