Page 211 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

“I left before they could kill me. That is the story.” She picks up the pace, signaling the end of those questions.

60

Romeria

It’s early evening by the time we reach Ulysede. The silhouettes of the Cindrae’s bony heads fill the inner gate as we ride through the tunnel. Jarek and the others hang back, giving us—Zander, really—space. He has said almost nothing since he dragged Captain Aron past Northmost’s gates, shoving the terrified mortal to the ground in front of Xiaric and announcing, “A snack, but take your time.”

The young dragon didn’t need to be told twice.

The sailors of the Tempest were quick to set sail while their captain died, believing they could escape punishment. They made it past the last set of markers into the sea before the dragons descended, Valk igniting the ship with one pass before Caindra tore off the mast and punched a hole in the side with her claws. Those on deck died quickly. Any below are now sitting at the bottom of the sea.

We took the long way around the mountains, flying over Malachi’s army to check for signs of their leader and gauge how long we have before they reach Lyndel. It was discouraging to see them wading across the waist-deep river with ease, barely slowed by the lack of a bridge.

We made two passes, attacking with streams of damaging fire before the bolts began soaring and we chose to retreat.

Now we are here, for a moment’s respite, while we wait for the foreseeable doom. That’s what it is beginning to feel like, anyway. The days and nights bleed together, and one gain leads into a devastating setback around the next corner.

“I do not have it in me to tolerate Oredai,” Zander warns, his voice empty, the pain of losing his sister radiating from his every limb.

“I know.” All I have to offer is a sympathetic smile and a comforting stroke over his arm, my heart aching for him.

“Have the scribes left any new messages?” I ask the Cindrae leader when we reach him.

They have not, Your Highness.

That likely means no answer about a possible exorcism for Sofie yet. Which means there is no purpose for coming back here, except to give Zander—and all of us—a moment of quiet before chaos arrives.

Our group passes along the vacant streets to the castle without saying a word. This city once felt like hope, like a new beginning. But in reality, it has become just another distraction from the inevitable. What is the point of holding on to Ulysede if everything around it burns?

We step into the empty and quiet grand hall and I slip my hand through Zander’s. “What do you need?” More than anything, I want to curl into our bed and hold him in my arms.

“Answers. I need to know how we will win this war so that all this wasn’t for naught.” The look in his eyes is pleading.

“We’ll find a way,” I promise him, infusing as much hope into my words as I can.

“You will not find what you seek in this library,” Lucretia warns in her melodic voice.

“Which library do I have to go to, then?” I ask.

“None. The solutions are not in any library or any tome.”

I sigh with exasperation. “Then where are they, Lucretia?”

She gestures down the hall, toward my throne room. “They must be granted.”

Again, with this. “I am not summoning the fates.”

She shrugs. “Then you will not get your answers.”

Zander rubs his forehead. “I will be in our chamber while you make your rounds.” He rushes up the stairs without waiting for my response.

My chest aches as I watch him go, wishing I could follow him.

Elisaf pats my shoulder. “He always held a special place in his heart for Annika. They were close.”

“I know.” I smile, thinking back to the night I broke out of the tower, only to find her at the bottom of the stairs, there to ensure I escaped. She was willing to betray her brother’s order to protect him. “She hated me.”

“Actually, she was growing fond of you by the end of our time in Cirilea. She told me herself.”

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