Chapter 58 #2
“Yes. She is the last female of her kind, but Idwal mentioned there could be shifters there, and Ori wants to see that for herself,” I said, drawing a deep breath.
“I know I should have told you about her sooner, but I’ve kept her existence a secret from everyone except King Worden for more than two decades to keep her safe.
You are not the only one with trust issues. ”
My wife’s eyes were full of tumultuous feelings as she considered her reply. We broke from the forest and moved onto rolling hills, with golden grass covering the land. Not far away to our right, ocean waves crashed against a nearby cliff, sending the scent of salt into the air.
Aella finally met my gaze. “I can’t hold it against Ori that she hopes to meet others of her kind, especially as the last female shapeshifter on Paxia, or that she slept with you long before we met.
That would be stupid and immature. It doesn’t mean I have to like the idea of her going with us, though. ”
“I understand that. If we had to bring one of your past lovers, I would not be pleased.”
It was difficult enough each time I had to see Camden. After we’d brought him back to Veronna from Balzour, he’d only spent one night in Darynia before I sent him to Siggaya for my father to use. With a bit of luck, he’d die heroically in battle, and we’d never see him again.
She smiled. “I guess I can take comfort in you not knowing who all of mine are, either.”
Instant jealousy sparked inside of me, and plans for a murder spree crossed my mind. “Perhaps I’ll spend tonight extracting all their names from you as I show you who owns your beautiful body now.”
Aella rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to say that you don’t own me, Dare?”
Dear nameless ones, I was digging my own grave with my wife today.
“That was a poor choice of words, but we do belong to each other,” I said, giving her a pointed look.
“Better. I feel less like stabbing you now.”
Up ahead, a large sky-blue dragon crouched on the ground before two figures.
As we walked closer, I could make out enough to be sure they were Priyya and Tadeus.
The beast made keening, mournful wails with its head bowed low.
They patted her scales and spoke in tones low enough that I couldn’t make out what they said.
“That’s Dagra.” Aella sped up, racing toward the dragon.
I followed behind her. We didn’t slow down until we came close and the dragon side-eyed us, tensing. I stopped about fifty feet away, while my wife cautiously moved to stand by her sister.
“What happened?” she asked.
Priyya looked at her with red, swollen eyes. “Her egg hatched yesterday, but the baby was weak. It didn’t make it.”
“Oh, no.” Aella wrapped her arms around the dragon’s neck as if she wasn’t courting danger with a creature that could blow flames that disintegrated anything they touched. “I’m so sorry, sweet girl.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised that Dagra leaned into her and accepted the comfort. My wife could endear anything murderous to her, including me, plants, and dragons. The poisonous frogs and the weird chicken would probably cuddle with her, too, if she gave them a chance.
Priyya wiped at her face with her dress sleeve. “It’s been happening a lot lately. Dragons are comprised of magic more than us, and each day there is less and less of it in this world.”
“We have to do something to fix it,” Tadeus said, rubbing the blue beast’s nose. She didn’t balk at him, either, despite his having no druid blood. I hoped that was a sign he could be trusted because dragons were known to be discerning.
I cleared my throat and edged closer. “That’s why we’ve come. We finally have the alloy we need to repair the ring that can take us to the fountain’s location. All we lack is someone strong enough to fuse it to the existing metal.”
Tadeus turned his gaze from the dragon. “You mean you need me.”
“Yes.” I wanted to simply drag him there and make him do it with my sword pointed at his neck, but Aella would likely find that extreme.
“Whatever it takes,” he said, turning back to Dagra with empathy in his gaze for her.
The distance from Fionbar to Penoria would be even greater than when we’d gone to Hisgar two days ago. “Aella needs some time to regain her power, and then we’ll leave. We’ll stay there for the night, so you might want to pack a few things to camp in the woods.”
“When will you leave for Earth?” Priyya asked.
I didn’t like answering that in front of Tadeus, but he was bound to figure it out anyway.
I’d make it clear to him during our trip that if he spoke about our plans to anyone aside from Aella’s family in Fionbar or interfered in any way, I’d kill him, and I wouldn’t make it pleasant.
In fact, I’d paint the bloodiest picture imaginable so he’d behave—when Aella wasn’t nearby to hear my threats.
She was always wandering off to study plants, which would likely give me plenty of opportunities.
“We must depart in a little less than three days,” I responded.
She looked at the dragon, surprise lighting her features as they must have been silently communicating. “Dagra wishes to join you.”
“She’ll barely fit through the ring with her wings closed.” It was enormous, but the dragon was massive. I couldn’t imagine why she wished to come.
Priyya glanced at the female beast. “She assures you she’ll fit, and that you’ll need her.”
“Does she understand the dangers? There are many dragons she doesn’t know there, and potentially other hazards.
” I had not been prepared to make this argument because no one expects a dragon to insist on a cross-galaxy journey, but I wanted to be as clear as possible before putting such a majestic creature in danger.
Aella’s sister sighed. “Dagra’s mate passed a month ago from an illness I couldn’t treat, and now she’s lost their hatchling. If she can help save our world, dangerous journey or not, that’s what she wishes to do.”
Now, her motivations made more sense.
“She is welcome,” I said, dipping my chin as the dragon’s gaze met mine.
Priyya cocked her head, eyes distant as she communicated with the beast again. “Dagra says she’ll begin her journey this evening so that she’ll arrive in time to leave with you.”
Her kind were fast, but it was a long distance to cover since she certainly wouldn’t fit through the ring in Fionbar. “That would be wise.”
Aella looked at her cousin. “Let’s get you packed for an overnight trip.”