She knew he was hinting. “I know that we’ve been told a lot of good about Valona, but there’s another story that goes around the island. It’s very secret and Hale wasn’t supposed to tell me, but she did. I asked my cousins about it, but they knew nothing—as usual. Anyway, it’s said that Valona is very, very old. Ancient even. But to keep her youth and beauty, every year, she must sacrifice a beautiful young woman.”
He waited, but she said no more. “That’s it? No blood and horror?”
“Sorry. That’s all I was told.” She gave a little snort. “I remember what my cousin Shay said. I’d just bested her on a test, and she said, ‘If it’s beauty Valona wants, then you’re safe.’”
“What did you say?”
“That ifbrainswere wanted, thenshewas safe.”
Mekos laughed. “I think it’s easier to be male. I would hit anyone who said something like that to me.”
“You?” She was astonished, disbelieving. “Why would anyone say something derogatory toyou?”
“Did you forget my ears?”
“Your ears are quite useful and I think they’re pretty.”
“That’s what my mother tells me.”
“And what did your beautiful father say about them?” she asked.
“He has big ridges on his back so he can’t say anything about me. Besides, it’s his fault that I have them.”
They laughed together and Mekos handed her the jug of juice.
They were quiet for a while, both of them drowsy, then Mekos said, “I’m sorry that you have to marry Nessa. I’ve known him all my life and he is a vile, selfish person.”
“I know,” she said. “I’ve been on the receiving end of his venom since the day I met him.”
“Do you know that he has a dragon?”
“I’ve heard that but I’ve never seen it.”
“Neither has he. At least not for a while. Would it help if I tell you that I know where his dragon is? It’s with my grandfather Roal. That big green dragon has swans crawling all over him and he’s very happy.”
“When I’m married to Nessa, it’ll be good that he doesn’t have a fire-breathing dragon that he can command.”
“Then I shall keep him hidden forever.”
“Thank you,” she said and closed her eyes. Mekos had now revealed two secrets to her, that he was the Reaver and that he held a lost dragon. That he’d confided in her made Aradella feel good, but at the same time she was aware that she’d revealed very little about herself.
2
A loud buzzing woke Aradella. It wasn’t daylight yet, but she knew she was in a bed inside the house. She was also fully dressed, sweaty, and quite uncomfortable.Who brought me inside?she wondered.Since I didn’t wake up, was I carried? Who could do that? Tanek? Bear Boy?She knew in her heart that it was Mekos and that thought made her smile deeply.
Suddenly, a voice said, “Mekos has been up for hours, and he should not be alone. He always gets into trouble!”
Aradella was used to people being in her room, but when she looked around, she saw no one. But then, a light appeared and it was surrounding a tiny woman with silvery wings. The pretty little creature was wearing a yellow dress that seemed to glow. She had to be a Never. Jobi had told Aradella of them, but she’d not seen one. He’d said that no one knew the full extent of what a Never could do, but they could make themselves understood if they wanted to be. It appeared that this one wanted Aradella to understand her.
“I am Arit and I’m bonded to Tanek.” She spoke as though she was annoyed that she had to do this. “Mekos is waiting for you.”
Aradella could only stare at her. “You are extraordinarily beautiful,” she whispered.
Arit’s expression changed, and her tone became more gentle. “Thank you. Now, you must get up. Tanek’s son is—” She looked toward the open doorway. Aradella wondered who had left it open, but then, the climate was divine so it was good to let the air in. Before Aradella could say anything, Arit vanished, and in the next second, Mekos was at the door. He was leaning against the jamb in that slack, easy way that only men could do.
“Do you mean to sleep all day?”
Aradella’s padding had slipped and one of the ties was loose. She thought maybe if she stood up, the lower pad would fall to the floor. She put on her most autocratic attitude. “I must bathe and change my clothes.”
