by E. L. Todd
“Come on, man. Tell me about your scales.”
Just. Go.
Rush felt the agony in his chest, felt the weight of the mountain on top of him, felt his spirit crush as he was parted from the sky.
He started to run.
“Almost there.”
Flare remained in a tight ball, shaking in his anxious grip.
Rush entered the enormous cavern, still running.
“Rush?” Zane was slicing the skin of an apple with his knife, and he rose to his feet when he spotted his comrade. “About time. We hear news about the Shamans—”
“I’ll be with you in a second.” Rush kept running, passing the others who were excited he had made it. He reached Bridge.
But Bridge immediately stepped to the side, knowing exactly where he was going.
Rush ran through the opening in the cavern to the private beach that was hidden by the curve of the mountain, blocked from the open ocean by the other mountain across from it, the small cove unnoticeable because ships didn’t pass on that side.
He reached the edge of the water and dropped to his knees in the sand. “It’s over.” Rush felt the sunshine on his face, felt the breeze move over his skin, listened to the gentle ocean waves rise farther up the beach before they receded into the water.
Flare slowly uncoiled from his position, stretching past the barrier he’d erected in his mind, and took a breath. He stretched farther and farther, the anxiety diminishing, the sight of the sky, the ocean, the trees bringing him back to his natural state.
Bridge took a knee beside Rush and watched him in silence. “Is he okay?”
“Just needs a minute.”
Flare stayed quiet, his body returning to a state of calm now that he could see the sky and the flock of geese that flew overhead.
“Not a fan of being underground.” It was hard to brush off his dragon’s unease, not when they were so closely connected, their souls fused together. They shared heartbreak. Grief. Joy. Everything.
“Don’t blame him. I don’t have wings, and I still don’t like it.”
Okay. I’m ready.
Rush rose to his feet and looked at the two ships parked near the shore. One was the small one they were supposed to commandeer together. The other was a full galleon. “How the hell did you manage that?”
Bridge grinned. “Don’t underestimate me.”
“Did you bore them to death with a book then take their ship?”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “I got some help from a few friends.”
“Trustworthy friends?”
“No doubt.” He nodded toward the cavern. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.” He patted Rush on the back, and they walked together until they were cast in the shade from the rock. “How’s Cora?”
“She’s with the elves. She’s safe.”
“Good to hear. Heard about your little run-in with the Shamans. Everyone in Karth is talking about it.”
“Yeah, long story.”
Not really. I saved our asses.
Rush spoke back. I can tell you’re feeling better…
Flare released a snort.
“We ran into General Noose on our journey back,” Rush explained. “One thing led to another… It was a shitshow.”
“Everything you do is a shitshow.”
Rush gave him a playful shrug. “Shut it.”
Zane emerged, half of his apple eaten. “Glad you made it.” He clapped Rush’s hand with his and pulled him in for a pat. “How’ve you been?”
Rush returned the gesture with a smile. “You know, dirty, hungry, tired…”
Zane chuckled. “Like always.”
Bridge shifted his gaze back and forth between them. “Wait, you two know each other?”
Flare spoke even though only Rush could hear him. He knows everybody…
“He came into my shop for a nasty cut,” Zane explained. “Treated him, then we ended up having a couple pints.”
Bridge turned to Rush. “Small world, huh?”
Rush gave a shrug. “When you’re on the run…not so much. Hope you didn’t recruit anyone who knows me from my General Rush days.”
“Nope. Made sure to avoid that.” He stuck his fingers into his mouth and whistled loudly. “Guys, come on over.”
A young guy with blond hair walked over first, tall and muscular, grinning like a boy. He extended his hand to Rush, youthful excitement in his eyes. “It’s such an honor to meet you.”
Rush took his hand. “An honor. Don’t know about that…”
“You’re fused with a dragon. That’s an honor.” He dropped his hand and stepped away. “Can’t wait to see the dragon when you change. I’m Liam, by the way.”
Rush turned to Bridge, his eyebrows furrowed in accusation, the unspoken question in the air.
“He’s a scholar who used to work in my city,” Bridge explained. “He relocated here a few years ago. He has a deep affection for dragons and is devoted to freeing as many as possible. He’s a little obsessed with it, but harmless.”
Beggars couldn’t be choosers, so Rush let it go.
A woman walked up next, short with beautiful dark hair, large eyes, and a powerful confidence. With one hand on her hip, she regarded Rush with a knowing smile. “Long time, no see.”
Rush stared, his heart starting to hammer.
Oh, this should be fun.
Rush did his best to overcome the awkwardness. “How’ve you been?”
She gave a shrug.
“Wait, you guys know each other too?” Bridge asked. “Seriously, who do you not know?”
Just Liam, apparently.
“Well, Rush gets around,” she said. “Very busy man…”
Rush tried to sidestep her not-so-subtle hostility. “How do you know each other?” He turned back to Bridge, taking the attention off himself.
