Page 86 of Smoke and Blood

You alright, mate?You need a moment?He squeezed her hand and pulled her around to face him.

Relief filled her blood at Aodh’s concern.Kai had never been more thankful for their connection than at this moment.She didn’t need to explain what she was going through; he felt her emotions and heard her thoughts.

“I’m fine.”She didn’t care if Doryu heard her words.Kai was sure that, as one of the Wise Ones, the woman had picked up on some of her trepidation.

Besides, Kai understood the magnitude of the moment.She was about to meet the oldest dragon, which was a big deal.

“Is he in his room?”Aodh glanced at Doryu, who had closed the door.

Doryu moved toward them in the small front room.

Kai could see the doorway that led to the kitchen and a short hallway toward a shut door.

“No.His hoard room.”

Aodh’s brow drew taut.“Since when?And why was I not informed?”

Kai didn’t understand why it was an issue that Drago was in his special place.Aodh went into his hoard room every few days for peace and solitude.

“It happened late in the night.”Doryu slipped her hands into the pockets of her loose pants as she raised her chin, holding Aodh’s gaze.Her gaze had no defiance, only respect as she clarified their actions.“Keahl was on his way to share the news with you this morning that Drago has made his final shift, but your aide notified us you were already coming out here.”

After a firm nod to acknowledge her words, Aodh headed toward the back of the house with Kai in tow.

Kai kept up with his steps even as her heart pounded.When they entered the bedroom, decorated as simply as the rest of the house, she noted that there were two fireplaces in the room, and both held a roaring fire that helped settle her some.But Kai still tugged Aodh’s hand to stop him.

He faced her, the flames in his eyes a dark canary with a tinge of tangerine.Aodh was not only curious about the state of the old one but also agitated on some level.Kai didn’t think his uncertainty was the same nervousness she felt in any way, but for the first time, she saw her strong mate troubled.

She didn’t ask him about it.Instead, she brought up the question in her mind.“Since he is in his hoard room, such a private place, should I wait in the room for you to speak with him?”

Aodh pulled her close to him.“Mate, you are Aguya.The Mistress of Fire who carries the offspring of the Mckenna, you may tread wherever you desire.”He cupped her face with his free hand and continued, “Yes, a dragon’s hoard is his private space, and under normal circumstances, it is unlawful for another dragon to intrude without permission.However, in this situation, one can enter.You may enter.”

Warmth showered over her body, which had nothing to do with the blazing fires.“Then let's go get some answers.”

Without another word, Aodh took her past the colossal bed, standard for all Drahks, and entered Drago's closet.Just like Aodh’s, at the end, there was a door.It sat ajar.

As they drew closer, Kai was shocked.It seemed silent within.She hoped it didn’t mean the dragon had already passed to the other side.

But Aodh’s scales had not changed colors, and she figured, as Mckenna, he would know through their connection that a Drahk had died.So, she would see that as a good sign.

Inside the cavernous place, she saw mountains and mountains of pearls, so white and iridescent their beauty stole her breath.The sight of Drago’s hearthstone didn’t cause the same shivers of excitement and connection she felt around Aodh’s black obsidian, but the smooth, round, precious stones were still lovely.

Aodh used his feet to clear a path for them to walk as they moved deeper into the phenomenal massive space.

Kai tread lightly along the path Aodh made to keep from stepping on any spheres of varied sizes.When Aodh halted and faced the largest mound, Kai glanced around the area and frowned.

She was about to ask Aodh if he was sure the dragon was in here when her gaze rested on a still white form that seemed to absorb the firelight from the lit hearth along the side instead of reflecting it as the pearls did—stunned at the dragon’s color or lack of color.She didn’t know that dragons could be so bleached and have such a pallid tone.

It happens when we are close to the endofour last flight.Aodh’s fingers tightened around her hand.“Drago.”He called out to the old dragon in a steady voice.

There was a beat.Then another, before finally, the dragon shifted and began to unfurl.His movements were so slow that not a single pearl was disturbed.

Drago’s dragon sat up and lifted its head high as it met their gaze with pale chartreuse flames flickering in his irises.

This man has no fear of dying.

No, Aguya, I do not.Every Drahk must end their journey at some time.Drago’s raspy voice boomed in her mind.

Kai gasped at Drago’s response in her mind.Since she had never spoken around anyone in dragon form other than Aodh, Kai had forgotten how flimsy her mental shields were if she did not ensure she was directing her thoughts only toward Aodh.

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