Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
“I cannot make any promises.” Atticus’s attention lands on the dragons, a curious look in his eyes. “What of Annika? She was in Cirilea when I left for the east.”
“We were told she escaped the rebellion.”
He sighs heavily. “That is good news.”
“I am not so sure about that. She was seen fleeing by ship, held at knifepoint by a dark-haired lord, according to witnesses.”
Atticus’s face screws up. “Dark-haired lord? Who would that be? Who would …” His words drift with a curse.
“What is it?” Unease laces Zander’s voice.
“Tyree was being held in one of the rooms. The same one Romeria stayed in.” Atticus pinches the bridge of his nose. “What are the chances he escaped and took her as a hostage to get out of Islor?”
“With our luck? I would presume quite good.” Zander inhales sharply. “That is who it is, I know it. They likely sailed to Northmost. We were heading there to check on her when we got your letter. But we will go today. Now. We will find them.”
I nod, though no one’s asking me. Of course, that’s where we’ll go. I know how much Annika means to him.
“The last thing we need is that fucking Ybarisan prince running loose in Islor again.” A crooked smile curls Atticus’s lips. “Though, if he has our sister with him, I’m sure he is not having an easy time of it.”
Zander chuckles. “Likely not.” He hesitates. “We retrieved Kazimir. He is healing, but I am sure he will find his way to your side for the battle.”
“Thank the fates.” Atticus regards the dragons again. “These are quite the beasts you wield.”
Caindra snarls, drawing his attention to her.
His eyes pop. “She understands me?”
“Yes.” An impish impulse drives me. “Would you like to meet her?” I back up, sparing a glance toward Tuella, who watches with interest.
“It depends. Is this where I die?”
“I guess we’ll see. What’s wrong, are you afraid?”
“When you taunt me like that …” Atticus eyes Jarek who shadows my side, his hand on the pommel of his blade, before moving closer.
“She usually doesn’t eat people unless they’re running from her.”
Zander shakes his head, but there’s a twinkle in his eye.
Atticus tips his head back to regard her. “What did you do to convince her to take orders from you?”
“I earned her trust. Caindra is my ally.” I smile up into violet irises. “And a friend.”
Caindra bows, her massive snout inches from him. She sniffs.
“Does she do this with all her victims?” He laughs, but there is no missing the way his body stiffens with apprehension. All she’d have to do is open her jaw and snap, and he would be gone.
“Depends what mood she’s in.” I wink at Caindra, enjoying our little secret.
“May I?” He holds up a tentative hand before placing it on her snout.
There is an odd, peaceful look in her eyes. I think Atticus meant something to the Goat’s Knoll barkeep, whether she admitted it or not, and she’s happy to see him alive. “The orange dragon is her mate. The green one is their child.”
“Truly magnificent.” Taking a step back, a pensive look takes over. “Do you know what happened to Gracen? The mortal baker who—”
“I know who she is. And yes, she and her children are safe, as well as all the other children we rescued from Cirilea.”
Atticus’s shoulders sink as he closes his eyes. “Thank the fates.”
“The fates had nothing to do with it. Thank Romeria,” Jarek snaps. “She put herself in grave danger to save them. She lost someone important to her.”
Atticus dips his head. “I am sorry to hear that.” He sounds sincere. Stealing a glance at the young woman—who is she?—he says, “If you see Gracen, please tell her I have thought of her often and that I am sorry for any pain I have caused her.”
As much as I want to deny him that, there is genuine ache in his eyes. Regardless of his crimes, he does care for her, and he did protect her.
That’s why I nod.
Atticus rejoins King Cheral, his mood more somber than when we arrived.
“We have a war to plan for and a sister to find, so unless there is something pressing, we will leave you to lead the men west,” Zander says.
“We will see each other soon.” King Cheral’s mood, on the other hand, seems lighter, as if buoyed by relief.
They wait as we return to our respective dragons. Valk takes off with a terrifying screech, Xiaric following closely after. But Caindra lingers. It’s as if she knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth shut.
“Oh, hey, Atticus, by the way, Caindra also goes by Bexley!”
The dumbfounded look on his face has me laughing as we soar through the sky.
The aptly named Northmost port along the western coast of Islor is even smaller than Lord Rengard cautioned. I can see why he worried about the town bursting at the seams with so many of Cirilea’s people seeking refuge.