Page 112 of Wild Bond

“Mordrick was there as well,” Zade said. “We have him in custody.”

“Mordrick?” Prince Amir asked in surprise. He had also remained mostly quiet until now. “Your queen’s alchemist?”

Zade nodded. “He admitted to working with Princess Mercedes. He helped her concoct the ‘elixirs’, as he called them.”

I was reminded of my accidental visit to the alchemist’s workshop and his unsettling interest in my bond with Skye. Something like this would have been right within the creepy man’s skill set. It also made me wonder if he had been the older man that ordered the chains from Borden. The princess had one of the Andor signet rings, after all. Maybe she gave it to Mordrick for some reason?

“You said the princess mentioned a male accomplice,” Princess Helene reiterated. “Could she have meant this Mordrick?”

I shrugged. “I suppose she could have. But I’m inclined to think it was someone else.”

“Why?” Prince Malik asked.

“She admitted to kidnapping me and entering me in the trial,” I explained. “She couldn’t have done that without the help of a real dragon rider—someone with knowledge of the trials and what goes on.”

After I survived the First Trial, we had discussed the likelihood of a dragon rider being involved in my kidnapping. It made sense that the same rider would have helped Mercedes find Three Points for the attack and been her accomplice for everything else. The implications of what that meant seemed to settle over everyone. To think a rider had a hand in what Mercedes had done and that we didn’t know whohewas, was terrifying.

I still couldn’t help but wonder briefly about it being Prince Pierce, even though Mercedes had dismissed the suggestion outright, and his reaction to what his sister had done appeared genuine. He seemed like the perfect suspect—he was a dragon riderandher brother. Then again, maybe some of Rake’s prejudices were just rubbing off on me.

“Rest assured that our riders will be questioned thoroughly,” Helene vowed. “If this rider is among our ranks, he will be found. Traitors are dealt with harshly in Halmar.” The cold way she said this had a shiver coursing down my spine.

“I will question my riders as to whether they saw anything suspicious during the trials,” Prince Malik promised as well.

“Baldor will do the same with our riders,” Rake said.

Prince Malik eyed Rake. “Even your council?”

“Especially our council,” Rake replied.

Our little meeting broke up shortly after that, and I could tell everyone was frustrated with the number of questions that were still left unanswered.

Then a shriek of joy drew my attention to the slight figure barreling towards me.

I barely had time to register Lessa’s wide grin and long dark hair billowing out behind her before she launched herself at me, her skinny arms wrapping me in a fierce hug. I winced a little at the pain in my side, but then ignored it in favor of returning the hug and clasping her tightly to me.

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” I breathed, my worry for her melting away.

“You too, Rinny!” She pulled back. Her face was so earnest as she stared at me. “And I’m so sorry you went to prison for me!” Her eyes widened, as if just realizing what she had said. She eyed Rake warily.

I tried not to laugh, but it was hard when I could see by the curve of his mouth that Rake was fighting a smile as he observed our interaction.

“It’s all right, Lessa,” I assured her. “Rake already knows, and he won’t say anything.”

She gave him a suspicious glance, as if she didn’t quite believe me. That’s when she noticed Naasir sitting silently at his feet and did a double take, glancing back up at Rake. Her mouth gaped open. “Is that . . .?”

My smile was out in full force now. “Yep,” I replied. Her eyes widened even more, and she seemed to be at a sudden loss for words. “Lessa?” I prompted.

She finally got ahold of herself and stopped staring at Rake and Naasir long enough to look back at me. “Hmm?”

“I tried to find you once I got out,” I told her, “but you weren’t in any of the usual places.”

“I didn’t go back to Safan. I think he set us up, and after that night I ran away. I let him think I was caught, too. I found a job with Una. She’s a seamstress, and she’s teaching me how to be one, too. And she even let me stay with her above her shop.”

“That’s wonderful, Lessa,” I replied, fighting to keep the emotion from my voice. For the next hour, she caught me up on what had been happening in her life, and I did the same, introducing her to Skye—who she instantly fell in love with—and telling her all about life as a dragon rider. At first Lessa remained wary of Rake and Naasir, but eventually, when she observed how Rake was with me, she began to relax around them.

When she launched into a story about how Una had let her help sew part of a new dress she was making, I glanced over and shared a warm look with Rake. I was so relieved Lessa was safe. I loved seeing her so happy and knowing my sacrifice had been worth it.

IsmiledwideasI took in a deep breath of the crisp morning air from where I sat on Skye’s back. The land passed beneath us in a blur, and I glanced back to see Rake and Naasir right on our tail.

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