“I can’t,” she whimpered, though her arm holding the dagger dropped to her side. “I think you freed me too, and I can’t leave you to whatever this dragon plans to do to you.”
“It’s alright.” I nudged her toward the door. “We’ll meet up at Brenna’s tomorrow. In between, you can practice your guard.”
Her eyes pinching closed, she shook her head, but after giving me one last look of worry, she eased around the dragon and nudged the door open, stepping inside and closing it behind her with a dull boom.
“Iasar waits.” The anticipation and longing in Amronth’s voice cut through me with the sharpest of blades. I knew what it was like to love someone so much you’d do anything to see them, to touch them again. “Your memory is strong, tiny fury?”
“How did you know . . .”What Vexxion calls me, I didn’t say.
“The other female called you Tempest, but I believe you’re mightier than a storm. When you’re unleashed, the world will finally know.”
“Know what?” Was the second half of the riddle buried among his words?
“Everything,” he breathed, sparks swirling down from his snout. “Mark my words well.”
I stiffened, sharpening my mind. He’d only tell me once, and it was vital that I remember. I knew this as well as I did my own soul.
“Seek a land with a lady unjustly dethron’d.” The corner of his mouth curled up again before gliding back down. “One you will find while chasing down the crow in silvery flames.”
For one moment, I worried I wouldn’t remember this, but no . . .
He was right.
I was the tempest.
I was the storm.
I was the fury.
In my heart, I knew that when the time was right, I’d remember, and I’d act as I must.
“Deeper still lies the hidden breach—through a sapphire canopy beyond Nullen reach.” He huffed out a shower of sparks. “Mark well my words, little one.”
I nodded.
“As good gives way to blight, and between two souls bathed in evil’s forgotten light.” He bumped me with his snout as if he couldn’t resist playing. This breed of dragon might not be the same as Seevar or Madrood, but in their heart, they were all the same.
“And the last,” he intoned. “Are you listening?”
“I am. Tell me,” I breathed, closing my eyes for only a moment before opening them, meeting his black ones where green flames of his fire swirled.
“Whispers will reveal what shadows keep. To lose all hope or dare to take the leap.” He grumbled. “I didn’t write this.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t.”
“Do I hear mockery in your tone, puny storm?” he growled, the flames in his eyes frantic.
“Never. You’re as articulate as any high lord within this court.”
“Morearticulate.” He drew himself up, the spikes on his long neck stiffening. “They are insignificant when compared to one such as me.”
“You’re right.” For the first time since I’d freed him, I smiled. “No one can compare to you.”
“You try to flatter me.”
“I’dnever. How about a good grooming instead? Your scalesare cracked, and your claws appear brittle. I have oil that will help.”
“One day, I will find you and allow you to do this for me.”
