Page 105 of The Last Wish of Bristol Keats
What new hell is this?” Quin shouted.
There was a break in the onslaught, and the others turned. In the distance, two huge, shadowy figures swooped through the sky, long tails trailing behind them. Their enormous pointed wings banked, and the creatures dove, the scales on their backs reflecting the sun.
Cosette gasped. “Fucking dragons.”
“Avydra,” Dalagorn said, his thick ogre lip twisting. “The smaller ones.”
“But big enough to swallowyouwhole,” Quin assured him. “First, they’ll roast you.” He hissed. “How many more beasts can we take on? Especially ones that size.”
Melizan squinted. “Look,” she said. “Look closely at those small shadows around them. They’re hunting an incoming regiment.Of Fomorians. I think they’re helping us.”
“God, I’ve missed this. Never thought I’d say that,” Kierus said.
“It’s a surprise to me too,” Tyghan grunted as he halved a hyagen.
Their horses had come, and Tyghan and Kierus fought side by side with other sky fighters, Perry, Sloan, and Jarvis nearby. Sloan had only briefly raised his brows. Kierus was fierce and holding his own, making as many kills as the rest of them, so for now, he was on their side, and nothing else mattered.
“I’m sorry,” Kierus said after they dispatched another restless dead. “I should have thought of another way. I’m sorry I made a bad choice. A frightened choice.”
“I know. I saw your painting.”
“But in some ways, it was a good choice too.”
“In some ways, yes,” Tyghan reluctantly agreed.
“She is smart, Bristol.”
“I know.” It seemed that was all Tyghan could say. And discussing thisnow, of all times? While they were fighting for their lives? He couldn’t understand, but it felt good. Good to have something back, maybe something that could never be lost or destroyed.
They spoke between dives, dodges, and stabs, their words punctuated by the heavy breaths and grunts of battle.
“You love my daughter?”
“Completely.”
“You’d do anything for her?”
“Is this an interview? Now?”
Kierus laughed. “Sounds like it.”
“Anything.”
“Then you know. You know what it’s like. Bank right!”
Yes, Tyghan thought.I know.
A huge piece of carcass fell between them.
“You like it?”
“Like what?”
“The painting.”
“Likeisn’t the right word. I hate it. But it’s good.”
“I hate it too. Its why I have to keep painting it. I’m sorry,” he said again.
