Page 68 of House of Embers
Lowan’s eyes were wide and excited as he glanced over at her. “A test for a council seat. It includes a single boon for a new member.”
Kerrigan’s stomach plummeted. This wasn’t part of the plan. Tieran hadn’t mentioned any of this.
“You don’t want this burden,”Thiery said urgently.
Tieran stared his mother down.“Joining the council is the only way to get what I want. You taught me that, Mother.”
Thiery’s eyes swiveled to Kerrigan’s, and for a second, she felt the oppressive nature of the dragon’s desperate voice in only her head.“Talk him out of this. He will die. You will die.”
Kerrigan met her cool gaze. “I am with him all the way.”
“As you say,”Thiery said, flat and emotionless.“The Threefold Test will begin tomorrow at sunrise. May the elders look favorably on your final hours.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Threefold Test
Kerrigan stood on a plain overlooking the Great Ferrinix Lake. Tieran had been taken away some time in the middle of the night to prepare. He’d scarcely spoken more than a handful of words to her since they’d been whisked out of the council chamber. Kerrigan had barely slept a wink as fear settled into her bones. Nothing Audria or Lowan said could reduce her anxiety.
Tieran had said the Threefold Test was a test of mind, body, and spirit and began with a fight to the death against the champion of the council over the lake. The rest remained a secret of the council, and he would only be informed of the next parts after completing the first.
“You’re shivering,” Audria said, her brow furrowed with worry.
“There’s nothing I can do,” Kerrigan said. Inside, she was hysterical with absolute terror. Outside, she remained as calm as she possibly could despite the danger Tieran was walking into alone. He’d claimed that he would survive this without much effort, but if even Thiery had begged her to stop him…
“He’s a survivor, like you.”
Kerrigan nodded as she clenched and unclenched her hands. “I won’t survive his death.”
“I know,” Audria whispered.
It was the truth but not how Audria was thinking. They were bound through Kerrigan’s Doma powers passed down from her mother, so she wasn’t bonded to him as other dragon riders were, meaning the bond wouldn’t kill her upon his death. She just didn’t know if her heart could handle a life without him.
Kerrigan reached past the bond with Tieran and to the other one she’d chosen—Fordham. They were hundreds of miles apart, and contact at that distance was impossible. But still, when she leaned into that feeling within her, she felt a thrum back in response. Her heart warmed at the gesture, strengthened. They could do this. They had to.
A human appeared then, offering refreshments to Kerrigan and Audria. She was bald, with tattoos on her head that bled to her neck and collarbones. She wore plain brown robes and sandals. A thick belt circled her waist with an amulet fastening it into place with a green dragon etched in emeralds.
“I am Cathia, here as an interpreter for the Threefold Test. Mind-to-mind speak is forbidden from here forward. You will no longer be able to speak to your dragons. This is a dragon matter first and foremost.”
Kerrigan and Audria exchanged a look before Kerrigan said, “Uh, okay. But you can still mind-speak with the dragons?”
“The great Thiery has chosen me as her dedicate. I will interpret for you as a courtesy. Most Fae and halflings aren’t allowed to witness what is occurring.”
Kerrigan pursed her lips at the wordhalfling. It was the dragon word for her kind. And even though she wasn’t the half-human they believed, it still rankled.
“What happens next?” Audria asked.
“We wait for the sun to fully crest the first mountain. Then the champions will be announced. A fight to the death will occur over the lake and in the bowl of the valley of the greats. The victor will serve terms.”
“Terms?”
“They will be given a boon and decide your fate.”
“If Tieran falls, his competitor could kill us?” Kerrigan asked.
“Correct.”
“But Evien…” Audria began.
