Page 51 of Queen of Whispers and Mist

The mention of monsters had everyone’s smiles fading.

“Howareyou here, Sebastian? What happened to Loren?”

“It’s a long story. Just get me down before they get back.”

“They?”

“The men with the dragons.”

“Did you saydragons?”

“What else would you call giant winged lizards that breathe fire?”

“Drakes,” Bronn said, his expression somber. “Dragons haven’t roamed these skies in centuries, but drakes—their smaller but just as fierce cousins—are still spotted from time to time near The Crags. They and their riders have quite the reputation for preying on those stupid enough to venture into the Savage Pass.”

“I guess it wasn’t that long of a story after all,” Bast muttered before adding in a much more indignant manner, “And those fuckers were the size of a house with scales the size of dinner plates. I’d hardly call them small.”

“A dragon would be the size of a castle,” Bronn returned.

Bast let out a derisive snort. “Well. Whatever they’re called, I do not much enjoy the thought of being their next meal. As it is, I’m sure to be haunted by their glowing yellow eyes and tree trunk-sized fangs for the rest of my hopefully long life. So would you please. Get. Me. Out.” Each desperate word was punctuated with the rattle of the cage door.

“Your friend has quite the gift for embellishment,” Caly murmured.

“You have no idea,” Ronan said with a heartfelt sigh.

“He’d make an excellent bard.”

“Don’t encourage him.”

Drawing on his Earth power, Ronan grasped the bars in his hand and pulled once, hard. The barricade snapped free as easily as twigs from a branch. Instead of jumping down to the ground, Sebastian threw himself at Ronan, grabbing onto him with all four of his limbs.

“I’m never leaving you again,” he fervently cried.

Shadow’s chuckles grew louder as she came to stand beside them. “Shall we leave you two alone?”

“Look, Shadow, I found a new target for your dagger,” he answered dryly.

“My lady Shadow, what a pleasure to see you again,” Sebastian said, all simpering charm despite the fact he still clung to Ronan like a damned monkey.

There was a flash of panic in Shadow’s eyes Ronan was starting to recognize as the sign she didn’t remember. Her memory loss had been an issue for her even before his reappearance in her life. How many times had she woken up unsure how she’d gotten there or run into someone claiming to know her with no idea as to the circumstances of their meeting? No wonder she greeted everyone with suspicion and kept most at arm’s length. It had to be easier than the alternative.

“I don’t believe you two have been formally introduced,” he interjected, coming to her rescue in a way she seemed to appreciate, if the relief he read in her face was any indication. “Shadow, this is Sebastian Jean-Rene Villehardouin of Colvers—”

“Ronan,” he gasped with delight, squeezing even harder. “You remembered!”

Ronan glowered at the top of the blond man’s head, his voice cooling considerably, “—a consummate thorn in my side.”

“That makes him my dearest friend and new idol.”

Sebastian beamed at her. “I knew you were a woman whose taste would live up to her exquisite beauty. Please, call me Bast.”

Ronan snarled softly and shoved Bast off, nearly sending him toppling onto his arse. Only some quick footwork and the flailing of his arms kept the bedraggled fop from losing his balance. “Not my best dismount, but I suppose under the circumstances it can be excused,” he mumbled, much to the others’ amusement. Then he let out a soft wail. “These breeches are ruined. Ruined!”

Continuing with the introductions, Ronan gestured to the three sailors. “Bast, allow me to introduce you to Captain Calypso No Beard, previously of the pirate shipRevenge, her quartermaster Bronn, and their boson Jagger.” Buttercup gave an irritated chirp. “And his protector, Buttercup,” Ronan added, using Shadow’s term for the finch.

Sebastian, still sulky about his mud-splattered trousers, glared at Ronan over his shoulder before sweeping into his deepest bow. “Enchanté, mes nouveaux amis.”

Bronn and Jagger didn’t seem to appreciate Sebastian’s courtly charm any more than Ronan did. As one, they stepped in front of their captain. She let out a husky chuckle, then peered over the wall of their shoulders.

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