Page 34 of Storm of Blood and Shadow

“I don’t understand humans at all. Not at all.” Gosrik backs away, eyeing us warily. “Are you going to fight again?”

“No, we’re done,” I tell him. “The matter is settled.”

“You both already have mates?”

“No,” we exclaim in unison. Then Falima adds, “Out of curiosity, would that matter? If one of us women had a husband—a mate—would she be taken home?”

“I’m not sure.” Gosrik retreats farther. “I would have to ask Prince Kyreagan. But I suspect the answer is no. In such a case, you would have to renounce your former life and embrace your new one here on Ouroskelle. In times of crisis, sacrifices must be made.”

He nods as if he’s pleased with himself for that speech, and he takes off, returning to his circular patrol overhead.

The other women approach Falima and me.

“He didn’t even notice that some of us are missing,” whispers one of them excitedly.

I don’t take my eyes off the dragon guard. “Wait for it.”

Gosrik circles a dozen more times before he descends again. “Weren’t there more of you before?”

Falima and I blink innocently at each other, then at him. “No.”

“I’m quite sure there were.” His head swivels on his long neck as he surveys the group, counting. When he comes up short, he heads into the cavern to see if any of us are hiding in there.

“Several of you are missing,” he declares upon exiting the cave. “What happened?”

None of us answer him, but he begins to prowl the perimeter of the barrier, sniffing. Within moments he identifies the breach and snuffles around it, muttering in Dragonish before growling, “Fuck,” in the Eventongue. He shifts several logs to close the gap, then mounts into the sky again and roars so loudly we all cower down, covering our ears.

Within moments, two other dragons arrive, and the trio briefly consult together before the newcomers fly off, presumably to hunt for those who escaped.

The women who stayed behind are beginning to regret their choice. I can feel their distress and their growing panic, so I begin assigning all the chores I can think of, from digging a new latrine pit to rearranging our stock of firewood. When a couple of the women drag their feet, Falima leads by example, throwing her strength into retying some loosened pallets while I help two of the women scrape the hides of the animals we slaughtered and stretch them on wooden frames to dry.

Hours pass. Every time the shadow of a cloud falls across the ground, my belly jumps and I look up, dreading and anticipating Varex’s return.

At last I head for the back of the cave to splash cool water on my arms and my face after the heat of the work. I lay my slippers aside and bathe my feet as well.

As I’m washing up, I hear an angry roar from the courtyard. “What do you mean she’s not here?”

I recognize the deep voice instantly. Kyreagan, the eldest dragon prince. He seemed intrigued by me earlier, but I suspecthis show of preference had more to do with infuriating Serylla than actually wanting me for himself. The emotion thundering through his voice seems to confirm that. Behind his anger, there’s genuine concern for the Princess.

When I come to the mouth of the cave, Varex lifts his head and turns, as if he has caught my scent. He stalks toward me, head lowered, ears pinned back, a threatening rebuke in every line of his slender, scaly body. He sits down right in front of me, forepaws together and tail thrashing. I cross my arms and stare him down while Kyreagan chides Gosrik for his carelessness.

Then Kyreagan glances at me. “Shemasterminded this,” he snarls.

“It could just as easily have beenyourwoman who planned it,” Varex retorts.

Kyreagan doesn’t disagree, but he says, “Remove Jessiva from this enclosure, where she can’t cause any more trouble. Take her far from here, but remember what the enchantress said. When she transforms, she won’t know how to fly yet. She will need you there to teach her.”

“I heard,” Varex says sharply. “I was there. Fortunix and Ashvelon are already spreading the word that everyone must roost on the ground tonight. Don’t you think it a strange rule—”

“I think it strange that I am still here, talking to you, when Serylla is roaming the island unprotected.” Kyreagan roars at the cringing Gosrik, then leaps into the air and soars away.

“He’s so rude to everyone,” I say. “You shouldn’t let him speak to you like that.”

“His behavior is not the issue here,” Varex replies, his amber eyes fixed on mine.

“What do you mean?”

“You arranged this, didn’t you? I must confess I’m disappointed.”

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