Page 26 of Dragon Blood

Kai rubbed the back of his neck.

When Kolina had returned, a year after her last visit, with the baby in her arms to present to his father, Kai had shared his self-discovery with his mother.

She hadn’t said a word, but her expression hadn’t required her to.

Kai had swallowed, his heart sliding into his stomach.

He’d thought she’d be pleased to see how special he was. How strong he would become as both tiger and dragon.

Instead, her gaze had locked on his father’s, standing behind him. The feel of his father’s reassuring hand on his shoulder made his lip quiver.

Even at fourteen, he didn’t cry, though his heart had cracked apart as he faced his mother, cradling his baby sister. The one thatwouldgo back to Aeleftheria with her.

To his father, she’d said, “You have connections.”

“The Shouwàng Zhe are willing to foster him.”

She’d nodded, silent for so long, Kai had wondered if she’d simply frozen.

In a sense, she had.

Though he didn’t know it, not then.

Finally, Kolina had reached for the gold locket that his baby sister grasped, tiny fingers stroking its etched surface, and tucked it under her tunic.

Kai hadn’t known, until Kolina’s return some months ago, that bits of his hair were in that locket. Nor that she had worn it against her heart all this time. Even now, as far as he knew.

The Kolina Steelscale that he was coming to know these last few months was vastly different from that last memory of her, though she hadn’t been so harsh during her previous visits, which had been several times a year, prior to his sister’s birth.

Everything had changed after that.

A knock pulled his inward thoughts to the door, pausing his return stride across the guest room.

He opened the door to his mother’s grim face.

“Will the queen be alright?”

Will Astred be alright?

“Her personal shamans have removed her to the citadel through discreet tunnels.” She sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. “I’ve been ordered to ensure you speak to no one about this.”

“They’re keeping her illness secret?”

Kolina nodded.

“Wouldn’t the entire island have heard the alert and seen our arrival at the hospital?”

“They would. Though the Council will weave some story as to the reason. No one would necessarily know that it was the queen in the boat. They want you to remain here.”

“I’d rather go home.”

She shook her head. “You’re a witness to the queen’s activities and decline. They won’t let you go until they interview you for information.”

“Like fuck they won’t,” he growled, resuming his pacing.

She reached for his shoulder. “Please.”

He glared down at her raised hand.

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