Chapter 31
EDEN
“Do you think she’ll make a full recovery?” I asked as Vaela and I wandered up the path together, hand-in-hand, toward the still smoldering town. The sun had finally crested the horizon, turning the sky a calming shade of pink. It was a small comfort after such a dark night.
“Gunther is hopeful that she’ll improve once the altitude sickness wears off,” Vaela said, looking back over her shoulder at the lake.
A floating raft had been crafted to hold Min’s head above the water while she floated, recovering from the exertion.
A tiny but determined smile tugged at the corner of Vaela’s mouth.
“She’s stronger than any of us could ever know.
But flying is definitely out of the question for her now. ”
I squeezed her hand, my thumb caressing her knuckles, sad to know that Min’s days in the sky were officially over. “I suppose you knew it was coming.”
She nodded. “I just wish I could have prepared her better. I’m sure it’ll be a shock when she wakes and realizes she doesn’t even get one last glide around the forests.”
I tugged her to a stop and kissed her cheek where a tear fell. There was nothing I could say to make this situation better, but I could be here to support them both. And I would be. “Will Cyrus give her the time to rehab in the water before trying to kick her out again?”
Vaela grimaced. “I suppose we have until the town is rebuilt and Ember Ridge is no longer considered a crisis zone.”
“And then what?”
She sighed heavily. “I’m not sure. I think Cyrus is going to be itching for the day he gets to evict us from his land.”
I leaned against her, inhaling the scent of smoke from her hair. “We’ll figure something out.”
Vaela blinked at me. “We?”
I nodded. “Of course we, silly. I figure Gunther’s going to need a second pair of hands with all the rebuilding that’ll be happening. People will be stubbing their toes and whacking their thumbs with hammers.” I threaded my fingers through hers. “There’ll be more work than ever at the infirmary.”
“Min’ll be happy to hear you’re sticking around post-migration.”
“You didn’t really think I’d be leaving?”
Vaela shrugged and gave me a sheepish smile. “I hoped not.”
I kissed the space next to her ear. “She wouldn’t stop,” I said softly, pulling away but holding her gaze. “Flying higher, I mean. Even knowing how dangerous that altitude was, Min was determined to get to you.”
Vaela’s lips trembled. “Because she wanted us all to be together. And… I want that too, Eden. I mean it. I realized some things while I was up there with the Wretch.”
“You mean while we were barely able to breathe?” I teased.
She huffed a laugh. “Yeah, leave it to some altitude-induced visions to finally make me see clearly.”
I tilted my head, curious. “What are you saying?”
“If Min’s retiring…” Vaela sucked in a deep breath. “So am I.”
My face crumpled in shocked confusion. “You’re done wrangling?” I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.
“I don’t want to bond with another dragon,” she said with certainty. “It would never be the same as what Min and I had. And… I’m ready to stop being so reckless. I don’t want to throw my life away for the thrill of a job when I have someone I’m so determined to live for.”
My throat tightened. She was giving up the skies for me. “You’re sure about this?”
“Yeah.” She clutched both of my hands. “I know my life will look a little different now. But it’ll still be good, and Min and I will find a new purpose. Together.”
“I just don’t want you to spend the rest of your life disappointed or resenting me or—”
Vaela stroked my cheek, tucking a few loose hairs behind my ear. “I’ve wrangled the Wretch. Nothing else can possibly top that for as long as I live.”
“I suppose that’s true. You’ll never find a bigger dragon.”
“Exactly. And I want to retire on a high note. Go down in glory as the Wretch Wrangler.”
I laughed, turning my head to kiss her palm. “We’ll discuss the name.”
Vaela rolled her eyes. “My point is, I want to spend the rest of my life chasing another kind of thrill.” She tugged me close, hands curling around my waist. “The thrill of loving you.”
“Eden!”
I glanced up the path to find Poppy coming our way. She wore slippers and a singed coat thrown over her nightdress. “Nisse sent me to find you! Come quickly!”
I glanced at Vaela with concern, then hurried up the path, chasing her all the way to the ruins of the infirmary. Poppy didn’t stop there, however, but continued down the path toward Bramble Cottage.
My heart stopped as I rounded the bend. Bramble Cottage was gone, burnt to the ground, with a crowd of people gathered and sharp voices shouting. By the stars, what was going on?
We slowed, coming upon the crowd. It was a mix of kingsguard, townsfolk, and the crew from the infirmary.
“What is it?” I whispered to Nisse as we joined the back of the party.
“Tell me who it is!” the captain of the kingsguard roared. His face was soot-stained, his armor singed in places, warped in others. “Step forward, traitor!”
And then I saw what he held in his hands. It was the dragon scale armor Vaela and I had been working on before the Wretch’s escape. It had survived the flames.
Even as Bramble Cottage burned around it, the armor had been left in perfect condition.
“It worked,” I gasped, stepping forward, drawn to the sight. A mix of excitement and disbelief coiled inside me. It had actually worked!
Nisse latched onto my arm, squeezing to the point of pain. I hissed, breaking from the spell as she gave me a look that said to keep quiet.
