I watched her fly up to the aviary and wondered whether she knew who my enemies were. I had a feeling that she did, but she didn't want to act against them. Perhaps they were her siblings? Her offspring?
Would she choose me over them?
She'd implied that she would, but I doubted that. As the dragon queen, her loyalty was first and foremost to her people, and as a sister and mother, that loyalty was even stronger than that of a monarch.
I made the walk back from the terrace on numb legs, though whether from fear, awe, or sheer mental exhaustion, I couldn't say. Nyxath's presence still clung to me like morning mist. She was vast and ancient, but she was also surprisingly warm for a dragon and a queen, and supportive of me, which had been the greatest surprise of all.
Nyxath didn't resent my powers. She wanted me to keep developing them by any means I could, including the intoxicating tea that opened my subconscious to other realities.
When I reached my door and pushed it open, I found the room empty. Shovia was probably with Codric, but where was Alar? Were they all waiting for me in the guys' room?
The thought of my friends worrying about me was comforting. As Nyxath had told me, I wasn't alone in this, no matter how isolating these strange powers felt.
I needed to let them know that I was okay.
It was after curfew, but I had special dispensation, and with a little bit of truth-bending, I could extend it to my friends.
When I turned toward the door, though, it opened, and Alar walked in.
His blue eyes widened when he saw me. "Kailin." He scanned me from head to toe. "You're back." The relief in his voice was palpable. Then, without waiting for an invitation, he pulled me into his arms. "I was so worried for you."
I melted into his embrace, letting his familiar warmth chase away the lingering chill that had seeped into my bones out on the terrace. "I'm okay," I murmured against his chest. "Nyxath was surprisingly pleasant and supportive."
He pulled back enough to study my face, his hands framing my cheeks. "The formidable dragon queen was pleasant?"
"Yes." I smiled. "The important thing is that I'm still in one piece, and I have a pass to be out after curfew, so I can tell Shovia and Codric that I'm back so they won't worry about me till morning."
"Morek is worried too." Alar took my hand. "Let's stop by his room first."
"You should stay here. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"I'm coming with you, and I don't want to hear any arguments about that."
"Fine." I smiled. "If we are intercepted by the hall monitor, I can claim that I needed you to come with me because I was stillunsteady on my legs, and if he has a problem with that, he can take it up with the dragon queen. I don't think he will dare."
It was also the truth, so I wouldn't be lying.
When Alar knocked on Morek's door, it opened almost immediately, and Morek stepped out into the corridor, wearing only his pajama bottoms, his bare, impressive upper body on full display for my perusal.
Wow. He was just as drool-worthy as I had imagined, and even though I was in love with Alar, I couldn't help but admire his male perfection.
Hells, I was momentarily struck speechless.
Morek's eyes widened, and before I could say anything, he pulled me into a fierce hug. "Thank Elu, you are safe," he breathed. "We were so worried."
I chuckled, returning the embrace even though it was a bit awkward since he wasn't wearing a shirt. "I'm touched. I didn't know you cared so much."
"Of course I do." He pulled back and examined me in much the same way Alar had just a few minutes ago. "How did it go with the queen?"
"Good. We had a good conversation. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."
I needed to figure out which parts I could tell Morek and the others and which ones I could tell only Alar.
Morek's eyebrows rose, but before he could ask more questions, Alar intervened. "Kailin wants to tell Shovia and Codric that she's back in one piece and then hit the bed. She's exhausted, and we have conditioning tomorrow."
"Yes, of course." Morek nodded. "I'm glad you're okay, Kailin."
"Thanks." I rose on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Good night."
