by E. L. Todd
Their conversation started to return to their old sense of camaraderie, trying to understand the world around them and work together to achieve their goals.
“Is it because I’m an elf?” she said. “They can reach out their minds as well—”
“But not like that.”
She looked away, a concentrated expression entering her face. “Maybe it’s because of my mother…”
“Or father,” Rush said. “But I can’t imagine they would be unique enough to give you these unusual abilities.”
She set her empty bowl on the grass beside her then turned back to him. “Bridge and some friends were in the cells on the floor above you.”
Rush opened his eyes wide in surprise and clenched his jaw at the same time. “Of course he was…”
“We were about to get them out, but someone else came.”
“Who?”
“I’m not sure. But it seemed like he and the brunette girl were together.”
“Captain Hurricane?” he asked in disbelief. “Did he look like a pirate?”
“I guess. He did call her his fair maiden.”
“Wow…” He shook his head as a smile moved on to his face. “Gotta hand it to him…”
“Bridge wanted me to tell you that he’d meet you at the hideaway.”
“They’re all okay?”
She nodded. “A little banged up, but nothing close to how you were.”
“They shouldn’t have come after me. Idiots.”
“That’s what friends do.”
Her choice of words made his eyes narrow slightly on her face. “No. That’s what families do.”
The fire started to die, the wood blackened with soot and turned into pieces of ash.
The night sky was full of stars, not nearly as bright as they were at Mist Isle, but still diamonds in the sky.
Rush lay in his bedroll, Cora a few feet away in hers.
Once the summer sun was gone for a couple hours, the cold started to set in.
“How have you been sleeping?” Rush asked as he kept his eyes on the sky.
“Not as well as at home, but not bad.”
His face tightened slightly at her choice of words. Home.
It’s the only place she’s been able to stay. Don’t read too much into it.
“The forest has this constant serenity, so it’s difficult to be upset about anything. It’s like—”
“Being high all the time?”
She chuckled. “I’ve never been high, but yeah, I guess.”
“Sounds nice. If you get closer, Flare can guard your dreams.”
Sly.
Shut up.
It’s so obvious what you’re doing—
Can I have some privacy?
Flare left his mind, closing the barrier between them.
Rush inhaled a slow breath because it was nice to be alone once in a while.
“Sure.” She moved her pack closer, getting right beside him. She remained on her side, her blanket pulled to her shoulder, her head resting on her pack. Her brown hair looked like roots from a tree, visible on the surface but then plunging deep underground.
When she was close, his heart started to beat differently, like a drum, like he was prepared for war. The fire cracked and popped in the background, the noises becoming less and less, the illumination barely enough to highlight her face.
“How did you get captured?”
“Long story…”
“We’ve got all night.”
He stared at the stars, thinking about the sight of the same ones in a very different place. “Captain Hurricane basically followed me to Mist Isle, and since I had to pretend that nothing was there, I had to act as if we were lost and headed elsewhere. Said we had a plan to hit Rock Island and take the minerals and ores. Recruited him for the adventure. But I didn’t have a plan at all, so I had to make it up as I went along.”
“Wait, you found Mist Isle?”
“Flare didn’t already tell you that?”
“Uh, no. What happened?”
He turned his head her way to look at her. “Then you’re in for a treat.”
“Tell me. Tell me.”
“Well…”
“Stop procrastinating.” She smacked him playfully on the wrist. “I know you’re doing it on purpose.”
He grinned. “You know me so well.”
“So?”
“They’re there.”
Her eyes widened, and the surprised expression on her face stilled, locked in place for at least three seconds.
“Just as majestic and beautiful as Flare. Actually, more so.”
When Flare didn’t have a retort, Rush knew he was truly gone.
She cupped her mouth as she silenced her gasp. “I can’t believe it. How many?”
“I’m not sure but at least a couple dozen.”
“Wow…what are they like?”
“I only communicated with one dragon, so I’m not really sure. But they’re wild animals in their own lands, so they’re…like other wild animals, I suppose. Bridge and I made the mistake of sleeping in the wrong cave, and there were dragon eggs in there. Mama was pissed.”
“Rightfully so.”
“I wasn’t going to make scrambled eggs or anything.”
She chuckled. “Yuck, that’s gross.”
“Bad joke.”
“Who was the dragon you spoke to?”
“Ashe—King of Dragons.”
“Wow. He sounds—”
“Formidable? Terrifying? Immense? Yep, you’d be right about all that.”
“He didn’t like you, did he?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because no one ever likes you.”
He gave her a playful glare. “Not true.”
She gave him a playful glare back.
“Okay…a little true.” The banter back and forth felt so natural, just the way it did when they spoke from opposite sides of the world. It was so comforting that it made Rush forget everything happening in their world, like it was just the two of them.
She chuckled.
“And no, he didn’t like me.”
