Page 61 of Dragon Valley
“I know, but—”
“Relax, lion girl.” Azel’s voice seemed to instantly soothe me like a balm on my nerves, despite his use of my childhood nickname to tease me. “I’ll explain everything.”
Caden settled in on the floor beside me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. Soothing waves of comfort radiated off of him too and I allowed myself to relax a little. Azel took his place across the fire from us right as Daela and a few other girls came in with trays of food.
“What would you like to know about first?” Azel asked once we all had a chance to start digging in. “About me, the army, orus.”
“Start at the beginning, I guess,” I suggested. “You obviously didn’t die.”
His cocky smirk returned. “Actually I did, Nadi. Azel died and was reborn. I’m no longer the same person as before.” He took a bite and washed it down with a gulp of mead. “The Dragon God taught me to See with His eyes.” His irises flared bright yellow before fading back to red. “I see through the eyes of all His children, the dragons.”
“All?” I repeated. “Dusa too?”
He nodded. “It was me who opened the bond between Dusa and Caden. And from Caden to you.”
“You knew,” I realized. “You knew how Caden and I felt about each other.”
“I told you, Nadi,” he scolded playfully. “Love the sky, don’t fight it.”
I looked at Caden, suddenly understanding. “Did I ever tell you what we say about people with blue eyes?” He shook his head and I smiled, reaching for his hand. “The Dragon God kissed their eyelids when they were born. That’s why they have the sky in their eyes.”
He wrapped his fingers around mine and looked to Azel, who didn’t appear fazed.
“You warned me about Myra, too,” I went on. “And told me Ignazio was trustworthy.”
“Time is an interesting thing,” Azel mused. “I’ve since learned that it’s not exactly linear. At least, the Dragon God doesn’t see it that way. I’ve been able to see things that have not yet come to pass. Like when the dragon’s heart will live in four bodies.”
I blinked. “I don’t understand.”
He smiled. “You will.”
“Your father,” I asked, my voice cracking slightly. “When did he pass?”
“The morning I returned, a few days ago,” he answered. “His mind held on for as long as it could. I told him of my return and then he finally said goodbye and let go.” His spine straightened as he sucked in a breath. “The funeral pyre is still smoking if you would like to make an offering.”
“I will,” I said solemnly.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Caden added. “From what little I knew, he was a good man. I wouldn’t be here,” he squeezed my hand, “if not for him.”
“There is no loss, he is part of the sky now. My father is home.”
Caden nodded and cleared his throat. “The army?”
“Ah yes, probably the most important piece of news.” Azel trained his fiery eyes on him. “I saw a wave of gold, blue, and blood heading straight for the valley. Four days ago, the royal army began marching upon us. I shared this vision with Captain Aron. He’s leading the rebel army to meet them.”
“So soon?” Caden protested. “The soldiers aren’t ready. We have so many injured—”
“They were in fighting shape not long after you left, my brother,” Azel assured. “Remember, the valley is infused with the magic of the Dragon God. He accelerated their healing because He knew your soldiers would be needed to defend His home soon.”
“But we’re still outnumbered and need better training.” Caden raked his fingers through his hair, the panic evident on his face. “They could decimate us.”
Azel only smiled. “That’s why I sent every Dragon Rider in the valley out to support them.” He turned to me. “And you Nadi, crippled their biggest weapon when you saved Caden.”
“The dragon ice,” I realized.
“Correct. The mercenaries were going to rendezvous with the royal army while transporting massive amounts of it to use against us. But Dusa destroyed their supply.”
“By the Gods,” Caden breathed. “We’ll finally have the upper hand. By a long shot. This… this could end everything.”
