Chapter 34 #2
I slowed my breathing, forcing myself to remain still.
She was reading me too easily, and that was dangerous territory I couldn't enter.
The last thing I wanted was to get in trouble with Wolfe because of his sister.
So far, I'd stood by my word and not mentioned her.
If I said the wrong things, or too much, and she wasn't on speaking terms with him, he'd know she could only find out certain things if I told her.
“My brother got you to help him find the ring, didn't he?”
Certain things like that.
Shit. What should I tell her? She was looking at me as though she already knew the truth.
Her smile waned, becoming cautious but maintaining that lethal confidence I'd seen in Wolfe.
“It's okay. Knowing how secretive Wolfe is, I already knew you couldn't tell me much, or anything at all.
So you don't have to worry about confirming or denying anything.
Wolfe and I aren't talking at the moment, but my heart couldn't be happier that he found a way to get the ring back. Our father would be so proud. Galaythia needs him to be its king. No one deserves that crown more than my brother.”
At least she hadn't figured out yet that my father had killed hers. “Wolfe would make a fine king.”
“Indeed, he would.” She dipped her head with reverence, then riveted her gaze to mine. “Let's get back to you. I take it you're working with my brother unwillingly.”
My lungs became stone, crushing my breath. I stared back at her, thrown off guard by how right she was. “What makes you say that?”
She reached out and touched the shackle on my wrist, making my pulse spike with panic.
“The shackle.”
“You can see it?”
“I can feel it.” She quirked one perfectly arched brow. “Don't worry, they're not detectable to everyone. My powers are rather rare. In any event, shackles like those tend to suggest you're here against your will.” She added a knowing smile, looking at me as if she was waiting for an answer.
Be careful, Elariya. Watch your words. I needed to deflect without seeming defensive. She was seeing too much and understanding things I hadn't spoken aloud.
“I'm fine.” My voice sounded breathy, like I'd been running. “I mean, I will be.”
“The sorrow in your tears tells me otherwise.”
“Today is just a bad day.”
“A word of advice, Elariya.” She leveled me with a hard stare.
“Don't allow anyone to control you, even if you're having an off day.
If something worries you, speak up and look out for yourself.
No one else will do it for you. Wolfe must need you, or you wouldn't be here, which makes you valuable to him.
Whatever he's doing to find that ring won't be easy, and you may very well be here for a long time.
So look after yourself, or you'll return to your family a shadow of what you used to be.”
Her warning hit me deep in my gut, leaving my mouth dry and my hands trembling. Cold dread pooled in my belly and ice crawled up my spine as her words sank in.
A shadow of what I used to be.
I already felt like that. My world hadn't been the same since the night Wolfe took me.
I'd had to fight to keep going one day at a time.
I had no idea how long I was going to be here, so the reminder of my value to Wolfe and to look out for myself was much needed.
Though I knew I still had to tread carefully.
“At least talk to Wolfe about what's on your mind and make sure his answers put you at ease.” She drew her hand back into her lap but kept her eyes on me.
“It's hard to speak to him when he's never around.”
“You feel him through the shackles, don't you?”
“Yes, but not always.”
“When do you feel him?”
When I have to stop myself from wanting him, when I'm desperately trying to forget the way he kissed me the night I was supposed to be getting engaged to another man, or the way he promised to ruin me.
Gods, what would she say if I told her any of those things?
“I guess sometimes when I think of what we're trying to achieve.” That was a cleaned-up version of my uncontrollable thoughts.
“Work with that.”
I was about to answer when the soft sound of that haunting melody filled my head, gentle as a lullaby yet thrumming with power that resonated in my bones.
The dragons were singing again.
Their voices wove together in harmonies that seemed to echo from the soul of the realm. It made my heart ache with longing.
Zyrra smiled with realization. “You can hear the dragons again, can’t you?” Wonder filled her voice, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Yes. I can hear them.”
She looked across to the caves that were more visible from here. “He's here. Tending to them.”
“Wolfe is in the caves?”
“He is. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to see him.”
“That may be dangerous. I wouldn't want to get eaten by dragons.”
To my surprise, she laughed. “I've never known a dragon to eat a being who could hear its song. Besides, don't you want to see them? Your heart is aching to get a peek.”
This girl was the sort of friend who could get you in trouble, but I liked her candor and forthrightness.
“I'm not sure how to find the cave.”
“Follow the song. As long as you can hear it, you'll find the way.” She nodded with awe in her eyes. “But do be careful; dragons are vicious creatures. I hope to find you in better spirits the next time we meet.”
Standing, she threw me one last smile before she faded away into the air, phasing like Wolfe had yesterday. Except she made it look less dark and menacing.
I pushed to my feet, the ancient melody calling to something deep within me that I didn't understand but desired.
I was still trying to process Zyrra's words, but the wistful tune captivated my attention in a way that made me think of nothing else but following it.
