Page 123 of Crown of Briars
I dropped the stone into the scaled pouch with the others. Immediately, the scene in the mirror vanished. I marveled at what this meant. If I could command the stone to show me anyone in the realm, the possibilities were endless.
After securing the pouch, I slid Wraith Killer in my hilt, donned my cloak, and stepped onto the balcony. A fierce wind rippled around my face, and I glanced up at the darkening sky. My hand went to my amber necklace.
“Azure?”
“I’m here, Sybelle.”
“I’m in Varius’s rooms. Can you meet me?”
“I’m on my way.”
While I waited, I quickly snatched Eira’s letter from underneath my pillow and tore open the seal. I scanned the contents, making sure Eira hadn’t written anything incriminating in case the intruder who had torn apart my rooms decided to snoop in here as well.
My dearest Sibby,
What diverting and alarming news you provide! I have many questions… But first and foremost, I am desperate to know if a dutiful wife such as yourself will tend to the carnal needs of such a cranky curmudgeon. And, if so, I’m afraid I must beg you for details.
I suppressed a snort as the beating of Azure’s wings drew closer, drawing my attention to the window. I stuffed the letter back under the pillow, vowing to read it thoroughly later. A dark shape took form against the auburn sky, and I smiled at the sight of my dragon. I drew back to the doors to give her enough room to land. She gracefully planted herself in the middle of the balcony.
“What happened earlier?”she asked.“I heard you speaking to me. Something sounded… wrong.”
I quickly filled her in on everything she had missed: Warwick in the training yard, running through the Noxen Forest with Varius, him finding out about my fae abilities, and then the incident with the amber stone. I told her everything except the sordid details of my scandalous dream. She didn’t need to know that.
Azure was silent for a long time. Then, she said,“Have you used the amber stones to communicate with anyone besides me?”
“No,” I admitted. As soon as I discovered this secret way to communicate with my dragon, it became something special that only we shared. To tell someone else about it, even Gerard, seemed like I was betraying that secret side of me that no one else knew about.
“Then, I suppose we don’t have a lot of information to go off of,”she said.
Silence fell between us as we both considered this. I wondered if I could use the amber stone on others, like Enzira or Ramia.
“For the record,”Azure said, startling me from my musings,“you can tell him about me. If you wish.”
My gaze snapped to hers. “Really? You are comfortable with that?”
“I trust you, Sybelle. And you clearly trust him, if you told him about your fae magic. If you believe he poses no threat to me, then I will believe it, too.”
A mixture of warmth and unease spread through my chest, making it hard to breathe. I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond to this.
“There’s something else on your mind, isn’t there?”
Grateful for the subject change, I looked at Azure, who was still scrutinizing me. She could always read my emotions.
“I found out what the black stone can do.”
Her eyes sparked with interest.“Tell me.”
I explained how the mirror showed me things upon my request. Except, apparently, my father.
“Fascinating,”she said, her voice bright with excitement.“Can you show me?”
I swallowed hard. “I will. But right now, I need you to take me to see the rose jewel.”
A low growl rumbled in her throat.“You want to endure that agonizing pain again?”
“I think I know how to stop the ringing,” I said quickly. “But, if you prefer, you can drop me off at the edge of the woods so you don’t have to hear that again. I know your hearing is much sharper than mine. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
A thoughtful humming sound resonated in her chest.“It is true that my hearing isfarsuperior to yours, small human.”
