How could I do this without them?
The strength I’d gained over the past weeks kept wavering, and I didn’t like that I couldn’t get a firm grasp on my resolve. I’d been torn from the shelter I’d found in Vexxion’s arms, and I floundered.
This would never do. For now, my friends looked to me to lead this stumbling venture, and I couldn’t let them down even if I was willing to do so with myself.
“The dragons will fly to the aerie,” I said. “But we won’t shut their gates. We also need to remove the mesh keeping them from flying wherever they please.”
“We’re supposed to let them fly alone?” Reyla’s eyebrows lifted, and I looked away from the concern in her eyes. “If they’re not locked in their pens, they’ll leave and never come back.”
“Madrood said they won’t.” And that was good enough for me.
Her gaze flicked to the mighty silver beast who glowered at her from not far behind me. Would there ever come a time when I’d be the one flicking my finger, telling him to burn someone to ashes in front of me for some supposed insult?
I wasn’t Ivenrail. This I knew in my heart. But if I was going to defeat him, I had to be equally deadly.
Biting down on her fingernail, Reyla reluctantly gave me a nod. “We’ll trust you in this.”
A small gift I’d hold tight in my hands.
Thank you for bringing us here,I told Madrood.
The dragons took flight, soaring up over the manor and aiming for the aerie.
“Hunt if you wish, Drask,” I said, and with a caw, he flew toward the forest. At least he knew his way around the estate. He’d find my bedroom window open later.
“I’ll make sure the dragons have food and water.” Airia stared after them. “If you’ll point me in the right direction, that is. I don’t know where the aerie is.”
I gestured. “Follow that path through the woods to the cliff on that side of the estate. You’ll see the main building there. It’s much like the one at the castle, only smaller. We have no staff here. Vexxion and I managed on our own.”
“Does that mean there are no guards?” Reyla asked, thankfully in a civil tone. “Who’s going to make sure Kerune doesn’t send flying dregs to attack us while we sleep?”
“Vexxion’s wards will protect us. It’s only one night. We’ll pack supplies here and leave in the morning.”
“You two should take the men inside and do whatever you need to do to keep them safe.” Airia’s worried gaze landed on Vexxion, focusing on his neck. “Make something to eat, because I’m hungry, and check out the bed situation. I shouldn’t be long.” She scooted away from us with the tension coiling around me and my friend like a metal trap ready to snap closed. Rounding the building, Airia headed for the aerie.
“I’ll cook if you promise you won’t,” Reyla said with a wry quirk of her lips that didn’t remain long enough for me to savor. Her gaze swept from Brodine to Vexxion. “What’s keepingthemfrom leaving? This isn’t Bledmire. They don’t have a map of the building or duties locked in their minds.”
“They’re not mindless. I don’t think they’ll wander.”
“We could lock them in a room.”
“I’m not doing that to them.” I struggled to keep the harshness from my voice.
“We have to protect them.” She tugged on Brodine’s arm, and he peered toward her as if waiting for directions. “He may never wake up. Vexxion either.”
I lifted my chin and met her gaze with flint in my own. “I’m never giving up on them. Never. I’ll keep casting the spell that brought you back and itwillwork.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“I’m not accepting that as an option.”
She sighed.
I took Vexxion’s hand, though his fingers remained passive in mine. “We’ll keep them with us at all times.” Vexxion would stay in our room with me. I’d remain awake all night if that’s what I needed to do to protect him.
I studied his home, hoping it would keep us safe long enough to rest. Late-day sunlight arced off the front windows, but it appeared unchanged from when I’d left it. “There should still be food in the kitchen, clean bedding in the closets outside the rooms. I can’t believe it’s only been a week.” Too much time had passed since then. The days hung on my shoulders like three lifetimes.
Reyla glanced toward the horizon and a shiver tracked down her spine. “It’ll be dark soon. We should get everything settled before then.” Her gaze traveled to the sky that remained empty. “How long do you think we have before they find a way through Vexxion’s wards?”
