Page 46 of Upon Buried Embers
Rhett, Darcia and Fiona were talking amongst themselves, and I murmured to Serah, apologizing.
Now walking through the thinning forest with more open areas and frozen rivers, I can sense some sort of relief hanging in the air. Murmurs rise between the Dragorie.
Black ribbons are tied around trees, like they’re guiding them home, and that’s exactly what it is.
“Nearly there!” Kaldar says as he rides past me, a grin on his face.
“You hear that?” Darcia asks. “We’re nearly home.”
“Finally,” Fiona sighs. “I need a long bath… and company.”
I ignore her, watching the rising smoke in the distance. A mountain settles at its back, large and foreboding, clouds curling at the top.
A dragon roars, and even that seems a happy sound as a blue one swoops down near Rohan, and he looks up, watching as it flies off.
“We’re nearly home,” Kaldar says, as he settles next to Rohan. He grunts out a reply I can’t hear, and nerves threaten to swallow me whole.
Once I’m there, that’s it for me, there’s no escaping. I’ll be there for as long as he wants me.
I look down at the knot at my waist and my blue fingers.
It’s no use to even try.
Drogonah roars, a rumble like thunder and Rohan lifts a hand. I’m confused for a moment, then a large shadow falls upon us. I look up at the belly of Drogonah swooping over us, and I automatically duck, his tail coming even closer and Rohan runs a hand over it.
Drogonah didn’t hit anyone, and the others don’t seem concerned at all.
Just how many times has that happened?
I can’t believe I’m looking at dragons close enough to even think about this. I’m still in awe and fear of them.
“They’re also happy to be home,” Kaldar says, confirming my suspicion.
“It has been a long winter, and it’s not over yet.” Is Rohan’s reply.
It isn’t.
“Drogonah needs rest after flying for so many hours, especially with how cold it’s been.”
“Are you telling me we’ll need to hunt when we get back?”
“I’ll help,” Olaf comes up beside Kaldar and places a hand on his arm. “I can go as soon as we’re settled in.”
“Be careful, the Wilds are restless and hungry,” Kaldar warns.
“Aren’t they always?” Olaf replies, and then rides off, Kaldar staring at him.
“Making it official yet?” Rohan asks, hand grabbing the handle of his axe on his back like he’s checking it’s still there.
Kaldar sighs. “I want to, just haven’t had the balls yet. Adora thinks I’m being stupid waiting.”
Rohan scoffs. “You are.”
“Hey.” He shoves his shoulder and I hold my breath, but nothing happens. “When areyougetting married?”
“You know Dragonbond’s don’t marry, what we do is in our title, so you already know the answer. Never.”
“Stop harassing me then if you aren’t joining with another. But, come on, Rohan. Fall in love, have some kids.”
