Jumping up, I take Zogar’s hand, stroking the fleshy pad at the base of his thumb. My husband looks down toward me, and some of his anger melts.
“Eldrath is trying to help,” I say softly.
Zogar nods, then turns to Eldrath. “I will leave this resistance in your hands,” he says. “But I must find this Gabreal.”
“I would advise against that.”
“I reject your advice.” Zogar’s hand shifts in mine. “Respectfully.”
Eldrath studies my husband for what feels like a very long time, and I continue to stroke Zogar’s thumb pad. I started doing it to calm him, but feeling the power housed even in this small part of my husband also calms me.
“I don’t know where to find Gabreal,” Eldrath says. “Not precisely. But if you insist on looking, I can get you access to the world below.”
“I insist,” Zogar says.
A shiver races through me. “Below what?”
“Below everything.” Eldrath sweeps his hands to his sides. “The demons created another city that lies below the capital. It extends well beyond the city limits. Access is not only restricted, it’s costly, but I can assist you?—”
“I have funds,” Zogar growls. “I willnotbe held under anyone’s debt.”
Eldrath raises his palms toward Zogar and leans back in his chair. “Your choice,” he says. “Let me know when you’ve found your hoard and we’ll discuss this again.”
CHAPTER 13
Tynan
Wake yourself,Xendus says, and I bolt upright, shocked that I fell asleep while flying atop his back with his knot holding me tightly in place. We’re still over the mountains of Verax, and based on the moon’s position, I was asleep for close to an hour, perhaps more.
Most humans will be sleeping by now,Xendus says.It’s safe to fly to your kingdom. You lead the way.
“How do I do that?”
Xendus laughs.I can read your mind, fool.
I roll my eyes. I hate being called a fool but feel like one for asking that question. Until recently, I actually believed that I used my thoughts todirectwhere Xendus flew.
You had some interesting dreams while you slept, he says.
I frown. I have no idea whether or not I dreamt, or if he can actually see or hear my dreams. I don’t really want to know. IfI did dream, every one of them evaporated when he so roughly awoke me.
Now would be a good time to share the route.The night won’t last forever.
I nod and then concentrate on the remote mountain valley where I honed my skills with a bow and arrow and shot my first stag as a boy. Saxon is a stag. Or part stag? I’m not sure how that works.
I always believed that shape shifters were no more than myths. In Khotor, evenreadingabout such creatures was considered blasphemous. Now, not only do Iknowa stag shifter, I’m riding atop a dragon who can shift into the form of a man.
My true form is that of a man, Xendus reminds me.
I concentrate on our route as we fly, marveling at how well I’m able to find the way with only moonlight and memories to guide me. My vision, while atop Xendus, is greatly superior to my own, but it can’t change night to day.
Most of this terrain, I haven’t even covered on horseback, never mind in the sky, but spotting the Great Western Star, I’m confident about the general direction, and I continue to focus on the Kapusmar Valley where I want to land, in relation to the few landmarks I see on the horizon. I’m grateful that we studied maps of the Seven Kingdoms at dragon camp. I was a lazy student back in Khotor.
That does not shock me. Xendus chuckles.
Learning was not something valued by my father and grandfather. Especially not for a son so many steps away from taking the throne.
The farther we fly, the more confident I become, and I try to quiet my mind, trying to focus solely on the terrain and the best route, while keeping an eye out below. We’ve flown across Verax, and are now crossing Achotia, Rosomon’s kingdom.
