Page 85 of Silver Claws, Crimson Tears
—You used your power on the Commander. And on Silas and Cragmere before,Zephyros’s voice slides into my mind like cool water.Good. I am glad to see you use your Weaver abilities. They are not something to be afraid of.
—Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’d be executed for them.
His massive wings beat steadily beneath me as we follow Indrax through a bank of clouds.—I have told you. There was a time when Weavers were as common as breathing in Embernia.Your kind made Skyriders and dragons more powerful. The realm was stronger for it.
I snort, adjusting my Tethers subconsciously.—Then why criminalize us?
—Men fear what they cannot control.
Looking ahead at Voltguard’s rigid form, I consider what it would be like to never hide again. To reach out with my mind freely, to connect with other dragons, other humans.
—It still feels wrong to use my abilities with anyone but you,I admit.
We go over the western limits on Emberton, starting to fly over houses and streets.
—Speaking of other dragons...I hesitate.Do you think Fragor would leave with Vaylen if he broke his oath?
Zephyros’s thoughts darken, a storm brewing beneath his mental surface.—Of course not. Fragor is a coward who forgets our alliance with humans does not mean we have to serve blindly. Heratrix made us vow to protect Embernia, true.
I wait for a moment, then ask him something I’ve asked before, hoping he doesn’t dismiss me again.—What happened between you two, Zephyros?
His silence speaks volumes.
—You know everything there is to know about me. It’s only fair you share your history with me.
—Later,he promises as we make our final approach to Castle Stonefall.First, we learn what the King wants, then we face him if we must. Because I will die before I let them hurt you.
I sense the certainty in his tone and also how hard it is for him to let me do this, to allow me to risk it all for a chance at the life I once imagined for myself. Though perhaps that’s nothing but a dream now, and I should stop chasing it.
30
Rhea
Castle Stonefall looms ahead, its gray spires piercing the sky like talons. We’re close enough now that I can make out the palace guards patrolling the battlements, tiny figures in royal blue.
Suddenly, movement catches my eye. Six dragons burst from the dense woods surrounding the castle grounds, climbing rapidly to intercept us. They form a perfect six-pointed star in the sky, one dragon from each elemental power: brown, yellow, blue, gray, silver, and red.
“What in Heratrix’s name?” I mutter, tensing in my Tethers.
“Royal escort,” Voltguard calls back to me, her voice carrying on the wind. “Just follow my lead.”
The dragons move with practiced precision to surround us, three on each side. Their riders wear the distinctive blue of the King’s personal guard. I catch the cold stare of a Skyforge to my left, his hand resting on his sword hilt.
My heart hammers against my ribs. This is no honor guard. It’s a warning.
—Look at these puny hatchlings,Zephyros scoffs in my mind.I could tear them all to pieces before they drew another breath. The red one is a coward I will have you know. That is why he is here and not in Cinderhold.
—Don’t even think about hurting them. We’re not starting a dragon fight in the King’s airspace.
—I am only saying I will. If needed.
—I know, you arrogant grump. But we need as many of your kind alive.
The thought of dragons fighting each other makes my stomach turn. We’ve lost too many already to the Screechclaws. Five dead in just the year I was gone. Meanwhile, those winged horrors seem to have an endless supply, their ranks never thinning no matter how many we kill. How do they manage? We know nothing of how they reproduce, or how long they take to reach adulthood. Incursions into their land yield no information. No sign of dwellings, breeding grounds, nothing. And venturing too far into their expansive territory only leads to loss of dragons and their riders.
Our escort tightens formation as we approach the royal landing field. I spot more guards waiting below, their armor polished to a shine. Whatever the King wants with me, he’s making damn sure I know who holds the power here.
Fine. Let him posture. He’s no more than a pompous ass. I straighten my spine and lift my chin as Zephyros begins his descent.
