Page 67 of Redeeming the Dragon

“They sent me to Moonswept,” I replied honestly. “I cannot imagine what other deep secrets they possess. But I will trade you this leaf from their camp for a final night with the dragon prince.”

“You are determined to do this, are you not?” she said, dropping her hand. “Very well. It matters not to me. I am not set to wed him for two more weeks. Mayhap,” she added glumly, and I really thought she’d forgotten I was standing there, listening, “that will give me time to find a way out of the arrangement.”

She wanted out. I would have to mull the matter over and see if I could use it to my advantage. For now, I said, “Then we have an agreement?”

“We do,” she agreed. “Meet me here tonight. Same time, Lorna the peddler.”

I nodded agreement and was gone, slipping away down the passage, attempting to stem my grief with plans.

Think. Think, Lorna, think,I told myself.This is your last night with him. Your last chance to break the curse. How will you go about it?

Despair threatened to swallow me alive. How could I break it if he was asleep again? How could I do anything?

I set my mind that I would not give up, no matter what. I had journeyed too far and overcome too much to simply lay down and cry.

There had to be a way.

Chapter 39

“There has to be a way,” I whispered softly as Atora closed the bedroom door.

My final night with Kidron. My final chance to save him.

“There has to be a way.”

My heart was equal parts despair and hope as I approached the bed. The rich moonlight slanting in through the window showed me the Warkin heir was asleep. Asleep, as he’d slumbered for the past two nights. A slumber I could not break.

“Kidron?” I placed my hand on his chest, shaking him gently. “Kidron? It is Lorna. I am here, again, to help you. Please, Kidron. Please wake up. What can I do if you will not awaken?”

His breathing did not change. Nothing in his physical manner told me he’d heard.

Despair slammed me and I turned my back, slumping on the edge of the bed.

What can I do? Help me, Powers of Good. I cannot surrender. I will not—

“Lorna?”

“Kidron!”

I practically squealed his name, twisting from the waist to see him awake, his golden eyes gleaming in the darkness. He was already half-risen off the mattress and I flung myself into his arms with a cry. “Kidron, Kidron you’re awake!”

His arms wrapped around my torso, dragging me tightly against him. “I am,” he murmured into my hair. “By the grace of the Light, I am. I am awake.”

“How?” I begged, drawing back. This time, tears wetted my cheeks and I did not care. They were tears of sheer joy. Tears of relief. Tears of disbelief that my deepest hopes had been realized. “How are you awake tonight and not yesternight or the night before? What happened?”

Gently, he framed my face in his hands, his thumbs wiping away the tears. “I did not know you were here last night or the night before. Not until the servants told me. They were unaware until last night. One of the maids was up late cleaning after another maid became sick. She happened to pass my door and heard the weeping from inside.”

My eyes widened. “I was heard?”

Kidron nodded soberly. “Luck was with us,” he said. “The servants hate the Scraggen of Moonswept as much as we do. She is cruel to them. Enslaves them. They are desperate for any chance to break her hold. When they realized someone was in my room with me, and it was not Atora, the Scraggen’s daughter, they decided to watch.

“One of them told me they observed Atora visit the kitchens at mealtime and drop a powder into my drink. They swapped out the contaminated drink for a fresh one, and…here I am. Awake. With you,” he said, pulling me close again.

Although I wanted to relish the joy of his embrace, the feeling of being pressed against him, I dared not let down my guard. I dared not forget we had only this night to come up with a plan to liberate him.

“Kidron,” I said, “Atora was the one putting you to sleep?”

“That is what the servants said,” he confirmed. “Why? Does this surprise you?”

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