Brenna clapped, her eyes sparkling with joy. “You’ll look so pretty for the king.”
Not my intention at all, but sure.
While Delaine—dressed in yet another red gown—grumbled, I pirouetted for Brenna’s viewing. “Thank you.”
Brenna’s approving smile faded when she took in Drask riding on my shoulder. “Why do you always bring that bird with you?”
Because he’s Vexxion’s eyes, and he was my defender and friend.
“If I leave him behind, he’ll only follow.” I stroked his back. “I told you. He’s been my companion since I found him.”
“I can tell he loves you.” Rising, she came over to peer at him, though she kept her distance. “My father didn’t allow me to have a pet.”
“You should’ve asked for a dragon. You’d see they were sweet creatures.”
Reyla watched from the opposite side of the room. Did I see anything but blankness in her eyes?
Delaine snorted and joined us. “Dragons aren’t pets. They’re transportation.”
“And amazing to ride into battle,” I said. “It wasn’t long ago that you rode a dragon I’d trained to attack dregs.”
“I can’t imagine being a dragon trainer,” Brenna said, her green eyes lighting up. “It must’ve been exciting.”
“At times. As I said, I grew up in one of the fortresses along the border between the wasteland and Nullen territory,” I said. “Reyla and I are orphans. We were raised there together. Delaine lived there with us, though shechoseto live there.” To spy on me; that was clear now.
“Truly?” Brenna breathed, gaping at Delaine. “Why would you do something like that?”
“She said she didn’t want the marriage her father had arranged for her,” I said.
“What marriage?” Brenna’s grew even wider. “I haven’t heard about anything like that.”
Delaine shot me a glare that told me to shut up or else.
As if I’d listen to her? “Such a shame,” I said. “Imagine. You could’ve been living somewhere inside faerie with a few children instead of riding around on dragons, killing dregs.”
Brenna shuddered, wrapping her arms around her waist. “I can’t imagine killing anything.”
Oh, this poor woman.
“I can,” Delaine said.
“Did you kill your fiancé to avoid marrying him?” I asked Delaine.
I swore—swore—Reyla’s low laugh rang out, but when I glanced at her, she was busy straightening Brenna’s things, not paying any attention to what we were saying.
“Of course not.” Delaine’s spine stiffened, but she was toomuch like her sister not to tidy things up before leaving for the fortress.
“I do apologize for suggesting such a thing,” I simpered, turning to Brenna. “Do you have suggestions for which color gown you’d like to wear tonight?”
“I’d like to wear something different from my ladies, naturally,” she said, sauntering over to sit on the sofa. “Why don’t you pick, Tempest? I still find it hard to believe you were a rider. You’re so poised and confident, and your manners are impeccable.”
Delaine snorted but said nothing.
“Did you truly kill dregs?” Brenna breathed, her eyes wide with amazement.
“Many.” It wasn’t anything to brag about. I dealt death to protect others, not because I’d enjoyed it.
“I fought and killed dregs too,” Delaine whined. “Lots of them.”
