Page 59 of Dragon Valley
“Of course,” I grinned a little too broadly before following him back to his camp.
He said nothing as he lifted a large book from a pile and flipped through its pages. When he stopped, he pointed to an animal on a page and held the book out to me. “Have you ever seen that bird before?”
I recognized the grey-feathered bird immediately. “Yes, we have them in the valley. They’re a popular snack for baby dragons when they’re first learning to fly. We called them palomas.”
His mouth twitched into a smirk as he closed the book gently. “We have some in the aviary at home. Did you know they can be used to send messages?”
My mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“Yes.” He licked his lips and I tried not to stare.
“If we use these birds to communicate, I can let you and the rebels know what’s going on from the other side.”
“That would be amazing,” I breathed. “But how do the birds know where to go?”
“We’re not exactly sure. I haven’t had the chance to dissect their brains yet.” He rubbed his chin. “All we know is they are incredibly reliable if we send them to fly in a certain direction where there is another flock. So all I need to do is attach a message to its leg, and send it off in the direction of Dragon Valley.” He pointed on the horizon. “Southwest.”
“And I would send one back northeast?”
“Yes, make sure you put my full name on it so no one else reads it. Lord Ignazio Vincenzo of Belux.” He looked uncomfortable as he breathed his whole title. “I’ll send you one shortly. It should arrive a few days after you and Caden get back.”
I nodded and bit my lip, unsure how best to say goodbye.
“Thank you. For everything,” I breathed.
He broke into a smile as bright as the sun. “My pleasure, Nadiyah. It was my dream to meet a real dragon and you made that possible.” He lowered his eyes, his dark eyelashes sweeping across his cheekbones. “I hope this isn’t the last time we meet.”
“Me too,” I said sincerely, my pulse quickening. “Please be careful. I hate to think of the consequences if you get caught.”
“I will, but whatever happens, the risks are worth it,” he said in a low whisper. “They’re absolutely worth it.”
“Take care, Zio,” I said, walking away slowly, reluctantly. “Until next time.”
He gave me a final smile and a small wave. “Until next time, Nadiyah.”
Dusa and Caden were ready and waiting patiently. I climbed onto my dragon for the first time in days and carefully helped Caden up behind me. His breath hitched with Dusa’s push off the ground but once airborne, he began breathing normally.
“We can send messages back and forth with birds,” I explained as we began to coast. “He’ll be able to give us inside information.”
“That’s good,” Caden mused but didn’t elaborate. I knew he felt the small sparks of chemistry between me and Zio, and my confusion surrounding them. Caden didn’t feel angry or jealous, but quiet and observant. I leaned my head back on his shoulder, silently grateful for his trust and patience.
Zio and I barely knew each other, but I already felt like I would miss him. Despite our wildly different upbringings, he felt like a kindred spirit. Like me, he had a thirst for knowledge, a curiosity about the world. While born in a position where he could travel freely, he still explored worlds and ideas through books.
That said nothing to the fact that he risked his life by helping the people his kingdom was killing. And he saved Caden, which I would always be grateful for.
The dragon’s heart lives in four bodies.I couldn’t shake that phrase from my head, despite feeling utterly clueless as to what it meant.
As I looked to the horizon, I only hoped Azel would have the answers.
23
NADIYAH
“Where is everyone?”
I rubbed my dry eyes and scanned the ground below again. The rebel army’s tents remained standing, although their campfires hadn’t been lit recently. And not a soul was around, not even the sickest and most injured I’d seen.
“Captain Aron must have ordered a full march, although that doesn’t make any sense,” he mused. “Not so soon.”