“Sir,” Trystan barked from the front of the crowd. “Haven’t these folks been through enough? Perhaps we can—”
“Tell me who lived here!” the captain bellowed. “Who defied the high laws?” He laid his hand on the top of his longsword. “Or do I have to start questioning people?”
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t let that happen. The people of Ember Ridge had already endured too much. I couldn’t make them suffer anymore because of me. The armor was my idea, my special project. No one else’s.
I glanced back at Vaela. She gave a small, almost imperceptible shake of her head.
“I have to,” I whispered, wanting to tell her how sorry I was, wanting to hug her once more before I handed myself over.
“Eden, no,” she hissed. “Don’t be foolish.”
I stepped away to weave my way through the crowd, to take responsibility for the crime, but before I could, Gunther raised his arm.
“No!” I cried, lunging for him as my heart plummeted into my stomach. He wouldn’t… He couldn’t do this to me.
Nisse and Vaela caught me by the arms, holding me back.
“It’s mine,” Gunther called. “The armor is my doing.”
Tears sprang to my eyes as I watched the captain shove the armor at one of his soldiers. “Take him into custody,” he ordered, pointing right at Gunther. “You’ll answer to the crown for your crimes, old man.”
I wrenched free of the hold, diving through the crowd, latching onto Gunther’s back. “Don’t do this,” I begged, whirling him around to catch him in a crushing hug. “Let me. It was my idea.”
He pulled back, hand pressed to my cheek. “Don’t fret over me, my girl. I’ll be fine.”
“Gunther, no,” I pleaded, lip wobbling.
He smiled despite everything. “I’m an old man, Eden. What can they really demand of me?”
Prison! They could come down harshly. Throw him in a dark, dank cell for the rest of his days. No more infirmary. No more healing.
“My time would have always come to an end. But you have your whole life ahead of you,” Gunther whispered. He pressed his forehead to mine. “And a town that needs you.”
“Old man, step forward!” the captain barked.
He hugged me tight once more. “People here need you. Take care of everyone.”
“I will,” I croaked, nodding through the tears as Gunther released me and pressed forward, quickly taken into custody by a pair of the soldiers.
My heart lobbed against my ribs, and the resounding ache felt hollow…
my chest empty. Here Gunther was once again coming to my rescue, leaving me with a community—with a family—that cared for me.
How was it possible to feel equal parts grateful and devastated all at once?
Vaela darted to my side, pulling me into her arms. “We’ll figure it out,” she promised. “There has to be something we can—”
A shadow eclipsed us, and I turned to see Trystan. He hovered close, voice low. “I don’t have much time,” he whispered. “We’re marching out today on the captain’s order. But don’t fret for your healer. I’ll look out for him.”
I shook my head. I didn’t know how that would help. Gunther was an old man. He wouldn’t fare well in prison.
A small smile tugged at his lips. “Maybe I’ll lose sight of him right around Coalchester,” Trystan whispered. “I’ve heard it’s a nice place to retire.”
Something between a laugh and a sob bubbled up my throat. He would do that? He would risk insubordination to help us?
“Thank you,” Vaela said, squeezing her brother’s shoulder. “You don’t know how much that means to us.”
Trystan looked at her, marveling a little. “You deserve a king’s honor for what you did for this town. You and Min both.” He pulled her in tight. “I believe she’ll pull through. She’s tough.” He released her. “Just like you. Father would be proud of all you’ve accomplished.”
Vaela’s eyes glazed, and she darted forward for another hug. “Your pride in me is enough,” she told him. “It always has been.”
Trystan nodded, touching her cheek gently. “Be safe. Both of you. Take care of each other.”
Vaela took my hand. “We will,” she said, and together we watched Trystan take up his place with the kingsguard. When he was gone, Vaela turned to me. “It’ll be okay. Town. Gunther. Us.”
“Did you really mean what you said before—about retiring?”
She nodded. “I’m putting down my wrangling gloves for good.”
I snorted. “You never wore your gloves anyway.”
She bussed me on the cheek. “It’s the quiet life for me and Min now.
” Her voice dropped. “Besides, there’s this girl I know who might need some help troubleshooting her new armor.
” I opened my mouth to protest, but Vaela plowed on.
“There’s no way we can keep this kind of development to ourselves.
Dragon riders deserve protection, Eden. You can give them that. ”
“Well,” I said, feeling far too emotional for my own good. “This girl you speak of sounds pretty amazing.”
“She’s wonderful,” Vaela agreed, taking my face between her hands. “And beautiful and wise and she’s chosen me. Even though I can be a bit stubborn.”
“Maybe more than a bit,” I said, holding my fingers apart a measure.
“Very stubborn,” she corrected. “And it just so happens that I like her. A lot, a lot, a lot.”
“You can just say it,” I whispered against her lips. I’d finally accepted my fate. Accepted that my lot in life was to want this woman. To love and cherish her for as long as the stars allowed. “I’m not afraid of the word. Not anymore.”
Vaela stroked her thumb along my cheek. “I love you, Eden.”
“Good,” I said, pressing my lips to hers in a featherlight kiss. “But I love you more.”
“Not possible,” Vaela said. “I love you more and the most.”