Page 21 of A World of Ruins

‘There is something I need you to do.’ My stare tells her everything.

I have a plan.

One that might not work, but one that I do hope does.

‘Hira mentioned you, Leira and Aelle have managed to locate the Elemental Stones.’

Freya nods fervently.

Good. ‘I will need you to scry for them one more time. This time deeper.’

Another nod comes from Freya as she mentions she will need to borrow the scrying mirror from her aunt and a dark room so that she can concentrate on using her magic.

Everyone else then joins in to listen as I draw out the details and see Link nod confidently as I mention his and Rydan’s involvement. I almost burst with pride at how much Link has changed since his first days as a Venator trainee.

‘You know, Ambrose,’ Rydan says after I finish and everyone starts to leave except for him and I. He leans against the doorway and tucks his hands into his pockets. ‘If we make it out of this alive, I think I deserve a kiss at least.’

His grin does not crack.

I eye him up and down, knowing this is just a farce because he still won’t speak to Lorcan. ‘You have a stain on your shirt.’

His brows crease together as he glances at his clothes and I smile, feeling like myself again as I waltz out the door.

CHAPTERNINE

A few hours later, I’m rushing Freya to the garrison where the shifters reside. The night is brisk, chilly and wet, but it makes no difference to the dragons, who are rolling in mud and grass outside the doors. Freya quickly grabs on to my arm as we stand before Fernah, an Ardenti dragon and mother to both Zuru and Naryx. She is the smallest of the adults we have here in hiding but large enough to ride.

As she lifts her head, a rumbling purr vibrates from her fire-red chest, and the most beautiful golden eyes meet mine.

‘It’s as if she knows you plan to ride her,’ Freya whispers, and I chuckle while hitching the saddle Idris made for me up against my chest.

‘She knows I have a soft spot for her.’ I walk to Fernah’s side and she lets me strap on the leather harness without so much as a protest. As I step back, I let her rise and my head falls in line with her chest.

‘You have a soft spot for every dragon,’ Freya says, and we both laugh, knowing that she is absolutely right. However, our high spirits soon plummet as someone calls out to me.

Freya’s eyes widen as I mutter under my breath and turn to where Gus stands. His eyes shift from Fernah to Freya, then lastly to me.

‘Gus!’ Freya squeaks. ‘We—we were just seeing if Idris’s gift to Nara fits Fernah.’ An awkward silence falls as Gus stares at us,causing Freya to fidget with her fingers. I put my hand over hers and stop her.

‘Is there something you need?’ I keep my tone cold and distant. His gaze darts to mine, and the mood around us shifts to something worse than when I found out who he was to Darius.

Guilt.

It is not enough, though. Not enough for me to forgive him for keeping this secret for so long.

‘We need to talk, Nara.’

‘No, we don’t.’

He doesn’t look like he will leave without being allowed to explain.

‘Nara.’ Freya tugs my arm, and I drag my stare from Gus to meet hers. ‘It is all right. You need this.’

My lips twist and I frown before I open my mouth to tell her how I do not, but she raises her brows at me as if I have no choice.

‘I will wait by the stables in case the boys come through there,’ she whispers and walks past Gus, offering him a not-so-nonchalant smile that I hope he does not catch on to.

Luckily, it seems he doesn’t as he rests his hands inside his trouser pockets and strolls slowly towards Fernah and me. He turns to face her, a wistful smile pulling at his lips as Fernah drops her head and purrs in obedience.

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