She knew he meant her wedding robe. She had no idea what the future held, but it was for sure that what had been was now gone. There was no going back.
It was a joy to slip out of the heavy robe. She started to drop it, but then she remembered that Hale had sewn a leather purse inside the garment. It contained the poisonous plants that Aradella had collected from Valona’s garden. “I don’t need that!” she’d said, but Hale had ignored her. “You don’t know what you’ll need.”
Aradella pulled the purse loose and shoved it between the blankets on Perus’s saddle. When Mekos tilted the dragon, she dropped the robe. They watched it fall down toward the water—but then three enormous eagles swooped down and caught it. They latched on to it with their talons and carried it up and up. They saw the birds fly into the distance where they could barely see what looked to be the top of a mountain.
“They’ll use that thing for their nests.” Mekos nodded toward the mountain. “That’s Selkan and the Homestead.”
“Is that where we’re going?”
“Yes.” He twisted about and grabbed a handful of one of her pads. “You have anything on under that?”
“My training garb. I thought you’d be the one to see it.” She meant their wedding night, after Mekos had been revealed as her husband.
“Someone told Olina what we were planning.”
“But who? We told no one.” They hadn’t even confided in people who could help them.
Mekos’s answer was to shrug. He had no idea. “There’s that thing.”
They could see the machine in the distance. “What is it?”
“My grandmamá travels in it,” he said. “It’s called a hell.”
“It’s well named.” She tightened her arms around him. “What now?” she asked softly, knowing that he’d hear her.
“You will be disinherited, the men will be sent away, and Olina will rule forever.Nothingwill change.”
She didn’t comment. It wasn’t the revolution they’d hoped for, but at least they’d come out alive. For Aradella, she was relieved that she’d realized who she was marrying before the vows were said. She was glad she wasn’t clasped to Prince Nessa. The question was, Would Olina be satisfied with her win or would she demand punishment? Unfortunately, she knew the answer. They wouldneverbe safe.
They said no more as she removed the hated pads and dropped them into the water below. No birds came after them.
They rode in silence. Aradella, with her cheek against Mekos’s back, looked ahead to see the place where his family had once lived. Her father had told her about the heroic Haver Beyhan’s place. It was sealed off and private. “Not even I am allowed to visit,” her father had said, laughing at the idea.
“Who’d want us when they have swans?” her mother asked.
“It’s theblueswans that you like,” her father teased.
“Young Roal is indeed a sight to behold.”
Aradella had adored hearing her parents’ loving wordplay.
She and Mekos watched the hell machine land. He held Perus back, hovering above as the passengers got out. Aradella looked down at what had once been a magnificent place before the bombing by the Empyreans had forced them to abandon it.
To the left, down a wide road, was what had once been a village. She knew it was where the workers, the swansmen, lived. There were open areas with covered pavilions where the valuable swan feathers were processed. The feathers were made into cloth and medicine. There were even lotions that were said to slow the signs of aging.
To the right, at the top of a low hill, was what had been the home of the Beyhans. Most of the roof of the sprawling estate was missing, but it was obvious that it had once been beautiful. She saw flashes of blue tiles in what was left of the walls. There was a crystal clear lake for the swans, empty fountains, and broken stone structures.
“Look!” Mekos was excited. Below them, too far away forher to see clearly, were two men. “It’s Daln and one of Collan’s sons. They’re returning!” His voice rose. “And there!”
She didn’t know what he was seeing, but then she saw a little shadow that was moving quickly.
Mekos dipped Perus down so sharply that Aradella almost fell off. When they got closer to the ground, he let out a high-pitched call that she’d never heard before—at least not from a human.
Tanek heard it and looked up at his son. Mekos pointed and his father turned toward the village.
“Is that a—?” Aradella’s eyes widened in fear. Hurrying down the path was a tabor, a small animal that could kill a bull. They were very dangerous creatures!
Tanek yelled, “Kaley!” then stepped out of the way of the animal.
