Chapter 24 - Cammon #3
I handed her the dried meat, a handful of dried grapes, and the last hunk of waxy cheese and dropped onto my blanket beside her.
“Please,” I said, “make my day better.”
“We knew this was coming, but I’d hoped for a bit more time to prepare.”
The meat turned to powder in my throat. “Dragon territory?”
She nodded, her expression grave. “Dragon territory.”
A groan slipped out before I could stop it. “Is the landmark up in the mountains?”
Glory read over the clue again, then scanned the map, as though she hadn’t studied both two dozen times since she’d begun.
“I don’t think so. He references the coastal valleys, and something about frozen lava.
From what I know of my geology, that’s the eastern side of the Doldemy Peaks.
So at least that’s something. We can find the quickest route over the mountains and not spend any more time there than necessary. ”
I wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince. Having to stop for a signpost or not, there was no way this next leg of our journey would be pleasant. Simple, yes. Get from one side of the mountain to the other without being eaten or burned to crisps. Easy? Not a chance.
“Have you made the trip before?” she asked, and I knew she was seeking reassurance that we weren’t utterly doomed from the start.
I wished I had any reassurance to offer.
“Once. Years back. It… Well, it would have ended badly if Syrus hadn’t intervened.” It was how we’d met. If not for him, I would have been either demonic remains crushed against the rocks or some dragon’s breakfast.
“Syrus is the man who was with you the day we met?” When I nodded, her brow furrowed. “What was he doing out here?”
I chuckled. “He’s a dragon shifter. The mountain peaks are his home.”
Her mouth fell open, and she looked again at her map. “How?”
“There are small shifter villages scattered throughout the mountain range. The dragons leave them alone—one of the only groups in the world they ignore—and the villagers take advantage of the benefits. Secure spaces, constant warmth, great views. They shift and travel when they need to resupply, but they’re a very solitary group. ”
Which was why I’d been surprised when Sy had wanted to leave and join me, but I never judged anyone looking for a change.
Glory set down her half-eaten food and rubbed her palms over her knees.
I understood her fears. I carried them as well.
This was the part of the trek I’d dreaded since we’d set out.
Frankly, I’d hoped we could find a way to avoid it, or that the notes had been wrong, but ever since the trap that had split open an entire glade, I’d accepted that those hopes were empty.
A mage as twisted as Tersey was would have found great joy in sending people over that mountain.
He no doubt had a secret way across—or through—but anyone trying to follow him would have no choice but to face death head on.
“Is this worth it to you?” I asked.
She pursed her lips around a bitter laugh and flicked her eyebrows upwards.
“Asking the hard questions, are you?” For a while, she was silent, considering her answer.
“I’m tired of wearing a mask every day of my life, hiding who I am and what I can do.
I’ve been doing it for twenty-five years, and I’m exhausted.
I think…” She cleared her throat. “I think I’ve reached a point where I would rather stare down a dragon and risk being turned to ash than go back to that life. ”
Her honesty shook me, and I took a closer look at this woman sitting at my side.
Little by little over the past week and a bit, her guard had dropped.
I barely recognized the person who’d strode into my office with her proposal.
I certainly liked this version of her more, and it pained me that she felt so constrained with the life she’d made for herself.
“You think going home and tucking yourself into a closet office in the library is a better option?” That wasn’t much of a life. Did she not realize there was more to the world if she wanted it?
She winced but looked away so quickly I suspected she didn’t want me to notice. “At least in my closet, I can be myself.”
“You’ll still be answering to the king. You’ll still have to hide.”
“But not all the time,” she argued. “I love my books, and I love my research. I can surround myself with everything that gives me peace without the burden of my secrets weighing me down. So no, it won’t be the best life, but it’ll be far beyond what I have now.”
I opened my mouth to push harder against this meagre existence she anticipated, then swallowed my words. It wouldn’t benefit her to shatter her plans if this was what she wanted, but I couldn’t help but wish more for her.
“What about you?” she asked, returning her gaze to mine. “Is it worth facing what’s coming to get Evaniel’s help?”
“The chance to clear my name? To resume my position?” I rolled my neck until it popped.
“I’m less fussed about those rewards than I am about the possibility of finally giving my brothers and sister what they deserve.
They stole everything from me, made my entire country turn their backs on me, including my own father, and they didn’t lose a thing for their trouble.
” I realized I’d balled my hands into fists and forced them to relax.
“I’ve been happy enough to keep going as I am and give them a chance to make a mistake that will bite them in the ass, but if the time has come to do the biting myself? You’d better believe I’ll take it.”
Glory pressed her lips into a flat line, and only at the sight of her amusement did I hear what I’d said. I scowled. There would be no literal biting of asses. Not theirs, anyway. “You know what I mean.”
Her hidden smile turned sympathetic. “I do. Believe me, if I could find out who took my father from me, I wouldn’t be satisfied with hiding in a closet.
” She finished her last bite of cheese, then brushed off her hands and shifted so she sat more comfortably on her bedroll.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, princeling. And that all this proves worthwhile.”
“You too, Buttons.” I looked her over, once again experiencing a surge of unfamiliar emotion at the sight of her and, for some reason, feeling a little less frustrated by it. “Somehow I think it will be.”