Epilogue #3
My blue tendrils snaked out and circled our hands for the briefest moment. I felt the surprised jerk in Zandyr’s fingers, but he didn’t back away until the blue light vanished and I let go of his hand.
Ryker pressed his palm on the small of my back, coming to stand beside me.
This had been my deal to make.
“Now we have your word–and a Protectorate seal,” I said.
“Perfect.” Evie smiled. “Now we can celebrate!”
“What are the chances you’ll delay your departure by a few more hours than planned?” I asked.
Evie and Zandyr looked at each other, not speaking.
“They’re doing the thing,” I said.
“We are as well,” Ryker replied.
I tilted my head to the side. “Do we look as weird when we do it?”
“No, no,” he teased. “We’re always delightful and completely normal.”
“We have three hours until the army needs to march back,” Zandyr said at last. Then his gaze sharpened. “Why?”
I looked straight at Evie. “Lioran mentioned Silas told him about abandoned libraries–”
She sucked in a breath.
“Thought you might want to have a chat with him yourselves,” I said.
“Oh, I am definitely interested,” Evie said, voice darkening for a moment, before the breeziness took hold of her again. “And I heard great things about Mrs. Thornbrew’s stew.”
“Eat some for me, too,” Dax said. “Double portion.”
Evie raised her brows. “You are saying no to a celebration?”
“It pains me, too.” He sighed dramatically, then turned serious once more. “But the sooner we find where the poison comes from, the quicker we can get Allie back on that throne. We can’t risk them setting off that mist when we’ll reclaim Aquila.”
No, we could not.
“And if you don’t find it?” Evie asked.
A corner of Dax’s mouth ticked up. “Such little faith, cousin, it wounds me.”
“Dax…has a way of finding things,” I said, not meeting Ryker’s eye.
Which he noticed, of course, already probing for more information through our connection.
“Not my secret to tell,” I said.
He huffed in annoyance. “Is it strange that I’m going to miss his theatrics?”
“He’ll be back and you can indulge in them then,” I said, because if I didn’t cling to the hope that we would all be reunited once more, I might not have let Dax leave.
“Safe travels,” Zandyr said politely.
“I still don’t like you,” Dax said. Then nodded at Ryker, “Him, I can live with.”
“I’m touched,” Ryker said and let go of my hand, stepping in front of Dax. “It’s been…interesting.”
“Guess I’ll see you at your wedding. Or storming Aquila, whichever comes first,” Dax said.
A corner of Ryker’s mouth ticked up. “Your wedding might happen sooner.”
“Please. You have a better chance of sprouting wings yourself than dancing at my blessed union.” Dax grimaced. “Don’t keep in touch. Allie will fill me in on everything.”
“Keep your palaver portal close. You will answer my wife when she tries to contact you.” Ryker smiled, but his voice was all threat. “You won’t make her worry like last time, and we won’t have a problem.”
Dax narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to miss you, too, Ryker.”
His eyes widened at hearing his name and shifted to me.
“Don’t look at her, she kept it a secret.” Dax patted his shoulder and leaned closer, whispering, “I’ve discovered things about you that would keep you up at night. Don’t ever wound my cousin and you won’t have a problem.”
“Are you threatening me?” Ryker asked, amused.
“You catch on quickly.” He straightened back up and grinned. “Luckily, none of your secrets are so heinous that I’d oppose your marriage with Allie.”
They exchanged a curt nod, as if making each other some grand promise.
Honestly, it was sweet, the way they threatened each other for my well-being.
“Give a sign when you get there,” I said. “And whatever happens, do. NOT. die.”
“Promise,” he grinned.
We exchanged a quicker hug than we would have liked, but with so many gazes on us, we couldn’t indulge in the embrace any longer without our eyes watering.
Whether Dax wanted to admit it or not, his mission would be dangerous.
The Fair Isles were a magnet for the most heinous and richest in all of Malhaven–and if the poison had come from there, then the risk would be that much greater for a Vegheara.
But this was his decision.
His mission.
His purpose.
The future of our Clan rested on his shoulders, and I did not envy him.
With a final hug with Evie and a mighty glower sent the Dragon’s way, Dax readjusted his backpack, and turned toward the Western road.
I swallowed my worry as I watched him leave, sending a quick protection spell that flashed between my fingers.
Dax had to survive this mission.
Ryker crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I’d be worried if I were him.”
“Dax can take care of himself,” I said, watching his figure grow smaller and smaller, alone on the road. To convince Ryker or myself, I didn’t know. “Our enemies haven’t gotten us yet. He’ll evade them.”
“He’s very good at evading, I’ll give you that. But there’s one person I don’t think he’ll be able to dodge forever.”
“Who?”
“The Viper. Now that he’s left the crater, she’ll come for him.”
THE END