Page 61 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Knots tied themselves in my stomach, souring my dinner. I gave her a half-hearted smile.

“Morrigan, did you live when dragons roamed the continent?” Baylis chimed in.

“Yes, I saw the first egg hatch and the last dragon fall from the sky—tragedy. Their wings blotted out the sun, and their fire scorched entire battlefields.”

“Did you ride one?”

She stared off into space.

“I did. I had a dragon named Bruxa. Her beautiful iridescent scales sparkled in the sunlight, and her silver flame turned men to stone.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “I tried to hide her as best I could, but the hunters came for her and…”

She bit her bottom lip.

Baylis placed a reassuring hand over hers.

“It’s alright. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine. I should be over it by now. Death is a part of life. Even dragons die.”

“I heard across the Black Sea they still have dragons,” I chimed in.

Morrigan shrugged.

“It is inevitable some survived. Some say they went underground to wait until the world was ripe for them to emerge again.”

“Sounds like a perfect war machine for Gideon to harness. Let’s hope they stay gone for a while longer,” I said, taking a drink of wine.

“If Erissa and Gideon get ahold of the power in the alleged Wells, there’s no telling what monsters they could pull from the depths of hell.”

“Speaking of… Any news from beyond?” I eyed the Morrigan with suspicion.

“It takes time to travel through the realms beyond the veil,” she snapped at me. “I will report something as soon as I hear it.”

“Very well, I believe you.”

“Thank you.” She downed her wine. “Now, if I can ask you something…”

“Sure.”

“How are you planning on getting to the Island of Fate? The waters are treacherous, and the island has been sealed off for ages. I don’t know how they got your mother back.”

I leaned back in my chair, exuding confidence. “I lived in the shadows for half a decade. I know how to find people who will do impossible jobs.”

“Is it the water that is dangerous or something lurking within?” Baylis asked.

“Both. The water is choppy and never settles, and giant river serpents lurk in the depths surrounding the island. If you manage to make it onto land, the Fates will be protected by the Eternal Guard, fierce warriors whose sole purpose is to keep them safe both from themselves and others.”

I took a deep breath. I didn’t even want to see my mother, and now I was going to have to fight to do so. My sister laid a reassuring hand over mine. “We’ll find a way, I know it.”

“We have no other choice.”

Amolie arrived the following day from Vantris. Bright and full of energy, she bounded into the breakfast nook.

“Good morning, Springborns,” she said, kissing my cheek.

“Good morning… What’s gotten into you?” I asked as I fought the sleep still clinging to my eyes.

“Oh, nothing. Just this.” She dangled her fingers in front of my face. On her fourth sat a large emerald sparkling in the morning light.

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