Page 34 of Of Scale and Blood

They usually were, and, for the most part, I generally obeyed. In this case, there was actually no reason for me to be going on any sort of hike, let alone a long one. Not at this hour of the evening.

“Do you know if Hannity Gordan—a junior scout from Dale’s group—has indicated whether she’s willing to become a drakkon rider?”

Mom laughed. “I’m told her exact words were ‘In Vahree’s fucking name, are you serious?’ followed by a quick, ‘Yes.’ Your two rather dramatic entrances have fueled more than a little excitement amongst the ranks, and it makes me believe if we made a broad appeal for riders, we’d have more volunteers than we could handle.”

“Which is rather odd, don’t you think, given the fear the drakkons have generated for hundreds and hundreds of years?”

“Man has always feared what he cannot leash and control. Your actions have proven they can be controlled.”

“But I don’t?—”

“No, but the general population do not know that.” She grimaced. “Which is not to say there aren’t those who believe we should not be trusting the drakkons.”

“Who, specifically? Dad’s advisors? Or the general population?”

“A bit of both, and nothing we can’t handle.” She patted my hand. “Your father should be here soon. Go bathe while I order us something small to eat.”

My stomach rumbled a reminder that it hadn’t eaten anything aside from some meager trail rations, so I climbed out of bed and warily put my weight on my leg. There was several twinges, but otherwise, the leg held up fine—even if I limped a little as I moved into the bathroom. After using the privy, I ran a quick, shallow bath and felt better for being clean.

I pulled on a robe and tied it closed as I walked out. “Mom, can I ask you an odd question?”

“Odd questions are your forte, my dear child. Always have been.”

I smiled. “This is about you and Dad.”

She raised her eyebrows, amusement and curiosity glimmering in her blue eyes. “What is it you wish to know?”

“Do you and he communicate? Mentally, I mean.”

“No, though I lived with the man long enough that I know the way his mind works and can pretty much guess what he is about to say at any given moment. Why? Can you and Damon?”

I hesitated. “No, not really.”

“Then why the question?”

“It’s just... sometimes IthinkI can sense his emotions and hear a word or two.” I hesitated again and half shrugged. “It’s probably nothing, but?—”

“But you’re wondering if it means there’s a deeper connection?” When I nodded, she grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I think it’s probably something you should discuss with him.”

I dare say I should, but the thought rather weirdly had my stomach churning. What if he denied the connection? What if the link I perceived growing between us was nothing more than a desperate need on my part to have at least one deep and emotional connection before I left everything and everyone I knew for Zephrine?

Logic saidthatwas more than likely. And yet the deeper, more irrational part of my soul was having none of it. Of course, that irrational part also whispered the possibility ofDhrukita—a belief that everyonedidhave a perfect partner, a soul that was the other half of their own—even if it was something I’d always thought to be nothing more than a tale told to amuse little girls growing up.

A soft knock at the door dragged me from my thoughts. “Yes?”

“Your meal, your ladyships,” a soft voice said.

“Enter, please.”

Mom’s “something small” to eat consisted of a big pot of stewed meat and vegetables, various breads and sweet pastries, a jug of shamoke, and a dusty bottle of wine—it was something of a tradition to bring out the “good” red from my parents’ personal cellar when one of us survived a close call—and was followed into the room by my father. I walked over and gave him a hug. “Have the mages discovered what substance the Mareritt used on?—?”

“There will be no war room talk during the meal,” Mom cut in briskly. “You, my dear daughter, are every bit as bad as him.”

I grinned. “Andhewould solemnly declare that I am too much like you for any man to have a peaceful life.”

She laughed. “As if Rion would ever want a peaceful life. Neither, I wager, does Damon.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not entirely sure what that man wants, but he’s definitely keeping more than a few secrets from me. Us.”

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