Page 73 of Beautiful Beast

“Words like that won’t get your power back sooner, black one.”

“Nor will bending the knee,” I said. “I know that all too well. I’ve done that every day since you bound me and it has never been enough. So why should I care about what words I speak to you, when you’ve made it clear it does not make a difference? Now are we finished? There are better uses of my time than justifying actions you have caused.”

My powers weren’t the reason we hadn’t returned to Doro Eche, but the responsibility for why we were here still fell to them. They sent us to Rensara in the first place. After that, it didn’t matter. This was their fault.

“We will expect you in Doro Eche tomorrow.”

Zovai laughed. “You can expect it all you want. We won’t be there.”

Mizyn used Idroal’s eyes to drag a scathing gaze over us. “We shall see.”

The Elder released them, and Idroal’s body swayed, smoke flying out of their lungs with a cough. “Fucking stars, I hate it when Mizyn does that,” they said. “Of all the mind walkers I’ve had the misfortune of experiencing, theirs is the most foul. It feels like your mind rots where the claws hold you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I assume they’re gone, if you’re saying such things.”

“They are very much gone. But you must be careful. Do not underestimate the Elders’ anger. It is much greater than they are revealing.”

Sirrus leaned against the wall, the picture of ease. I felt how much that ease was a lie. “Does Mizyn know how much you sense of their mind when they take control?”

It wasn’t the first time the mindwalking Elder had done this to speak with us, though the instances were few and far between.

“No, and I would prefer to keep it that way. Though I did not glean anything beyond rage at the perceived disobedience and disrespect.”

If we started flying now, we could indeed make it to Doro Eche by tomorrow night. Earlier than that. It wouldn’t take more than the length of the day. We would reach it before dawn. But I had no desire to return and be interrogated.

However…

“If we left Lena here and went. What are the chances the Elders would believe we killed her as we were meant to?”

“Very little,” Idroal said. Then shrugged when the three of us looked at them. “I don’t know if the question was addressed to me, but I might as well be honest. Their anger toward you will lead to suspicion of anything you say. And though you two,” they nodded at Sirrus and Z, “might have a chance of resisting a mindwalk through your memories. You have no chance at deception, Endre.”

My hands curled into fists. Not because they were wrong, but because they were right. The power in my body bowed to the Elders, as was the way of dragons. But being bound by their combined commands, I could not fight them.

Grief and pure emotion turned to rage and back again. I turned away from the three of them, trying to control my breath. “And if we leave her here and they find out about her?”

“Do not do that,” Idroal said. “Do not leave her here unprotected.”

“You would not protect her?” Sirrus asked. There was no accusation in his voice. Merely curiosity.

Rising, the dragon lit a pipe sitting in the corner and pulled in a hearty breath before blowing it out again. It wasn’t simply smoke, but after having their mind held captive by Mizyn, I didn’t blame them in the slightest.

“Of course I would attempt to protect her. But you know as well as I do, my power bows to both theirs and yours. They can undo your edict with a thought, and if they did? She would be at the mercy of any who wished her harm, and it would be unlikely those of us who favor humans could stand against them. Or worse, they will simply command one of their allies in this city.” They turned back to look at me, face bleak. “She would be long dead before you returned.”

The thought of Lena dead was a punch straight to the chest. It was physical pain. Unthinkable, unspeakable pain, and my brothers felt it just as deeply.

I braced myself against the wall, bending nearly in half to combat the phantom sensation. “Idroal what is this?”

“I cannot speak of it.”

“But you know?”

A deep inhale and exhale with the fragrant scent of sapphire sage smoke. “I suspect without confirmation.”

Rage and power flowed into my body, bringing heat. It welled up against the bonds on my power, doubling back on itself and becoming painful as it reached the limits.

“Endre,” Zovai said quietly.

The word didn’t fully reach me. I was sinking into the storm inside myself, trying to find a way beyond the restrictions. To find some hidden well of strength that would let me overcome.

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