- Who’s leading them now that Veylor’s dead
- How to break her hold on my blood
I write until my hand cramps.
The door crashes open.
Not opens.Crashes. Wood slams against stone with a bang that sends my pulse spiking, fire surging to my hands, body spinning into a defensive crouch before I’ve processed what I’m seeing.
Rurik stands in the doorway.
He’s carrying an armload of books—leather-bound volumes piled so high, they obscure half his face. Wild red hair. Crooked grin. Eyes bright with something that might be enthusiasm or insanity.
“Veterinary journals!” he announces this like a battle cry. “Selene said you were a vet, so I raided Auren’s library. He’s furious. Completely worth it.”
I stare at him.
Fire still flickers around my fingers. My heart hammers against my ribs. Three days of carefully constructed calm, scattered by a man who apparently doesn’t understand the concept of knocking.
“What are you doing?”
“Bringing you books.” He says this as if it’s obvious. As if crashing through doors with armloads of stolen literature is a perfectly normal activity. “About animals. Your specialty, right? Figured you might want something to read besides inventory lists.”
“The lists are important.”
“The lists are a coping mechanism.” He dumps the books onto my table. Several vials wobble. A roll of bandages falls to the floor. My carefully written notes scatter. “A healthyone, probably, but still. Thought you might want to cope with something more interesting.”
I should tell him to leave. Should tell him to pick up the bandages he knocked over, to respect the organization I spent three days building, to stop barging into rooms where he isn’t wanted.
Instead, I find myself looking at the books.
Comparative Anatomy of Scaled Species. Dragon Physiology: A Comprehensive Study. Veterinary Applications in Non-Human Populations.
“These are—“ I pick up the top volume, flipping it open. The pages are old but well-preserved, filled with detailed illustrations of dragon anatomy. “These are actually useful.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I do occasionally have good ideas.” He drops into the chair Selene vacated, sprawling across it like he owns the space. “Auren’s been collecting them for centuries. Says understanding dragon biology helps with battle strategy. I say it mostly helps with avoiding getting eaten.”
“Has that been a concern?”
“Once or twice.” His grin doesn’t waver. “I’m fast.”
I should put the book down. Should dismiss him, return to my lists, maintain the careful distance I’ve built between myself and everyone in this fortress.
Instead, I sit across from him and keep reading.
He watches me. I feel his attention—not threatening, but present. Unavoidable.
“You’ve been outside my door for days,” I say without looking up. “Don’t deny it. I can hear you pacing.”
“I pace. It’s a character flaw.”
“You also haven’t been sleeping.” I glance at him now—at the shadows under his eyes, darker than they were that first night. “The exhaustion is starting to show.”
“Didn’t know you were paying attention.”
“I’m a doctor. Observation is automatic.” I return to the book. “You should rest. Whatever self-appointed guard duty you’re performing isn’t sustainable.”
“Neither is reorganizing medical supplies at three in the morning, but here we are.”
