Cael’s heart squeezed. If he achieved his goal, was able to bond with the dragon, he’d be stealing Leonard’s family. Hispurpose. And though Cael felt guilty about that, a part of him wondered if Leonard wouldn’t welcome such an outcome.
“How has my father been able to control her all these years?” Cael asked, as nonchalantly as possible. “I’ve always wondered. He’s never talked to us about it.”
Leonard quirked a bushy, skeptical brow. Cael kept his own expression neutral, then tried to fake a semblance of surprise when Leonard confirmed everything he already knew. “Emperor Leonin gifted him a relic that he used to summon her from deep within the mountain. A flute, imbued with the power of the Fallen Goddess. Heck of a show, that.”
“You were there when it happened?”
Leonard nodded. “Thought the mountain itself was going to crumble to dust. Half the forges were destroyed when she burst through the rock that day.” Awe stole across Leonard’s ancient features. “Never saw anything so beautiful or magnificent in my life. All those shimmering white scales, wings that spanned nearly the entire cave.”
“So, Arran summoned her using the flute, and then what?”
Leonard frowned. “He whispered something into his palm and sent the gust toward her. I could see the fight leave her body. After that, she obeyed any order he gave. Like he’d woven some kind of spell over her.”
“Did he ever reveal it to you?” Cael asked. “What he’d whispered?”
Leonard shifted, uncomfortable with the question.
Cael placed his forearms on the table. “I would never tell Arran any of this, you know. I appreciate everything you’ve shared with me on these visits. I feel a kinship with her. I know what it’s like to wish for the sky.” Leonard softened at the wistful look on Cael’s face. “I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t some way to free her.”
Leonard shook his head sadly. “Oh, lad. If there was any way, I would have done so myselfcenturiesago.”
If there was any better segue, Cael hadn’t heard it.
Time to reveal his hand.
What other choice did he have?
“What if I told you therewasa way?” Cael glanced toward the pit. The keepers were chattering amongst themselves, none paying a lick of attention to Leonard and Cael. He pulled the flute from under his shirt and laid it upon the table.
To Leonard’s credit, he didn’t make a single sound. But he did go preternaturally still. Whiskers unfurled at his cheeks, tangling in his beard and twitching. As if he were sniffing the relic.
“Where…where in Ethyrios did you get that?” A croaked whisper.
Cael told Leonard everything. About how the Teles Chrysos had given him the flute and assigned him this mission. About the dragon’s name and how they intended to learn it. About their desire to use her to take back Delos from Eamon Erabis and install his brother Tristan—the rightful heir—on the Crystal Throne.
Leonard twisted his whiskers, contemplative.
Cael leaned back in his chair. “I don’t think I need to tell you how much I’ve just risked to share all this with you. And I wouldn’t have done so if it wasn’t vitally important.Everythingis at stake here. Not only the dragon’s freedom, but the survivalof our world. Males like my father, like Eamon Erabis, have been hoarding power for far too long. It’s time us broken, scarred misfits had a chance to rise up, don’t you think?”
Cael held his breath as he waited for Leonard to say something,anything.
The old Beastrunner swiveled his attention toward the dragon, his lips quirking up into a sly smile. “To the misfits. Long may you reign.”
Cael closed his eyes, exhaling a long, relieved sigh.
“I wish I knew her name,” Leonard said apologetically. “I’ll do everything in my power to help you free her if you’re able to learn it.”
Out in the pit, the dragon awakened, and the keepers gathered around her for the afternoon session, readying their rods.
Cael turned back to Leonard. “Thank y?—”
A strident cry rumbled through the cave. Not a roar. A wail of agony.
Leonard burst from his seat, his knees knocking the desk and rattling their mugs. He rushed out into the pit, Cael on his heels.
The dragon lay on her side, nosing at her belly and straining against her chains as she tried to shield herself with her wings. Her goopy, iridescent blood pooled out beneath her.
Icy rage frosted Cael’s veins as the keepers laughed.
