Page 147 of Ash

“We cannot wait for you to decide he is well,” a rasping voice stated.” Not when he might have vital information.”

Ash sighed and opened his eyes.

They stared at him with various expressions of curiosity and annoyance. The one in front was very old, with long, white hair and fierce eyes. Images of a massive ancient fortress built into the sides of a mountain flashed, and vanished. When he looked at the man standing beside him, Ash foresaw Dragons flying. And dying, writhing in the water. His gaze dropped to the cape hanging far too straight on one side, and the man swayed from foot to foot. A survivor, not only of the parasite, but also of the ocean predators.

Ash’s gaze slipped away. He thought he’d seen the other tall man in the meadow. He was healthier in appearance, but his purple eyes still looked haunted. The images flickering through his brain paired the man with Tyrez.Brothers.They were brothers.

The concept put his brain into overdrive. His head spun as a confusing series of images galloped through it. He struggled to make the connections, but when he scanned all four, the resemblance put it all together. Father, and brothers.Family.This was Tyrez’sfamily.

From what he’d seen, they were Dragon royalty. Tyrez was a prince. How had he missed that?

It only underscored the impossibility of any kind of true bond to the Dragon. Ash’s longing for him was a thing of the soul, but no one deserved to be linked to a brain-damaged freak. Certainly not a prince.

When Ash finally, reluctantly, looked toward Tyrez, the big Dragon shifter’s eyes locked with his. The explosion of energy between them almost reconnected the fragmented bits of his talent. Almost. . . He reached for the coherence he so desperately needed, but it slipped away.

“I need to speak with the Oracle.” The old Dragon stared at Aphostra. “Alone.”

The Gryphon bowed her head and took her leave. Bess exchanged a look with Cara, and when the shorter woman nodded, she followed after the Gryphon.

“I am not leaving.” Cara leaned against the table.

The old Dragon glared at her as he moved close to where the Oracle sat. Ash regarded him. Should he bow? He had no idea how to address royalty.

“We need him to look into the future,” the old Dragon said to Cara, “and tell us Rindek’s intentions.”

“It is up to Ash, whether he is ready to do that.” Cara stepped forward.

“He is a Dragon. Rindek held him captive. Surely he understands how important this is.” The Emperor’s eyes fastened on Ash, and the golden Dragon shifter fought not to flinch. “Can you see what he is planning?”

“Shall we first introduce ourselves like civilized beings?” Tyrez glared at the older man, before his eyes snapped back to Ash. “Ash, this is my family. My father, the Emperor. And my brothers, Taran and Razir. Along with their bodyguards.”

“You are no longer a member of this family,” snapped the Emperor.

Tyrez’s eyes flashed turquoise fire. “Regardless, you sired me. And I grew up with these idiots. So there it is.”

The tension radiated between them. It did little to dispel the panic fluttering inside Ash. He understood what the old Dragon shifter wanted, all right. It didn’t mean his talent would cooperate, though. But when the Emperor persisted in staring at him, Ash said, “I will try.”

And he did. He closed his eyes, and attempted to grab hold of the wildly bucking timelines. But he had nothing to anchor him. He’d always used pain for that purpose, but the healers had taken it from him. Without it, his brain couldn’t hope to process all the images that flashed through him. His head rolled back on his neck as his mind buzzed with static. His entire body shuddered.

“Ash! Stop!”

Strong hands gripped him by the shoulders. Touching him, but there was no mistaking the energy surging from them—Tyrez. Instead of pulling away, Ash grabbed it like it was his only lifeline in a storm-tossed sea.

Because it was.

“Take your hands off him,” growled the Emperor. “We need to know this.”

“Dammit, Thadus, you old fool.” Cara snarled. “I told you he wasn’t ready!”

Energy continued to flow from the hands gripping him, and Ash clung to it as the flailing of possible futures threatened to rip his mind apart.

“Easy,” the deep voice rumbled. “Just breathe. Don’t think. Try to clear your mind.”

Breathing was harder than it should be. Ash’s chest was tight as a vise, he gasped for air. Then fingers touched his chest. Warmth flowed from them, and it all eased.

More touching. It had to be the Watcher. She moved her fingers to his temples, and the fierce ache there subsided.

Ash let the timelines go, and they flowed away like water.

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