A howl rippled through the mountains, and several more followed at different pitches.
“Daenys mentioned other tribes lived here, but she suspected most had died, thanks to the prince,” Ransom said.“According to her, they were a peaceful tribe and worked with the Elevenoss people.”
“At least they’re not heading in our direction.Wherever they are, they’re staying put.You should get some rest.”
“Yeah.”If he were lucky, he’d sleep for a while.“We’d better check the map first and decide which way to walk in the whitelight.”
“Give me the map, and I’ll plot an alternative route.I’ll give you my reasoning for my suggestions before we start walking tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”He’d considered restraining her, but that hadn’t worked last time.Frankly, he didn’t care any longer.He’d brought Scarlett to Narenda.It was up to the prince to make sure she stayed.
Ransom settled again.He hated to close his eyes, to give in to his fatigue.With a sigh at the inevitable, he spent a few minutes corralling his dragon at the rear of his mind.His dragon hated Prince Kalim, and their animosity was mutual.With Ransom in the middle, things didn’t go well for him.
“Ransom?”Scarlett whispered.
“Yes.”He didn’t open his eyes.
“Tell Prince Kalim you’re coming to find him and make him understand this isn’t a five-minute walk in the park.He must not feed on you if he wishes you to free them.”
“That discussion won’t go well.”
“You have to make sure he understands the danger of overfeeding on you because if you don’t discover the place where they’re resting, they’ll die.”
“I’ll try.”Not a bad strategy.To date, he hadn’t tried to gainsay the prince, not after Prince Kalim had demonstrated his powers.Just the thought of him taking over the minds of his brother and sisters and the other dragons who depended on him brought a shudder of horror.Scarlett was right.This time, he had to handle the prince differently and make the power-crazed man understand the dangers.
When he’d confided his worries to Daenys, she’d intimated the dragons were probably safe unless they attempted to travel in this region or flew too close to the mountain range that sang with resonance.But what if she was wrong?A curse slipped free.Sweat beaded on his forehead, despite the colder clime.
No, if Gryffnn sent anyone, it would be theIndycrew, and not one of them suffered resonance side effects.If Scarlett’s brothers came, they should bear the same resistance as their sister.
Ransom drifted closer to slumber.His mind fought, but his body was exhausted.He was cold—so cold.He thought about wrapping the blanket around him but rejected the idea.It was better to maintain a low temperature.
A faint pressure pushed against his head, and a pop released the tension.Prince Kalim had arrived.
“Where have you been?”The imperious voice held seductive beauty, yet Ransom had discovered the prince’s ugly underbelly.
“I had to travel to another planet to retrieve the woman.”
“I’ve been able to contact you before.The resonance made you accessible at all times.”Accusation and suspicion laced the arrogant words this time.
“I do not have answers.”Ransom sought the right words.The faint pull at his temples indicated the prince drawing energy from him.“I was merely following your instructions.”
The pull ceased abruptly.
“You do not taste right.Are you feeding your body?”
“Yes, my prince.”The words almost choked him, but playing the game was important.
“I sense the woman, but our minds are not compatible.Describe her.Is she thankful for this opportunity I grant her?”
“I have not told Scar—the woman of her purpose.I thought you would prefer to tell her of the honor you do her.”
“Yes, it would give me pleasure to speak with her and tell her of our future together.”
The tug on Ransom’s mind resumed.
“May I request a boon, my prince?”
The prince ceased his feeding.“What?”
