Page 46 of Exquisite Monster
Ifeltmore than saw the time passing in my mind, and yet I could see it, spinning from one breath to the next. Sirrus calling out to them and asking them to help me after all the dragons had been driven away from the circlet and our celebration in order to betray us.
Idroal had gone to the Elders and tried. All that happened was what they had said—they had been bound with the restriction not to look for me, my mates, not even forVarí.
They’d sought out Sotai and Karadi, friends from long ago who felt no kindness toward the Elders, before returning to Skalisméra. Not to mention, their skills would be useful in finding both my mates and me.
Belleo had wept when she heard, and I saw her being embraced by Mesene. Idroal explaining what they were not allowed to do, and asking for help.
Shock rolled through me. Ravi’s gift was location. If he knew the shape or energy of something, he could trace it with his power. The first time I’d met him he’d just come back from finding rare ingredients for Mesene. Now it made sense why, and none of the other dragons had been bound by the same command.
They sought out the Heirs first, thinking I would be with them too, not knowing what Andaros had done. Though they could notget close enough to the Heirs to speak to them. Craisos, dying as it was, had turned into little more than a desert in the past centuries, and sand was not solid enough to support Idroal’s gift.
Sotai’s gift was similar to Endre’s. They could appear as they wished. “How?”
I looked up, the stream of Idroal’s thoughts pausing as I stared at the unfamiliar dragon. They simply looked back, and as I watched, they transformed intome. As I was right now. Slumped on the ground, messy hair, dark circles under my eyes. I looked frail and exhausted, but the dragon wore their own clothes.
“That is unsettling.”
Sotai smiled and faded back into themselves. “So I’ve been told.”
“You do not choose your power, correct?” I asked.
“Not consciously.” Mesene slowly braided her long lavender hair so it hung over her shoulder. “But it often stems from a need. Or reflects the dragon’s personality.”
“What is yours?” I froze. “Is it impolite to ask?”
“No,” she said with a smile. “It is not impolite. I have the gift of light.” A small shine gathered around her fingertips as she waved them in the air. “It is not the most extraordinary gift, but it has its uses.”
“Karadi can create a shield that is nearly impenetrable,” Idroal said. “Erryn’s gift is similar to mine, but not without communication.”
“I feel vibrations. Even the smallest ones. It can tell me what is in a space, and the size. Over time, if I learn the vibrations, I can identify people.”
Belleo grinned. “And I can wield water. Not exactly helpful in a desert, but there was no way I wasn’t coming to help.”
“Thank you,” I murmured.
Idroal’s memories tugged me down again, urging me to get to the end. Sotai had disguised themselves and begun to search Caelora for the Heirs and listen for anything. They’d begun to plan a rescue for them when they heard about the soldiers that were sent toEvrítha. To find the king’s former betrothed. To make sure she was dead.
I surfaced from the memory looking into Idroal’s face. “You know the rest. We followed those soldiers from far enough that the draygs could not scent or see us, and I went alone because I knew what was at the bottom of that pit. I did not believe Gleym would appreciate six dragons landing in her home.”
“No,” I laughed bitterly. “No, I don’t think so.” Then I paused. “So you did know she was alive?”
They smiled faintly. “I might have. But that is a story for a different time, Princess.”
Silence fell again, and I hesitated. Idroal knew, but the others didn’t. “One got away. So Andaros will know I am alive.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Belleo shrugged. “Likely both, but I think it’s a good thing.”
“Why?”
“If they’d found you dead, he would not be distracted. Instead now he will be wondering where you are and what you are doing. His attention will be divided between you and the Heirs. Perhaps the distraction will give us an advantage.”
“And,” Sotai said, “his attention will be divided further as the rulers of the human lands gather in Caelora on the full moon.”
I startled. That meant my father would be in Caelora. “Why?”
