Page 36 of Storm of Blood and Shadow

This new cave sits well above the water at low tide, though judging by the shells and sand at the entrance, I would guess that at high tide, the water comes a little way into the space.

I peer over the ledge, watching the ocean dash itself incessantly against the cliffside and fling sheets of spray across the cave mouth, sprinkling my bare legs with cool saltwater.

I find a spot to sit where the rocks and shells don’t poke my ass too sharply, and I watch the intermittent spray, basking in the afternoon warmth.

How long has it been since I’ve been alone like this? Not at night, but during the day? Alone, with no distractions, far from a city, far from everything. The usual guilt and anxiety gnaws at the back of my brain, but it’s distant, muted. My mind fills up with sunlight, with salt spray and bleached white shells, with the ongoing susurration of the sea, until I am calmer than I have any right to be, given my situation.

I am, strangely enough, at peace.

11

“I must see the sorceress.” My wings beat hard, holding me in place as I hover before Ashvelon’s cave. He’s positioned across it, wings outspread to block the entrance so no one can see what’s happening inside.

“With respect, my prince, Thelise cannot have visitors at the moment,” he says. “She is working on the spell, and it requires concentration and precision.”

“But this is important. Please, Ashvelon.”

His eyes widen slightly. Though I have a reputation as the softer prince, it is still unusual for me to beg.

“I apologize,” he says. “But I am under strict orders to—”

“Orders?” I laugh. “I am your prince. You take orders from me and from Kyreagan.”

Ashvelon coughs slightly. “Of course, but I must obey her as well.”

“Ah yes. I noticed you answer to ‘pet’ now.”

“That is none of your business,” he growls.

“Perhaps not. And I will not mention it again, if you will only let me speak to her, just for a moment. I would not insist unless it were of vital importance.”

“Tell me the message, and I will give it to her,” Ashvelon says.

I debate the wisdom of voicing my request to him. I would prefer for only Thelise to hear it, but I may not have a choice. Ashvelon is twenty-five years older than me, a Prime of significant size and strength. If he will not heed my authority, my only other recourse is to challenge him to a fight, which he would surely win.

“You cannot tell Kyreagan what I’m about to request,” I say.

He dips his head. “I understand. I have my own secrets.”

“Ask Thelise not to change my captive. The red-headed dancer, Jessiva.”

Ashvelon’s neck arches, surprise flaring in his eyes. “You do not wish for her to be a female dragon?”

“I prefer her as she is. Small and human, with beautiful soft flesh.”

He hums deep in his throat, a sound of assent and understanding. “But you will not be able to breed her.”

“I know. I am willing to relinquish the possibility of offspring, if only I can keep her with me, just as she is.”

“I’m not sure if what you ask is even possible,” he says, “but I will mention it to Thelise.”

“And to no one else.”

“No one else,” he agrees.

“Thank you.” I’m about to turn away when Ashvelon says, “If you are doing this for the girl’s sake, why not simply carry her back to her people, out of range of the spell?”

“That would undermine Kyreagan too openly,” I reply. “This way, it will simply be assumed that the spell did not work on Jessiva for some reason. As long as you and Thelise keep my secret, Kyreagan and the clan do not have to know why Jessiva remains human.”

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