“You can be rough around the edges,” she said. “So, what’s the plan? We form an alliance with Queen Delwyn and the dragons and take on High Castle? Do we even need the elves? Three dozen pissed-off dragons are probably enough.”
He almost didn’t have the heart to tell her.
“What?”
He shook his head slowly. “I made no progress with Ashe. He’s more stubborn than the elves.”
The light slowly left her eyes, turning dark like a cloudy night. “But we need them…”
“I know. I tried.”
“Why would they not want to help save their own kind?”
“It’s not worth the risk, apparently. He has a duty to protect the dragons that survive.”
“But the others…?”
“I know. Trust me, I know.”
Her eyes sank to the edge of his bedroll, overcome by disappointment.
“Even if we could get the elves involved, we need more than that. I thought liberating the slaves at Rock Island could work, because they would fight for us, but that went to shit. Even if that had been successful, it still wouldn’t be enough people—”
“We need the dragons.”
He ignored her plea. “Bridge and I believe there’s a secret alliance in plain sight, people who are still loyal to the dragons. Our next plan is to figure out if the alliance still exists and how many members it has.”
“And if we don’t?”
He shrugged. “There are humans who hate King Lux just for his cruelty to the subjects he rules, so we could scrounge them up too. Take down one city at a time with Flare and the elves—”
“Flare can’t take on several dragons by himself. That won’t work. We need dragons.”
“What do you want me to do about that?” He raised his palms in an incredulous gesture. “He said no. It’s a miracle he let me live.”
“Why did he let you live? He must have recognized you…”
“I proved my loyalty.”
“How?”
“I gave him permission to access my mind. He looked through my memories.”
She turned quiet, pulling her blanket farther up her body.
“We’ll figure it out.”
“No, we won’t. The elves have already fought against King Lux—and have lost as much as the dragons. They aren’t going to fight a war they’ve excused themselves from, especially when the remaining free dragons won’t participate. They’re both in their own worlds, secluded from everything else, and neither one will emerge without the other.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“I talk to Ashe. I’m half elf—so I’ll pledge the loyalty of the elves.”
He shook his head. “That is one hell of a bad idea—”
“I get him to agree. And then I go to the elves and tell them they have the alliance of the dragons.”
“And if they say no?”
“Then we’ll really be screwed.”
“Cora…I don’t like this.”
“I’ll never get the elves to agree on my own. It’s just never going to happen. Trust me on that. It has to be the dragons first.”
“Well, you haven’t met Ashe, so…”
“Flares likes me.”
“Because Flare has seen the good in humans. Ashe has not.”
“Then I’ll show him the good in humans—and elves.”
Rush cooked the meat over the pit, about a league away from Cora so she wouldn’t have to experience any part of what he was doing. The meat sizzled on the spike, juices dripping into the fire and making it spark.
That looks soooooo good.
I’m hungry too. It was the first day he’d felt well enough to take on this endeavor. He was a bit slow and clumsy, not used to working his body the way he used to, but it was a success. I’ve been hungry after every meal she’s made.
She doesn’t know what she’s missing.
Rush turned the meat and waited for it to cook all the way through.
You really think we should go to Mist Isle again? He said he’d kill you if we returned.
I know. But Cora is right. Without dragons, we have no chance.
We’ll really have no chance if he burns us alive.
And I believe her when she says the elves won’t join. She knows them better than we ever will.
Anastille is a big place, and that alliance could be hidden somewhere. We should explore that.
I thought you’d want to return to the island? He took the meat off the fire and then plated it. After letting it cool off, he started to eat.
Not when we’re unwelcome.
Cora might make an impact on him. She seems to make an impact on everyone around her, so…
Including you.
He took another bite, eating slowly as he enjoyed the shade under the tree.
Make your move yet?
Like I’d tell you.
That’s a no.
I didn’t say anything.
But you’d be happy if you did. You’re still sad.
He continued to chew his food, ignoring his dragon.
What is it?
When we took her to Eden Star, I expected her to convince the elves to join us. Maybe it was stupid for me to assume that, but I thought it would be over and done in a couple weeks. I didn’t anticipate her becoming one of them, not when she’s half and the elves hate humans so deeply. I didn’t anticipate for their general to ignore her human traits and fall in love with her. I didn’t expect her to call that place home. I just… They hate me enough just for being human. They hate me even more for the things I’ve done to them. She said my crimes are in the past, that I’m not that person anymore, but if she’s one of them…how could she ever want me?
Flare was quiet for a long time.
Rush continued to eat, his heart heavy.
Whether she’s one of them or not, it doesn’t change the way she feels about you. She risked her life to save you from Rock Island, and she did it again to get those dragon tears from Polox. Now that you’re well, she hasn’t dismissed herself and returned to Eden Star. She stays by your side—because her loyalty is to you.
