Page 70 of Of Scale and Blood

He grimaced. “It didn’t really explain, though there was a note in another book that suggested the spell invalidated both parties.”

“Invalidated? What the hell does that mean? That they both died or what?”

“I have no idea.” He picked up his shamoke and took a drink. “Though I would think that, in this context, it might mean cancelled.”

“Meaning their native abilities were cancelled?”

“Again, no idea, which is why I asked for them to look deeper before we attempt the spell. The last thing I want right now is you being dead or cancelled.”

I half smiled. “The last thing I want right now is to be dead or cancelled.”

“At least we agree on that.” He finished his pottage and put the bowl on the table. “There’s also the physical consequences to consider. A deeply invasive spell such as this could easily drain most of your strength and leave you unconscious for at least a day, if not more.”

“And Kaia? How will it affect her?”

Amusement twisted his lips. “You’re always more concerned for her safety than your own.”

“Gria’s already lost her brother—I don’t want to take her mother away as well.”

“I suspect that if there was no Gria to take into consideration, your concern would still fall on Kaia’s side.”

“I suspect you might be right,” I replied with a smile.

He picked up his shamoke and leaned back. “What’s on the agenda today?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I take it, given you didn’t answer the question, that you have no idea how it’ll affect Kaia?”

“I daresay it’ll affect her in the same way as you, but again, nothing is certain in any of this. If it were my choice?—”

“But it’s not,” I cut in softly. “It’s hers and mine.”

“And the other drakkons’ and their riders’.”

“Indeed, but do you honestly think any of them would refuse?”

His lips twisted. “No, because they are as crazy as you.”

“And you’re stuck with that crazy, I’m afraid.”

“I can’t be sad about that,” he said, echoing my earlier comment.

I smiled. “To answer your question, we’re flying over Mareritten to see if our gilded riders have ships docked at Mareritten ports.”

“They have several, so that is likely to be another long day.”

Did he sound a little relieved, or was that my imagination? “What’s on your agenda?”

“More back and forth about the spell.” He shrugged. “As I’ve said, while we have the basics, I want to be absolutely sure we’ve done everything we can to stop anything going awry.”

“Because it will be extremely dangerous?” I said, echoing what I’d seen on the screen last night.

Something flickered through his eyes—an awareness that I’d seen what had been written. But all he said was, “Indeed it will be.”

And once again that nagging feeling he wasn’t talking about the spell rose.

I really,reallywanted to ask for an explanation, but what was the point? He’d only deny anything else was going on, for reasons he’d already explained. Besides, he was no doubt also thinking that the less I knew, the less his aunt could steal from me.

And I couldn’t argue against that, even if I wanted to.

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