Bastian draws me closer and presses his lips to my forehead. "Go back to Midori. Your parents will help you."
"They're not my parents though."
"Right," he nods. "They didn't know who you really were if that makes a difference."
"I know. But they still suppressed my magic, disguised my appearance."
"They were instructed to," he defends them. "They love you regardless."
"They love who they molded me to be," I snarl. "They don't know the real me, Bas."
"Then give them a chance to get to know you." He slips his calloused hand in mine and squeezes. "I know you don't love me the way I still love you, Shaye, and that's ok. Just know, I've made more mistakes than I can count, but loving you was never one."
Footsteps scuff down the stone steps and the guard growls, "Time is up."
Panic floods me. "Bas, promise me you will fight tomorrow." When he doesn't speak, I plead, "I need you to live. Please."
All he offers me is a sad smile. "It's you who needs to live, Shaye."
When I don't obey the guard's command, he comes down and ushers me toward the stairs.
"Bas! Promise me, Bas! Promise me!" I scream as I'm forced upstairs.
Bas watches, a stoic sadness overtaking him. I know that look. He's giving up, accepting his fate. But there's good in him, I know it. He doesn't need to die tomorrow.
"Bastian!"
Forty - Five
Nyx
It doesn't take much convincing to persuade Hani in giving me information about her sister. In fact, she was all too eager to describe exactly where I could find her if I wanted to stretch my legs and take a turn around the city. My hesitation was quickly dismantled when Hani assured me I would be safe. She even offered to escort me herself to the dragon training facilities, but I declined her generous offer. I'm sure she has more important things to do than babysit me.
Hours. It takes me hours to muster the confidence to walk through Vashbehtan. Not because I'm afraid the citizens of this secret kingdom might give me trouble, but because of the stares I'm sure I'll garner by my appearance. I use the clothes Hani leaves me to cover most of them, but the one on my face is hard to disguise. Thankfully, it's on the right side where I can have some of my hair shield my face.
It's hot here. Surprisingly, it's not hotter than Midori despite the Golden Kingdom being near the coast. How the mountainsand cliffs are positioned, the city is camouflaged from prying eyes but has impressive airflow, keeping the city cool.
I mutter Hani's directions over and over again in my head but still manage to get lost. After asking a few Vashbehtanians for help, I finally find the dragon facilities. I stop dead in my tracks the moment the ziggurat comes into view. Hell, Hani should have just told me to look for the most impressive structure in the city, and I would have come directly here. The terraced compound has varying levels and draws me in like a moth to a flame.
There aren't any guards, very similarly to Fendruil in Elowen. Again, who would be stupid enough to attack dragons? I walk through the open door, the archway towering over me by at least forty feet. Probably to accommodate the dragons flying in and out. The ceilings are high and the space inside expansive. There are dozens of sand dragons in here with their golden scales and equally golden eyes. As if they've all noticed a newcomer, their heads swivel toward me and I stop. Maybe I shouldn't be here.
I know if a strange man walked into Drexels' pen, my dragon would be tempted to freeze him. I raise my hands in surrender.
One of them roars, rattling the cedar rafters.
"I'm sorry," I backpedal. I'm not interested in pissing off anymore dragons than I already have. "I was looking for someone. She must not be here."
Hagar turns the corner with a bucket tucked against her hip. My sheepish smile is met with a deep-rooted scowl.
"What are you doing here?" Her greeting is not exactly how I expected this going.
"I-I-I was looking for you," I studder, internally cursing at my fumbled words.
She arches a brow. "Why?"
"I wanted to thank you for saving my life."
"Are you planning to thank Helios, too?" she teases dryly. "I doubt he'll be interested in a surprise visit."
