Page 100 of House of Embers
Fordham put a hand on her back. “Careful, love.”
Audria stepped up to their sides. Tears were in her eyes as she stared out at the shores of her home. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see it again.”
“I know,” Kerrigan said, her voice thick.
“Step into my dreams anytime,” Audria said, patting her on theshoulder. “I’ll get the king and queen on our side. Well, Evien will. The dragons are going to tip this.”
“I believe in you.”
Audria swallowed hard. “Thanks for never doubting me.”
“Hey, you were the first person to realize that I was the ‘lost princess.’” Kerrigan put the words in quotes. “You were my best friend growing up. You wanted to sponsor me as soon as you found out. You fought at my back. As far as I’m concerned, we’re sisters.”
Audria sniffled as they clasped forearms, and then she tugged Kerrigan into a hug. “I love you, okay? Be safe.”
“Love you too. Give my regards to Noda. I miss her.”
Audria stepped back and nodded. “I will. It’ll be good to get our girl back.”
“Almost the whole team.”
“Yeah,” Audria said softly. “If only…”
She let it hang. If only Roake hadn’t turned, but he had done too much damage. Kerrigan wasn’t sure there was a way to bring him back.
Audria climbed onto Evien’s back and then disappeared through the portal. Dragons flowed after her, enough for both Bryonica and Concha if all went well.
Once they were through, Kerrigan turned her mother’s golden bracelet and let the magic cease. The portal crackled before disappearing as if it had never existed.
“Do you need a break?”Tieran asked.
“Just a minute,” she told both him and Fordham at once.
Fordham held up his hands. “I didn’t ask.”
“You were thinking it.”
The last portal she’d get to walk through and close from the other side. She’d have time to recover. Justonemore.
Kerrigan blew a breath out slowly and then pushed her shoulders back. Herasi was the shortest distance of all the ones she had opened today, and she knew exactly where to open.
She twisted the gold bangle and felt it constrict around her wrist. A shimmering, iridescent portal door materialized out of thin air as she concentrated on the place that she wanted to bring the dragons through to meet Zina. After a moment, the other side of the portal began to transform from the pearly iridescence to the mating grounds on Bain Bay.
Tieran touched her mind.“Home again.”
“You are not taking me under that water,”she told him.
He laughed into her mind. She knew he felt lighter, seeing the island where they had rescued Amita come into focus. Amita herself had tried to argue that she should come on the mission with them. Basically everyone around had shot down that option. She’d been sulky, since she couldn’t bond anyone, and since she was the only hatchling with them, everyone was treating her like a child—mostly because she was one.
Fordham’s hand returned to Kerrigan’s shoulder, the bridge of their bond wide open so he could stabilize her through the hardest part. A doorway was easier than the size she needed to make for the dragons—wider, wider, wider. She pushed until the frame became big enough for a house to squeeze through.
Her head felt heavy and light at the same time. Her vision had spots in the corners, and her breathing became jagged.
“Steady,” Fordham ordered, his commanding voice stabilizing her.
But it did nothing for her beleaguered situation. Her hands trembled, and it was moving up her arms to her shoulders. Her mouth went dry, and she swayed slightly on her feet.
“I don’t…feel…so good,” she whispered as she knotted the portal into place and promptly passed out.
