Page 48 of Mountain of Dragons and Sacrifice

Dorrian took my hand and hauled me to my feet. I nodded my thanks, even as both of us turned to Evander.

He was shrinking, blurring, until he stood there as a man instead of a dragon, cradling his arm to his chest.

“Are you all right?” I hurried to his side, Dorrian only a step behind me.

“I’m fine.” Evander’s attempt at a smile looked more like a grimace.

“Let me guess. A few gashes, possibly a broken bone or two.” Dorrian sighed and gestured back the way we’d come. “The village healer is here. She can look after your arm.”

A few yards away, a dryad—her hair laced with spruce needles—knelt next to one of the injured gnomes as she ground something into paste.

“My arm can wait until after she’s tended the gnomes.” Evander tucked his arm closer to his side.

“Mm-hmm.” Dorrian gave a very-much-not-impressed hum as he reached for Evander’s arm, ignoring Evander’s hiss of pain. “Then at least let me take a look at you to make sure you aren’t about to keel over before the healer can get to you.”

“You pass out one time…” Evander rolled his eyes, but he didn’t pull away as Dorrian drew a knife and started cutting open his sleeve. Evander’s gaze skipped past Dorrian to rest on me. “Are you all right? You’re bleeding.”

“It’s just a few scrapes.” I shrugged, my stomach twisting at the sight of Evander’s arm. His skin was already mottling a deep purple while several long slashes ran the length of his forearm, dribbling rivulets of blood. “You got the worst of it.”

“I’ll be completely healed in a day or two.” Evander gave another shrug, then winced. Even as Dorrian grumbled under his breath to hold still, Evander dug into his pocket with his uninjured hand and pulled out that familiar tin of balm. He held it out to me. “For your hands.”

I took the tin, uncapped it, and breathed in its soothing, floral scent. While Dorrian fussed over Evander, I spread the balm over my scrapes. Once I was finished, I held it out, not sure if I should be handing it to Evander or Dorrian. “Do you need the balm? For your arm?”

Evander shook his head, took the tin, and tucked it back in his pocket. “The healer will have a stronger liniment.”

“Along with something to mend those broken bones in your hand.” Dorrian drew a length of cloth from a pocket, eased it under Evander’s arm, then tied the ends together, holding them out to Evander. “That should hold you until the healer can see to you.”

“Thanks.” Evander took the cloth and looped the knot over his head, forming a sling.

Dorrian nodded, then strode off, halting next to the healer and speaking in a low voice.

That left me alone—sort of, since the room was bustling with people—with Evander.

I smoothed my hands over my skirt. A few more smears of blood and balm wouldn’t make it any worse. “I don’t think this dress is salvageable.”

“The wardrobe in your room will repair it or provide you with a new one.” Evander eased a step closer. His good hand lifted as if to brush hair away from my face, but he stopped short of actually touching me. “Thanks for crawling in there.”

“Someone had to do it.” My voice came out a whisper as I met his gaze.

He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something. Maybe ask to kiss me. He asked permission for everything else. He seemed like the kind of dragon who’d ask first for that too.

Then he blinked and took a step back. “I should see to the gnomes.”

I shook myself. Right. There were hurt gnomes here. Now wasn’t the time to think about kissing.

That still didn’t mean I wasn’t disappointed.

With one last glance at me, Evander crossed the cavern and knelt next to Boss Gob.

I couldn’t move, frozen as I took in the sight of Evander gently resting his good hand on the gnome’s shoulder and bending his head to listen to whatever Boss Gob was saying.

Evander was the example of what a leader should be. He served those under him instead of lording over them. He didn’t take advantage, even when he was strong enough that he could.

He was everything the village elders weren’t.

My village should have leaders like Evander. I wasn’t sure how to make it happen. But something had to change. The sacrifices had gone on far too long.

Chapter Thirteen

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