Page 20 of A Kingdom Restored

“Amazing.” Reka’s eyes were alight with the interest of a scholar, whatever errand had brought him to the capital apparently forgotten. “Heath, your magic is now obscured.” His gaze centered on the infant in Heath’s arm. “That child has concealment magic. This is…a development.”

“What do you mean?” Laura demanded, sounding unnerved as she took Jacqueline back from Heath. “What’s concealment magic, and why is it a development?”

“That’s a dragon ability,” Reka told her simply. His gaze passed to Heath. “A second human with a type of magic that is considered a hallmark of my kind.” He fell silent as he thought it over. “I wonder what the colony would make of this information.”

“Will they be angry when you tell them?” Laura asked nervously.

“I do not know if I will have the opportunity to tell them,” Rekavidur informed her. “Given I have been exiled for the moment.”

“What?” Heath demanded. “What do you mean, you’ve been exiled?”

“Is the meaning of the word unclear?” Reka asked, bewildered.

Heath cast Laura a long-suffering look, ready to silently complain about the obtuseness of dragons, but he found his sister’s eyes narrowed on him. It seemed her attention had been caught on a previous point.

She glanced at the dragon. “What do you mean a second human with dragon-specific magic? Are you talking about Heath?”

“About his farsight, yes,” Rekavidur answered, tilting his scaled head to more closely examine little Jacqueline. “Her magic must be strong,” he murmured. “It is almost impossible to even identify its signature, which means it conceals itself incredibly well for an ability so freshly exposed to the world.”

“Heath has farsight?” Laura’s eyes were wide, her gaze back on her brother. “As in…proper dragon farsight? He can see things from…wherever he is?”

“Well, he’s still developing it, but essentially,” Reka confirmed.

“Thanks for sharing that information, Reka,” Heath muttered.

“You are welcome,” the dragon responded gravely, apparently unaware of the mingled astonishment and reproach Laura was directing toward Heath.

Heath refused to look at her. He would face her questions and reproaches later. For now he wanted answers as to Reka’s appearance.

“Why were you exiled?” he asked his friend.

“I refused to tell the elders the location of Vazula,” Reka told him. “Or to give them any other clue as to where Merletta and her kind can be found.”

“What?” Laura’s voice was sharp. “The dragons are riled over Merletta, and wherever she comes from? I thought they were upset about King Matlock’s restrictions!”

“Well, I’m sure they’re upset about that, too,” Heath said evasively.

“Not especially,” Reka corrected him. “That minor offense has been put aside in light of the much more troubling appearance of what they believe to be abominations.”

“Abominations?” Laura repeated, sounding aghast. “Heath, what exactly have you been dabbling in?”

Heath ignored her. “Thank you,” he said to Reka. “For keeping the secret.”

Reka gave a rippling shrug. “I do not wish to be an executioner, whatever my elders believe.”

Heath nodded, but Reka’s expression became stern.

“Do not become complacent, however,” Reka warned him. “It will not be difficult for them to find the cities, regardless of my answer. As I told August.”

“August?” Heath stared at him. “When did you speak with August?”

“Immediately before coming here,” Rekavidur answered. “He and his wife Eloise traveled to Bexley Manor, seeking you. I was there instead, and answered their questions as I was able. I believe they intended to depart immediately for their home again. To live or die with their kin.”

Heath was uncomfortably aware of Laura’s rapt attention, so he didn’t ask Reka for more details of the conversation with August, much as he wanted to know exactly what had been said, and whether they’d mentioned Merletta’s current situation.

“Why were you at Bexley Manor?” he asked instead. “You must have known that I was here.”

“I was seeking sanctuary, given I have been expelled from my home,” Reka explained, without any particular emotion. “I was content to await your return. But I thought you would wish to know of August’s visit.”

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