by E. L. Todd
“Then who dropped me off at the gate? They left my father’s ring—which has protected me since the moment I stepped into Eden Star.”
He looked Cora in the eye, giving a slight shake of his head. “I don’t know who it was, Cora. But they knew who I was. They left you there with a note asking me to take you in because you would die otherwise. My job was to give you a simple life in a small village, to keep you away from the outside world. That would have been much easier…if you weren’t so headstrong.” He gave a slight chuckle, his eyes gazing over with memory. “If I had been asked this before, I would have said no. But once I saw you…I couldn’t. I took you in and raised you as my own—and I still have no regrets.”
“So…when you saw the ring, you knew who I was?”
“I knew it was an elvish ring, but I knew nothing of your parentage. The older you grew, the more obvious your features became. But since no one here knows what an elf even looks like, they never became suspicious—thankfully.”
“This group of mercenaries…you said they’re gone?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I saw their bodies outside of Polox when I returned for goods.”
“Oh…I’m sorry.”
“I am too. It could have been me…”
“You don’t think…this alliance still lives on?”
“Unlikely.”
Rush interjected. “But it must—because they came to you after the fact.”
Dorian gave a hesitant nod. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. I left the organization long before that, so someone must have kept tabs on me. But if they dropped off Cora, it must have been because they were compromised in some way.”
That’s true.
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this when I asked?” Cora said.
“Because I wanted you to have a normal life.” He stared at her. “I wanted you to stay here where you’d be safe. The last thing I wanted you to do was chase elves in Eden Star…and pose questions to the wrong people. But in the end, it didn’t matter, I guess.”
Rush took over. “Dorian, we’re in desperate need of allies right now. The dwarves need to rebuild, and the elves are complicated. If some kind of resistance still lives on, we need to find them. Is there anything you can tell us? Anything at all? A name, location, a place to start our search?”
Dorian kept his eyes on Cora. “I admire what you’re doing. Really, I do. You remind me of myself. Optimistic. Doing the right thing, even if it’s the hard thing. But the last thing I want is for something to happen to you, Cora. He’s too powerful, and he has spies in the most unlikely places. Tread carefully.”
“I’m aware of the risks, Dorian. But even if it claims my life, it would still be worth it.”
He dropped his gaze, her words too much to even contemplate.
“Dorian.” Rush’s deep voice brought him back to attention. “There has to be something you can tell us.”
His eyes remained down for a long time, and after a deep breath that made his shoulders rise then fall, he lifted his gaze. “I don’t know who she was. I don’t know her name. I don’t even know her face. But I do know this…she was a witch.”
After a long goodbye, they departed the village and headed up the hill.
The visit with her guardian was too short, and too much of their conversation had been about important matters. She didn’t ask about his shop. She didn’t even ask about her brothers—who were all out of the house at the time. “Do you think it was Mathilda?”
“Wouldn’t put it past her. And Polox isn’t too far from here.”
“True.”
“She’s definitely acquainted with this resistance group. I wasn’t worthy of the knowledge, but I’m sure you will be. Maybe she has the answers to both of our questions.”
“Yeah…”
“What is it?”
“I’m worried about Callon.”
Rush slowed down his pace and regarded her. “Your guardian just dropped this revelation, and…that’s what’s on your mind?”
She stopped their progress altogether, her hands on her hips. “The outcome of this war will be determined by Callon’s success in this matter. We need the elves—and whoever sits on that throne dictates our actions.”
“You want to go back and help him overthrow Delwyn? I’m sure Lilac can sneak behind her and push her down the stairs…”
She didn’t laugh. “The only reason we’ve made it this far is because we can stay in communication no matter where we are in the world. If I could stay in communication with Callon, it would be instrumental.”
Once he followed her train of thought, his eyes narrowed. “Talc.”
“I feel terrible for even suggesting it because it seems like I just want to use her…but it would make a huge difference. No matter the leagues that separate us, we could coordinate. That’s something King Lux would never anticipate.”
Rush shifted his weight then ran his fingers through his hair. “It makes a lot of sense.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“But I already told her we would take her to Mist Isle to be free. That was the only way I could get her to convince Queen Megora to let us go.”
“Well, I’m sure Queen Megora’s hesitation changed her attitude about that.”
“Good point.”
“She’ll say no at first, but I’m sure we can convince her.”
“So, we do this now or after?”
“Now. If we could get Talc and Callon to fuse, we could head to Mathilda next…and hopefully that materializes into the next thing. In any case, Callon isn’t going to take charge of Eden Star overnight, and the dwarves are overcome right now. We need more people. We should look for those people and keep our connection with Eden Star at the same time. General Noose could return…”
“I agree.”
“And if she won’t fuse with Callon, I could let him fuse with Ashe—”
No.
