Page 65 of Earth Dragon
“And felt nothing,” she filled in. “But it burned me when I…” She trailed off, looking mildly perturbed as she concluded, “When I looked at you.”
He couldn’t keep the smile down. She glared at him, but then smiled as well.
“What do we make of that?” he asked.
“That you’re instrumental to this working out for us,” she replied. “In every possible way.”
He wanted so badly to reach for her, but he knew he owed her an apology, and so he said, “I’m sorry for leaping to conclusions. I told you I have a hard time changing my mind once it’s made up. I changed my mind about you and when something happened that told me I was most likely wrong to have done that, my mind leaped at the chance to reassert how I’m better off keeping to an opinion once it’s formed. It was weak of me. I apologize.”
She gave him a small smile, but there was something hesitant there that he seemed to not have rid her of. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m glad to hear you say it.” She held up the crystal demonstratively, adding, “Excuse me but I’m going to go… practice with this outside. Somewhere near water, preferably.”
“Should I come with you?” he asked. “If I’m instrumental?”
“No,” she said, moving away from him as though he might burn her.
He couldn’t kill the smile as he watched her go. She had wanted his acceptance and she had it. Was she still so reluctant to reveal her true feelings to him? Or was she going to hold onto her grudge over his behavior a little longer, no matter how he expressed his regret?
She disappeared up the stairs and he watched her go, reminded of the conversation they had had where she asked him what his flaws were, and she told him hers. She had said she had little patience for things that were of not direct consequence to her, but she had never failed to be patient with him.
His eyes drifted back to the stairwell.
He thought of how readily she had returned his kisses. How she had shouted ‘no’ on those steps. How she was ready to dismantle everything she had ever known to do what was right. And his smile broadened.
There were steps on the stairs, but from the amount of noise being made he determined it was not Shannon. Soon enough, the kings entered the room. Each crownless but wearing smiles and carrying cups and flagons of wine.
“Let’s drink while we wait,” Greer said. “What’s the point to the journey if we can’t enjoy ourselves along the way. Eh?”
Ewan was about to protest, but then a smile split his face and he nodded in agreement.
The others cheered and they all embraced.
It was good to be together again.
“Oh, how darling. You’ve all gathered,” a voice spoke, and they all turned to it in surprise.
Lord Taggart stepped out from a shadowed corner as though he had materialized there. He was wearing his eternal black, and though his short frame should not be intimidating, the greed in his gaze was disconcerting. How had he gotten passed Lady Marigold’s protection spells? He must have worn a cloaking spell while doing it, no less. It was unheard of.
“Please. I quite easily poked a hole in it, child,” Lord Taggart said, the dismissiveness in his voice unmistakable. And the fact that he had somehow heard Ewan’s thoughts only adding to Ewan’s discomfort.
He must not think of Shannon.
But the lord’s mouth quirked into a smile, his eyebrows rising meaningfully.
“What do you want?” Ewan demanded.
The lord’s smile shifted in a way that changed his entire face into a mask of malicious glee.
“I want to win,” he said, opening his palm.
Ewan’s gaze went to it of its own accord and right before the small crystal lit up he yelled, “Don’t look!”
Only it was too late. The light that the crystal emitted was blinding them all, Ewan raising a hand to protect his eyes, shutting them until the glare faded.
Utter silence.
Ewan’s hearts were beating hard in his chest, his body tense with anticipation for further attacks, but when he opened his eyes again, he found the lord gone.
Ewan could also sense what else was gone.
