“So why are you here? ’Tis not Áreos.”
He cleared his throat of the painful knot her question wrought. “My mother left Kalosis tonight, to return to the human realm, and I could really use a friend.”
She appeared by his side. Her scales flowed in the darkness like a vibrant wave that sparkled through the moonless night.You could get us both in so much trouble.
“I know. I’m sorry to be so selfish.” He just couldn’t help it. He needed her.
It’s fine. You’re upset. You shouldn’t be alone when you’re hurting.
And neither should she. Yet she never had anyone around her at all. Not for anything. Urian reached up to cup her jaw and lean against her long, warm neck. He’d never understood why that comforted him the way it did, and yet there was no denying how the mere sensation of her scales against him soothed the beast inside his heart. No one ever made him feel like she did. She was his dearest friend. “I asked Apollymi about freeing you.”
She went still in his arms.
“You were right, Xyn. She didn’t like it.”
I’m surprised you’re still in one piece.
So was he. In fact, Urian cringed at the fury of her violent reaction. “I’m surprised she didn’t feed me to Xedrix. I swear I saw him break out a dish of sauce for it.”
And he had. The goddess’s eyes had turned blood red and her winds had knocked Urian back so fast and furiously, he was amazed every bone in his body hadn’t snapped.
She laughed.Thank you for trying.
“I’m not through. I will find a way to free you yet. It’s not fair for both of us to be cursed here.”
She flicked at his hair with her tail.But at least I’m cursed here with you.
He scoffed at something she always said. How she could remain positive, he’d never understand. “That’s not much of a bright side. Especially to hear my brothers tell it. Or my sister. They’d say it’s the worst sort of hell.”
Xyn scoffed, then vanished so fast that Urian stumbled forward without her to lean against.
“Sarraxyn?”
She appeared a few seconds later.I made you something.
Her words shocked him. “You didn’t have to make me anything.”
Aye, I did. The moment you told me that your mother would be living in the human realm, and I knew you’d be venturing to it all the more …She gave him a gimlet stare from her serpentine eyes.I know you, Uri. Ever you find trouble, even when it should be hiding. You can’t help yourself. So it had to be done or else you’d be skewered in no time.
There was truth to that. “So what did you get me? Human-away spray?”
He’d meant that as a joke.
It wasn’t spray. Rather she manifested a suit of golden-orange armor that appeared at his feet. Using her tail, she lifted it for him to see and inspect.It’s made from my scales, so it’s stronger and more resilient than any human- or Apollite-made armor. No mortal or immortal weapon can pierce it. Nor will any fire harm you so long as you wear it.
Tenderness flooded his heart at her thoughtful gift. His jaw went slack as he fingered the dragon’s head that was set in the center of the hauberk. “It’s beautiful, Xyn. How can I ever repay or thank you enough for this?”
By never getting hurt. I should be terribly put out should something happen to my only friend.
Stepping forward, he gently kissed the tip of her snout. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll make sure you go free!” And that she never got into trouble for something he did.
With that thought in his mind, he gathered his armor and headed off into the darkness before someone told Apollymi he was here and he got her punished for it.
With every step, he swore to himself that he’d free her. It was the least he could do!
Xyn didn’t move until Urian was out of sight. She should be thrilled he was determined to free her. At one time it was all she’d dreamed of.
Now …
