Page 43 of Of Scale and Blood

“I did warn her that if she came over to ‘our’ side of the palace, even to use the thermae, I would shield our rooms from her. I now have a legit reason for doing that.”

“Which leads to the question—why wasn’t it the first thing you did? And why not also protect the war room?”

“Given how little personal information is discussed there, her skimming the war room will lead to nothing more than a confirmation of what I report.” A smile tugged at his lips, though it held little in the way of humor. “Remember what I said about lives being in danger? I dare not make any move without reason and me shielding the war room without such a reason could lead to consequences I do not want to consider.”

“Damon, you cannot keep making statements like that without providing full context.”

“And that is something I cannot do just yet. You have to trust me, Bryn. Please.”

I drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “Fine. But I will not leave for Zephrine until I get those answers.”

“If there’s one thing I can promise, it’s that. I would not expect you to upend your entire existence without knowing the truth of my father’s machinations. What happens after that depends entirely on you.”

“And what the fuck does that mean, Damon?”

“Nothing more than it implies. And yes, I am well aware that these cryptic comments are not helping the situation, but in truth, I have already said too much.” He opened the bedroom door, ushered me in, then locked it behind us. There was a fresh pot of shamoke sitting on a heating pad and a platter of breads, cheese, and cooked meats. Mom, ever thoughtful.

He drew in a deeper breath then sighed. “Would you be horribly put out if I decided to partake in some food before I consume you?”

It was tempting to tell him to forget the very idea of sex until the truth was forthcoming, but that would be punishing me as much as him. And if that made me shallow, then so be it. “It’s not going to take you the entire evening to do said partaking, is it?”

“Certainly not.”

“Then partake away, my dear man, and pour me a shamoke while you’re at it.”

He laughed, poured us both a drink, then sat down and made serious inroads on the platter.

He was as good as his word, though. He didn’t take long, and he certainly did consume me. To say I fell asleep a very boneless but contented woman would be the understatement of the year.

* * *

Dawn’s rosy fingers were creeping across the still-dark sky as we made our way up the mountain. I would have preferred to wait until the sun had fully risen before making the journey, but, according to Kaia, both Yara and Rua were keen to get their “flamers” and start hunting the gilded riders.

Am too, Kaia said.Hate hiding.

You’re not hiding. You’re being appropriately cautious.

Feels like hiding.

I couldn’t help grinning.Have you warned the aerie’s newest residents that they are not, under any circumstances, to attack any human who enters the aerie, be they female or male?

Have.

And will they listen?

Am queen. Will attack if don’t.

Yara is a queen.

Younger. Must obey.

I hoped she did, because I definitely did not want to see Damon or anyone else I cared about end up as drakkon food.

Humans who come here too lean. No extra meat. Not good food, Kaia commented.

I chuckled softly and continued on. It took a little under an hour more to reach the vent, which was a three-foot-wide jagged slit in the otherwise smooth rock face. Though it had never been a lava vent, the air rolling out of it warned of the heat and danger that still bubbled deep under the mountain’s dark heart.

I slung off one of my packs—I was carrying two, along with my sword, bow, and quiver—and dragged out my water flask, taking a drink as I scanned skies filled with clouds and the heavy threat of rain. There was nothing aloft, aside from a smattering of longwings and the black hawks that hunted in this area, and no indication of movement across the distant Mareritten plains far below us.

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