Page 36 of To Hunt a Ruby Remedy

“I got the charm. I left hours after your last visit.” I crossed my arms. “You could have warned me about your twin.”

Rosalia let out a noisy breath, her lips vibrating. “Bah. I didn’t want to scare you off. And he avoids people as much as possible, so I didn’t expect you to even talk to him.”

“He was the only one home when I reached the cottage,” I said dryly.

“Oh. Sorry.”

My lips twitched. “We figured out how to get along, eventually.”

Rosalia’s eyes went wide. “You and Ranulf?”

“I didn’t say—”

“Oh, I can imagine it now. He wouldn’t have had any idea how to deal with you. It’s perfect. Is that why you are packed for another trip? Are you going back to Drakona?”

“Yes, but it’s not what you think,” I told her before she could jump to anymore conclusions. “I want to make sure he is safe. There’s a hunter.”

As quickly as possible, I explained the situation with Gideon. “So, I’m not sure what I can do, but I feel guilty. If I hadn’t snuck off to watch Ranulf transform, the huntsman never would have learned who the dragon is. He would have followed the trail to the mountains and left Ranulf alone.”

Rosalia drummed her fingers against the table where we had settled about halfway into my story. “You are right. Something will have to be done about the hunter. He won’t give up, and the villagers can only do so much. I’ll go with you to Drakona. I’m sure we can think of a way to deal with him if we all work together. When did you plan to leave?”

“I was just waiting for Mama to return from the market.”

“Alright. I’ll run out and buy a few supplies right now. I’ll be back within the hour, then we can leave.”

Rosalia didn’t wait for a response, practically running out the door before she finished talking.

Seventeen

Ranulf

I had made more enchantments in the past week than I usually crafted in an entire month. I spent hours carving the discs, shaping the spells, and drawing enough node power to make them last twice as long as usual. The focus required was the only thing keeping me from flying out of the forest to find Scarlette.

It was probably for the best that I had caught hints of Gideon and his traps throughout Drakona. I had decided that it was safest not to transform at all. If I had gone for a flight, I had no doubt my wings would have carried me southeast whether or not I planned it.

At the rate I was going, though, my control would erode enough that I’d probably start walking to her village in my sleep soon. Actually, knowing that going to her as a dragon put her at risk, I was already considering making the journey on foot. If it weren’t for the danger she’d be in from Gideon, I’d have already left and begged her to come back to the forest with me.

Why had I thought it might be easier if I sent her away before she decided to leave on her own? Even if she couldn’t settle into a life here, wouldn’t it have been better to have enjoyed her company for as long as possible?

It didn’t help that Grandmother had already informed me I was a fool for letting her leave. Once she realized I had essentially made Scarlette leave, she revised her assessment and insisted I was a complete idiot.

“Anyone home?”

The voice carried up into the attic through the open trapdoor. It was a cheerful voice, one I recognized, and not the one I wanted to hear. I levered myself off the spare bed, now truly covered in wood shavings, and went to the trapdoor. My sister smiled up at me from the bottom of the stairs.

“Is Nana down in Ortfel?”

I accepted the inevitable and walked down the stairs. My relationship with my sister wasn’t as fraught as with my mother. She hadn’t left until we were adults, and I had known it was coming. She was also better about visiting regularly. I reached the bottom of the stairs and crossed my arms. “She’s out picking mushrooms. What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until Harvest Festival.”

“Such a warm welcome. No wonder I wanted to stop by early.” She rolled her eyes. “I heard you were having a little difficulty with a dragon hunter.”

“How did you hear that?”

As far as I could tell, Gideon had left the forest only long enough to buy a new crossbow. I seriously doubted he had told anyone about his discovery.

Rosalia waved her hand through the air. “I have my sources.”

She was hiding something, and I had a sneaking suspicion I knew what. Or rather, who. I wanted to demand information, but I knew better. That would only make my twin more determined not to confirm anything.

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