“Come on, Vash.” I yanked out the knife, gathered my things, and stood up.
Feeling as if I were headed to war, I strode into Rian's home with Vashana at my side. I headed for the downstairs study first. I'd been using it as an office of sorts and had taken over the largest table in the room. Sebastian's books were stacked neatly on one side of it, but I didn't have time for neatness. I dumped my things in the center of the table, shucked off my cloak, and went to find the Dragon King.
It was easy. I just said, “Vashana, find Rian.”
Vash perked up, sniffed the air, and led me straight to him.
Rian was in the bathroom, but the door was open. I paused just outside anyway.
“Rian?” I called as I waved Vash to the bed.
She went happily.
“Come in, love,” Rian called. “I was just running a bath.”
“A bath in the middle of the day?” I asked as I stepped in.
Sure enough, he was dressed only in his undershorts, sitting on the top step of the tub's platform as he waited for the basin to fill. The bathtub was tucked in a curving window, the curtains swagged back to reveal a view of the forest. If he'd gotten up here quickly enough, he might have seen me come out of the forest.
I slipped my wing scarf off, set it on the counter, and went to sit opposite him, on the top step. “I have to talk to you about Geris.”
“Don't worry about him. I asked him to leave.”
“Yes, I know.”
“You know?”
“I was in the forest just now, conducting an experiment. Vashana heard you two, and I went to investigate. When I found you arguing, I decided to wait. I didn't want to get in the middle of it.”
“So, you know I sent him away.”
No irritation over my eavesdropping, just acceptance. He knew me and so knew I hadn't listened in with ill intentions. Could this man be more perfect?
“Yes,” I said. “And thank you for that, but that's not what I need to tell you about.”
“What then?” Rian trailed his hand through the water coming out of the spigot.
“Geris was upset, of course. He said something after you left, just a bit of muttering to himself, but it . . . I think he's the one who released the rasalt beetles.”
“Released them?” Rian scowled. “That hasn't been determined.”
“No, but it's a possibility, and after what I heard, I think it's more of a certainty.”
“Why would Geris do that?”
“To get you back, Rian. He still wants you. I've seen it from the start. Whenever you look away, he gives me the most terrible looks.”
“Galin,” Rian said gently.
“I know how this sounds.” I held up my hand. “I'm not jealous or paranoid. I haven't mentioned the way he acts with me because it wouldn't make a difference. And I understand how he feels. I've kind of been where he is. I have great sympathy for Geris. Or, rather, I did until today.”
Rian went still. “What exactly did you hear him say, Galin?”
“He cursed and then he said, 'This may have all been for nothing.'”
Rian cocked his head, considering those words. “I admit that sounds strange. But it—”
“It could mean many things,” I growled, suddenly frustrated. “Yes, I know. But in this situation, with your shared history and the way he currently behaves toward me, I think it means that he orchestrated this whole thing and now, it's not working out the way he's planned.”
