Page 113 of A Kingdom Restored

“It’s not so surprising,” Emil said. “You’ve been a public figure for some time now, seen by many as the opposite force pushing against the established system. A system which has just been dramatically dismantled beyond repair. And if the rumors swirling around here are accurate, a dragon publicly credited you with a hand in stopping the attack and unravelling the lies that led to it. You’re far too young and inexperienced for it, really, but no one is thinking very clearly.”

“So complimentary, Emil,” Sage said dryly, rising to Merletta’s defense.

“Too young for what?” Merletta demanded. Emil gave her his long-suffering look, and she suddenly caught up. “They wantmeto be the new Record Master?”

“To train for it, at least,” he corrected.

“But that’s…absurd,” Merletta said blankly.

“Is it?” Andre demanded, ever loyal. “You undoubtedly have the makings of a leader, Merletta. There’s something about you that makes people want to follow you, and you’re unerringly honest and trustworthy. I don’t think the position would corrupt you. And you understand the importance of history better than anyone.”

Merletta stared at him, still feeling it must all be some strange joke.

“Ithasalways been your life’s ambition to become a record holder,” Sage pointed out tentatively. “Isn’t Record Master the epitome of that goal? I mean…we’ve stopped the coming disaster, like Andre said. We’ve even exposed the Center’s lies, which seemed too impossible to contemplate a short time ago. I know you, Merletta, you can’t just settle into a simple, repetitive life. You need a project, a passion. What better than the very state of the Center, and through it, the triple kingdoms? If not that, then whatdoyou want to do with yourself now?”

The challenge hung in the water, no ready answer rising to Merletta’s lips. It was too sudden, too abrupt a change from the large scale life and death struggle to the simple but all-encompassing question she hadn’t allowed herself to genuinely ask for so long.

What did she want?

Chapter Thirty-Three

Heath slumped onto the sand, tension draining from him.

“It’s over,” he told Reka, his sight still idly following Merletta’s reunion with her friends. “She’s safe.”

The dragon’s lips stretched in a thin smile. “I am glad,” he told Heath, sincerity clear in the words. “Perhaps now you can relax. You have not been a restful person to be around for the last few years.”

The comment surprised a laugh out of Heath. “I apologize,” he said humorously.

“I accept the apology,” Rekavidur responded, in full seriousness.

“Will you return now with me to Wyvern Islands?” Elddreki asked his son. When the rest of the dragons had flown past, he had diverted to the island to join them. “Your exile has been lifted.”

“I will first accompany Heath to the destination of his choice,” Rekavidur said.

“Thank you,” Heath told him.

He pushed himself up from his knees, realizing for the first time just how exhausted he was. Had it only been the early hours of that morning that he and his cousins had crouched in the gardens of the castle, waiting to bust the Record Master out of prison? It felt a week ago, at least.

Fleetingly, he wondered just how much of a mess that decision had left behind in Bryford. His farsight instantly reached out, ready to find an answer, but he suppressed it. He didn’t actually want to know yet. One disaster at a time was plenty.

“I need to go back to Bryford,” he said. “I don’t think Merletta will be leaving the triple kingdoms anytime soon. It looks like she has plenty of responsibilities to keep her there.”

His heart grew heavier as he contemplated the words of her friends. From what he could tell, if the rest of the merpeople got their way, Merletta would be positively drowning in responsibility from now on. It was unlikely she would have much leisure to meet him above the surface, and more impossible than ever that she could relocate permanently to Valoria to pursue a future with him.

“Besides,” he added quickly, realizing the two dragons were still watching him, “if the king has figured out who helped the Record Master escape, it should be me taking the punishment. I’m the one who talked them all into helping.”

Rekavidur made a noise of impatience. “Is that king of yours really going to make a fuss over every little thing you do? Does he have no better way in which to spend his time?”

Heath chuckled. “On this occasion, it’s not so unreasonable for him to have a strong reaction, Reka,” he said fairly.

“I will accompany you, if you would welcome it,” Elddreki said. “I would be glad of speech with Jocelyn, in light of all that has passed.” He pinned Heath with a thoughtful stare. “I wish to hear her reaction to the incredible capacity you have shown, young Dragonfriend. Your magic has astounded more dragons than myself this day.”

Heath fidgeted, self-conscious under the scrutiny. “I’m sure my grandmother would be delighted to receive a visit from you,” he said politely.

“Naturally,” Elddreki agreed, inclining his head in a stately manner.

Heath hid a smile as he turned to Reka. “I suppose there’s no reason to delay.”

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