Page 27 of Galadon
The thought filled me with anger. I’d missed many meaningful childhood experiences, been shunned, and never known love. Was it all for this? My fate had been tied to some strange artifact not from this world that denied me any semblance of a normal life.
I began pacing, unable to stand still any longer.
“It’s a lot to take in,” my mother said, concern in her gaze. “I’m sorry I couldn’t explain this to you all those years ago, but they insisted I had to let fate take its course.”
I paused and glared at her. “Do you think that makes me feel better? Why are you here now if you couldn’t stay then?”
That last question had been eating at me these last few months. I hated to admit it, but I let her stay here because some remnant of my younger self wanted to experience having a mother in my life. Yet how could I ever forgive her? She’d left me when I needed her most, and I’d nearly died dozens of times over the centuries.
Just because some higher power stepped in to help didn’t lessen the pain. I’d endured hatred, scorn, fear of my existence, and so much more until my soul ached with shame and loneliness. Many times, I’d wondered if I was worth anything at all. Only in the last few years had anyone shown a modicum of acceptance toward me, but it felt like it was almost too late. I was far too damaged now.
“I told you that there are few who can remain in the presence of the artifact for long without being corrupted by its magic. Only the race to which it belongs is truly safe. Your father…he could have stayed. Something in his lineage would have allowed it, which is why you can be here, but he died, giving us a chance to flee.”
I ran a hand over my freshly trimmed hair, frustration vibrating through me. My mother was no fighter. I knew intellectually she couldn’t have held any enemy off for long, so it couldn’t have been her instead.
Still, it would have been nice if myapa—dad—could have come to this land to guide and protect me in those early years. I barely remembered him anymore. The few things I could recall included him teaching me how to strengthen my wings for flight, his impressive battle skills when he trained, and letting me curl into him some nights when I didn’t want to sleep alone. He’d been good and decent for a pure dragon.
“But you’re here now,” I pointed out.
My mother lifted a chain from her neck, showing me a white moonstone hanging from it. “A seer gave this to me just before we left the west coast and said it should protect me from the artifact’s effects for up to five years. He said the spell was complicated, but I should stay with you during this time because you’ll need me. That is all I know.”
If I weren’t a seer myself, I’d want to throw the whole lot of them into the ocean and let the sea dragons eat them. Since I did have some experience on the matter, I knew most didn’t have much more information than they gave, or it was for our own protection that they didn’t reveal more. Still, it was annoying.
“You must give me time to come to terms with this,” I said, unwilling to forgive yet, but she’d explained enough to sate the worst of my fury.
She swallowed and nodded. “Of course.”
A tingle ran through my spine as I felt someone cross my wards. They were authorized, so I didn’t worry. It only annoyed me that they came at an inconvenient time. I hadn’teven finished my patrol, though the Takaran guards who’d been hovering earlier left when my mother arrived.
“Lorcan is here,” I said, gesturing toward the north. “We should return quickly, or else he might come looking, and I don’t want him anywhere near here.”
“Agreed.”
I was already letting my flames overtake my body as she spoke. It would only take the deceased pendragon’s son ten minutes to reach my lair, but it would take me longer to finish shifting and fly there. Even now, my instincts surged, insisting I protect the artifact from everyone—except my mother, apparently. Perhaps she was deemed safe now.
***
Lorcan paced in front of my mother’s house when we arrived. He was aware that I’d sense his arrival and need only wait. Long ago, I made it clear that he shouldn’t wander my territory, though I still worried he’d get curious. Sharing my land had not been part of the deal I made with his mother. She’d understood that I needed my privacy when I joined her toriq, but in return, I obeyed her commands and fought with her warriors in any battle she waged. That would hold true for whoever took over next if they abided by the agreement.
Now, her son stood waiting impatiently as I finished my shift. It was exhausting doing it several times within an hour, but I managed to hide my fatigue. My mother, on the other hand, appeared out of breath. She was only eighty years older than me, having given birth to me relatively young for a shifter female, but she didn’t exercise or get out much.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice gruff from annoyance. I hadn’t expected a visit from him today.
Lorcan took an involuntary step back. “They are naming the candidates for the bitkal in two days, and the elders’ council has deemed your presence required.”
“No.” I growled. “My territory was attacked recently, and I barely fended off the intruders. I cannot leave it or my mother unattended.”
It took an hour and a half to fly up there, plus however long the naming ceremony and the feast lasted, and then another hour and a half back. I could not risk it for such a length of time with the Takaran seeking to break our truce early.
To Lorcan’s credit, he didn’t back up another step at my gruff response, but the tension in his body told me it took all his self-control. Few could suppress their fears around me, but I knew he’d pull himself together in a moment.
He even managed to smile a little. “Yes, Rayna told me all about your little adventure. She was in quite the sour mood after visiting you, but she didn’t spare any details once I got a few drinks in her.”
I clenched my fists as anger and jealousy filled me. It was stupid since she’d pointedly asked me if I had a problem with her sleeping with other men, and I told her she was free, but deep down, I feared I’d rip the head off any male who laid a hand on her.
It was why I needed to avoid her at all costs and evade discussions of her. Every part of me, including the raging beast inside, wanted to hunt her down and bring her back where I could keep her close. Only the intellectual side reined me in, recognizing our relationship was impossible on every level.
Still, I couldn’t help myself. “You got her drunk?”
