“Like those purple vines.”
“Similar, but it’s the wrong season for most alpine plants. And I didn’t see enough of them to account for this widespread issue. There weren’t any at Silvervale.” I tapped my pencil on a notebook. “Plus, the bloom cycle doesn’t match the timing of when symptoms started.”
Another theory eliminated.
“Mineral dust from shared geology. Both courts are part of the same mountain range, so they’d share certain mineral compositions.”
I pulled out my samples, comparing the stone from Goldwing with the rock from Silvervale. Similar in some ways, different in others. The mineral content didn’t quite match.
“Close,” I said. “But not exact.”
Raoul leaned forward. “What about something dragon-specific? An environmental factor that affects dragon shifters differently than other creatures?”
I paused, my pencil hovering over the page. “That’s actually not a bad angle. Dragon physiology is unique. Your fire production, magic, and even your respiratory systems are different from other shifters. Something that wouldn’t bother other magical beings could absolutely affect dragon babies.”
Hope sparked in my chest. This felt closer.
“But what?” I flipped through my notes, searching for connections. “What environmental factor would be present at both courts, affect dragon babies specifically, and follow this timing pattern?”
The answer danced out of reach, taunting me.
I moved on to the next theory. “Atmospheric pressurepatterns. The timing of symptoms aligns with daily pressure changes, morning and evening when pressure shifts occur. That’s when temperature inversions happen and air currents reverse direction.”
“That explains the timing,” Raoul said.
“But not the geographic spread. Atmospheric pressure shifts would affect the entire region, not just these two specific courts. Other dragon settlements should be reporting similar issues, but they’re not.”
I dropped my pen on the table. “None of this adds up. The pieces are all there. I can see them, but I can’t make them fit together.”
Raoul rose and moved behind me, his hands finding my shoulders. He worked at the knots of tension there, and I leaned back into his touch.
“You’re tired,” he said quietly. “You need rest to process this.”
“I don’t have time to rest.”
“You don’t have time not to.” His thumbs pressed into a particularly tight spot, and I groaned. “Taking a break isn’t giving up. It’s being strategic.”
I knew he was right. Knew that I’d done my best work after stepping away from problems, letting my subconscious work while my conscious mind rested. But the urgency pressed at me, demanding answers now.
“What if this escalates while I’m resting?” I asked. “What if Silvervale and Goldwing actually go to war because I couldn’t solve this mystery fast enough?”
“I’ll handle the diplomacy while you handle the investigation. Together, we can’t be defeated.”
Lifting me into his arms, he carried me into the bathing area, where he stripped off my clothing, bathed me in the warm water, and distracted me with his amazing touch.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
ADELE
We decided to take our samples back to Emberforge, where I could analyze them with my more extensive equipment and think about what the problem might be.
King Trevare met us in the courtyard as we were getting ready to depart. The dark circles under his eyes suggested he’d slept as poorly as I had. Three of his advisors stood behind him, their expressions ranging from dubious to openly hostile.
“I’ve sent word to Silvervale,” Trevare said. “They’ll have access to all the same information Queen Adele has collected. Full transparency.”
One of the advisors grumbled. Another scoffed. Trevare shot them a look that could’ve melted stone.
They left, leaving us alone with King Trevare.
