Page 116 of Ash

Dani shook all over. She felt as though she stood on the edge of an abyss.

The price for what he did.

With a mental howl escalating to a scream, the door exploded, and everything Tyrez had done blasted through her. But now, she also remembered the fall. The pain.

The reasons as to why he might have done it.

It all came together in a blinding flash.

“He’s exiled because hebitme?”

Razir stared at her. “What did you think it was about? He infected you with the Dragon virus, and that is forbidden, upon pain of death or exile. Fortunately for Tyrez, our mother negotiated for the exile.”

Why? Why would Tyrez do such a thing? But as the released memories flooded through her, and she knew. Sheknew.And this was all her fault.

As she struggled with the overwhelming guilt, Jacque’s hand moved closer to her. “You were dying.” The Satyr’s voice was filled with regret. “It was the only way to save you.”

Razir’s eyes flared a brilliant purple. “It was forbidden. He should have accepted it as your fate. Instead, he threw away everything he was, and what he believed in, to save you.” Rage vibrated through his voice.

Dani glared at him, but in reality, she felt like crying. Her body shook so hard it threatened to come apart. Jacques raised a hand as though he wished to comfort her, but left it suspended in midair, before lowering it again. Instead, he cleared his throat and bought her time to compose herself by addressing Razir.

“Has Taran made plans to trap the Archmage?”

Razir nodded. “We have a plan.” His gaze moved to Dani. “The Archmage wants to reclaim you. We need you to set a trap for him. When he comes for you, we will force the gate to stay open and go after him.”

Dani yanked her mind back into the game. Did these guys really want her dead? Had Tyrez negotiated this deal to keep her alive? High time she paid attention. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Razir. “Who iswe?”

“The Dragon Legion.”

Dani pushed for the parameters. “What if I don’t help you?”

“I am afraid you have little choice in this.” Razir shifted from one foot to the other. He might be angry at what his brother had done, but his body language revealed his inner conflict with the situation. “It is the condition placed upon your life. In exchange, the empire will let you live.”

Wow. Dani stared at him. If she didn’t help them, they’d kill her? Well, at least all the cards were on the table.

“She’s barely out of bed, and you’re already harassing her to risk her life for you.” Cara emerged into the clearing with a tray filled with tea and what appeared to be potstickers. “Shame on you, Razir.”

The Dragon had the grace to hang his head. “My apologies, but I thought it would be better if I brought this news rather than Taran.”

“You can tell your oldest brother that it will be a frosty day in hell before I let him set foot in my garden again.” Anger vibrated through the Watcher’s voice. “Dani’s life should not have to be a bargaining chip in his campaign against Rindek. In my books, this puts him barely a step above that damned Torshin. You Dragons have been living in the dark ages for far too long.”

A shadow swept by overhead, and Tyrez, in full-sized Dragon mode, slammed down in the dirt between Razir and Dani.

The relief Dani felt at his arrival surprised her. She told herself that it was just that she’d been worried about him. But he seemed okay. Or as okay as an exiled Legion Dragon could be.

Exiled because ofher. Her heart twisted.

“Brother,” the big Dragon greeted, but he didn’t shift to human.

It wasn’t lost on Razir. “I won’t hurt her, Tyrez. You have my word.”

The big Dragon didn’t relax. “Sshe goess nowhere withouts me. That iss the deal.”

Unexpected tears pricked Dani’s eyes as her gaze moved from one brother, to the other. Tension pulsed between them. And it was all her fault.

Razir eyed him before saying, “Yes.”

“She isn’t going anywhere until the woman can at least stand on her own two feet.” Cara slammed the tray down, sloshing tea across the small table.

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