“Okay. Let’s go then,” Rysden says. After talking to the guards, Rysden leads the way. Once we’re all through, the four of them mount their horses, and Rauk and I, our dragons. Noxlyn takes to the sky, and Redara follows. It's different with Nox and Rauk flying next to us. It brings with it a certain sense of security, even as I remind myself not to get used to it. I am hypervigilant in watching the skies, but we fly without encountering a single guivre. As soon as I dismount, I stride over to Rauk.
“No guivres?”
“Yeah.” But he looks as wary as I do. “Are the dragons staying here?”
“Yeah. I think it’s best,” I tell him. “Kinsley and Kaldar live out on the water.” If that surprises him, he doesn’t show it. He simply nods.
We’re heading in. Keep me updated if you see anything, and I’ll do the same.
Stay close to Noxlyn’s bonded,she tells me in return.
I can protect myself,I remind her.
I know.
Rauk is quiet as we make our way through the path in the trees and then eventually out onto the wooden walkway over the water. Normally, this place brings a sense of peace and calm;but not today. I can see several homes that have been burned; I’m assuming from guivre fire. There’s a somberness here that isn’t usually present, and my heart aches for the people here.
When we get to Kaldar and Kinsely’s, I’m not surprised to see Kaldar’s entire security team outside the house. Jorren looks as unfriendly as ever with his axe at his side. Taren, who’s always been nice to me, doesn’t crack a smile; and Reika looks as pleasant as ever. Rysden and Farrah start talking to Taren, but I don’t wait for them. I slip past them. Reika eyes me warily but opens the door for me, and I slip inside. The inside of the house is quiet, and I absently wonder if neither Kaldar nor Kinsley are here. But I make my way down the hallway that leads to their room. The door isn’t closed all the way, and I knock softly.
“Come in.”
Relief flows through me at the sound of Kinsley’s voice. When I push the door open and see her, I stall in the doorway, taking her in. Her face is all bruised, there’s a cut on her cheek and on her lips. She has dark circles under her eyes. Her arm is wrapped and hanging in a sling around her neck. My stomach tightens, and anger fills me. I school my facial expressions and walk over to her. “Wow. Did you do any damage to the other guy?”
She gives me a soft smile. “Harper. It’s so good to see you. I can’t believe you didn’t come see me when you were here.”
I sit in the chair next to her bed. “How did you know it was me?”
She eyes me. “Do you know any other dark-haired women who ride a red dragon and take guivres down from the skies?”
I grin. “Nope.” My grin fades. “How are you?”
Her smile fades as well, and I realize absently that her smile never really reached her eyes, not like it usually does. “I’m okay.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask quietly.
She blows out a breath. “Not really.”
“Okay. Then we won’t. Rysden and Farrah came as well.”
“Farrah’s here?” she asks, sounding emotional.
“Yeah. Want me to get her?” I offer.
Before she can take me up on the offer, there’s a knock at the door. “That’s probably her,” I say as Kinsely says, “Come in.”
But it’s not Farrah that comes in. Instead, it’s Sryena, the Jaguar Kingdom’s healer. There's suddenly a hand squeezing mine, and I look over to see Kinsley’s face is really pale. I start to stand, but she doesn’t let go of my hand. “Please stay with me,” she whispers.
“I’ve come to check on you,” Sryena says in a non-emotional voice. “Do you want your mate in here with you for this?”
“No,” Kinsley says, her voice barely more than a whisper.
“Let me wash up, and I’ll be in,” Sryena says and promptly leaves the room.
“Hey, you okay?” I ask and try to keep my voice gentle.
“She’s checking to see if the baby’s okay,” Kinsley says, her voice more than a whisper. Suddenly, I’m understanding her panic and the reason she’s lying on the bed.
“Oh.”