Ashe—
I have no qualms about his character. He’s a good man. But you’re the one I agreed to join, and I will not be bound to anyone else in this manner. You’re my hatchling.
“Never mind…”
Rush gave a smile. “I knew how that was going to go down.”
“Alright. Then let’s work on Talc and head back to Eden Star in the meantime.”
35
Return to Eden Star
“I’m soooo tired of going back and forth.” Bridge dropped his pack and took a seat near the campfire. They stopped under a canopy of three trees, the copse so dense it would be difficult to spot the flames from the sky. “My legs have not looked this thick since I was a kid who played outside all day.”
Lilac skinned and gutted the deer before putting it on the spit over the fire. The juice splashed into the flames and sizzled, and the smell of roasting meat filled the campsite.
Rush sat beside Cora, his eyes on the side of her face. “Is this okay?”
She’d made a dinner out of what she could find, wild nuts and berries, some cauliflower. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”
When the meat was finished cooking, it was split among the five of them, and they ate in silence.
Cora took the opportunity to speak with Talc. Ashe, will you help me?
You’re asking me to convince a dragon to fuse.
I wouldn’t do it unless I thought it was necessary. Surely you must agree that having a connection to Eden Star is vital to win this war.
I do. But this goes against everything I stand for.
Me too, Ashe.
As if he were in his dragon form beside her, he took a long breath and let it out slowly. Alright.
Thank you. She pressed her mind to Talc’s and felt the connection instantly. How are you?
Every breath I draw is much lighter than the breaths I took under the mountain. The weight of the rocks pressed on my chest and lungs. It was a slow suffocation. But now I see trees. I see sky. I see plains.
I’m glad you’re feeling better.
You forced Queen Megora’s hand—thank you.
Of course.
Being stuck under the mountain had taken its toll on her as well. I became a crutch for her—as she did for me. But she was more reluctant to let that go than I was. I know it wasn’t just the temptation of my power, but her affection for me as well.
I hope you’re right.
I’m eager to get to Mist Isle, to open my wings and feel the wind against my scales.
I can imagine.
Your powers are extraordinary. How did they come to be?
Honestly, I don’t know. Still trying to figure that out.
And your ability to communicate—how?
I think I’m part dragon…as crazy as that sounds.
Your mind does feel like one of a dragon. When I first felt it, that was exactly what I assumed.
Not the first time I’ve heard that. How are things with Bridge?
He’s a puny human.
She gave a chuckle. He just has a sensitive stomach.
Puny.
She stared at the fire while everyone ate, doing her best to block out the sounds of masticating, teeth ripping into flesh. Talc, there’s something I need to ask you. And before you get upset, I want you to hear me out.
Her voice had been gentle a moment ago, but now it had a bite. This sounds perverse—and I don’t like it.
I want you to understand that we will take you to Mist Isle if that’s what you wish, but I do have a favor to ask.
Yes?
My uncle is the General of Eden Star. His name is Callon. We’ve been trying to secure an alliance with the elves for the great war to come. Only problem is, Queen Delwyn is very difficult. Callon is trying to rectify this.
And what does this have to do with me?
We have other obligations in Anastille that require us to be away from Eden Star. But we need to remain in contact in order to orchestrate this war. The only way to do that—
No.
I thought you might say that—
Then how dare you ask?
Look, I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.
I was told that I could be free on Mist Isle—
And that’s still true, Talc. This would only happen if it was voluntary. No one would ever force you to do anything you don’t want to.
Then take me to Mist Isle. This conversation is over.
At least give me the opportunity to make you want to do this, Talc.
There’s nothing you can say that will make me want to fuse with an elf instead of going to the last retreat of free dragons. I’ve been a prisoner for thousands of years. I’ve paid my dues. Now it’s my time to be free.
Mist Isle is the final home for the dragons. If it’s gone…there is nowhere else.
Silence.
You can go to Mist Isle and enjoy it as long as you can. But if we don’t win this…you won’t be free for long. He’ll sail to the shores and repeat history. But you have an opportunity to help us win. You have an opportunity to turn the tide. Having you in Eden Star can alter the course of history.
Silence.
The fuse isn’t permanent. You’re free to leave it whenever you wish.
So you say…
I can vouch for Callon. He’s the most virtuous person I’ve ever known. Honestly, sometimes his integrity is annoying…
Cora, what is your favorite thing to do?
Sorry?
Something you do every day that you couldn’t live without.
Uh…be with the people I love.
Something rudimentary.
Eating? I guess I love to eat.
Well, what if that were taken from you? Something so trivial, something so normal, something that’s part of the human experience? That’s how I feel when I can’t fly. I haven’t been able to fly for a very long time.
I understand that, Talc. Really, I do. But that freedom at Mist Isle is temporary. Freedom is not guaranteed unless you fight for it. Please, help us fight for it. Whenever we no longer need the communication, you’re free to go. You can choose to stay and fight, or you can flee to Mist Isle.
