Page 85 of Draekora

In a gentle voice, Xiraxus replied, “We can stay as long as you need.”

Twenty-Six

It could have been minutes or itcould have been hours, but eventually Alex decided she was ready to face whatever might be waiting for her at the palace.

She was glad for the time she’d been able to spend with Xiraxus, grateful for his support and quiet counsel. But she knew she couldn’t avoid Roka forever. And sure enough, as soon as the draekon landed on her balcony, Alex discovered she wouldn’t have to wait long for the dreaded confrontation.

Will you be all right if I leave you?Xiraxus asked, the two of them noting the Meyarin prince sitting on her bed hunched over with his head in his hands, his posture speaking volumes.

She wanted to ask Xiraxus to stay—or to take her back up to the enchanting valley again—but she knew either of those options would only make things worse.I’ll be okay, she told him, hoping it was true.But, um, maybe stay close, just in case.

I’m only a short flight away, he promised, nuzzling her with his big head before launching himself into the air.

Inhaling deeply, Alex hesitantly walked into her room, her eyes on her feet even when she felt Roka tracking her every movement. The radiance from the city streamed in, and that combined with the burningmyraesin the hearth provided enough light for her to see, but only just. And yet, Roka didn’t clap his hands to make the room brighter.

Coming to a stand just a few paces from him, Alex wrapped her arms around herself, swallowed thickly and found the courage to meet his eyes. She expected to find the same emotions from earlier there—confusion, fear, anger. But his face was guarded, making him impossible to read.

When Roka finally spoke, his quiet words felt like they were shouted, so tense was the atmosphere. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come back.”

Just as quietly, Alex admitted, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to, either.”

It would have been much easier for her to wait out her remaining days in Draekora with Xiraxus, but that didn’t mean it would have been right.

“Why did you?”

Three simple words from Roka, and Alex struggled to find an answer.

“A lot of reasons,” she said. “Mostly because this is where I need to be.”

The shadows highlighted the moment he tightened his jaw and also when he forced his muscles to relax.

“I’m sorry, Aeylia.”

Alex’s body jolted with his apology, so surprised as she was to hear the quiet words from his mouth. “You’resorry? What can you possibly have to be sorry for?”

His response was as instant as it was sure. “I shouldn’t have taken off on you like that. I should have let you explain. I—You caught me off-guard, but that’s no excuse for how I reacted. I could have handled that much better.”

Shaking her head the whole time he spoke, Alex said, “Are you kidding? You’d just found out… what you’d just found out. Your reaction was beyond justified.”

He looked at her carefully for a moment, seeming to come to a decision. He patted the spot beside him on her bed, gesturing for her to sit. “I’m ready to listen now,” he said, “if you’re still willing to explain.”

It was one of those invitations that wasn’t quite an invitation. But still, she was grateful for the illusion of choice, so she offered what little smile of thanks she could muster and took a seat at his side.

Not sure where to start but trusting that since the cat was already out of the bag, she might as well send the kittens on their way too, Alex decided to throw it all out there for him.

“So, here’s the thing,” she said, keeping her voice low enough that no other Meyarin ears would be able to hear. “I’m not just human, I’m also from the future.” She swore she could actuallyfeelRoka’s body solidify beside her, so she hurried on before she could chicken out. “I was on myvarrungardwhen a series of events led to me being accidentally pulled into theabrassawith Xiraxus—with the heir of Draekora. Since mortals can’t survive the Void, he had to create thevaelianabond with me to keep me alive, but we still became separated coming out this end—which is why, when I woke up here and none of you recognised me, I freaked out a bit.”And fell off the side of the building, Alex decided not to mention. “Because of my… association with Meya in the future, when Lady Mys—uh, Aes Daega met me in Draekora to explain a few things, she said it would be best for me to spend my time down here in the city until Xira can return me to the future, which will happen as soon as he has the energy to open theabrassaagain, sometime in the next couple of weeks. You already know the rest—Aes Daega brought me straight from Draekora to the palace where you all agreed to take me in and educate me in the ways of your people.”

Alex thought she’d done well to summarise the main points so succinctly, but when she found the courage to look at Roka, she feared perhaps she’d given him too much, too quickly. Indeed, she wondered if he had stopped breathing, so still as he was.

“Uh, Roka?” she called. “You still with me?”

“I’m here in the room,” he answered, his voice strained. “But that’s all I can say.”

Okie doke, Alex thought, figuring she should maybe give him a moment.

Inhaling deeply through his nose, Roka eventually gathered his thoughts enough to speak. Unfortunately, what he asked was the one thing Alex was hesitant to answer.

“How can you be human, yet still be able to call up theValispathand fight with the strength and agility of a Meyarin?” he asked. “Not to mention, why were you undertaking thevarrungardif you’re mortal? I assume in your future”—he sounded incredulous just saying that, and Alex could relate—“the trial is still used to decide who will becomeZeltora? But how could a human ever be accepted into the elite guard?”

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