Page 65 of Edge of the Wild

“Not in so many words.”

“And you believe dragons did exist, and perhaps still do.”

A nod – a grudging one.

“So why don’t you believe me now?”

Erik sighed. “It isn’t that I don’t believe you.”

Oliver lifted his brows, waiting.

“I’ve been dealing with these clans and their tactics for a long time. I tend to look for the most obvious answer to a question, because it’s usually the correct one.”

“Wow. That wasn’t patronizing at all.”

“Ollie.” The next sigh was exasperated. “I don’t doubt that you saw a dragon last night – just like I also don’t doubt that some extraordinary force is at play that’s causing you to black out and have visions and collapse.” The last was bitten out, and Oliver tried to remember how frightened Erik must have been, fishing him out of the lake. “If we’re dealing with the shamans of old, from my grandfather’s time, then they have wily and frightening powers to bend men’s minds. I don’t doubt you – but I also don’t doubt their ability to make you think you’re seeing a dragon.” Before Oliver could protest further, he said, “They’re getting to Náli, too. Anyone who’s even a little bit sensitive to magic is in danger of being tampered with right now.”

Oliver started to respond – and squelched himself. His first instinct was to lash out. But, if he was being practical, he would have absolutely doubted himself just a few weeks ago.

He rubbed at his eyes again. “I don’t know how to explain this: but Iknowwhat I saw. I know it in my gut.”

“I know.”

Oliver peeked through his fingers. “You’re being very rational. It’s a little infuriating.”

Erik grinned, fleetingly. “I’ve been told I’m always infuriating.”

Oliver nodded, and let his hands fall into his lap.

“How are you feeling?” Erik reached up to push his hair back and feel his forehead.

“Tired. Cranky,” he allowed. “But I don’t feel sick.”

“Try not to fall face-first into another lake, and maybe it’ll stay that way.” He stood, easily avoiding the kick Oliver aimed at him from under the bedclothes. “Get some more rest.”

“No.” Oliver squared his shoulders, and felt the gesture lacked something the way his dressing gown slipped down off one. “I want to prove that I’m not some fainting flower. I want to go down with you.”

Erik studied him a moment, lips pursed as if he meant to argue – but then he nodded. “Very well. I’ll wait for you.”

~*~

Tessa yelped and nearly dropped the armload of books she carried. When she glanced up from closing the door to the royal solar, she found Rune standing in the center of the room, clutching the back of a chair with knuckles nearly as white as his face.

“Rune! What are you doing out of bed?”

He raised a finger to his lips, expression distressed. “Shh, I don’t want Mother to hear.” He glanced wildly over his shoulder in the direction of her bedchamber – and nearly toppled to the floor.

Tessa set the books on a table and rushed to his side. She pushed her shoulders up beneath his arm, and put her arm around his waist. “Here, lean on me. Let’s get you to the sofa.”

“I don’t want the sofa,” he said with a groan, but shuffled along obediently.

She could tell that he was trying not to lean on her too much, which was a good thing, because he washeavy. Though lean and rangy with youth, he was tall, with broad shoulders, and was made entirely of muscle, she surmised, as she felt the whole, hard length of his side pressed against hers.

Her face heated, as they inched their way across the carpet. His feet were bare, and pale, and large; his ankles and calves sprinkled with dark hair. He wore a linen nightshirt and a dressing gown – loosely belted; the tie slid and threatened to give just before they reached the sofa.

Rune all but fell the last distance, and dragged her with him.

“Oh!” She caught herself with a hand against his chest, which left him hissing in pain. “Sorry! Sorry!” She scrambled back to her feet – not easy, given the way her skirts had gotten tangled with his legs.

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