Page 129 of The Last Dragon
The slow beat of her heart pulses against my leg, and my mind brings forth the memory of her lips on mine once more. I want to stay here forever if the world lets me. Just sit here and pretend that the hard things—decisions, promises, loss—don’t exist outside this room. That if I keep holding her, nothing else can touch us. That the world might forget us here. But the truthsettles like a weight in my chest. Grogol will be looking for us—hewon’t forget us.
Another memory surfaces—Raumen’s voice, low and rough and kind, echoing around the campfire, reminding me that feelings like this—hope,love—are what keep us going. I hope he’s right. I think he’s right. Iwanthim to be right. Because this feeling—this burning, aching, overwhelming thing blooming in my chest—it’s the only thing I never want to shut off again.
CHAPTER 45
The next morning, Nida practices standing. Hours later, she practices walking. Her leg still stings, but Cashmere says it will heal. Cashmere really put in a lot of work with the stitches, and I’m unsure where he learned it. But I don’t question him. I extend my thanks to Cashemere, but he shrugs and says he hopes I’ll return the favour—whenever that may be.
I know we can’t stay here forever, but Valous is surprisingly generous in letting us rest a while longer.You owe me,he said. Nida doesn’t trust him. I can’t say I do either. But for now, I’m fine with accepting his help as long as it keeps her alive. After two nights, I decide it’s the perfect time to ask him if he knows something—anything about the Third. He’s a snitch after all.
“Whenever I conduct business such as this, I usually get something first,” Valous says, leaning against the doorframe after I proposed the idea of exchanging information. “Besides, you owe me that much. And more.”
“Name your price,” Nida blurts, determination in her voice. She’s looking better, but I try not to let her strain herself more. She’s been pacing and attempting to run. Luckily, her wound hasn’t opened up.
“Ah, not so fast, sweetheart. You’re withhim, and he normally doesn’t come asking questions. Let alone ask for help. If you want anything more from me, he’ll have to share something first.” A wicked, confident smile grows on his face. “That’s the deal with information trade.”
“Are you kidding me?” Nida snaps.
“Not happening, Valous,” I hiss.
“You know what I want,” he drawls.
“I saidnot happening. I’m not telling you what happened at the Gate. You weren’t there. Those that wereknow.” I can’t believe he’s using this moment to extort me. I owe him for helping me—for helping us. But I’m not telling him anything. Ever. Not him, not anyone else. Though he doesn’t seem too disappointed when I refuse. It’s as if what he wants is something entirely different.
He sucks on his teeth, his smile fading to a stone-cold mask in an instant.
“Bitter,” he says, and in seconds the smile reappears. “Well then, trade declined, try again next time!” He shoves his hands in his pockets and leans a bit forward. “Oh! And don’t forget to pay for your nights and the extra treatment we’ve given you.”
Nida jumps, nearly giving me a heart attack. Her stitches haven’t healed. I reach to grab her, but my fingers curl over thin air.“Listen, you,” she says, pulling out a knife, inching toward him. Did she steal that from the kitchens? I try to say her name, but I’m cut off. “I’ll shove this through your throat if you don’t tell us everything you know.”
Valous raises his hands, his gaze flicking between her, the knife, and her leg.
“Hm,” he clicks his tongue. “Threats double the price.”
“What?!”
“Now I’ll need something from you, too.” His smile grows larger.
“Alright, Valous.” I sigh. “I’ll talk.”
Nida turns to me. “What?”
“But not about the Gate,” I say, then my eyes flick to Nida. “And you need to sit down.”
She glares at me—as ifshe’sthe one trying to protectme.
“Nida,” I say gently, and she slowly removes the knife from Valous’ throat and places it on the table. He backs away two steps. I reach for her curls, now wilder than ever, tucking them behind her ear, flashing a smile for a second. “I don’t know for how long I can take you standing on that leg without feeling like you’re about to collapse. Just sit.”
She nods, squeezing my hand, and I help her sit down. When I look back at Valous, his eyes flick between Nida and me, eyebrows raised. But he doesn’t question.
“Have you seen a dragon other than a Redsnout?” I ask, eyes burning into him.
He blinks a few times, then scoffs. “Uh, yeah? First year, second year.”
“During your timehere.”
He pauses. “No? What are you—”
“There’s more than one dragon,” I say. “And there could be far more. Hundreds.”
