Page 23 of I Dream of Dragons
He’s silent for a few heartbeats, studying me, his dark gaze unfathomable. “Indeed. Pain and penance, bloodletting and the bite of the fae king.”
“The bite? What do you mean?” Wait, that rings a bell. Didn’t he mention a bite when?—?
“The king drinks Jai’s blood. Oh, you really didn’t know this.” He leans back in the saddle, that toothy smile gone. “There is much you don’t know.”
“Drinks his blood?” I backtrack one step. Two. “Like a ghost? A blood-sucking spright? Since when do the fae drink blood?”
“Crossing the gates changes you, I’m sure I heard Jai telling you this. The fae changed after crossing, and…whatare you doing?”
“What does it look like?” I turn around and lean over the edge of the platform, looking down at the frothing sea. The wind whips at my loose hair, lashing my cheeks and neck with it, molding my wet dress to my legs. “Diving back in.”
“No, you’re not. We’re not doing this. You will let me take you to the palace.”
“I already said no. Go find someone else to save. What do you care about me anyway?”
“I don’t. But Jai does.”
I go still. Sucking in a sharp breath, I turn back around. “Does he?”
He’s scowling, and even like that, even knowing it’s an Eosphor wearing Jai’s face, he’s beautiful. “I don’t have time for games, Little Human.”
“And yet here you are. You… You called memakhairearlier, when you were flying over the arena and calling out my name. Like Jai does.”
“What Jai knows, I know.”
“Not entirely true. He has said he doesn’t always know what you are saying or thinking. And I bet you don’t, either.”
“Fair enough,” he rumbles and shifts in the saddle as if this talk makes him uncomfortable.
“And what about what he feels?” I ask, not sure why I’m asking, the words escaping me before I can stop them.
“What Jai feels, I feel, too, but as an echo. As with his thoughts, I can tell what is Jai and what is myself.”
“Good to know.” I nod and turn back toward the edge. “Well, see you at the palace. Or not.”
“…Wait.”
I stop. Glance back at him, still seated on the black drak. At his narrowed gaze. “What is it?”
“Stay here.” His words are grating, as if spoken against his will. “I’ll go retrieve the flag.”
I startle. “You…” I recover quickly. “Fine. And save the remaining humans. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”
“Take it or…?” He laughs. Then throws his head back and laughs some more. “Oh, Jai.”
I lift my chin. “What are you laughing about?”
“Jai. He’s always loved obstinate women.”
“I prefer the termspirited.”
“I see. Well, I prefer it when you’re well-behaved.”
“Who says I care what you prefer?”
His mouth quirks. “I’ll be back quickly. Don’t move from the spot.”
With a cluck of his tongue and a press of his black-clad knees against black scales, he nudges the drak up into the air and they’re off before I can think of a reply.
