Page 46 of Dragon Fire

“Go then, Captain, with my compliments,” Gryffid said, moving closer to the sea captain. “And take these with you as well.” Gryffid handed over a purse that O’Dare took hesitantly. “They are cut gems and gold coins,” Gryffid told O’Dare. “In case you need to grease any palms along the way or resupply somewhere. There is little else I can tell you except that you will recognize the book when you see it. Goddess go with you.”

O’Dare bowed formally to the wizard and offered his thanks before leaving. Livia followed him out, her expression full of worry.

Livia followed her father right up to his room, helping him pack.

“You will be careful, Father, won’t you? If this Fisk is using magic…” Livia was packing his bag, unable to look at him while her mind raced.

Her father stopped in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders and making her meet his gaze. “I will do what must be done, sweetheart. No more, no less. But I will do all in my power to succeed and return to you. We have many years to make up for, daughter.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead, tugging her close for a quick hug.

He released her with seeming reluctance, then looked down at her again.

“Now, I want you to stay here, if Gryffid will allow it. I think it’s the safest place right now.”

“But what about the business?” Livia asked.

“Stuart can run things for now,” O’Dare said offhandedly. “I want you to be safe.”

“If I can go back to Dragonscove safely, I will, and I’ll continue as before, running the business. There’s the little matter of the new stock of diamond blades to cut up. I’m going to have more dragon healing kits made and send them to the palace. If it comes to war, they will be needed.”

O’Dare sighed. “Very well. But only if it is safe to return. You could stay here for a few days and learn all you can from Gryffid’s people. It can’t hurt to have solid contacts here, now that the island is open for business again.”

Livia smiled at that. “My thoughts exactly. I’m glad to see you’re still thinking like a trader. For a moment there, I thought you’d become a pirate yourself, with the way you waded into battle yesterday.”

Her father’s eyes shuttered, and she didn’t understand what put that cagey look on his face, but he hugged her again, and she didn’t think any more of it. He was learning, she thought. Maybe…just maybe…he was beginning to understand that she was an adult and capable of helping—and of running the business and making decisions in his absence.

“Don’t worry about anything on this end. I’ll keep the funds flowing to our fleet as needed, and I’ll make the best deal for the new supply of diamonds as I can. I believe we are owed at least a portion of them for your actions yesterday—and your willingness to take on this new mission.”

“I almost pity the fey you will be bargaining with,” he said, shaking his head with a grin. “When did you grow up, Livia? And how did I miss it?”

His tone had gone wistful, and his gaze on her was troubled, even as he smiled. She felt tears gather in her eyes.

“You were grieving, Father,” she said in a small voice. “As was I.” She swallowed, trying to let go of some of her bitterness. “I only wish you would have turned to me. It was very lonely at home without you, but I learned how to depend on myself. In the end, it made me stronger, but I always missed your presence.” She thought hard about what she wanted to say. She might never get another chance to clear the air with him like this. She had to say a few things while she could. “I’m grown up now, Father. I still need you, but not like a child needs a disciplinarian. I need you as a friend. As a mentor. Someone who has my back but doesn’t try to tell me what to do.”

“I’ve failed you so many times, my Livia.” His gaze seemed bright, but he didn’t allow any tears to fall. “I can only beg your forgiveness and tell you that I’m going to try to get it right when I return. I want to be those things for you. And I especially want to be your friend.”

She embraced him, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him tight. It felt so good to be in his protective arms. She’d missed this, growing up without him at home.

“I love you, Papa,” she whispered.

“I love you too, sweet pea.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Gowan talked with his dragon partner, relaying the information that had just been revealed. Genlitha had gone out at first light to see if she could pick up the trail of any fleeing pirates, but the waters around Gryphon Isle were clear of seaworthy craft as far as she could see. She was on her way back now, so they could leave at the earliest opportunity to take word of the theft to Castleton and the king.

Livia had left the great hall with her father, and Seth was standing next to Hrardorr, with his hand on the dragon’s neck. It looked as if Seth was trying to calm the dragon, and Gowan understood the need, listening to Genlitha’s increasingly frantic words. Then, a thought occurred to Gowan, and he turned his attention to the wizard.

“Sir, were you doing anything to disrupt communication with our dragons yesterday while we were in this room together?” Gowan interjected into a lull in the conversation.

Gryffid looked at him strangely. “No, I was not. Why do you ask?”

“Genlitha was trying to speak to me yesterday and only when you left the room was she able to get through. Whereas, right now, we’re able to communicate easily. We thought maybe it was you doing something deliberate yesterday, but now, I’m wondering—”

“If maybe it was some kind of enemy action. The magic that allowed them to enter my domain without my knowledge would probably have that kind of effect on silent communications. A dampening effect that would dissipate when the spell itself dissipated. It could be that when I left, the spell ceased at that moment by coincidence. Or, it could be that the spell was attached to me, personally. In which case…” Gryffid turned to the remaining fey in the room. “We may have a traitor in the keep.”

The fey looked aghast, as if something like that was unthinkable. Gowan didn’t understand why they were so surprised. There was usually always at least one bad apple in a barrel, after all.

Gryffid swept out of the room, the remaining fair folk close on his heels. That left Gowan, Seth and Hrardorr as the great hall’s only occupants.

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