“I’ll do my best.”
My sister was going to be alright. I didn’t know what marriage to the Evergorne King might bring her, but I hoped it let her find joy. She deserved it after losing someone she loved.
I, of course, would send word ahead that she was to be treated with respect or the entire continent would feel my wrath. What good was my reputation if I couldn’t use it to protect those I loved?
And I already adored my younger sister.
She backed away and sent me a sweet smile, before she scooped up the bag and jogged toward Madrood.
“Each of you,” I told those waiting around me. “Take ahandful of bone coins from the bags and select a dragon. They’ll cooperate.” I shot Madrood a glare.
Yes, yes,he said.I already spread the word. Do you think I’m useless?
I did not reply.
“Fly over the dregs, getting as close to them as you dare,” I said. “And drop bone coins onto them.”
“That’ll make them worse, won’t it?” someone called out.
“It won’t.” I said with conviction. “Trust me.” I pressed for another smile, and it must be a hideous, gruesome thing, because riders reeled away from me and diverted their eyes to the ground.
But every one of them grabbed bone coins and raced toward dragons.
I scooped up my own and sought Glim.
Mounted, we took to the skies.
69
TEMPEST
Gaineos raced across the vast sandy wasteland. The sun poured down, drenching me in heat and drawing out my sweat. It was all I could do to breathe in the sweltering air.
I clung to his back with my arms around his waist and my thighs tight across his steed flanks.
We’d only traveled a short time before darkness fell, the death of the day and the birth of what could be an endless night. A dark sky soon arced overhead, lit only by tiny, flickering lights.
My heart wept for my friends who’d wandered here, barely clinging to the hope in their hearts.
“The lights above are lost dreams,” Gaineos said softly.
“Split between realms where the horizon meets the world beyond,” I whispered. “Half 'neath stars where dreams unspokenare drawn.”
“It’s all that’s left of those who came here and remained.”
My heart dropping, I stretched my neck back to imprint them in my mind. “There’s no way to bring them back?”
“Their physical forms have left your world, leaving no home to return to. Others were eaten, their hopes and heart consumed along with their flesh.”
Their sadness whispered through me, soft sighs of pain, all that was left of them now. If I hadn’t pulled Reyla and Vexxion back from this place, would their stars flicker above me?
“By coming here, you have chosen a new path,” Gaineos said. “A better one.”
“Will I remain on this path until the end?”
“There are still twists and forks ahead. Think with your heart, and you’ll know which way to travel. Look. Dawn comes.”
“So quickly?”
