Page 5 of Galadon
“I take it nothing eventful occurred in my absence?”
“No.” She shook her head. “It was as quiet as ever.”
Ujala had been staying here for over five months. Though I continued to begrudge my mother’s reasons for leaving me at a young age, I had built a tenuous relationship with her since her return. We often ate and went on walks together when the weather allowed it. There were periods during the coldest months when I’d hardly seen her, though, since neither of us desired venturing into the heavy snow. As a result, our time to bond had been limited until the land finally warmed again.
I moved to the small worktable in the middle of the kitchen, taking a slice of freshly baked bread. “It may not stay quiet once the truce lifts in a couple of weeks.”
My mother lifted a brow. “Speaking of trouble, did you have any difficulties while you were away? I didn’t expect you to be gone for a full week.”
“Between Texas and Oklahoma, I tracked down about a dozen human Kandoran and a handful of dragons. Most of them are scattered, but there is a large group a short distance north of the chasm,” I said, then took a bite of the bread. Though the Taugud shifter’s fortress baked the best rolls, Ujala’s loaf slices came in a close second for flavor and texture.
“Hmmm.” She sat back on her stool. “Did you see anyone else while you were out there?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Do you mean if I saw the slayer?”
Ujala’s lips twitched. “Yes, Rayna. I wouldn’t mind seeing her again.”
“I cannot imagine why.” I crossed my arms. “Her primary objective in life is to kill our kind, so it’s best we stay far away from her.”
We would definitely be ignoring the fact I’d sought her out like a fool.
“Did she try to attack you?” my mother asked with feigned concern.
Her nakedness at the lake had certainly assaulted my mind and body with want, but I knew that’s not what she meant. “No, but she’d just killed a few Kandoran dragons and was sated for the moment.”
Ujala sighed. “You should trust her and give her a chance.”
“I’m not discussing this with you again.”
After having multiple arguments with her in the first weeks after she moved onto my land, I’d told my mother the subject was off limits, or she could go live at the Faegudjakhal—a sort of capital for a dragon clan. With her being a powerful healer, she’d always be welcome there. I couldn’t fathom why she had been enamored with the slayer since their first meeting.
Her shoulders slumped. “Of course.”
“How long until the meat is ready?” I asked.
“Perhaps half an hour,” she said, then her eyes widened. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that Lorcan came by yesterday. He wants you to see him as soon as you can about the bitkal.”
Ah, yes. It was almost time to decide the next pendragon after Hildegard—their previous leader—who’d died in the war. Her final wish had been for the elders to rule the Faegud untilspring, when they’d begin the process of choosing the next dragon to take over the toriq. I wished I could stay out of it altogether, but I was considered the most powerful shifter, and my presence would be required whether I liked it or not.
I nodded. “I’ll fly up there after dinner.”
Best to get it over with so I could spend tomorrow refortifying my wards and tending my land. I had been gone longer than I liked, but I’d wanted to hunt down a fair amount of Kandoran before returning. They’d proven elusive other than the large group I couldn’t battle myself. That would be a problem for another time.
“You won’t try to compete, will you?” my mother asked, frowning.
“No.” Though I was surprised she didn’t encourage it. “I’m not interested.”
Relief filled her features. “Good. Your first duty must always be to this land. Short trips away are fine, but if you become pendragon, you’d have to live up there. It would ruin everything.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She drew a deep breath. “It’s still not time for that yet, son, but I’ll tell you when it is.”
Always the same answer with her. I wanted to argue but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. As a seer myself—though only for the near-future—I understood revelations required precise timing. If one got it wrong, it could destroy everything. Whatever kept her silent, though, it better be worth it.
Chapter 4
Galadon
