Page 88 of Shadow Wings

I would conquer my reaction to the presence of Druman if it was the last thing Idid.

The gate cracked open, and two stocky golden-plated soldiers with rounded helmets lurched forward, stutter-stepping as they saw me. They halted well out of reach of my swinging tail. Clever men. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it; I hadn’t come all this way to have Dyter or Tyrrik killed by guards dressed in gold. How stupid. Gold was soft. Was this just to show their wealth? I ran my gaze over the gold soldiers. I bet their armor was worth a pretty penny. The two men would look great in my collection . . . but I’d have to feedthem.

Dyter got to his feet and ran his hand over his head as he gulped several breaths. He looked a little green after the flight. I narrowed my Drae eyes, daring him to insult my aerialability.

“Thank you, Ryn,” hesaid.

My tail twitched at the blatantlie.

He turned to the guards and announced us. “We seek an audience with King Zakai. Please inform him that Lord Tyrrik the . . . Free Drae, Dyter of Verald—ambassador to King Caltevyn, and Ryn arehere.”

I practically gave myself Drae whiplash at that. I lowered my head to Dyter, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Shouldn’t I be Ryn the Coolest Drae, or Ryn the Phaetyn-Drae? Or maybe Ryn the Phaetyn-Drae, daughter ofRyhl—

Dyter eyed me nervously and blurted, “I mean to say, Ryn the most powerfulDrae.”

Most powerful Drae.I smiled, showing every one of my fangs to Dyter who rolled his eyes. I could work with most powerfulDrae.

The guards disappeared, and minutes later, the heavy gates inched opened with an ominous groan. The shiny soldiers bowed us through, and I picked up Tyrrik in my claw, walking forward awkwardly. I ducked through the high gate and straightened inside the cavernous mountain space. In the distance, I heard another Drae roar, and my heart raced, knowing who it would be. The gates closed behind me, and my Drae jaw dropped as I stared at the royal lands ofGemond.

Mistress Butt-moon.

I shook off the shock, and the air shimmered as I shifted back to my Phaetynform.

I pushed my silver hair behind my ears, one leg on either side of Tyrrik’s body, and studied the guards.Theirshock halted their advance. They really weren’tdumb.

I knelt by Tyrrik and rested my head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady. How long would Tyrrik need to rest before regaining his strength now that we would have the comfort and resources he would need—if the king felt like giving those to us? After seeing what I’d seen, I couldn’t besure.

Satisfied Tyrrik wasn’t in immediate danger, I took in my surroundings. The castle walls were encrusted with gems at least seven or eight feet up from the floor. I had no idea how one would get rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds to stick to the stone, but there they were, ripe and ready for the picking . . . if someone was inclined to do so for the sake of hercollection.

Dyter cleared his throat, and I realized I’d been staring and missed the welcoming party that now stood beforeus.

Three men, dressed in ill-fitting uniforms, nodded in unison. The one in frontspoke.

“Welcome to Gemond. King Zakai is resting, but he’s asked that we take you to your rooms. He will join you for suppertonight.”

I resisted the urge to let my attention return to the precious gems and forced myself to look at themen.

These men were likely in their thirties or forties, if Gemond people aged normally, but their sunken cheeks and thin frames made them appear much older. Two were missing one of their arms, and their empty sleeves were tucked into their belts. The third one wore an eye patch, and the left side of his face had large chunks of flesh missing. The only indication of their true age was the smoothness of their skin around their eyes where the skin wasvisible.

I thought of the women outcasts in the mountains and how they’d resorted to cannibalism to stay alive. These men weren’t as emaciated, but they weren’t healthy by any stretch. My disgust for King Zakai multiplied as I wondered how a king could have unlimited wealth and still starve his people. And he was resting, taking a late afternoon nap and couldn’t be bothered to greet the ambassador of Verald. How could the king rest while such hardship was everywhere around him? Queen Alani had spent her life resting. Was this king the same? Yet another leader who was taking advantage of his people? My face firmed, and I tried to come up with a way to say what I thought in a way that wouldn’t get us murdered. However, Dyter beat me toit.

“My Lord Tyrrik has fallen ill and will require a dark room with ample access to water,” Dyter said. “If you were to have a suite where we could all reside, we would be most grateful. The Drae will need his . . . he will require significant attention, and if we don’t have to break up our travelingparty—”

“We’ll take you to your rooms where you can wash, rest, and have a light luncheon. Supper is still several hoursaway.”

I slid my gaze to Dyter, but his attention was fixed on our escort. Something was bothering him, but I didn’t dare ask. Worrying about the problems of yet another race would have to wait until Tyrrik was caredfor.

I cleared my throat and jerked my head at Tyrrik. “I’d sure appreciate your help, LordDyter.”

I had no idea what role I was meant to play here, and I didn’t want to do anything to screw up Dyter’s plans. Notyet.

When I met King Zakai, I might rip his head off, but for right now, I had more pressingconcerns.

32

“What are you doing?”Dyterasked.

I jumped, and the dagger I held clattered to the stone floor of the hugebathroom.

---