Isanara.
I have had my eye on the half-sister. I’ve never eaten a fae. Do you think she tastes like her magic? What flavor is wind?
I doubt it tastes as good as amorite, I said. Though I also doubted Isanara had ever tasted the rarest gem in Velora. The only one I’d seen in decades was the singular stud that pierced Garrick’s ear.But I don’t need you to eat someone.
She swiveled her head side to side to show her agitation.
Someday, I promised.
She blinked her citrine eyes at me expectantly.
I need to know what Maura and the king are saying.
Isanara’s head snapped immediately in their direction.
I forced my hand to stay tucked into the cloak, rather than smacking my own head in frustration. Or hers. Not that I would ever dare.
Subtle.
But Isanara made no attempt to hide her interest. Her tail whipped around in excitement. Behind us, I heard Varian and Tomin take a step back.
Isanara flared her wings wide, drawing the attention of every person in the area. I understood her strategy. She could not sneak up on anyone. She was too conspicuous. She was a fucking dragon.
Do they know of our connection?She asked.
No,I said.No one in the Midnight Coven has ever been chosen by a familiar.
Isanara shook her head at that, scales shimmering. Preening.
A moment later she shot into the sky. She soared overhead for a minute before circling low, then again, until she landed between me and where Maura and the king stood. To everyone watching, she was putting herself between her witch and the nearest threat.
But I knew that her hearing was even keener than the witches or fae. Even from several yards away, she would hear every word the pair uttered.
They aren’t talking anymore.
I could see that. They were both watching her.Give them a minute to realize you aren’t going to try to eat them.
Not today, at least,she conceded.
I couldn’t keep staring. My familiar had staked her territory in the expanse of rocky ground between us. She guarded me. I had to watch the gate.
The heavy iron did not move. Garrick would survive. He had to. If something happened to him, I would know. The Lifebind… I pulled my hand out of his cloak, suddenly desperate to see it.
It gleamed on my pale skin, the same deep blue ink as ever. Please, forgive yourself, I silently begged him. You can do this. Think of me, waiting for you here. Think of your mother. Think of the Dark God?—
I choked on the thought.
Garrick had told me very clearly when we were trapped in the cave-in in Balar Shan. I could have whatever relationship with the Dark God that I wanted, but his heart would stay guarded. I understood, I truly did. After the loss of Alair, he could not stand to give his heart to another man. Alair… my chest ached anew. Garrick and I had grieved together, but that did not erase the loss. It was new for me. I may have begrudgingly forgiven myself for what I’d done to Rylynn. But it was only one of hundreds of sins. Maybe thousands. Four hundred years was a long time.
The king accuses her of wasting time.
Isanara’s voice dragged me back to the present.What else?
Stop talking and let me listen.
My blood thrummed in my veins, propelled by the Dark God’s power, the rush of it filling my ears until I worried I would not be able to hear Isanara when she spoke again.
You have had many opportunities.
