Page 59 of Of Blood and Banes
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then don’t.” I push up to my feet. “But I’m exhausted.”
She lifts her staff and rests the end of it on my chest. “One more time. That’s all I’m asking. One more of your best.”
I flick my attention from her staff on my sternum to her, then back again.
She pushes the staff a touch harder into my chest. “King Aaric will stop at nothing to slaughter the dragons and everyone who opposes him here in the Dragon Lands. You are the only person who can take him down. Which means you will be his biggest target. If you don’t master this magic, everyone will die. You and Daeja included.”
Swatting her staff off me with a grunt, I lower back down to my knees to the temptation of mastering that pure magic. Of touching it again. “Fine. One more time.”
CHAPTER 21
DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE
Tawny smiles at me the next morning. “I will never forget the Arterian who risked her life to set me free. Thank you, Katerina.”
She’s to stay behind, considering she’s the leader of Midkeep. She’s needed here, and even though I haven’t known her long, I prefer her much more over Sethan. As a going away present, she gifts me a black corset, shaped with water dragon bones that washed up on one of the eastern shores. She assures me the corset will provide enough protection for my ribs, should any blade strike me. That, and she was quite delighted to inform me there are hidden sheaths for daggers. Should I need them.
The rest of the squad and Vitalans gather for our trip.
I nod awkwardly at Tawny. “It was only the right thing to do.”
She pulls me into a hug, whispering into my ear, “Remember that.”
I blink at her, unsure of the implications, but I don’t have much time to consider it as Sethan begins to round up his people and the squad. There are several horse-drawn wagons to store our supplies, along with any others who can’t travel as fast on foot. Daeja lowers herself to the ground as I approach her, the tip of her tail twitching in anticipation.
“Nervous?”I ask as I tuck in a stray strand of silvery-blonde hair back into my braids. My body still carries a heavy ache throughout my muscles from spending almost half of last night in the rain practicing pulling magic with Marge.
Daeja snorts at me, the hot steam blowing my hair out of my face as I stop at her side.“Never.”
“I know.”I smile, patting her neck. She’s grown big enough now that I can walk underneath her, with the top of my head brushing the underside of her scaled belly. But despite her size, her exuberant confidence still mirrors her youth. I grab the saddle’s foothold and claw myself up her side. Though, she eventually has to nudge me up into my seat with her nose.
Cole strolls over to us, still avoiding eye contact. I tighten a thick, leather belt around my waist, adorned with metal loops sewn into the material. Taking the long leather straps attached to the saddle with hooks on the ends, I secure each one to the loops on my belt.
“Are you all hooked in?” Cole mumbles softly as he stops a few steps away from us.
“I think so?” I shift my hips, settling into a comfortable position and double-checking I’ve secured all the hooks.
He reaches out a hand, and Daeja shifts subtly away from his touch as he tightens and double-checks each strap. Despite the fact he can’t even look me in the eye, he assures himself with each tug on every belt and loop.
“I never said thank you for the saddle,” I murmur.
He glances up for a split second before lowering his eyes again with a small nod. Tightening one more strap wrapped behind Daeja’s shoulders, he pats her neck.
Her head spins into his direction, her eyes dilating and narrowing as she stares at Cole.“Watch yourself,”she growls.
“Be safe,” he whispers at both of us, before walking off to join the rest of the group traveling by wagon.
“You too…” I mutter, though he’s too far away now to have heard me.
Archie helps Marge up into the wagon, and the two of them take a seat next to Melaina. Several other men and women join them, crowding into the back. My attention snags on Darian, still manacled and held between two of Sethan’s soldiers. Archie catches my gaze and waves enthusiastically with a toothy smile. With a small chuckle, I wave back at him. Melaina and Marge follow his gaze, dipping their heads at me a little more subtle than the level of Archie’s blind enthusiasm.
A heavy thrum of gigantic footsteps approaches behind us, and Daeja’s anxiety quivers the bond between us. Though, on the outside, she’s completely still with her head held high and staring off at the group. A’nala slides in next to us, her movements heavy but serpentine.
Sethan sits in his saddle, his back straight and eyes set somewhere in the distance before he turns to me. “Ready?”
I have to look up at him to make eye contact. A’nala is close to double the size of Daeja. Rather than airing my anxiety about the thought of flying, I nod. My chest burning as a reminder that I’ve managed to hold onto a breath, until I release it.