“Lilac?” Bridge asked. “She’s my sister.”
Ha-ha-ha-ha! His voice was so loud that Rush was pulled from the conversation.
Stop laughing.
Ha-ha-ha!
I’ll take your ass back underground.
Bridge will be so happy.
Bridge looked at Rush, waiting for an answer.
Fuck, this is awkward.
And hilarious.
Lilac gave him a gloating smile before she turned to her brother. “He caught me trying to pickpocket him. Had a good laugh over it.”
She saved your ass.
Rush gave a shrug. “Yeah…several months ago.”
Bridge turned on her. “You’re still doing that shit?”
“What?” she asked innocently. “Girl’s gotta eat, right?”
Nine
Unbreakable Bonds
Callon moved to the first step, arms behind his back, his posture straight, every muscle in his body working to provide his queen the respect she deserved. “Your Majesty.” He gave a deep bow before he righted himself once again. “The perimeter is secure. There’s been no sign of hostility in any direction.”
“Don’t drop your guard.” Her crown was full of white lilies, open and in full bloom as if their stems were still attached to the earth. “I’m sure she brought a plague with her.”
“It’s been weeks, Your Majesty—”
“I don’t care if it’s been years, Callon.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. My second-in-command Aldon has shown immense promise. If he were offered a position as a general, I believe he would do well.”
“I already have a general.” Her chin rested on her closed knuckles, her eyes boring into his armor.
“If border security is a concern, then perhaps we should consider a second.”
Heartbeats passed. Her stare continued to puncture the thin but impenetrable armor that covered his body from head to toe. Her look was sharper than the tip of an arrow. “I will consider it. Anything else?”
He should have given a bow and departed. But he lingered. “Yes.”
<
br /> “Speak. My day is full of other obligations.”
His strong posture faded for just a moment, and without realizing it, he chewed on his bottom lip in consternation.
Her eyes narrowed. “What is it?”
“I wish to replace Alfreda as Cora’s guide.”
Her eyes turned into two arrows about to be lit with fire. “Why?”
“Because Alfreda has done a poor job, as you’re aware.”
The queen turned quiet—and that quiet was deadly.
“I do not request to forsake my responsibilities as your general. I just request to spend my free time as her guide.”
More silence.
Callon regained his strong posture and stopped chewing his bottom lip.
Minutes passed, her mind working furiously behind her eyes. Her hands squeezed the wooden armrests before she pushed herself to her feet, the light fading in the hall. With the elegance that made her glide, she descended one step. Then the other. And then the last. Coming face-to-face with the leader of her armed forces. “Why?”
His eyes held on to hers, feeling the tension from her body as if he stood next to a roaring fireplace. She already suspected the answer, but she needed the confirmation in his words. “You know why, Your Majesty.”
Rage with the force of a battalion entered her gaze. Her beautiful lips pressed tightly together in a sneer that could cut through the flesh of his throat. Like a mountain struck by an earthquake, she shook. “Speak of this to anyone…and I will strike you down where you stand.”
There was no reaction on his face—because he was trained not to have one. In the face of death, he would show no fear or regret. When forced to take the life of another, he wouldn’t show regret either. He was to feel nothing. “Why do you wish to deceive her? Why do you wish to deceive your own people—”
“Because. That’s all the reason I need to give.”
He was on the step below her but held her gaze.
“You’ve been loyal to your people and to me, so I will grant your request. But you’re forbidden from sharing this information with her or with anyone else. Do you understand me?”
His body was eviscerated by his two loyalties—his loyalty to his clan and to his queen. “They will figure it out eventually, Your Majesty. You can’t stop this—and you shouldn’t. You have nothing to fear. No reason to be ashamed—”
“I’ve made my decision, Callon. You’re dismissed.”
Ten
Two Rings
With the map Callon had provided, Cora navigated the wilds and successfully found her next meal. Fruits, nuts, and berries were stuffed into her pack, and she returned to her tree house.
Which was where she spent most of her time.
Hiding away would never lead to acceptance, so she forced herself to return to the market. Maybe somebody would be kind enough to respond when she spoke, give a smile in return when she made one.
Nope.
Being hated by everyone you interacted with was a very isolating experience.
When she projected her mind to Flare, she was unable to connect. She spoke in her mind but never got a response. She chose not to panic, knowing that their distance and position were probably the reason.
There was a café where elves would gather and speak quietly to one another, enjoying their cups of tea and coffee as they remained absorbed in one another. She decided to take a seat there—even if she was alone.
A waitress never came.
In silence, she was denied service.
She continued to sit there anyway, studying the elves who passed in the marketplace, seeing the way they interacted with one another in such a peaceful manner. There were never shouts on the road, never any confrontations of any kind. Tension and resentment didn’t exist in this place—unless it was directed at her.
A pair of eyes were on her, hot and hostile, making her flesh feel as though it were melting and dripping down her face.
