And that terrified her most of all.
Trying not to think about it, Medea followed the others down a narrow, winding tower. As they continued on, it began to feel as if they were descending into hell itself. It kept getting colder, darker.
More sinister.
And that, too, made her wonder if and when they’d betray her. What price these strangers she dared to call friend would put on her life.
“Where does this lead?” Medea asked.
“Morgen’s garden.” Blaise’s tone was flat and emotionless in the dim light.
“I don’t understand. A garden underground?” No sooner had she finished the question than they slowed down.
Falcyn used his dragonfyre in his hand as a torch so that they could see what was around them.
The moment he raised his arm over his head and the light chased away the heavier shadows, she gasped. The garden was massive and lined with giant dragon statues that went on in an endless, eerie display.
In every direction.
“Holy shit,” she breathed.
Falcyn nodded. “Holy shit, indeed. The light fog down here is from their breath. At least by that we know they’re still alive even if they are frozen by Merlin’s spell.”
“I don’t understand. If they’re frozen, how can they breathe fog?”
Though he was blind in his human form, Blaise glanced toward Brogan and then Medea before he answered. “The gas we exhale. It causes that. Even when we’re locked in by magick. Not sure why. Just a peculiar by-product.”
Okay, then. Sometimes there was no rhyme or reason to magick. She knew that better than anyone.
Of course, ultimately there was rhyme and reason, it just wasn’t readily apparent.
“Do we have to free them all?” she asked.
Falcyn headed for the largest beast over on his right. “It’s the safest thing to do. That way, Morgen won’t have any to rouse and use against us.”
Blaise left Brogan’s side as he felt his way through the darkness. “I’m not sure how to use my father’s ring to awaken them. Do you know?”
Falcyn reached out to take it from him.
Just as their fingers brushed, the dragon nearest them opened its eyes and growled.
15
Falcyn pulled back, ready for war, as the beast by his side rose to do battle. He stepped away from Medea, intending to change into his own dragon body to fight.
Blaise took his arm and fisted his hand in his sleeve to stop him. “Don’t!That’sMaddor.”
Those words froze him to the spot. His heart started racing at the sight of the largest dragon.
This was his son. Close enough to touch.
To hold.
The one creature he’d always wanted to meet.
And he was standing beside his grandson, who continued to hold on to him. For the first time in his life, he was with his children. Both of them. The magnitude of the moment overwhelmed him as he struggled with emotions he couldn’t even begin to define. Twisted pain. Heartache.
Inexplicable joy and pride.
