Page 14 of Of Scale and Blood

Yara stepped toward us, her gaze—and thoughts—inquisitive.How you flame?

I blinked. The last thing I’d expected was her directly speaking to me. Usually, it was the other way around, and often came with an instinctive surge of surprise that had them lashing out before they realized I meant no harm. Rua had certainly tried to stomp on me when I’d initially met her, although that was long before she’d come to our rescue or moved to Esan’s aerie. It was my flames that had stopped her—not because she was afraid, but because she was curious.Kaia, did you tell her I can mind speak?

Yes. She queen. Should know.

Which was an interesting statement, if only because it suggested not all drakkons would be—or deserved to be—told.

Queens defend, Kaia said.Is duty to know.

I broadened my mental touch to include Yara and said,It’s partially magic, partially a mind gift.

You teach magic?

Wish I could. It would be far easier to burn the winged ones if drakkons had that power.

You find way?she insisted.

I’m not sure?—

Mate magic, Kaia cut in.Ask.

It wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order, and I couldn’t help smiling again.I will.

Good. We go now.

And with that, she launched into the air. The six other drakkons followed, forming a V-shape behind us. It gave us a lot more sky coverage and a far bigger chance of spotting the riders before they ever got close enough to cause any of us damage.

The remnants of morning gave way to a long afternoon, and as the evening closed in, ominous-looking storm clouds once again crowded the horizon. We were going to get wet before we got home, of that I was sure.

We were probably half an hour away from Esan’s aerie when I dragged out the scribe quill and tablet. After hunkering fully down behind Kaia’s spine to protect me from the worst of the air flowing past, I sent a quick message to my father, letting him know we were coming in with six new drakkons. I doubted Mom, Kele, or Damon would be in the aerie with night closing in, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

The tablet blinked for a few seconds before his reply came through.You collect drakkons the way I used to collect boats.

I could practically hear his dry amusement in that comment and couldn’t help but laugh. My father had been an avid mariner in his younger years and, much to his own father’s horror—who’d disliked the sea almost as much as I did—had collected over a dozen of them, of all shapes and sizes, that he alternated between depending on whim and destination.

I’m not collecting them; Kaia is. I’ll report when I get down from the aerie.

No need to immediately do so. The morning will do.

No,I replied,it won’t.

That sounds ominous.

Because it is. I paused.Tell Kele I’ll have to take a raincheck on the flagon of mead but request she meets me after first light in the stables.

Will do. Fly safe.

I smiled, tucked the quill and the tablet away, then straightened again.

Teach Kele to ride?Kaia asked.

Yes.

Good. Rua wants own flamer. Wants to come on flights.

I gathered that. She certainly hadn’t been happy yesterday morning when I insisted she stay behind until Tane had fully recovered and was able to take over hunting duties for Gria.

Another flamer?came Yara’s thought.

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