I was vaguely aware of Reyla stepping backward again, of her muttered curse.
“What are you doing?” she hissed. “I felt something, likeshadows clawing across my skin. A rush of warmth. This is scary, Tempest.”
“I have to do this. I promised. Protect me.”
“I will but hurry up. We’re standing in front of the main entrance. Someone’s going to see us, and they’re not going to like what you’re doing.”
No, they would not.
I closed my eyes and pictured my well. Power no longer sloshed across the top. I’d drained quite a bit already, but I had more to give. Scooping up as much as I could, I pictured squishing it together, molding it into a ball and packing it tightly. I added more. And more. Until the ball was bigger than my head.
As I opened my eyes and met his gaze, I drove the power straight at Amronth like I would a sword through the heart of a Liege.
It hit him squarely. He shuddered. An almost feral hope blazed in his eyes. Then he slipped from the door, plopping onto the stone landing in front of us.
“Back away,” I cried out shrilly, grabbing her hand and leaping off the platform. We stood on the walk, gaping as the terrifying yet blazingly gorgeous dragon grew. And grew until it towered over us as large as Iasar.
His scales shimmering like molten amethysts in moonlight, his massive body towering above the landing fronting the stone castle that appeared like a child's toy next to this beast’s magnificent shadow.
With each breath he exhaled, the air crackled with sparks and the taint of ancient power. My heart hammered behind myribs as though desperate to flee from a doom I’d never escape. The beast stretched skyward on sturdy hind legs, his wings unfurling in tapestries woven by the fates themselves. His maw opened wide, and he tipped back his head, releasing a gush of fire, painting the evening sky with green flames.
One swipe of his monstrous claws could annihilate us. Fear wrangled with my soul as I took in how beautiful, how glorious he was.
“Get out of here, Tempest,” Reyla barked, leaping in front of me, slashing out at him with the small blade I’d loaned her. “Run.”
“He won’t hurt me,” I said, urging her behind me.
She hissed. “What did you do?” She flung herself forward. “Don’t you come near us.” Her shriek echoed in the valley.
My friend would give her life to save mine. My chest heaved with pain, each breath a dagger twisting in my heart.
“He won’t hurt us,” I said softly. “I promise.” Even as I spoke, my voice shook. Ihopedhe wouldn’t hurt us.
I’d come to this castle to kill the king, but I’d also come here to protect my friend who appeared well able to take care of herself. We were both stubborn. Determined. We’d been hardened by life in the fortress, but we still gently cupped a softness for each other inside our hearts.
“Which of you did this?” Amronth snarled, his head snapping down close enough that the sparks from his breath blasted across my chest. Smoke coiled from his nostrils, clogging my lungs, making it impossible to take a deep breath. Where Iasar spoke with an almost snakelike charm, Amronth’s speech was clipped and articulate.
“Me,” Reyla said, trying to shove me aside yet again, her chin lifting. “I did it.”
Even now, the bravery, the willingness to sacrifice herself blazed in her voice.
Amronth’s head slid in her direction, and his brow creased. “You, little one, do not yet possess the power to do such a thing.”
“You know it was me,” I stepped forward, close enough my belly nudged the tip of his snout. While my hand ached to do so, I didn’t dare touch this mighty beast.
“Youfreed Iasar,” Amronth said, huffing sparks down the front of my leathers. They sparkled on the stone for only a moment before winking out.
I jerked out a nod. “Guilty.”
One side of his mouth coiled backward. A dragon smile?
It fell, and he shot Reyla a glare. “You must go. She will stay.”
“Fuck, no,” she said, hefting the knife.
“If you don’t leave, I will scorch you where you stand.” While his words came out soft, the snarl locked within them raked across my skin.
“Go,” I said. “I’m fine. I freed him, and he has something to tell me.” I hoped he did. Maybe he just wanted to burn me without a witness.
