“Neither did I,” the Argaiv said.
I moved on, watching a Brandva fight fire with fire, turning a Dragon woman's attack back on her with a heat shield. Then he dove for her, taking her down. I nodded in approval. It was the best he could do under those circumstances.
Next were a few of Aras's men. My mate stood nearby, coaching them on using their Earth Magic to deflect the flames of their opponents. When the Dragons switched to Water, the Hulfrin summoned stones—some using the rocks as shields while one Hulfrin used a boulder to send his opponent flying.
“Excellent!” I said, my stare wandering to Aras.
Aras held my gaze a moment before looking back at his men. It was a bit of a dismissal, and I deserved it. I'd been treating him poorly. Not as poorly as I had the night of the welcome feast, but enough to keep him at a distance. Despite deserving his dismissal, my ire rose in response. Aras was mine. I grew more and more possessive of him every day, despite the mating magic settling. I knew it was because I hadn't fully claimed him. I wanted to roar it to everyone there—to warn them away from what was mine. And to warn him. I wanted to make it the most clear to Aras.
But I couldn't.
Soon,the Eye cooed to me.Soon, he will be yours completely.
Soon, my erratic behavior will drive him away,I growled back.
I will not allow it. Once you have me, all will be well. You just need to find me.
Why can't you simply tell me where you are?I asked again.
I've told you that I am over water. There is water all around me. I cannot see anything beyond it. But I will keep looking for clues in my environment. I will keep listening. You know I must focus on one thing at a time. So, if I am there, I cannot be here. Nor can I be watching your enemy.
I don't understand why you cannot draw your attention out until you see where you are. You travel from here to Vacrond. Why can't you travel from here to your physical location and tell me where you are?!
As I've said every time you've asked that question, the water interferes with my magic. I can't completely focus until my consciousness is beyond the ocean, projected onto dry land. I must travel through our connection and enter you before I can see. But once I'm here, I cannot see there.
I don't understand.
Because you are not a god. You can't comprehend how putting divine magic into a jewel creates limitations. Shall I explain the laws of the universe to you?
Aras looked up and frowned. I must have been standing there too long. Probably staring at him strangely. I moved on as I mentally replied to the Eye,Go, then.Watch that ship and listen for a clue to your location. Stay as long as you have to. It's been over three weeks since we lost that pirate, and he still hasn't surfaced. Or maybe he has, but the watchers I've posted haven't seen him.
At least you have some Dragons out there now,she said.These recruits may not know that particular Neraky'sscent, but they can at least scan for a Neraky surfacing above Shasenai.
Still, it's a near-hopeless search. And I've no other way to find you. All this pain I'm causing my mate is pointless. He can't help either, not until we get your location. So, you must find yourself!
Or you could help me.
What?
There is something we could try—something that would increase my power so that I could pinpoint my location.
Why haven't you mentioned this before?!
Because you must give me your mind first.
I went silent.
Yes, I expected resistance from you,she said.But we are in dire straits. We don't know how much longer we have before the Gavemor Dread starts marching.
The Gavemor Dread is here.
You know what I mean.
Wait. The dread? So, the other nobles are banding with those from Vacrond? You said they were scared.
They waver. Whether they will join the rebellion remains uncertain.
The rebellion. How awful was it that I had viewed my side as that of rebels? I was the fucking King! The Eye was right; they were the rebels. I growled, my hands clenching into fists.
