Page 10 of Beautiful Beast

“Not well.” She reached down and ran her hands along Varí’s scales. “I’ve lost much of it, but I still remember some. Seems like he does too.”

“Varí,” I said, and he came to me, nuzzling my hand before he retrieved his coin. A one-coin hoard. Portable and precious. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re finished,” Helena said. “And it should be dry.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you need anything else?”

I shook my head. “No, thank you. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She left with little fanfare. We spent most of our days together, so a goodnight was not a grand affair. But I did notice her look back once, because neither of us had forgotten the potion now boiling by the fire.

It had turned glossy, with a sheen like rainbows on the surface. Which meant it was complete. The pot was hot—too hot—but I barely felt it as I moved I moved it to the table and filled the bottles I’d prepared.

There was a parcel already addressed to Taia prepared. I would send all the excess to her. I was hardly the only woman who needed such a thing.

Taking the only bottle left, I banked the fire and folded myself into bed before closing my eyes and downing the whole thing in one go. It tasted awful. Bitter and oily. I already knew it was correct as heat followed the fluid down. I had no idea if it would be painful, but by morning I would be safe.

Varí leapt onto the bed and curled against my side, purring softly. I pulled the blankets up around us both. In the morning I would be safe, and I would keep him safe as well.

CHAPTER FOUR

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ENDRE

Thick storm clouds made excellent cover. Even using the lenses which gifted them with far sight, human eyes could not penetrate the darkness of pure night and weather. Nor could they pick my scales out of the sky.

For the best. We would have risked being seen for this, but it was better if we weren’t. And the storm ensured I didn’t tax my power to hide us.

Sirius sailed higher, banking to the north. I’m tempted to hide in the river.

Smoke and embers flew from my throat in a laugh. As comical as it might be, I wouldn’t trust the contents of that river. You’d be picking grime out of your scales for weeks.

True. He said. But the looks on the human’s faces when a dragon rises from their river might be worth it.

Zovai dropped out of the clouds and arrowed straight towards the palace grounds. Can you hold your breath that long?

You two are ruining the fun.

I lowered my head through the bottom of the clouds, observing the city beneath. The rain made it shimmer with every flash of lightning, adding to the few torches that managed to cling to life. From this high up it was beautiful, though we knew up close that was hardly the case.

As with so many things, the bitterness and ugliness disappeared at a distance. It was when you drew close that you saw the raw filth, pain, and anger underneath. And fun was the last thing we were here for, though we pretended otherwise.

It was better than despair.

We could draw them out, Zovai said. I’m sure a blast of dragonfire to the Craisos travel caravan will have them come running. Even the King and Prince.

I growled, allowing the sound to fill the space between our minds. While it was true, and would likely be the swiftest solution, we would not. Why even mention it? Not like having them there will do us much good.

His growl answered my own. The ones who accompany them are likely just as zealous as their royalty.

But we have no proof, Sirrus said. Speak no more of it. We won’t cause unnecessary harm to people who could be innocent.

Despite his suggestion, Zovai knew we were right, and he felt it too. It echoed in our connection. But I understood the friction within him, and the desire to send a message that would make an impression.

Yet, in spite of the rare opportunity to access the leaders of Craisos, we weren’t here to kill them. We couldn’t kill them. Long ago they’d learned to fortify themselves against dragonfire, a skill taught to them by the dragons when we were in a time of peace. Now it was used against us, and we could not overcome the protection we ourselves had given them. Or the weapons we’d helped them make. Our only tools were teeth and claws, which put us in close range of those weapons.

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