Page 92 of The Last Dragon
A gentle screech echoes in the air—Sarga swirling in the night sky, watching over me. I feel safe with her. We have a bond that can never be broken. I have Kayus to thank for that.
The breeze carries a faint aroma of fresh grass. My shoulders rise, and my heart flutters in my chest, as if coming back to life again. I glance behind me and find amber eyes peeking through the window frame.
“Raumen said you’d be here,” Nida says, climbing onto the roof.
“Did he?” I smile, watching her come closer. “I feel betrayed.”
“Well,” she grunts, sitting slightly away from me, “not without some convincing.” Raumen knows I prefer this place alone, but I don’t mind him telling her about it.
“I spoke with Eryca today,” she says, hugging her knees. “You know, after everything.”
“Is she alright?” I ask.
Nida nods. “She’s strong. But I’m sure there’s a lot of questions in her head right now.”
I press my lips together, and thoughts become louder in my head. Why were they so quick to assume it was Eryca? Dozens of people help Ligerion craft bolts. It’s not evidence—it’s convenience. As far as I can tell, she’s innocent. And I won’t let them use her as a scapegoat.
“I can’t begin to imagine what she must be going through,” Nida says, her eyes on the drip edge.
“She’s safe now,” I say. “I’ll make sure of that.”
“She cursed under her breath three times before she said she was grateful you stepped in.” A warm chuckle escaping her.
“That must’ve left a bad taste in her mouth,” I say, a smile gently pulling at my cheeks.
“I hope they find the bastard who did it.”
“I hope so, too.”
The silence stretches for a while, the breeze cooling down my warm skin, bringing a soft aroma of soil and rain and sand. This place should give me peace, but for some reason, with Nida here, I can’t fully relax. It’s as if I’m anxious instead.
“It’s peaceful here,” Nida finally says, breaking the silence.
“I come here to clear my thoughts.” I gaze at torches flickering of soldiers patrolling the grounds.
“I can see why.” She says. “I might join you more often. Reminds me of the nights back in the village. It’s somewhat serene here with you.”
“I thought you couldn’t stand being three feet near me.” I scoff. She buries her head in her arms, her long, wavy hair cascading everywhere, like liquid fire spilling over her shoulders.
She peeks up. “Oh, I can’t,” she says with a smile. “That’s what you get for not showing up for eight years.”
“I’m sorry about that,” I say, guilt roughening my voice.
“I know why you did it,” she says, blowing a curl out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. “I would’ve done the same if I thought it’d keep people safe.”
I sigh. “Eight years is a long time.”
She shuffles her feet. “Not long enough to make me forget about you.”
I trace her lips with my gaze, then flick to her eyes before returning to her lips again. A gasp gets stuck in my throat, and a subtle ache appears in my chest, disappearing just as quickly. A feeling so familiar yet so distant. Unwanted. But at the same time, I don’t want that feeling to stop. I catch another glimpse of her eyes.
Shit.
I’m staring.
I look away, rubbing the sole of my boot against the rough tile in an attempt to break the silence. I swallow hard before clearing my throat.
“To be honest,” I say quietly. “I thought you would’ve heard about me in the Front.”
