Page 16 of Risen
I nodded.That sounded like Polst.No one would tolerate him if they weren’t being paid to do so.He had made countless cringe-worthy overtures toward me over the years.And, on one memorable and amusing occasion, he had made the mistake of trying to letch on Martina.She had almost given away our game and blown our reputation as harmless, agreeable nobodies when she sliced off a couple of his fingers for touching her.
It had beenveryhard for me not to laugh at his shock and outrage.One would think a man would learn his lesson about touching without permission.But, alas, Polst was dumber than a box of rocks.
“Thank you, Corrin,” I said, preparing to end the magical connection between her mirror and mine.But she spoke again before I could close the compact mirror.
“I went by the theater,” she said, rubbing at her ear again—a nervous gesture of hers.I narrowed my eyes.I hadn’t asked for updates on my ruined nest.Just the thought of it made my gut churn with seething fury.“Sorry, I thought maybe you’d want to know—”
“No,” I snapped.“If I want information I’ll ask for it.Thank you, Corrin.”I snapped the compact shut and swallowed down a growl, a painful knot in my solar plexus.Hearing just how bad the damage was, confirming that my nest and all my treasures were destroyed, wasn’t going to help me focus on what I needed to do.And itcertainlywasn’t going to help the situation with my out-of-control dragon side.
I was so close to getting my hands on the emperor.Kill Polst, get the information from Acacia, and rain fury on the asshole who was currently using my stolen birthright magic.If I survived that then, and only then, I would let myself worry about everything else.
My plans confirmed, I checked the time again—just enough time to get ready and take in a little night air—and tucked the compact away into the messenger bag again with the few possessions I could still call my own.
We can gather another hoard,I mentally soothed the beast inside me at the reminder of our lost things.And the most valuable treasures are still with us.Our court.Our lovers and friends.
I was just pulling on a pair of leather pants and a loose tunic provided by our generous hosts when Martina knocked at the door.“Enter,” I said calmly, braiding my hair back out of my face.
She came in and froze, her brown eyes narrowing as she raked her gaze over me.“Going somewhere, princess?”she asked flatly.
I shrugged.“I’m going to kill the syndicate’s shifter king.”Finished with my hair, I looped the strap of my bag over my shoulder and across my chest and sat to tug on my boots.“Then, I thought I might get an Italian ice from the little stall that cute pixie runs down by the water.Remember the one?I think you got lemon last time.”
She growled low in her throat.“And you weren’t going totellanyone about this little outing?Maybe take some backup?”She rolled her eyes.“I’ll come with you.And Yukio or Sanka.”
I straightened and walked toward the door.“Not necessary.”
She stepped in front of me, blocking my way.“Robin.What the hell?”
I sighed and fought the urge to rub my eyes, where the headache continued to thunder away.“I don’t need help killing one mangey wolf shifter.And the more people who are involved, the greater the chance of the cult or one of Acacia’s spies catching on and following us back here to the naga.”I winked at her.“It’s a perfect night for a flight.I’ll be in and out in a flash, and you can tuck me in when I get home.”Bending, I pressed a quick kiss to her lips and booped the end of her nose with my finger before slipping around her and out the door.
A muttered, “Cocky-assed dragon,” reached my ears as I strode away.
She was right.In any other situation, backup would be a good idea.Yukio for illusion spells and stealth, Sanka for handling any magical threats, Martina for her tactical advice… But I wanted this done quickly and quietly.And with as little risk to my court as possible.
I also had a little side stop planned, and I knew Martina would have things to say about that.Boringthings.Pedantic things about safety and unnecessary risks.How dull.
The naga enclave was quieter at night than it was during daytime, but there were still quite a few people moving about the underground village.I supposed sleep schedules and natural rhythms got a little disturbed when one spent all day every day hidden underground.The handful of naga I passed on my lengthy trek to the exit all gave me polite nods, but moved on without speaking.
I was an alpha, and an outsider.Even if I tried to subdue it, they could probably sense my inborn power and recognize the predator that lived under my skin.It was impossible for me to completely hide it these days, even if I tried.And naga might be powerful shifters themselves… but they weren’t dragons.They knew I was a threat.
Once I cleared the security at the entrance, I took a moment to stand outside under the dark starry sky and draw in a few deep breaths of clean air.Not that the air was stale in the enclave, but still… I was made for prowling and flying, for great open spaces and forests.Dragons might occasionally sleep in caves, but we needed space to stretch our wings.
I jogged off into the forest, until I came to a bit of a natural clearing.No need to paint a giant “X marks the spot,” on the island by knocking down a bunch of trees right near the entrance to the naga’s lair.
Closing my eyes, I centered myself, drew on the magic in the earth and the sky and located myself in between.“This is only temporary,” I whispered sternly to the beast pushing at my chest from the inside.“Don’t get any ideas.”
I might joke, but I was mildly concerned that once I let the dragon out, she’d never revert back to human form.She was sick of being contained.
Shaking off the silly fear, I squared my shoulders, spread my feet and tilted my head back to breathe deep of the night air.Calling to the magic that was always thrumming just beneath my skin, I shifted.
My dragon form barely fit in the clearing, but it was enough.I only knocked over acoupleof trees as I launched myself into the air, the strap to my messenger bag gripped in my talons.
Spreading my wings, I soared upward, getting above the minimal cloud cover that dotted the night sky to hide my glorious form from anyone who might glance upward.Then I set a course toward the mainland.
The dark water stretched out beneath me, and the nearly full moon cast its rippling reflection as I dipped in and out of the clouds, daring to drop so low as to skim a wing tip along the top of the white-capped waves.I had needed this for some time now.Needed to feel wild, and free, and powerful.To be reminded of who I was and what I was fighting for.
Once upon a time, my clan had flown together on nights like this—adults, elders, and dragon children dancing with the moonlight between the earth and the heavens.Now I was the only dragon in the country.Even in other places across the seas, dragon populations were small and insular.Fear and prejudice had taken their toll on our numbers.
I could hardly remember the last time I flew with my clan.I was a tiny child, barely able to soar, and the elders took turns letting me perch on their backs to catch my breath between bouts of flying.
