Page 155 of Deadly Maiden

Maybe Kyvin is in there, too, somewhere, helping things go smoothly?

“He sounds great!” Rorsyd whispers. “What a speechmaker.”

Though I nod, I remain silent, not wanting to miss what he is saying.

“And so we will stand together and negotiate these rock-strewn waters like the great nation of good people that we are. I know that some of you have suffered in the rebellion, but the issues that began it need to be corrected. And I, your king, vow to do this.

“I have been wrong in the past, but it is the future that should concern us.

“No longer will the Aos Sin turn a blind eye to injustice!

“Be the best you can be, my people, and I will be there alongside you.

“Be strong, help those who need someone to lean on. Be charitable to your neighbors!

“Be a hero…”

My breath catches as I wait for his next words that seem to take forever to arrive.

“And not a zero!”

“Whoaaa,” I whisper. “Kyvin is in there.” I’m shedding tears and wipe them away.

“I hear that too. My, my.” Rorsyd looks stunned.

And there is my guarantee that Asher-Madlin will be a good king.

“That calls for a celebration.” He picks me up around the waist and kisses me, before placing me back on my feet.

The glow from that kiss is worth the sister’s raised eyebrows, though I am surprised by the tiny upward curve of her lips. She’s smiling. That’s twice now, after her mimicking an undead in the tomb. A shroud has been lifted from Tensorga.

From the sounds of that crowd, many more people will be smiling in coming days.

“We did good?” I ask her, leaning in.

“Yes. You did very well, and I thank you from the depths of Artreos.”

Chapter 48

Wyntre

The Maw of Artreos spins past below as Rorsyd swoops across the sky, plunging through fluffy, ice-creamy clouds that look thick enough to eat.

“Wheeee!” I hold my arms out to better appreciate the rush of the wind over my body. It flutters through my coat and chills my legs and arms, despite my seat on the hottest dragonshifter ever.

“Settle down up there, you!” But Rorsyd bellows out a laugh. “Hang on with those sexy thighs, I’m descending to land soon.”

I pat his scaled shoulder, assuring him. “I will. It’s an awesome site this Maw.”

“Religious significance, remember. No doing anything lecherous on the rim.” He makes an obvious coughing noise.

“As if we would.”

He laughs again. “You don’t know me.”

I snort at that… Or is he serious? I haven’t heard from ID for a while. His inner dragon has the dirtiest ideas.

From my coat pocket, I pull out the booklet we purchased at Vancourter, clutching it tightly so it doesn’t blow away as I flickthrough to the right page. I crouch over it to read, shielding the paper from the vexatious wind.

---