Page 16 of Wings of Frost and Fury
“This should never have happened,” he mutters. “This was not supposed to happen. The war was supposed to strengthen our species, not decimate it.”
“It is devastating. But we must do what we can to mitigate the damage.”
“Mitigate the damage?” He scoffs.
His disdain angers me. Oddly enough, I’m more furious at him than at the people of Elekstan. “At least Kyreagan is trying to do something to save our race,” I growl.
“Settle your scales, young one,” replies Fortunix. “I am working to understand what has happened, just as you are. Forgive me if I do not immediately embrace the thought ofhumanson this island. The last time humans stood on our land, they were here to slay us and claim our hides as trophies. They discovered that if they peeled off a dragon’s hide before dawn, it would remain intact even when the rest of the carcass disintegrated.”
Bile curdles in my belly. “Why would you remind me of that? You know that I lived through the Hunting Years. You know what I endured.”
“Then you should understand better than anyone why this disturbs me.” Fortunix jerks his head toward the cliffside ahead of us, where I can see two winged shapes, inky black in the pre-dawn gloom. “There are the princes. I heard they were flying from cave to cave, commiserating with the members of the clan and collecting bone-tribute to honor the females who died here on Ouroskelle. We should see if they require our assistance, or perhaps a dose of wisdom, if they have the stomach for it.”
His attitude toward the tragedy we’ve suffered gnaws at my soul. Fortunix typically keeps to himself, and I only remember him taking one female during the last heat. She allowed it, but she did not seem to enjoy it. He pinned her wings down with his talons, which is a dangerous and thoughtless act, especiallyduring mating. Ever since I witnessed that moment, I have not thought well of Fortunix.
But I don’t object as he flies with me toward Kyreagan and Varex.
“My Princes,” I greet them, landing on a ledge farther up the slope from the spot where they are perched. Fortunix settles nearby.
Narrowing my eyes, I inspect the two princes. Kyreagan looks wretched, his body tense and his breathing harsh. The slope is smoking, and there are drops of liquid fire visible on the rocks. Varex appears to have been comforting or calming him.
“I am still collecting bone-tribute,” Kyreagan says, his voice ragged. “Ashvelon, how goes it with your female?”
My stomach pitches with sudden nausea at the memory of the young woman falling into darkness, vanishing among the ocean waves. I don’t want to confess my mistake to the princes, but I have no other choice. “I was just telling Fortunix that I—I dropped her.”
“You what?” exclaims Varex.
“She wriggled out of my grasp.” Words rush out of me, agonized and repentant. “I couldn’t catch her, and then she was gone, lost to the sea. It was dark—I couldn’t see her anywhere. I failed you, my lord. And I—I killed her.” I lower my head, prepared to accept his rebuke.
Kyreagan’s voice is low and reassuring. “You haven’t failed me. And her loss is of little consequence at such a time. Count it against the losses we have endured, and feel no guilt.”
He’s trying to encourage me, but his words seem harsh and careless. I feel the loss of that single life deeply, and I believe I am right to do so. Our existence is no more or less important than that of humans. Every life has value. I sublimated that belief to do my part during the war, but it is still a creed that I hold.
“I have another task for you, which I trust you will accomplish with greater care,” Kyreagan continues. “I need youto find the enchantress Thelise, daughter of the Supreme Sorcerer of Elekstan, and bring her to Ouroskelle.”
“And perhaps some supplies as well,” Fortunix adds. “You have transported many human women here, but you have nothing with which to care for them.”
“Because I plan to have the enchantress turn them all into female dragons,” replies Kyreagan.
“Yes. Ashvelon told me of your plan.” Fortunix snorts.
I can tell by the flare of Kyreagan’s nostrils that he notices the disrespect, but he lets it pass. “My plan is based on fact. Rothkuri told me that Hinarax told him that he heard from a Vohrainian soldier that Thelise can transform herds of sheep into rabbits, or chickens into rats. The soldier’s cousin witnessed it with his own eyes. A whole species transformed into another. She can do this for us. Ashvelon, see to it that she has all the supplies she needs to perform the spell.”
“Ashvelon needs a companion for this mission,” Fortunix says. “I will accompany him. I’m perfectly capable of flying to the mainland and helping Ashvelon carry supplies. Or perhaps I’ll carry the enchantress, since our friend Ash seems to have slippery claws.” He pokes my wing with his.
“I would welcome your company,” I say tightly, resisting the urge to snarl.
After a few more words with the two princes, we prepare to depart. Fortunix takes to the air first, but Kyreagan speaks quickly before I can follow him. “Ash… bring back something for tea.”
I tilt my head. I vaguely recall hearing the wordteabefore, but I have no idea what it signifies. “Something for tea? What does that mean?”
“Fuck if I know,” Kyreagan replies gruffly. “Ask the enchantress what is required.”
“As you wish, my Prince.” I bow my head to him and leap away from the mountainside, into the air.
5
I’ve been reading and re-reading the letter from my father, in which he describes the spell he plans to perform and asks my advice on a particular aspect of the magic. I received his letter a week ago, and I still haven’t replied. Haven’t sent any messages to warn anyone. Why should I warn the invaders of my country, or the dragons who are helping them murder the people of Elekstan by the hundreds?
