Page 116 of I Dream of Dragons
Fly. Who could…?Remi!Gathering my wits, I call for him.Remi, can you hear me? Remi!
“No need to yell,”his grumpy voice echoes in my mind.“I’m not mind-deaf, you know.”
It makes me smile even under the present circumstances.Where are you?
“Close to the shore, hunting.”His voice in my head changes.“Why? What’s wrong?”
I may have need of your help.
“Figures. You only call me when you’re in danger, don’t you?”
That’s unfair, I think, though maybe it isn’t.But… could you pop over?
“Over, where?”
Somewhere in the sea, close to the palace.
“Are you serious? This is a prank, isn’t it? Why would you be in the sea?”
No prank, I swear.A long pause follows in which fear grips me that he won’t come.Remi?
“I’m on my way. Stay put.”
I’m staying, I think back at him, so relieved I could cry.And thanks.
“Where are you? Wait, I see you now.”The white and gray darakin is a speck in the sky. He spirals down toward me, growing larger and larger. A lance of flame spews from his open mouth as he hisses.“What the hell happened?”
I fell from the palace. Listen, Remi… Is Keres nearby?
“I don’t keep tabs on your one-night-drak.”
Don’t be a prick, Remi. Help me out. You can’t lift me out of the water, so I need?—
“Keres, the big bad drak. I knew it. I knew you preferred him over me!”
Tears prickle the backs of my eyes.Gods, Remi. I need a means of transportation. If I sit on you, you’ll die.
“So you care if I live or die?”
Of course I do, you silly darakin.
A smug grin fills my mind.“You love me best, right?”
Best of all the darakins.
“Best of all the dragons,”he haggles.
Anywhere in the world?
“Yes, anywhere. Ever.”
Fine, I admit,then yes, I do.
“Thanks, Aethry,”he whispers in my mind and whirls around, speeding away against the blue.
Leaving me to stare after him, sinking a little, kicking my feet harder to stay afloat.
He didn’t just say that. My mind made it up because he shares my brother’s name and the mind likes to create echoes around the things we’ve lost, around their names.
