Forty-Four
Dragon Scale
Tirah bit her lip. She’d forgotten all about Saber’s older brother.
Beside her, Saber swore and regret shone brightly in his eyes. “I may have killed the only person who knew how to get him back.”
“You did what?” Zales’s voice rose, and Saber sighed.
“I might have something that will help,” Tirah said, gaining surprised looks from Saber and Zales. “Let me go get it. I’ll be right back.” Then she hurried to Saber’s room where her pack lay discarded on the floor.
She dug around until she found the items she’d stored away, then hurried back to the living area. “Here, I believe Casin used these for that spell.” She handed the large ruby and the tiny scale to Saber.
Her mate was silent as he stared at the items for a long moment, then without a word, he handed them to Zales.
“A dragon-blood diamond,” Zales whispered with wide eyes. He brought the scale to his nose and drew in a deep breath. Tirah frowned when he grew pale. Then Zales met Saber’s gaze and she knew that they were speaking telepathically.
Not sure what she was missing, Tirah could feel Saber’s grief like an ageless ache in his very soul. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you were hoping for, and I have no idea of what words Casin used. I just thought maybe those would help. Casin said he used them in the spell.” She was babbling. “Sorry.”
“Shh, no,” Saber said and pulled her into his side, as he stared at Zales. “You really think so?”
Tirah had no idea what he was talking about, but clearly the items meant something.
His face stoic, Zales handed them back to Saber, and Tirah noticed his hand shook. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, then closed it.
Saber looked down at her. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“They mean something to you, don’t they?” she asked.
Saber nodded, but it was Zales who finally spoke. “The dragon-blood diamond is forged with magic and dragon blood. And the scale … Casin was able to suck Adarias into Hades … because that scale came from Adarias’s own son.”
Horror filled her and the sorrow from the two brothers was palpable. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Saber said and kissing her temple, let her feel his love. “I don’t know how Casin got the scale. Thank you for bringing it to us. This is good. These items tell us that Adarias was the target all along.”
“But will they help get your brother back?” Tirah asked.
Saber shrugged. “No idea, but at least we know the spell was tied to Adarias’s blood. Now we can search for a way to free him.”
“Oh, okay, well … good,” Tirah said, and both males agreed.
Then Zales turned to Mihel with an intense look that wasn’t friendly. “What are your plans as Ilyium commander?”
Mihel shrugged. “I don’t have any.”
Zales narrowed his eyes on Tirah’s brother. “Don’t you?”
Mihel gave a slight shake of his head. “Not really. I never wanted to be commander, and still don’t. I have nothing there. My family is here. I could just walk away. No one would care.”
Alarm flared in Ashara’s eyes. “No, you have to go back. Wren is still there. We can’t leave him.”
Mihel’s expression was sad as he faced his mother. “I didn’t want to tell you, but I believe it’s too late for Wren. Casin got his hooks in him a few years ago. He slinks around watching us, and I know for a fact that he was reporting back to Casin. He won’t even talk to me.”
Though on the verge of tears, Ashara continued, “All the more reason to go back. You’ll be commander. You can change things, and Wren will have to talk to you. He won’t have a choice.”
“I don’t know—”
“It would be good to finally have someone decent in command,” Zales interrupted.
Mihel narrowed his eyes at Zales. “I should have seen it before. You’re one of the rebels, aren’t you?”
“I am. Our goal is to eventually bring peace between the Ilyium and all Supes.”
Mihel sighed, and Tirah knew that he wanted the same thing.
“All right. Fine. I’ll go back, but I’m not promising I’ll stay. I’ll see how it goes,” Mihel said.
Then everyone started to talk as the conversation shifted to how Mihel could help, and what it would mean if they could achieve their goals.
The room fell silent when Cass stood. Ashara trembled when he passed her but Cass didn’t seem to notice as he stopped in front of Tirah. “Thank you for telling me about Maya.” Cass looked at Zales and Saber. “I know I’ve been a pain in the ass for the both of you. Not sure why you ever put up with me.” When they both started to speak, he held up a hand, cutting them off. Cass focused on Saber. “You made me a promise.”