Screw Wolfe and his warnings to stay away from the caves. He was the one making me suffer more than necessary. I needed to speak to him. But I wanted to see those dragons, too.
My legs moved of their own accord, and I followed the sound.
The soothing symphony led me down to the bottom of the beach, where the sand kissed the lush green grass of the woods. It was an odd design to the landscape, as if someone had pieced it together that way, yet it worked.
Tall sequoia trees with sprawling branches adorned the dusty path that led me through the sea-scented woods. I took in my surroundings, anticipation thrumming through me at the call of adventure.
I seemed to walk forever through the shadowy trees before the dragons' song grew louder.
Their voices threaded together, wild as the wind rushing through mountain peaks, beckoning me to come forth.
Then I saw the entrance to the cave. A gaping maw carved into the mountainside, its darkness so absolute it seemed to swallow light itself.
Weathered stone formed an archway that disappeared into impenetrable blackness, as if the mountain itself had opened its mouth to speak.
I stopped for a moment and stared into the darkness, my heart racing and shivers clamoring up and down my spine.
I'd made it. Now I just had to go inside, but my nerves spiked as I wondered what would happen to me once I went in. There was only one way to find out.
I took a deep breath, balled my hands at my sides, then stepped through the gaping mouth of the cave.
The temperature dropped immediately, and the dragon song wrapped around me, stronger and more insistent. My footsteps echoed off unseen walls as I moved deeper down a narrow passage into more darkness. I trailed one hand along the smooth stone wall on my left for guidance.
The air grew thicker and tasted of something metallic. Like copper pennies left in the rain.
Deeper I went, following the melody, nerves squeezing my stomach with every step I took. A faint glow ahead lifted my spirits, and I quickened my pace, hoping Wolfe was nearby. He would be so mad when he saw me, but I'd deal with that fallout when I had to.
The glow grew, casting dancing shadows that made the cave walls seem alive, then the passage widened, opening into a vast cavern that took my breath away.
Crystalline formations jutted from the ceiling like frozen tears, reflecting a mysterious golden light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
The dragon song was so loud now it seemed to vibrate through my entire body.
I made my way through the cavern and passed under a low stone archway into the next chamber, only to halt midstride at the sight of an enormous dragon curled in the center like a mountain made flesh.
My heart slammed against my ribs, and blood drained from my body. My pulse spiked, and I couldn't tell if the trembling in my hands was from fear or the sheer magnificence of the creature before me.
Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my feet remained rooted to the stone floor as terror and wonder paralyzed me.
Scales of midnight and starlight rippled across the dragon's immense body, each one catching the mysterious light as its form pulsed in rhythm with the haunting melody.
Its massive head lifted in song, revealing a long, serpentine neck that moved with liquescent grace and a mouth that could swallow me whole, yet I found myself entranced by every note that rumbled from its throat.
Wings like storm clouds folded against its sides, membrane stretched between clawed fingers like dark silk, while two powerful legs anchored it to the cavern floor like tree trunks made of muscle and scale.
“Gods.” The word left my mouth on a shaky breath.
And the dragon heard me.
Golden eyes suddenly fixed on me, pupils narrowing to deadly slits, and then, as suddenly as a candle being snuffed out, the singing stopped.
The sudden silence roared louder than any sound, and the dragon tilted its head toward me.
Something shifted in those molten eyes. Something primal and dangerous.
Its lips pulled back, revealing teeth like ivory daggers, and a low rumble emanated from deep inside its chest. The sound reverberated through the cavern, through my bones, through my soul. And I just knew that was a warning that needed no translation.
I was in danger.
Shit. Coming here was a mistake. A foolish, foolish mistake.
Frantically, I searched for Wolfe, but he was nowhere to be found. It didn't even sound like anyone else was in here but me and this terrifying creature.
My lungs locked as steam billowed from its nostrils, and when it took a step forward, the ground trembled beneath my feet.
I backed away, hands raised in a futile gesture of peace, but the dragon moved toward me, eyes locked on me. A predator watching prey.
Those wings spread out, herding me back the way I'd come. I stumbled backward, and in my terror, I lost track of which direction I'd come from. The cavern suddenly became a maze, every opening looking the same in the shifting light.
The dragon rose to full height, wings like storm clouds hovering over me, so I did the only thing my panicked mind could comprehend.
I ran.
I ran as fast as I could.
I ran like my life depended on it. Because it did.
My feet slipped on the smooth stone as I careened toward what I hoped was an exit, any exit. Behind me, the scrape of claws against rock and the whisper of massive wings chased me. I didn't dare look back.
I ran into the darkest dark until suddenly, the ground disappeared beneath my feet. And I was falling.
A scream tore from my throat, raw terror consuming me as I tumbled through darkness, plummeting into the unknown depths below.
The dragon's roar thundered above me, drowning out all other sound.
Only death awaited me now.