Page 32 of Midnight Kingdom

Noni must have sensed my anger, because she jumps from Cambion’s hand and hides behind Dragan, of all people. I get up in the elf’s face and stare him down. “I trust those who prove they can be trusted. Pyre has shown more loyalty to me than either of you fuckers have.”

“Oh yeah, and how is that?” Cambion asks.

“He didn’t let me get killed by Variant, for one.” They both wince at that. I continue. “Pyre listens to me when I think we’re about to make a stupid decision. There are no questions, no dirty looks, no sneers. He shows unwavering loyalty and offers his friendship without strings attached.That’swhy I trust him. You should take note.”

“Are you going to keep blaming us for what happened with Variant?” Dragan demands. “Why don’t you blameVariant? He was the one who fucking stabbed you.”

“You may not have carved my heart out, but you sure as hell weren’t there to stop it from happening, either,” I snap.

“So, you want to just give up on finding Eilish to go save Aima and Kolvar?” Cambion asks, clearly attempting to change the subject.

“I didn’t say that,” I insist. “A blind necromancer and a headstrong angel-succubus can get into a fuck ton of trouble out there, but they aren’t under threat of death. Aima and Kolvar are.”

“He’s got a point,” Cambion says.

“Fuck,” Dragan mutters.

I turn my back on them and storm off towards the direction the sprite and brownie have just come from.

***

DRAGAN

The Veil

“He’s right,” I say to Cambion. Aside from Thoradin, Cambion’s the only person in my life I’ve known longer than Baron. But that doesn’t change the fact that I think Cambion’s wrong.

Flumph said there were only three days before the full moon, when Aima and Kolvar are set to be executed. Pyre says time moves differently here in The Veil, so I know we can’t argue this forever.

“He’s right about what?” Cambion seethes as he turns to face me.

“Not about the shit with Variant,” I correct myself, “but the fact that we need to save Aima and Kolvar before it’s too late.”

“I know we’re short on allies, but you can’t just leave me here while you run head first into danger,” Cambion counters.

“You were nearly killed by Variant when we were saving Morrigan. It’s going to take you another week, at least, to heal completely. Someone has to stay here with Morrigan in case she wakes up.”

“I wasn’t nearly killed by Variant,” he argues. “I merely suffered a flesh wound from his sword.”

“A flesh wound that would have killed you had Eilish not pulled you to safety.”

“Are we going to argue about that now?” Cambion demands.

“Regardless, you are weak,” I say as I glare at him. “And you need to rest and heal. If you come with us, you’ll be a hindrance, so fucking stay here and keep an eye on Morrigan.” I take a breath. “When she wakes up, your face is the one she’d want to see most.”

“Is that what this is about?” he demands. “My history with Morrigan? She was my mentor...”

“No, that’s not what this is about. I’m not concerned with your history with Morrigan, I’m worried about your history withTheren. He’s your brother. I understand that he betrayed us, but he’s still blood. I don’t trust you to keep control of your anger, much less your sympathy.” I attempt to walk away, but Cambion grabs my arm.

“Don’t do this to me, Dragan.”

“Stay with Flumph and the Midnight Queen, Cambion. We’ll rescue Aima and Kolvar. If we make it to the cottage before Eilish and Pyre get back, then we can go look for them then. But, regardless, I need you to stay here.”

He looks as if he still wants to argue, but he stops himself. I nod and scoop Noni into my arms. She climbs onto my shoulder and points me in the right direction. It’s not long before I catch up with Revenant.

“Did he put up a fight?” the vampire snorts, gesturing to my clearly irritated countenance.

“No. Why do you ask?”

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