Page 15 of The Fires of Longest Night
The sky is turning grey, pink just appearing on the horizon. It will be dawn soon, and the encampment will be gathering by the fire. Ria distracts herself wondering who might leap the daylight flames, and which eventide jumps might have repercussions beyond the night. It was always the way—the promise that Longest Night was a night out of the regular rhythm was a fantasy, evidenced by the array of grumpy spouses.
She’s just about to rouse Nissa when something passes overhead. She stares up at it for a split second as fear spikes through her.
Red against the pale cloud.
Dragon, Isiridion says grimly.I’m on my way.
“Nissa!” Ria shakes her shoulder. “Dragon. We need to get to the encampment.”
Nissa wakes and is on her feet in a second, tugging her skirt on and shoving her arms into her shirt. “Where?”
Ria scans the sky, wincing as she thrusts her legs into pants. The twist of her hips as she pulls her shirt on yanks on the stitching. Pain sears her, but she banishes it.
No time for pain, not now.
“It was here a second ago. Might be amongst the clouds.”
“Concealing itself?”
“Maybe. It was only one, but who knows what’s going on up there.”
“We have to warn them.” Nissa gives her a quick glance, and they set off together towards the encampment.
Get your axe,Isiridion says grimly.I’m nearly there.
CHAPTER 10
NISSA
Nissa emerges from the rainforest with Ria a step behind.
“I’m getting my axe,” Ria calls forward. “I’ll be there.”
Nissa casts a swift glance back over her shoulder and meets Ria’s gaze. Something in that look is enough to remind Nissa of all that has passed between them during the night. It threads with her anxiety and, for a second, panic makes her lungs tight. And then she squares her shoulders and strides swiftly towards the camp’s fire.
The clan is seated on logs, wrapped in blankets, and there’s uneasy chatter.
“There’s a dragon overhead,” Nissa announces, then starts in surprise.
Her father stands on the other side of the fire, and at his side is someone that Nissa doesn’t recognize. Resset is a step behind the Warlord, and there’s something in his gaze that makes Nissa’s gut tighten. Is that triumph?
“Oh yes. That will be Remulus on his steed, Argilliton,” says the man beside her father. “They will be landing soon, not to worry.”
“Daughter!” Her father is bluff and hearty—toobluff and hearty. Nissa’s eyes narrow. “Come, I want you to meet Ubrekka, Warlord of the Telithina clan.”
Nissa pauses a moment, and her gaze slips sideways to where Illima and Kaderlyn sit together beside the fire, one blanket draped over both their knees. Their eyes are fixed to her, but they don’t move or say anything. Nissa’s heart leaps into her throat.
“A guest, father? You didn’t mention a guest,” Nissa says as she circles the fire. The reprimand is mild, but her father already looks awkward.
“I wanted to share our traditions with them,” her father says cheerfully, a warning look in his eye.
He gestures her over, smiling more broadly than she’s seen him in recent months. Her gut curdles. She crosses the space between them to stand beside him, examining Ubrekka as she offers a hand to shake.
Ubrekka takes her hand cautiously, shaking it.
“It is an honor to meet you, Nissa. Your father did not exaggerate your beauty. I am sure that he similarly did not exaggerate your other virtues.”
Nissa resists the urge to narrow her eyes and dips her head in greeting. “It is good to meet you, Ubrekka,” she murmurs.
