“Same plan as before, minus Prince Vana’s fleet,” Salarin says, rallying well despite the barrage of revelations. “Our odds won’t be much worse.”
“Optimism,” Lucien says. “Have some fucking optimism, captain.”
Salarin’s expression doesn’t change.
Same plan as before. Kazia and Lucien break Kazia’s phylactery, then Salarin escorts Kazia from the palace. Marek keeps the dragon corps overhead, starving Imrik of reinforcements. And Lucien and his dragon assassinate the king and queen.
They’ve been over the plan exhaustively. Speed and surprise over raw power. Lucien’s confidence is exhilarating. But now, on the eve of cataclysm, Lucien’s reckless determination isn’t thrilling. It’s terrifying.
Kazia can’t live with that kind of terror.
He clears his throat. “Actually, I want to stay tomorrow.”
?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lucien
“Absolutely not,” Lucien says, as sternly as he can while cradling a fluffy rat against his chest.
Marek crosses his arms. “I hate to agree with Lucien, but I agree with Lucien. Absolutely not.”
Kazia’s lips thin out. This isn’t a whim or tantrum—he’s serious, just like he’s been all night. He has that same sharp brilliance that makes Lucien think he could be a king after all.
Lucien normally finds such moments captivating. Now, Kazia’s determination is a problem.
“You’re risking your life for this,” Kazia says to Lucien, as if nobody else is in the room.
Lucien is well aware of the risk, but he can’t have Kazia worrying about that. “Give me some credit, Your Highness. I’m really fucking strong.”
“So is my father.” Kazia looks translucent. Brittle. “I could help.”
Lucien doesn’t realize what helping means until Marek swears. Then the idea crashes with the force of a dragon’s claws.
“Absolutely not,” Lucien says again. When Kazia’s jaw sets, Lucien turns to the rest of the room. “Everyone out. I need a word alone with my… captor.”
Whisper gathers his things, muttering, “Never taking a rescue mission again.”
Salarin appears determined to ignore everything that she doesn’t want to know. “Great idea! We’ve got plenty of work to do. Your Highness, we’ll be ready by dawn.” At Kazia’s nod, she strides out along with Whisper.
Sei waits at the door, looking stricken, and Marek stops at Lucien. “Talk sense into him.”
“I intend to,” Lucien says.
Kazia scowls. “I’m right fucking here, bastard.”
Marek raises his eyebrows. “Oh, so youcanlisten.”
Kazia makes a rude gesture. Then he snatches Big Fish from Lucien and storms off to put her away.
Lucien traces the maps until the others have gone. A thin line of ink separates Draskora from Silaise. If Lucien squints, the entire continent of Alantha appears to be a single entity, bordered only by water and fog.
Tezurit murmurs in his head,That’s how it looks from the skies.
There’s a wistfulness in her voice, but erasing borders isn’t that simple. Nor does Lucien think it’s the right solution.Even from the skies, you always know where another dragon’s territory begins.
That is true. We’re bad at sharing.
