Page 61 of Mantle

“You were turned on.”

I blinked backto the immediate after recalling that night and found Kai smirking up at me as he now sat on the top step of the gazebo. “Fond memories, hmm?”

“That’s one way of putting it.” I sighed as I walked to him and settled on the top step beside him. “A lot has changed since then.”

He tucked me into his side. “It certainly has. All positive for you?”

“When it comes to the three of you, yes. No question.”

“External circumstances notwithstanding… are you happy, Ari?”

I looked at him, noting the vulnerability in his question. “Yes,” I said, smiling. “So very happy with our foursome. It means everything to me.”

“Me too.”

I eased away and turned to face him head-on. “And because of that, I can’t just let what was done to Vorzyr go. ButIamwilling to listen. Because you asked it of me.”

“There’s something larger at play.”

“I’m listening.”

“Cornelius knows what happened—what was done to V, and what I did to pull him out.”

I sat up ramrod straight. “What?”

“He’s been working to remove Zepharion and Serapha from power for years, but he hasn’t been able to obtain incontrovertible proof of their tyranny—of the crimes they committed against their own people. It’s all been covered up far too well. Until now. What they did to Vorzyr has turned the tide. And it’s the final nail in the coffin of their fucked-up reign. Theywillfall for this. But it has to be done carefully.”

“So, me heading off just now to raise hell—”

“Would’ve most definitely fucked all of that up, yeah.”

I cursed.

“It’s okay. You calmed and you stopped to listen. That’s what matters.” He took my hands in his. “Cornelius has a contact within the Dracoryn Realm. He will be reaching out to Vorzyr. Carefully, as I’ve emphasized. Because ousting the current rulers cannot happen alone. Things need to be in place at the precise time to fill the power vacuum or all-out war will break out. You know how dragons are when they sense weakness.AndV didn’t reveal this part because he’s still processing it himself, but there’s a baby involved.”

“A baby?”

“His unborn brother.”

“Oh my God.”

“Yeah. So he needs to be safeguarded through all of this as well.”

“Has Vorzyr said anything about his brother?”

“Not really. His focus where he’s concerned at this point is protecting him from his parents.”

“He doesn’t want him to suffer as he did. Of course. An innocent baby, too.” I shoved my hand through my hair. “This is so much, so heavy for him to absorb.”

“Well, he took a big step with revealing it. Let Nyx lay the groundwork. He’s very good with this sort of thing. Then you and I will be there for him as well. He has support in us. He knows it and he’s now drawing on it.”

I grasped his arm and sank into him. “Thank you for stopping me, Kai.”

“Thank you for being so determined and fierce in wanting to fight for us.”

“We all fight for each other, right?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, we do. I’m just learning that there’s a time and a place, a right way and a wrong way in which to conduct said fight.”

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