Page 33 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

“I don’t like the idea of seeking out the blue dragon,” Sweetie said. “No doubt many others are attempting to find it and kill it before it can do much damage. You don’t want to stand in the way of such people.”

“I’m not looking for the dragon. I have been promised an audience with Moire.”

Minkin gasped. “Moire! You were serious? You really intended to go to the palace, not just to Ristat?”

I sighed. “If there is a way to save us, Moire will know what it is.”

Dower rolled his eyes. “You don’t think she would fix it herself, if she could?”

“I don’t know. From what I’ve read, I’ve gotten the impression she’s quite mad.”

The entire gang exchanged glances, but I couldn’t guess their meaning.

Bain laughed. “So you’re going to the palace to question a madwoman? The king’s own daughter-in-law? In the middle of this chaos?”

Tearloch smirked. “Well, she’s certainly dressed for it.” He brushed past me and headed back to the shoreline. “See the bright side. Maybe we’ll find Huxor in Ristat while we’re playing entourage.”

Sweetie watched him go, his brows high. “Is he whistling?” He scratched his wide, bull-like forehead. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Minkin rolled her eyes. “I do.” She turned to follow Sweetie and sent a smirk in my direction.

16

ARE WE DEAD YET?

“Old Grim has done well,” Nogel said, more to the dragon than to us. “The palace is only a few hours away now. We shouldn’t need to stop again.”

As I neared the beast, willing my stomach back where it belonged, the old dragon inclined his head in my direction once again. His eyes were wet and bright, his mouth slightly ajar to accommodate his labored breathing.

Grim was enjoying himself.

I took my seat just behind Nogel, as before, but Minkin chose to sit in front of Sweetie, leaving the space between us available for Tearloch. And she had the nerve to act like she hadn’t done it intentionally.

I wanted him close. I wanted to feel his arms around me. But I wanted it too much. As soon as they got word of Huxor’s whereabouts, I’d be forgotten again. I’d already had a good taste of that disappointment, and I didn’t want another helping.

Did I?

I half-wished he'd move to the rear, with the guards, so my heart would be out of reach…

Too late. A small chill ran up my spine as he settled in behind me and attached his rig to the seat. The rush repeated when the old dragon stood, jostling us briefly before leaping off the ground, and my heart soared into the sky when Tearloch’s strong arms held me steady.

Damn, but I was in trouble.

We were high in the sky and well into the familiar rhythm when the pressure of his arms around my nightcoat disappeared. I pulled the coat tighter to keep the freezing wind from slipping inside my clothing and sliding along my skin.

A fresh wave of chills raced along my neck when he leaned close to speak in my ear. "If it's true that you've lived all your life in Redstone Canyon, then Ristat's climate will shock you. You will want warmer clothing."

If? If I’d lived all my life in the canyon? If I wasn’t lying…

At that moment, I felt Demius’ absence more acutely than ever. Though I'd been fairly lonely all my life, I admitted that I'd never been alone, that I was lucky to have had family, such as it was. And that I would never be so lucky again.

I guess I wanted someone who knew me well to stand up for me, to tell them all I was honest and loyal, that I had integrity, that I…was worthy of love.

No! That wasn’t right! I shouldn’t need to have someone else vouch for me. And I was done trying to prove myself to anyone. I’d given up my quest for vengeance, and I’d asked them for nothing. I’d askedhimfor nothing.

Weary of the wind whipping across my face, I loosened my nightcoat around my shoulders, then lifted it up over my head before pulling it tight again. After I was comfortable once more, Tearloch pulled me back against him. When I tried to resist, he barked at me to sleep. I considered explaining that I wouldn’t need rest for a long while, but that would require me to come out of my cocoon.

Instead, I inhaled deeply and tried to relax. The wind outside the thick cloth seemed far away. The lift and fall of the beating wings lulled me to sleep despite myself.

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