Page 78 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Ozara gestured toward the crowded field behind them. “I saw the other healer a few minutes ago tending one of the Craegud, but none of their injuries are severe. He can also help.”
“The sooner the better.” Bailey looked up at the sky. “We need to get out of here soon.”
The last of the sun’s rays were fading, bringing inky darkness and a hint of stars through the haze of remaining clouds. He’d held the storm as long as he could for Rayna’s sakebutslowly lost his grip and let go entirely before the Craegud arrived.
Galadon frowned at the rising half-moon, peaking above a collapsed building. “I must agree. We may have a sizeableforce, but the Kandoran could send many more to attack us if we stay within their territory for much longer.”
“I’ll let both of the healers know,” Ozara said, hurrying away.
Bailey gave him a concerned look. “About your mother…if you need to talk, let me know. It’s tough having a long-absent parent return to your life suddenly. I’ve been there. Just remember she might have had a good reason, and you don’t want to lose your chance to find out what that is.”
He was unused to anyone showing concern for him, let alone slayers. First, Rayna and now Bailey had reached out to him. He was there when the latter lost her father a couple of months ago—in a dreadful way. A hint of pain flashed in her brown gaze despite her attempt to hide it, and he understood. The Kandoran had tortured her sire in a way that not even a slayer deserved. Though he’d fought and killed a few of their kind, he’d never realized how much damage they could endure as long as they didn’t receive a mortal blow.
Ujala would be in danger from the enemy now that she had entered the war.
“You speak from experience,” he said, giving her a grim look. “But my anger toward my mother is too great right now. I will reach out once I feel I am ready.”
Bailey let out a breath. “Of course. Do what feels right to you.”
Galadon didn’t mention it likely wouldn’t be before the war. How he felt at seeing Ujala a short time ago told him he couldn’t stand looking at her right now. But maybe, if they survived the Kandoran, he’d try after that.
Chapter 23
Aidan
He was in one of the poorer sections of the keep, checking on the progress of a home renovation. The common room was small, perhaps a third the size of Aidan’s chambers, with gray stone floors and walls and one wide window at the front. It contained a square oak table with four chairs on one side next to a fireplace. At the other end, there was a bench and alarge armchair.
There weren’t many personal touches added, aside from a tapestry hanging on the wall by the door. The scene on it was severely faded but depicted a red dragon flying over a mountain ridge. Through a doorway, he caught sight of a cramped cooking area with stairs near the back door that would lead to the sleeping quarters above.
“How many shifters live here?” Aidan asked Ruari, who stood next to him.
“Four. A mated pair and their twin sons who just turned five years old.”
He studied the space around him even closer. “It’s…very clean.”
Aidan didn’t mention that he’d expected toys, rugs, vases, and other things to fill the space. It seemed to lack the clutter he would expect from a family of four.
“If you’d seen the place when we started work, it was nearly uninhabitable. Their furniture was cracked and covered in mold. The roof leaked, seeping dampness down to this level, and the stove in the kitchen was in such bad shape that it was a fire hazard. We had to throw away many of their personal effects because the conditions were making the family ill.” Ruari shook his head in regret. “I wouldn’t have let an animal live in here.”
Aidan’s stomach tightened. In the few months since he’d taken over leadership, he’d learned more and more about how bad things had gotten during Nanoq’s reign. Not only that, but they’d begun deteriorating during Throm’s final years. While he had to worry about the looming war, he refused to forget the people who would be fighting for him. They needed homes worth defending. It sickened him that things had grown so bad, especially ones with young children. There could be no excuse now that they had abundant resources on Earth. He’d prioritized homes such as this because they couldn’t be put off even with the Kandoran threat.
“When did the workers finish this house?” Aidan asked.
Ruari gazed around the room with pride. “Three days ago. The family stayed with relatives, but we allowed them to return after completing the work. Of course, they haven’t had the time or funds to do much with it yet. The tapestry in the common area was one of the few items we could salvage since it was hanging on the only undamaged wall downstairs.”
While he couldn’t do much now, Aidan promised himself that when Dragomas came in a few months, all the children in the keep would get special gifts. So many had endured hardshipsin their short lives. He wanted to see their young enjoy toys and books like his son.
“Show me the rest,” he ordered.
Ruari led him through the kitchen. It was narrow, with a stove, counter, and cabinets on the right. To his leftwas a food preparation area and a large metal sink with a small window above it. He noted the family in the back courtyard through the open door, but he’d wait to speak with them until after the tour.
They climbed the narrow stairs to the second floor. There was a short hallway with two bedrooms and a small water closet. The parents’ room had a bed, nightstand, and chest for storing clothes—that was all that could have fit in there.
For the twin boys, they had two small beds side by side and smaller chests at the foot of them. Aidan noted a few toys lined on top, but the space was sparse otherwise. They certainly didn’t live in luxury. Having said that, he’d seen some other homes before renovations, and they were all but crumbling. This one no longer had cracks, missing stones, leaks, or vile scents. It smelled and looked like a proper home—if on the small side.
“Let’s go speak with the family,” he said.
Ruari cocked his head. “Is everything to your satisfaction?”