My answer has been given.
Ashe, a little help here?
She has changed hands three times now. Barely had a moment to catch her breath.
I understand that. But you know we need to make this work.
After a long stretch of silence, he projected his mind to them both, his voice powerful but also gentle. Talc, I understand your hesitance—
It is not hesitance. It is a concrete refusal.
It was not that long ago that I took your stance. Cora asked me to fuse to pursue this mission. Not only did I refuse, but the question itself was a grievance. I am King of Dragons. How dare she even consider making the request? It goes against everything I believe in, for our majestic minds to be connected with anyone beneath us.
Yet, here you are.
Because Cora was right. I have a family on Mist Isle, a Zuhurk and two hatchlings. They’ll never truly be safe because time passes so quickly for immortals, and before I take my next breath, a fleet of ships will come to our island. Elves and dwarves will fall—and we’ll be all that’s left in the world. We won’t survive the siege. The ones that refuse will die, and the ones that are weak will be subjugated once more.
She has the mind of a dragon. She can trap you in a fuse forever—and you’ll never see your family again.
That possibility does not concern me.
Why?
Because we are one.
Silence.
What started as a mere partnership deepened into something more. She is my hatchling—even if she doesn’t have scales or wings. That was the original purpose of the fuse, to have a connection so deep that the trust is unquestioned. It’s the first time I’ve experienced it. King Lux and his men are evil—but not all men are.
Silence.
I understand what I’m asking you—but I must ask anyway.
It is a lot to ask.
I know that. You were a prisoner to King Lux, and then you fused with a dwarf to survive. You’ve never been your own. You’ve never been a dragon. You’ve always been part of something else. You deserve more. But the dragons that remain in captivity deserve more too. The free dragons at Mist Isle deserve more than a small island. They deserve their rightful home—Anastille.
Silence.
You aren’t obligated to have a deeper connection with Callon. It can be about the task—nothing more. If you ever need to reach out, Cora and I will always be available for you.
The connection with Talc severed—and she was gone.
That went well…
You need to understand. She thought she was going straight to Mist Isle to open her wings.
She still can. We aren’t taking that away from her.
But she knows it would be wrong to make that choice.
They moved across Anastille, taking the route that Rush had laid out through his travels. The journey used to be a straight line, but now it was filled with detours to take cover in forests and between hills.
Rush stopped to take a drink from his canteen before he wiped his mouth with the back of his forearm. Sweat gleamed on his forehead, and the cords in his neck popped from the exertion of the long day. “I realized something.” He screwed the lid back into place before he continued forward.
“What?” Cora kept his pace despite the heavy armor on her body, the supplies bouncing around in her pack.
“Even if you get Talc to go for it, Callon never will.”
“I’ll talk him into it.”
“I don’t know, Cora. This isn’t the same thing as accepting Ashe or not slaying me every time he sees me. You’re asking him to fuse with a dragon. This is a big deal.”
“He’ll do it for me.”
“Cora, he hates dragons.”
“He’s come a long way. I’ll make it happen.”
“It sounds like Talc isn’t on board either…”
She’d kept her mind closed for several days, so Cora had given her space. “I think she’ll come around.”
They crossed the desert at nightfall.
Talc came forth and inhaled a large breath, her wings extending and giving a good stretch.
Flare took Lilac and Liam on his back.
Talc took Zane.
Together, they crossed the desert, close to the ground, racing over the sand and cacti to reach the other side. Several hours later, they landed on the soft grass and turned back into their two-legged forms.
That felt nice.
Cora resisted the urge to pester her once more, deciding to let her enjoy her moment of freedom without provocation.
They made a camp early in the morning so they could rest, and after the long trek across the desert, the dragons needed to feed. All three dragons dispersed, getting their kills in the grassy valleys that were hidden behind the mountains.
Everyone lay in their cots and went to sleep.
Cora stayed awake to keep watch.
Rush was asleep while Flare hunted, so he wasn’t available for conversation.
The last time she’d come this way, she’d passed through these very trees. Deeper into the forest they’d gone until they’d approached the border of Eden Star. That was where she’d received her first kiss—and she still remembered it like it was yesterday.
How are things out there?
I just finished a bear. Ashe’s voice was as strong as it was when they were a single entity. It was like he was right beside her—within her soul. But I need another.
It’s been a while since you hunted.
A long while.
Can you see Talc?
Yes. I’m keeping her close in case.
You think she’d take off?
No. Grow reckless, perhaps.
You think you could talk to her again…since she’s in a good mood.
I would hate to spoil the moment.
I understand. I just feel like your words mean a lot more to her than mine.
I’m Ashe, King of Dragons. Of course they do.