She turned to the look—and she saw Helda staring. Behind her table with her arms on her hips, she held her lips pressed tightly together like it was all she could do not to scream. Unmistakably, Cora was the target of that fury.
Helda came around the table and marched over.
“Oh shit…”
Helda moved down the peaceful road, drawing attention as she went because people could actually feel her anger. In a direct line, she came, not exhibiting the grace they usually possessed because it seemed to be forgotten.
Then she stopped in front of Cora, her beautiful face ugly when she was pissed like this.
“What did I do?” Cora could sit there in silence and not bother anyone, but that was still enough to ignite the wrath around her.
It was already quiet, but now it was silent. Conversations around her ceased. The birds stopped singing because even they could feel something was amiss. Every eye in the vicinity was trained on the two of them.
“Stop taking my harvest. That’s for all the elves—not just you.”
Cora blinked a few times, doing her best not to blow up. Otherwise, they would just hate her more. She had to sheathe her anger the way she sheathed her sword. “I don’t know what you’re referring to—”
“Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries—all gone. Flowers are all that remain on the almond trees. At first, I thought it was just a squirrel or other friend enjoying the fruit, but then I realized it was you. Do. Not. Lie.”
“Look, I didn’t know it was yours—”
“So, you admit your deceit.”
“No. I just didn’t understand—”
“You don’t understand anything. You’re a leech in our forest. Why Queen Delwyn has granted you asylum is unknown. You’re barbaric. Hideous. You don’t belong. Why don’t you—”
“Okay, enough of this horseshit.” Cora rose to her feet to match her height. “I wouldn’t have had to search for food in the forest if you would share with me. No one here will give any service, any respect, any kindness whatsoever. What did you expect me to do? Was I supposed to let myself starve to death? If your answer is yes, what kind of person are you? Yes, I’m half human, but that wasn’t my choice. You discriminate against me for something that I was born with. If you just gave me a chance, you would see I have the same qualities the rest of you possess. I’m not the barbaric one—you are.”
Helda stepped back slightly, both of her hands moving to her hips, her lips pressed tightly together in a frown.
Everyone was silent.
Helda stared.
Cora stared back.
Helda stepped forward again. “You will never be one of us—ever.”
“Enough.” Callon didn’t raise his voice, but it was so quiet that it projected throughout the vicinity, reverberating in every blade of grass, echoing in every enclave. He approached the table between the two women, in dark trousers and a gray shirt, no longer in his battle armor. “Helda, it was an honest mistake. She did not know.”
Helda turned her piercing gaze on Callon, furious for the interruption.
Callon kept his cool. “It won’t happen again. This matter is resolved.” He turned to Cora. “Apologize.”
Cora’s jaw actually slackened. “Whoa…say what now?”
His eyes narrowed. “You heard me.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I won’t apologize for surviving. That would admit I should have taken the other choice—death.”
“That’s not what you’re apologizing for.” He pivoted farther toward her, scolding her like a child.
“Then what?” she asked incredulously.
“For the way you spoke to your elder.”
“Uh, did you hear the shit—”
“Cora.”
Helda gave a loud huff then turned and marched away, back to her table across the way, still livid but not looking in their direction again.
Callon’s disappointment was palpable. With it written on his face and in his posture, he seemed just as furious with Cora’s behavior as everyone else.
His stare continued until he lowered himself onto the bench on one side of the table. His arms went to the surface, the sleeves of his shirt rolled to his elbows, his tanned and muscular forearms visible.
The emerald of his ring was bright in the sunlight.
Once he took a seat, the elves returned to their business. Conversations started once again. Birds sang. Life in the market continued.
He stared at the spot across from him. “Sit.”
She hesitated, glancing down the road back to her tree house, the place where she could feel solitude. But she turned back to him, the one ally she had, and took a seat across from him. She slouched, her chin on her propped knuckles, her attitude still on point.
The waitress immediately came over. “Good morning, Callon.”
“Good morning, Morwen.”
“What can I get you?”
“Coffee with almond milk. And whatever Cora would like.”
When Morwen looked at her, all the joy she’d shown Callon immediately disappeared.
She hadn’t even seen a menu, so she just picked something. “I’ll take a tea.”
Morwen walked off.
“I bet there’s going to be a fat loogie in my tea…” She watched people mingle at the nearby tables, enjoying their teacups constructed out of large tea leaves.
Callon was unamused. “Loogie?”
“You know, when someone makes a huge spitball—”
“Got it.”
“Wish I could get service like that. Let me know if the queen needs any more generals.”
“You’re unqualified.”
“It was more of a joke—and how do you know that?”
“You’re unskilled with a blade, are you not?”
Oh, that’s right.
Morwen returned with the beverages and also included a basket of morning pastries that hadn’t been requested. “Let me know if you need anything.” She gave Callon a smile before she walked off.
“She likes you.”
“I’m an honorable man.”
“No, I mean she’s attracted to you.”
He lifted his cup and took a drink.