Beside me, Daegan stiffens, flexing a hand an almost undetectable amount. But I notice. I’m acutely aware of everything he does.
He doesn’t love the plan, nor the unknown variables it carries.
I wonder if he’s aware of what goes on in my head. I wonder if he’s noticed that I haven’t been able to take my eyes off his tight muscles as he sleeps nearly naked beside me every night.
“You’re right.” I stand and pace the room. Raef found a source in town who informed him that the king has been absent from the castle the last few days. I’m not surprised. He could charm anyone he wanted.
I don’t want to think about what my father could be doing away from Ellyar. He’s rarely left the capital in the last ten years, so it is worrisome. Is hemaking plans? Scouting for more allies? Looking for… me?
None of the options I can come up with are good.
“And you two will stand just beyond the gates, waiting?” Daegan looks at his lifelong friend, and I feel a pang of… something. The look between them is a reminder that Meela is no longer with us. I feel sadness seeping in but then resolve overpowers it. I will do this for her, and for the countless others the curse took too soon.
“Yes,” Raef answers with a nod.
“I know a spot,” I say. “There’s a small tunnel in a section of the wall that guards don’t watch. I don’t even know if anyone knows about it besides me. I used to sneak out when I was younger. During the day only, of course.”
“We could just blast any spot with fire,” Raef says.
“True. Or I could just use my magic to melt a section.”
“Or that,” he agrees.
“Maybe a little too obvious, though. We’re trying to be inconspicuous,” Rhydra adds.
Daegan meets my gaze, something like amusement lighting his eyes. “You’ve always been reckless, haven’t you…”
“Reckless is one word for it,” Raef laughs.
I shoot him a scathing look. “Adventurous is what I would call it. With a healthy dose of curiosity.”
“Good thing you didn’t have an older sister around, telling you to stay put and killing that spirit as a result.” The room goes quiet as I glance at Rhydra. She’s looking back at me in silence, and I can feel Daegan’s eyes on me too. I haven’t gotten around to bringing it up to him yet, but somehow, I think he already knows.
I shift my gaze from Rhydra to Daegan, and he gives me a subtle nod along with a tight-lipped smile. He heard the whole conversation, and he’s been waiting for me to bring it up, I’d guess. I linger on him a little longer, and something darkens in his eyes as he looks at me. I’ve seen that look on him before. It sets my body on fire.
I look away before he completely flusters me. This isn’t the time.
The only one who seems lost—still glancing around the room, sensing the tension—is Raef. “What did I miss?” he finally asks.
I raise my eyebrows at Rhydra. She’s the one seeking vengeance on her mysterious father, after all. She’s kept this secret locked up this entire time.
Kezra hovers in the corner, poking at Lemakis and not really paying attention to the conversation. I’m guessing she already knew.
“My father,” Rhydra starts, facing the confused dragon shifter. But as she utters those words, he puts the pieces together. Realization washes over hisface. I sneak a glance at Daegan, who’s already looking at me with a warm smile.
“No…”
“Yes. King Nerion Celenor.”
Raef looks back and forth between her and me, and instead of the horror I expected, there’s… absolute glee.
“This is amazing.”
“I don’t know if that’s what you’d call it…” Rhydra says, flashing me an apologetic look.
“Well, yeah… that guy sucks. But who cares about him. So what if your dad is the evil overlord of our lands… you two are sisters!” He looks like he’s about to celebrate, but then his eyebrows scrunch together. “Wait… does this mean that you’re an elf?” He shifts his body forward, inspecting the side of her head as if he hasn’t seen her ears hundreds of times.
“Part elf, part Skeldaryn, part… human, I’m pretty sure,” Rhydra answers with a shrug.
