I leaned against his strong arm. “Thanks for telling me, Bro. I miss us too.”
Vexxion blinked hard, his brow stabbing inward. “I’llprepare a bed for Tempest.”
Funny how he couldn’t find his way back to loving me, but he could latch onto his possessive streak quite easily.
“Oh, yeah, sure,” Bro said quickly, easing away from me. Standing, he sent me a look of sympathy, one that only showedfriendliness. “I’ll head to bed, then. See you two in the morning.” After jerking out a nod toward Vexxion, he tugged the blanket from his pack and strode across the meadow, settling near the dragons.
Vexxion walked around the fire to loom over me.
“I’m going to bed.” I rose and put a step between us. “I know where my blanket is.”
“Yes, you do. I’ll lay nearby so you can rest.”
If only his voice didn’t come out clipped.
If only it held a hint of the softness I craved.
If only . . .
We flewfor two more days, camping at night. Brodine continued to barter with whoever lived nearby for food, plus wine or ale.
Late afternoon, our dragons flew toward the shore. We’d continue across the channel to Lydel Island soon.
I continued to pester Madrood for information, though he was reluctant to share much.
Tell me how I’m supposed to kill the king,I said.Something I can’t wait to do, now that the wretched collar has been ripped from Vexxion’s throat.There was nothing holding me back. All I needed was to sneak up behind him and drive a dagger into his chest. Rip it across his heart and end this.
I cannot tell you, Madrood said.
Won’t.
Telling you won’t make it easier. It’s best if you discover this one clue at a time.
I leaped on that.What’s the first thing I need to discover?
Find the Blade of Alessa and you’ll know.
Tell me more about the blade, then. Prager mentioned it.
I’m sure she did.
She didn’t tell me where it is.
His pause went on for a long time, only the swoosh of his wings breaking through the silence.You’ll find it when you need it most.
Yeah.If only I’d read more of that chapter inEmber’s Shadow. I released a sigh.All I know is that it’s something from the fae past that’s been missing for a long time.
When the time is right, you’ll wield it,Madrood said proudly.I’ll watch and cheer you on while you do it.
The blade must hold special power that would slice through any wards the king encased around his body.
This is our only hope of restoring balance.He dipped his head forward and soared lower, twitching his wings in various directions to maintain a steady pace with the buffeting of the wind. The sea stretched away to our south, and I only caught a wink of what must be Lydel off in the distance.
Balance,I said.The powerless Nullens—the dregs, that is—are supposed to maintain the balance.
Where did you learn that the dregs are powerless Nullens?
The Lieges too, I bet.
