“There is always that,” Ozias says, but it’s clear from the weariness in his words he doesn’t like the idea.
Atlanta doesn’t immediately reply and when she does, her own tone takes on an edge of annoyance. “You’re certain she’s strong enough to force the bond?”
“Of that much I’m certain.”
“A bond so powerful will only lead to her heartbreak.”
My frown deepens and I ache at the thread of grief in Atlanta’s words. As though the idea is close to her heart.
“I know how incredible their potential is, Atlanta. Even though you may think so, I’ve not forgotten the allure of a strong bond.” His pause feels poignant. “But she is strong. She will do what we need of her.”
I hear a long, frustrated sigh and I imagine Atlanta’s face turning away from his, her curls bouncing. I wish I could see their expressions. “And after?”
“And after, her ties will remain firm here. She will be cared for,” he says, reassuring, then his voice pitches low and my ears strain to make out the words. “I’ll make sure of it.”
A quiet longing fills Atlanta’s single-worded plea. “Ozias…”
Leaning my body past the threshold, I strain to hear. Atlanta hesitates in whatever she was going to say, or else she says it so low I cannot hear it.
“Unless there’s a reason I shouldn’t?” he asks. I hear the scuff of movement. “Tell me. Even if it’s to tell me of your distaste for it.”
I bite the knuckle of my thumb.Distaste? Distaste for what?
“And if I did tell you?”
This time, Ozias’s answer comes immediately. “Then I will find another way. Tell me, and I will find another way.”
There’s another lengthy pause. I put my hand over my mouth as I exhale slowly, waiting for Atlanta to speak, trying to decipher precisely what they mean.
“You like her.” It’s a statement, spoken so plainly Icannot begin to guess what she thinks.
There’s another pause. “I do. She’s strong and beautiful. Interesting and bold. And…youknowwhy.” My heart swells a bit hearing his words, even as my steady pulse trips over the mystery of what he could be referring to.
When Atlanta says nothing, a deep, suffering sigh escapes from Ozias. It sounds like the way I feel when I come up empty handed after a long hunt.
“You’re certain, then?” he asks, soft, and tender. There’s a long pause, then, harsher, I hear him say, “I won’t ask again.” Again, there’s nothing for a long, long while. Finally, Ozias speaks. “Then there’s nothing more to discuss on this.”
“No. No, I suppose there’s not.” She sounds…frustrated. Tired. “I should retrieve her.”
I don’t wait to hear more. I turn back the way I came, going quickly and silently until I reach the room and let myself back in. For Ninon, I’ve put my trust in Atlanta and Ozias. For myself, I’m working with them to connect with my dragon. And for my people, I’ve agreed to attempt the impossible task they’ve given me. I’ve been agreeable, at least to an extent, to everything, and yet overhearing them bothers me. Do they think I’ll return to Dyeus and reveal their plans in hopes the Sar Dyeus will reverse the curse on me? Although, I suppose that is an option. I could reunite with my sister, reclaim my old life. But, is that even what I want, after all I know? After having experienced the full extent of who and what I am? What would it be like, to deny being a draconem, to push myself back down into the depths of my consciousness once more? I imagine it and feel the crushing weight sink low in my stomach. Hidden and hurting, wanting to claw its way back of out me.
I don’t register the approaching footsteps and I gasp at the tentative knock on the door. I swallow and let out a long, steadying breath. “Come in.”
The door opens and Atlanta glances around, a puzzled expression crossing her face. “I wasn’t sure you’d be in here.”
I pull my hair over my shoulder as my pulse picks upspeed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I didn’t…never mind.”
“You didn’t what?” I implore, feeling the need to gain information I can after overhearing her and Ozias.
She shakes her head and enters the room. “This will sound strange, but I didn’t sense you. Since your first night here, your energy has been very clear. Right before I knocked though, I couldn’t feel you.”
“Oh,” I blink, then stand. “And do you now?”
“As clear as ever.” Atlanta shrugs. “I was a little in my own head before I knocked. I’m sure that’s why I didn’t sense you. There’s nothing to concern ourselves over.”
I give her a pleasant smile, despite how distraught I am. “If you think so.”
