“It’s forbidden,” he adds, unhelpfully, when he realizes I’m not joking.
“Because of something that supposedly happened thousands of years ago, which I’m still trying to piece together the details of. I was hoping a visit to the archives would be more helpful, but the book I found isn’tcomplete—”
“You went to the archives?” Nox interrupts.
“Yes, but that’s not important. Back in the Shifter Kingdom, Kai and I explored the use of blood to treat shifters who were stuck in their animal forms. It had mixed results, but with Kai only being shifter, it makes sense it might not work correctly. It could be different if we try with mage blood.”
“First name basis with the king?” Daje asks, his eyes holding mine as I watch his mind work to come to a conclusion that I’m not sure I can avoid anymore. At least he merely looks curious and not like he might be sick.
Cass whistles, and I’m unsure if it’s to break the tension or simply because he finds this whole thing amusing. I look back to Nox. “I think it’s worth exploring.”
“I trust you,” he replies, and gods, if that doesn’t ease something in my chest.
“I’ll give up my precious blood. Wouldn’t be the first time a woman asked for it.” A different kind of awkward silence follows, and before Cass can clarifythatbizarre statement, Elora thankfully changes the subject.
“I think I might have some news on the Mirror front. Assuming Bahira hasn’t updated you already on my newest hypothesis?”
“I was a little preoccupied with thinking you had betrayed Nox and Rhea.” Elora narrows her eyes as Cass attempts to cover his laugh with a poorly timed cough. “Which I was clearly wrong about. I apologize.”
“What have you found?” Nox prods.
Elora repeats everything she told me in the library—adding that, since I’ve seen her, she’s delved into information about dragon fire, and while there isn’t any reference to something called dragonglass, the fae believe the fire from dragons to be a magical property. “Fire melts rock and sand and turns it into glass. We already know that the Fae Kingdom’s geographicalmakeup lends itself to being hospitable for dragons. What if rock or sand combined with dragon fire creates glass able to hold our magic?”
“It’s sound reasoning,” I concede, leaning my elbows on my knees. “But unless you have a live dragon you’re keeping secret from us or connections in the Fae Kingdom, I’m not sure how we’re going to procure this glass.”
“Maybe we don’t need to ask a fae,” Nox says, beginning to pace. “Maybe they have the dragon equivalent of lightning fossils littering their beaches near the mountains.”
My eyebrows draw up as Cass laughs, while Daje looks at Nox like he’s insane. “Yes!” Elora shouts, clapping her hands twice. “Exactly that! But, you know, the dragon version.”
Daje rounds the chair and asks, “What are lightning fossils?”
Elora lays her hand on Daje’s arm, her excitement spilling into her voice. I watch as his body tenses slightly but then relaxes, as if he isn’t quite used to being touched like this but it certainly isn’t unwelcome. Elora explains what lightning fossils are— lightning hitting damp sand. The heat of the lightning melts the sand, and cool ocean water hardens it into glass. “If dragon fire met sand on the beach at any point, then we might be able to find enough to repair the Mirror.”
“Let me see if I understand this correctly,” Daje starts, his gaze moving to my brother’s. “You are suggesting that we sneak into the Fae Kingdom and risk encountering beings that are known for their brashness and their access to fucking dragons, all in the hope that wemightfind some random dragon glass on their beaches.”
“Essentially,” Nox answers, earning another chuckle from Cass.
Daje groans and drags a hand down his face. “Let’s say that scenario plays out perfectly and we make it back home alive. Then what?”
Silence answers as everyone’s gazes drop to the floor.Then what? How did we take this hypothetical glass and turn it into a new working Mirror?
“We’ll deal with that part of the plan once we have the glass,” Nox finally answers, his fingers massaging his temples.
Daje scoffs but offers no further argument. “Fine. Who is leading this suicide mission?”
“I will—”
“No.” I cut my brother off, shaking my head. “You can’t. And before you try to argue with me, consider the fact that you’ve agreed to be king. They will likely not let you go and just as likely kill you if you attempt to leave anyway.”
“She’s right,” Cass adds, a dagger now twirling over his knuckles playfully while he looks at Nox. “It’s too dangerous for you to go right now. Stay and play by the rules while continuing to look for the mole.” He catches the dagger by the hilt and stands, sliding it into the sheath at his thigh. “I’ll go.”
“As will I,” I stand, bumping Cass’s shoulder.
“Nope, you have to stay too.”
I whip my head to look at him, my hands falling to my hips. “What?Why?”
Cass’s eyes soften, lowering his head so that our conversation is somewhat private. “Because Nox needs someone here that he can trust, andIneed someone here who will make sure he doesn’t do something stupid.”
