“Post Firefolk at all the entrances to the keep. If Sela tries anything, at least we’ll know she’s coming.” I stalk toward the door. “Maintain regular patrols. Rivon, let me know if you hear anything more from the villagers. And if anyone sees Sela, alert me immediately.”
“She wouldn’t dare try anything.” Brin hands his cup to Faraday.
“She’s dared plenty over the past centuries. This would be nothing for her.” I stop in the doorway, tension radiating through me. “I won’t let her take what’s mine. Never again.” I leave and head straight for Larellin.
Behind me, Brin and Faraday trade recriminations over who’s to blame for setting me off. The truth is, neither of them is the reason. Their silly little tiffs are nothing new, and in fact, tend to be rather amusing. But I’m not in the mood. Not when my mortal is suffering and not when my greatest enemy is on my doorstep.
Larellin wakes latein the night.
I stop breathing and watch her, making sure I haven’t imagined it.
“Mama?” she calls, her voice weak and small, her eyes still shut tight.
“You’re going to be all right.”
“I’m so sorry.” A tear rolls from the corner of her eye.
I wipe it away. “You’ve nothing to apologize for.”
“I’m so sorry, Mama.”
She’s delirious, the fever taking a heavy toll. “I tried to be strong when Papa …” Her voice fades out. “I’m sorry.”
More tears. Gods, why do they rip apart my insides? Just seeing her cry is a special sort of torture, one I’ve never experienced.
Taking her hand, I lean forward. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“You.” She turns toward me, her eyelids fluttering open. “Vander?”
“I’m here.”
“I’m in Oblivion.” She seems to be saying it more to herself than to me. “Mama’s not here. I’m not … I’m …”
“You’re safe.” I press her small hand between my palms. Cooler now, her skin doesn’t radiate as much strange heat like before. “I swear it.”
“Safe? In a dragon’s lair?” Her voice is raspy and quiet. She looks at me again, her eyes barely open.
“Yes.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
She watches me for a little while longer, then closes her eyes.
I think perhaps she’s fallen back asleep, but then she says in barely a whisper, “Thank you.”
Chapter
Ten
VANDER
“Sire.” Lenka greets me in the hallway outside my bedchambers.
I’ve barely shifted into my smaller form, ice still clinging to my scales from my long journey to the northern wards. “How is she?”
“Eating more now.”
