Adrissu wondered briefly if the “we” was in reference to all dragonkind, or if Naydruun had found their mate again—it would be quite fast, and their mate would be particularly young now if so. But they were not friends, even after everything, so he set the parchment aside and did not reply.
He thought this would be the last that he had to worry about dragon slaying weapons for a long while, but it was only a few months later when Pollux came storming into the tower hours before he was due to be home that day. As he called for Adrissu, there was an unmistakable edge of panic in his voice.
“What’s going on?” Adrissu asked, startled, as he came hurrying down the stairs. Pollux stood in the middle of the ground floor, looking up at him with an expression that was somehow both defeated and full of righteous fury; and he held up a parchment that was clenched in his hands for Adrissu to see. Adrissu took it gingerly when he reached the bottom of the stairs, reading it quickly.
The Newest Technology from Blackthorn Studios—Autreth’s premiere developer of magical weapons
Blackthorn Studios is pleased to announce the development of the DRAGONSLAYER CANNON
Dragons have had dominion over the land of Autreth for far too long. Now, humans can FIGHT BACK and DEFEND THEIR CITIES using the latest defense system from Blackthorn Studios
Units are limited. Priority given to locations with known dragon infestations. Please express interest in equipping YOUR CITY with this world-changing technology by writing to the address below:
“What is this?” Adrissu muttered, frowning as he read it over. “A dragonslayer cannon?”
“I’m so sorry,” Pollux choked out. When Adrissu looked back up at him, his face was red and his brows furrowed tightly together, as if it were taking every ounce of strength not to weep. “I hate that they’ve continued with this. That fucking—that fucking red dragon—killing it is all they think about, because killing dragons was all I could think about. And now—now Willow wants one.”
“What?” Adrissu exclaimed, fear creeping at the edges of his consciousness. It was an unfamiliar feeling—it had been a very long time since he had felt truly afraid.
“That’s how I found out about this,” he muttered in response. “They sent it to her. I’m sure all the Lord Representatives are getting the same letter. She approached me about what I thought it was, if I would make something like it for her—I refused, of course. But Adrissu, she wants to hunt down Zamnes and kill him. She wants to make sure there are no dragons anywhere near Polimnos so she can, I don’t know, be a hero and secure her position for the Elafaer family permanently.”
“I… I see,” Adrissu said faintly, sitting down on the stairs. “Well. It would be in Zamnes’ best interest not to show his face around Polimnos again then, I suppose.”
“Can you do that?” Pollux urged, sounding utterly broken. “Can you just... be Adrissu forever, for the rest of all time?”
“Forever?No. But for a long while still? I think my time in Polimnos would need to draw a close sooner rather than later, but perhaps,” he sighed, leaning back, but Pollux shook his head.
“Polimnos is your home,” he said, sitting down next to him. “You shouldn’t have to leave. I don’t want you to have to leave.”
“My home is with you,” Adrissu answered. “Polimnos is nice, but I care more about being with you. That’s all that matters.”
Pollux was quiet for a long while after that, thinking. Adrissu’s pounding heart began to subside, but still he watched Pollux with equal parts curiosity and uncertainty.
“When I finish this,” he said, his golden-brown eyes flicking upward to meet Adrissu’s gaze. “When I finish the shield, I think... I’ll be ready. I don’t want to wait any longer. I want to do the soul transference.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ittookamomentfor Adrissu to process what Pollux had said to him.
“You’re—you’re sure?” he stammered. “Pollux, these people are making a real push at killing dragons. Are you sure you want to do this now? It’s alright to wait longer. We can let all this die down first. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
To his utter shock, Polluxlaughed. It was a single humorless bark of a laugh, but still it was the last thing Adrissu expected.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Pollux answered. “If you have to leave Polimnos, we’re leaving together. And the more I think about waiting, the more I’m sure I don’twantto wait any longer. Adrissu, I’ve told you how miserable this all is—these memories rattling around in my head. Maybe being a dragon will make it easier. Even if it doesn’t, though, it will ensure we can’t be separated. I’m tired of that too. I’m ready for all of this to just be over.”
Adrissu stared at him for a long moment, heart pounding. He had wanted this for so long that the realization it was nearly within his grasp was almost unfathomable. He had thought it would happen with Kian, yes, but it had been all in such a desperate rush that he barely had time to think about it finally, actually happening. All the years of waiting and studying and wondering were going to be over.
“Adrissu,” Pollux said, sounding alarmed. He stepped closer to Adrissu and took his face into his hands, his thumbs swiping under Adrissu’s eyes—and Adrissu realized he had started to cry.
His eyes prickling with shame, he turned away to wipe his face dry. “I’m fine, it’s—yes, if you’re sure.”
“Are you alright?” Pollux asked, sounding uncertain. Adrissu managed to laugh.
“Yes,” he said. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me. A mix of being eager and nervous, I suppose. Yes, when you’ve finished the shield. We can do it then. I have a basic plan, but I’ll start working out the details now as best as I can.”
Pollux’s eyes flickered across Adrissu’s face, considering him with an inscrutable expression. Finally, he leaned closer and kissed Adrissu gently on the lips.
“Don’t get soft on me now,” he murmured, and again Adrissu laughed.
