Page 80 of Of Scale and Blood

We swooped toward the aerie’s landing tongue, the younger drakkons preceding Kaia. Gria once again greeted us enthusiastically, rubbing necks with her mother and demanding they go hunt.

The interaction between the two, the obvious love, hit me hard. What I was asking Kaia to do, what I was asking her to risk, was just too much….

Me chose, she said softly,not you.

But—

Am queen, she cut in.I must protect. I fail Ebrus. Will not happen again.

But Gria?—

Will die, like Ebrus die, if gilded ones not stopped.

I drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. I could not deny the truth of the words, but I still worried about the risks.

You risk.

I don’t have a child.

Would not stop you. You queen too.

It was the second time she had said something like that, and I couldn’t help but laugh.I will never be queen. Not in the same way as you are.

But even as I said the words, the dreams rose anew to haunt the outskirts of my mind, and the bitter taste of bile rose up my throat. I clenched my fists against the heat that instinctively pressed against my fingertips; I wouldnotlose my family. No matter what it took, I would protect them, even at the cost of my own life.

That queen thinking, Kaia commented.

I laughed again, unclipped my packs and all the harness bits and pieces, and then slid down her leg. After giving Gria the demanded eye scratch, I stepped out of the way as the two of them ambled toward the exit. Yara followed, but Rua remained, her mate leaving instead to hunt for them both. Her pain was a distant song that ran through the back of my thoughts; the long flight had taken its toll and torn more membrane. Thank Vahree I’d ordered more supplies to be brought up—I really didn’t have the energy to walk all the way down there and back.

“I’m hearing voices outside,” Kele said. “Sounds like the stretcher you ordered is here.”

“Let’s help Hannity out there?—”

“Hannityiscapable of walking,” she cut in somewhat crossly.

I glanced at her. “No doubt, but why risk further damage and the possibility of not being able to ride Rua again?”

Her eyes widened briefly, then she glanced at Rua. “I swear, I won’t?—”

“You need two good legs to ride her, same as she needs two good wings to fly,” I cut in. “So, stop arguing, soldier, and let us help you out of here so I can get back and finish the repairs on your drakkon’s wings.”

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t know.” She paused. “Is she in much pain?”

“Some.”

“But she’ll be okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

We carried her out, the shield shimmering softly as we went through. There were six soldiers waiting outside—four for the stretcher and two relief—and a number of packs sitting to one side. I was a little disappointed—more than a little, if I was being at all honest—that Damon wasn’t also here, but it wasn’t like he didn’t have other problems to deal with. I might be his wife, but I was not a priority right now—and maybe never would be.

I did not like the ache that accompanied that thought.

Did not like the implications.

“You want me to stay and help with Rua’s wing?” Kele asked.

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