“What’s this about?” Colin kept nudging one of her shoulders. Now that she thought about it, the world was tipping unevenly to her left, and each of those nudges seemed to right it temporarily. Damn it all, he was keeping her from falling over.
“What is wrong with her?” the first elf asked, climbing to his feet and shaking off the remainder of her magic.
Leena opened her mouth to try to explain again, but Colin did it for her. “She stepped on a mystic snail back there.” He pointed toward the trail with his thumb. “I was trying to carry her.”
The one who appeared to be their leader furrowed his brow and gave them both a disapproving look. “By the mouth?”
“Asshole,” she mumbled, louder than she meant to.
“Please proceed, dragon. We can travel faster if you carry her, and Lord Niall will appreciate our haste.”
“Name’s Colin. I assume you’re an archer of Asfolk?”
“Captain Haldir.” The elf gave a shallow bow, his pale blue eyes never leaving Colin’s face.
“I’m Leena,” she blurted. “Nice to meet you, Haldir.”
The elf frowned at her exuberance. Or maybe she was slurring her words again. “You as well, Leena.” He gestured toward his partner to the right, an elf with bright red hair and eyes the color of maple syrup. “This is Garret, my second.” And then to the blond on his left. “And Bartelon.”
With a nod of acknowledgment to the three, Colin dropped his arm to the back of her knees, and she found herself draped in front of his chest. This wasn’t nearly as fun as the dancing, but she didn’t argue. She still couldn’t walk herself.
“How did you find us?” She tipped her head back and stared at Haldir upside down. She had to close her eyes to keep from vomiting.
“I think it’s best if we leave that explanation to Lord Niall.”
Leena rested her head against Colin’s shoulder and wondered at that. The scribes would be able to call up her location in the sacred pools, but only if they were specifically looking for her. And why would they be looking for her? It was very strange indeed for them to be escorted back to the palace to visit with the high lord. She’d never met the elf. He didn’t often associate with the scribes except through his counselors when he needed to request a scroll for some political business. She had no idea whatthismight be about.
By the time they reached Asfolk Palace, her head was throbbing and every step Colin took set off a jab of pain between her temples. “Put me down,” she protested. “Please… I’m feeling better.”
Colin did as she asked, and she adjusted her robes, wincing at the light that bounced off the gleaming palace. Asfolk was a study in arched walls and circular patterns. Built from pink and white marble, the building’s multiple turrets were capped in royal-blue slate, its doors and windows round. The outside reminded her of a snail’s shell—shiny, smooth, and gracefully curved. Adorned in flowering ivy, Asfolk was considered the most beautiful palace in their world by many, although she had nothing to compare it to but Circe’s temple on Aeaea. Certainly it was more formal than that.
She winced and shaded her eyes as another spike of pain stabbed through her head.
“You okay, dancing queen?” Colin whispered. “Do I need to sign you up for a ten-step de-snailing program?”
She giggled, then grabbed her head when the pain grew worse. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts my head.”
“Apologies.” He followed the word with a slanted grin.
She rubbed her temples as two attendants opened the doors to the palace for them. “I don’t suppose you have any willow bark or a tonic in that bag of yours?”
He frowned. “Sorry. Dragons don’t use them, but surely if you asked…”
“This is where I leave you.” Captain Haldir gestured toward another set of doors. “You’ll find Lord Niall inside.”
Colin bowed to the elf before reaching for the door’s golden handle. Head still throbbing, Leena followed him into a place she’d never thought she’d see—the throne room. She balked. She stood at the head of an aisle carpeted with a long purple runner. At the end of the aisle, sprawled across a wooden throne atop a raised dais, was an elf with jet-black hair and an aristocratic nose. Lord Niall. Were they supposed to walk the length of the room to speak to him or address him from back here?
Colin didn’t seem to share her reservations. He passed her and strode forward with his arms spread wide. “Lord Niall! Such a pleasure to be in your presence again.”
Before Leena could pick up her chin off the floor, the ruler of Rogos leaped off his seat and embraced Colin like they were old chums.
“Colin of Paragon! I had a feeling you’d return to Rogos sooner than anticipated. You’ve fallen in love with our kingdom.” He wagged a finger at the dragon. “It will always be home to you now.”
Colin grinned and glanced back at Leena. She didn’t like the way Niall followed that glance, as if he could read something into it. Like his piercing green eyes could trace an invisible string between Colin and her.
“I’m actually returning Leena to the temple.”
“Then you’ve translated the scroll?”