Saber tightened his grip around Tirah. “If you think I’m going to turn her over to you—”
Cass shook his head. “No. Stop. I’m absolving you of your vow. Your mate is very brave. She came to me and begged for my help to save your life.”
Saber opened his mouth, but Cass continued, “Tirah made me realize something.” Saber frowned, but kept silent. “Even knowing how badly I wanted to kill her. Tirah didn’t care about herself, she only cared about saving you. I now realize that as close as I am to losing my own humanity, if I lost my Young, or you … that would be the end of me.”
Saber blinked, and Cass inclined his head to Tirah. “I am sorry for how I treated you before. You have nothing to fear from me, and have all my respect. I am grateful Maya had you there with her, when she … died.”
“You are welcome. I only wish I was able to do more,” Tirah whispered. Then before Cass could move away, Saber stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his friend. “I know this has brought it all back for you. I’m sorry. But we’re here for you, anytime you need us, my friend.” Saber drew Tirah into the hug as well.
As if suddenly uncomfortable with everything, Zales stood and focused on Mihel. “If you trust me with the location, I can fly you back to your home base.”
Cass pushed away and went to the cooler where he grabbed another ale, while Saber kept his arm around Tirah.
Mihel glanced at everyone, then looked at Zales. “Yes, thank you.”
“I had your brother’s body moved so that it will be found quickly. This way he will get a proper burial.”
Tears welled up in Ashara’s eyes. “I know he was a bad man but thank you.”
Zales nodded to her and looked back at Mihel. “This way you will be able to step into the commander’s shoes quicker.”
Mihel stiffened his shoulders. “Right. Thank you.”
Tirah felt bad for him, knowing how much he didn’t really want to do this.
Ashara got up and avoiding Cass, moved over to Zales. “Can … can you fly me back as well?”
Mihel gaped at her, then shook his head. “No, Mom, you’re free. If you go back, you’ll still be a slave. You can’t come with me.”
At Mihel’s words, Cass growled. “They made you a slave?”
Ashara lowered her gaze under Cass’s glower and spoke to Mihel. “I have nowhere else to go.”
“You do,” Saber said, catching Tirah by surprise. He shrugged. “She’s your mother. She can stay here for as long as she likes. It won’t take me long to fix up a room.”
Ashara smiled at him and blushed. “That is very kind of you.” Then she shook her head. “But you are newly mated. You both need time to learn about each other, and I don’t want to get in the way.”
“Mom, you won’t be in the way,” Tirah said while Cass growled again. Unable to stand it any longer, Tirah turned on him. “What is your problem?”
Cass ignored her and addressed Ashara. “You can come with me to my village. We have empty dwellings.”
Ashara seemed to swallow nervously but didn’t respond. Instead, she looked at Tirah. “Do they know?” she asked in a whisper.
Tirah knew her mother referred to them being Fire-born. “Yes, and they are fine with it.”
“They better be,” Mihel said, surprising them both.
“You know?” Tirah asked.
Mihel gave her a slight smile. “I figured it out a while ago.”
Tirah and Ashara stared at him. “Are you … have you …?” Ashara asked, eyes wide.
Mihel shook his head. “No, I can’t shift into a dragon, but a couple years ago, I started to feel something, like a fire burning inside of me.”
Tirah could almost feel her mother’s guilt. “I’m sorry. I should have told you, but I was so scared.”
Mihel smiled and hugged her. “It’s okay, Mom. I understand.”
Ashara, her expression full of apprehension, faced Cass. “All right, I’ll go with you, I guess.” Then she looked at Zales. “Will you take me there?”
Cass frowned. “He doesn’t need to. We’ll fly. I’ll show you the way.”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll stay here for a bit after all,” Ashara said, drawing a scowl from Cass.