"It's easy to get lost here," he finally says, though I know he doesn't buy the lie for a second. "Come." He waves for me to follow him. "I will show you the way back."
"That would be great." I stroke ZuZu's spine one last time and flick my gaze to meet Hagar's. "Thank you for introducing me to the hatchlings."
She tilts her chin up slightly, her neutral grumpy expression firmly back in place. "It's good to see you on your feet." Something that appears a lot like sorrow flashes in her face.
I bow my head. "I owe you my life." With that, I turn to follow Tariq through the city.
We walk in complete silence until we reach General Naziri's house. I regret the lie of being lost, because I could have easily found my way back and avoided this awkward journey. Once thefront door is within sight, Tariq grabs my arm and twists me to face him.
"You do not seem to be someone who gets lost easily." The suspicion in his tone is easily justified. He's sharp. Not like some of the men in Tronovia.
I shrug. "Well, once I get my bearings, I -"
"Stay away from her," he hisses, face contorted in anger.
"What?"
"I said, stay away from my betrothed." He holds a hand up, cutting off my response. "Before you attempt to lie to my face, denying your attraction for her, understand I am extremely observant. She is to be my wife. She is to act accordingly. Respect that."
I should let the matter drop, but my ego can't stand him having the last word. "For being observant, you've read me entirely wrong."
"Oh?" He bares his teeth. "Am I mistaken that you are attracted to Hagar?"
"Oh, you were right about that," I step toward him, forcing him to look up at me. "Where you misread me is I wouldn't lie to you about it."
There's a wave of emotion rushing across his features. Anger. Jealousy. Hatred. Surprisingly, I don't see an ounce of pain or concern. "Stay away from her," is all he says before turning and disappearing down the street.
Maybe I should stay away from Hagar. Pretend we never met and get back to my life in Tronovia. Call it primal, call it instinct, but I can't let her go. Not until I know why I feel drawn to her like no one else.
Forty - Six
Atlas
We only stop once in Bava to rest only because Sylvane insisted. Despite wanting to get to Midori as quickly as possible, I heed her warning. I'm still new to the world of dragon riding. She knows the creatures better than I do. She's lived life with them, cared for them, even fought in battles with them. I've only read books about them. We are not the same and I willingly accept that fact.
Our campsite is near the spot Shaye sank my ship. That seems like an entire lifetime ago. I recall the fire spreading fast across the deck and shouting for the others to get out. That's when I spotted sharks. My heart sank watching her swim right in the midst of danger and having no idea how close to death she was. Before we all abandoned ship, I showed Eris the shark fins poking out of the sea and she used her magic to create a water-shark to defend Shaye.
When she reached shore, I was relieved. Anger and irritation quickly filled me when I made it to the embankment, and shetook off into the jungle. I should have known then I would be chasing her the rest of my days. Despite the dangers lurking, I would willingly follow her anywhere.
Those memories fade quickly as my hands hover above our make-shift fire. All four dragons are resting in the sand and Sylvane is fast asleep on her pack. It's peaceful, but I can't help the overwhelming dread settling in the pit of my stomach.
I stare up into the night sky. The stars are twinkling brightly. Is it possible she's in a place where she can look up and see the same constellations? Or is she trapped in another realm consumed by darkness?
"You need to rest," Sylvane says, her eyes still closed. "You will need your strength tomorrow in Midori."
"I can't sleep," I mutter, tossing a twig into the flames. "I can't stop thinking about what Shaye might be – "
"Don't." She sits up and stares intensely at me. "Don't do that to yourself. Don't allow your imagination to run wild."
"You aren't worried?"
"Of course I'm worried," she shoots me a menacing look. "She's my daughter. I've already lost her once before. To lose her twice…" she clears her throat. "We are soldiers. If we don't focus on the mission at hand, then our judgment will be impaired. If we don't rest, our movements will be stiff. We have to be at our best if we are to succeed. Dreading and worrying about what Aurelia is enduring won't change anything. It will only destroy us. She needs us at our best. Are you at your best right now? Hunched over the fire lamenting her state, refusing to sleep, barely eating?"
I swallow hard. Her chastisement is well-warranted. I haven't been taking care of myself since Shaye was taken. When I revisit the last week in my head, I realize she's right. I haven't eaten much. I've barely slept. And I'm feeling sluggish and heavy.
My shoulders slump forward and I exhale a labored breath. "Can I be honest with you?"
She nods. "Always."