You really think that?
Yes. When she had to choose between General Callon and you—the choice was clear.
He released a sigh, the sadness leaving his shoulders.
I’m not surprised that she stepped into Eden Star and made such an impression on those around her. She’s the most beautiful treasure. Everyone wants her. Doesn’t mean everyone gets to have her.
Rush stared at the grass.
There are times when she’s torn between her loyalties. I can see that. I can feel that. It would be impossible not to be that way. But she’ll never turn her back on you. Don’t doubt her because she’s done nothing to make you doubt her.
You’re right.
But let me give you some advice.
Alright.
Don’t play games with her.
When do I ever play games—
All you do is play games, Rush. Every woman has been a game, cat and mouse, flirtatious politics, inconsequential. Ever since you parted from each other, you’ve kept your feelings sheathed, hidden beneath the surface, pretending they’re meaningless, when your actions imply how serious they really are.
Rush set his food aside, no longer hungry.
She’s the treasure, Rush. Treat her like treasure.
He looked across the field. Yellow flowers bent under the gust of wind, righting once again after it passed. The petals were open to the sun, the stems turned to get every single ray.
Tell her how you feel. Show her how you feel.
The wind traveled to him next, pushing his hair out of his face for a moment.
Because if you don’t—somebody else will.
Twenty-Nine
Lock and Key
Rush appeared across the meadow, in black trousers and a long-sleeved black shirt, his pack over one shoulder, stuffed with whatever he found in his search.
She’d just gotten the fire going, getting ready to make dinner before the sun sank too low in the sky. She watched him approach, watched the way he moved more fluidly than he had been, his face looking the way it used to because the swelling had finally gone down. His jaw had been covered in hair, but he must have shaved it on his journey because his chin was nothing but smooth skin. Tall, muscular, strong, he almost looked the way he had before.
Cora smiled because it was nice to see.
It’d been two weeks since Rock Island, and even with the dragon tears, it’d been a slow recovery.
But he was back to normal—almost.
He approached the campfire and lowered the pack to his side.
She rose to her feet and brushed the dirt from the logs off her palms. “Where’d you get the new clothes?”
“I traded with a passing merchant.”
She looked down at him, seeing the new sword on his hip. “Looks like you got lots of good stuff.”
“I did. Good thing I found those medicinal herbs in my search.”
She took the pack and peeked inside. “A new canteen, lots of black potatoes, rice, this looks great.” She set the bag down and turned back to him. “Thank you.”
He stared at her, his eyes slightly squinting because the sun hit him directly. He wore a familiar look, a focused intensity he’d sometimes shown on their journeys together. It lasted for seconds, shifting back and forth, digging into her all the way down to the bone.
Paralyzed by his stare, all she could do was look back, meet that gaze as her heart started to race faster and faster. It was the same adrenaline she’d felt outside of Eden Star, the look he gave her before he kissed her.
He moved in and wrapped his arms around her back, bringing her in for a hug he’d never given her before. It was a tight squeeze, his arms locked in place as he gripped her sides. His chin rested on her
head, his breathing slow and steady, his large palms taking up a significant portion of her small frame.
His hard chest was warm against her body, her cheek cradled into his collarbone. Automatically, she wrapped her arms around him, moving under his arms and up his muscled back. She held the position, her breathing matching his. Their chests rose and fell at the same time, in a beautiful rhythm.
She closed her eyes and held on to the affection.
His arms tightened around her, and he remained still, content just holding her next to the fire. “I missed you.”
They lay next to each other beside the dying fire, the night sky having a blue tint that evening.
“She remembered me from last time.” Cora stared at the stars up above, listening to the fire crackle at their feet. “Said I was the same thief. She put the potion on the counter like she was challenging me, waiting for me to take it so she could make her move.”
“Mathilda?”
“Yeah.” She felt the cool air brush over her skin as the heat of the fire started to die away. “I didn’t know what else to do, so I offered—”
He reached for her hand and interlocked their fingers, all the while keeping his eyes on the sky, like he hadn’t just done something he’d never done before. One arm was positioned underneath his head, cradling it like a pillow.
“My sword…”
“She obviously didn’t take it, so what happened?”
She kept their hands together, his large palm a warm cocoon. “That’s the weird thing. When I showed it to her, she just let me take the vial…and that’s it.”
“With no payment, favors, or compensation?”
“Yes. One minute she’s about to strike me down, and then the next…she just lets me leave. I asked her why, and she said something really strange…that I would maybe understand someday.”
“She’s a witch—and witches are strange.”
“But she was charging ten thousand gold for it. Why would she suddenly change her mind?”
“It’s odd. But again, witches are odd.”
“What do you know about them?”
“Practically nothing. They’re rare and few in numbers. Very secretive.”
“This is going to bother me forever.”
“Let it go. You’ll never get your answer.”