Chapter 26
We’ve been at it for hours.
Gaethri and Rhydra are here.
Daegan and Raef are here.
And Meela is here.
Most of these people have the same goal, but some don’t even know it. One of these people is completely in the dark, but suspects her best friend is up to something. She has no idea the severity of it.
And one of these people is in over her head, trying to find the answer to an ancient mystery, while trying to quietly communicate with two unlikely allies in an attempt to not clue the others in on what they’re up to.
I’m exhausted.
I decide to try a different tactic.
I hope Raef and Daegan don’t find it foolish.
“Gaethri, your people are weapons masters…”
“Aye,” he grunts, his very thick blonde eyebrows furrowed.
“What do you know about… ancient swords?”
I feel Raef’s gaze on me, but I don’t look at him. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Daegan looking at Gaethri with interest, so maybe he’s not hating my idea.
“What kind?” he answers gruffly, though his sagacious gaze tells me not to underestimate him.
“I don’t know… do you know of any that have survived a long time, have a lot of history, that sort of thing?”
“You’d have to be even more specific, dear. I know plenty like that. Especially if they’re Dothronite-made. Those’ll stand the test of time.”
“Okay…” I trail off, trying to choose my words carefully.
Rhydra has been eyeing me with curiosity, but if they don’t know a thing about how the curse was cast or how to reverse it, they couldn’t possibly know why I’m really asking about this.
“What about…” I glance at Daegan, who’s listening intently.
He gives me a small nod of encouragement. “Dragon made?”
Gaethri takes a moment, assessing me in silence. Thinking. “There’s legend in my homeland of a dragon made sword… that allegedly slayed one of its own.”
My heart skips a beat and my jaw drops just slightly. Nothing too dramatic, thankfully. But inside my pulse is racing.
“And?” I press.
“None alive have seen it, but there are tales that speak of a dragon-made sword hiding within our mountains that go back…. at least a thousand years. We don’t touch it. It’s cursed. Legends say there’s darkness surrounding it, and anyone who attempts to reach it will perish.”
My mouth hangs fully open.
Could that be it?
I risk a glance at Daegan, who returns it with a look of fierce determination that he’s barely masking.
“It’s in Dothron?” Daegan asks. I know him enough now to know that he’s stifling the very eager beast that’s sitting beneath the surface.
“Aye. Just outside of it,” he nods. “But as I said, no one touches it. Don’t even go near it. It’s a cursed thing.”
The room falls silent. I don’t know about the rest of them, but my mind is spinning with this information.
Meela is next to speak, not realizing how vital that bit of information that was just dropped on us is. “So, Gaethri. What brings you here? Do you have any family back home?”
His face falls, and I know. The sadness in his eyes is the mark of a man that holds deep sorrow.
“Used to,” he mutters.
“I’m sorry. What happened to them?” she asks softly.
His eyes shift to me, and I don’t do him the disrespect of looking away. I know, somehow, my people are responsible. My stomach sours, but I offer him a sympathetic nod. It means nothing to him I’m sure, but I won’t pretend to be oblivious either.
“It’s a long story,” he grumbles, closing off the topic.
Meela makes eye contact with me from across the table and I’m not sure what’s in her expression. “Well, if I’m to host the most epic gathering tonight, I better start on preparations.” She stands, ready to leave, then stops and looks back. “You’re all invited. Even you, Raef.”
“Smart elf,” he says with a smirk. “It would be a total bore without me.”
She rolls her eyes and leaves without another word.
“I think I’m going to leave also, if that’s okay?” I glance at Rhydra and Gaethri.
“You’re the princess, you don’t have to ask for permission. We leave when you say,” she says, and I’m not sure what to make of her tone.
“I know. I just… never mind.” I stand and gather my things, my mind occupied with this new information. They all follow me out, and I take off toward my quarters without glancing back.
“Elysande.” I don’t make it halfway down the hall before I hear my name being called. Jolted from my stupor, I turn to find Daegan chasing after me.
“Yes?”
“I’ll walk you.”
“That’s not necessary. The night isn’t even late.”
“Come on,” he says, ignoring me, grabbing my satchel off my shoulder and taking off toward my room, which he already knows the route to with his eyes closed, I’m sure.
I remain frozen, trying to process.
He glances back, halts, and motions with his hand. “Let’s go, princess.”
I finally move my feet, catching up to him as he turns.
“Thanks,” I say, glancing at my bag on his shoulder.
He side-eyes me… and grins. It’s not a full-on smile, but the light touches his eyes and the sight of it makes me forget where I’m going. Forget everything.
I look away, attempting to compose myself. “You’re in a good mood,” I mutter.
“How can I not be. I’ve been waiting years for this kind of breakthrough,” he says quietly.
“You weren’t this excited when I told you… the first pieces.”
“I was.”
“You were just hiding it then?”
He shrugs, a mischievous look on his face.
“Because you didn’t trust me?”
“I do now,” he says, and the intensity in his gaze tells me he means it. I think. “I’m sorry for our fight in the dungeons. I won’t doubt your intentions again, Elysande.” My name drips from his full lips, slow and lethal.
I swallow, struggling to come up with a response. So I don’t. We walk the rest of the way in silence.
Eventually, he stops and faces me. Somehow, we’re already in front of my door.
He pulls my bag from his shoulder and holds it out for me. I take it, still transfixed by this new Daegan. Or is this the old Daegan that I’m finally getting acquainted with?
“I’ll see you at the festivities later?”
“I’m not really one for parties,” he says.
And then a cold realization washes over me. There’s still a female here with him who he apparently gets… intimate with. The thought makes me sick to my stomach.
“That’s right. You still have your… friend you need to spend some time with.”
I want to kick myself. Why would I say such a stupid thing? It takes everything in me not to wince at my words.
His eyebrows pinch together, and before he can answer, I speak again. “I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head. “That’s none of my business.”
There’s a ghost of a grin there, but I’m too embarrassed to look for long. I turn and open my door, then look back one last time. His tall silhouette remains planted there, filling up my doorway. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
I shut the door before he has a chance to answer.
And then I stand right there for far too long, pathetically hoping he’ll knock again. Why would he? I don’t know.
He doesn’t.