Caterina adds my bark to the pot and stirs. “When I interpreted Mother’s prophecy, I thought you were the dragon. This changes everything.”
“Funny thing about prophecies, everyone seems to have their own interpretation. Did you know that the king of the Rivertoads is half witch and has a gift for seeing the future?”
Her hand keeps stirring, but Catarina’s expressiongoes slack, her complexion paling by a few degrees until her lips turn ashen.
“Can I see the dragon?” Karyl asks, staring absently into her berries. “Alive or not, will it let me touch it? Does it obey you? Does it have to eat?”
I turn to her and smile my first genuine smile since arriving here. Karyl is the most unguarded person in this room, and right now, there is nothing I appreciate more than her authentic nature. “They think for themselves because my ancestors embody the flesh, and yes, they eat and drink. Physically, they are a living, breathing dragon, just with some magical qualities. They can even blow fire.”
“The dragon breathes fire!” Karyl’s eyes pop. “Holy gods above and below, Eloise, you are truly a powerful witch.”
“When we’re done here, I’ll introduce you to Phantom,” I promise.
“Oh well, you’ll have to. I imagine we’ll be riding together back to Aendor.”
I stop what I’m doing. Did I hear her correctly?
Nyxadora’s knife clangs against her cutting board. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m returning with Eloise to help the rebellion. You heard what she said. They need every citizen to fight. That includes us.”
“You are no warrior, Karyl,” Nyx snaps.
“I’m no witch either, but here we are.” She holds up her mortar and pestle. “I am a royal, a princess of Stygarde. That title is a privilege but also a responsibility. My people count on me to fight for them, and I won’t stay up here in this snow-covered tower while they get slaughtered on my behalf.”
Nyxadora turns to me. “Eloise, tell her she will be of no help to you. She can’t even hold a sword. She’ll only be in the way.”
“I’ll tell her no such thing,” I say. “This rebellion is composed of more than just warriors, and we can use all the help we can get. In fact…”Here goes nothing.“…even the Rivertoads have joined us.”
“What?” Agitation heats Nyxadora’s voice, and if I didn’t know better, I’d guess she could breathe fire as well.
“We have formed an alliance with the Rivertoads. They will be fighting on our behalf.”
“Including their king?” Catarina asks softly.
“Yes. Their king has committed the full force of his people to helping us take back Stygarde.”
“You can’t trust them, Eloise. They will turn on you as swiftly as they will take their next breath,” Nyx warns.
I shake my head. “He won’t. He can’t. We are bound.” I slide up my sleeve and show her the Rivertoad mark. But while Nyx simply sneers in disgust, Catarina actually gasps. She drops the spoon into the cauldron and races from the room.
“You will not join the rebellion,” Nyx says to Karyl through her teeth as I chase Catarina from the kitchen. I find her in her bedroom, with one hand on her heart and the other gripping the edge of a chest of drawers.
“Why does my bond with the Rivertoad king upset you, Catarina?”
Her breathing is labored, and her eyes are closed. “What did he look like?”
“Who? Jaqual?”
“Jaqual? That’s his name?”
“Yes. Uh, he’s tall, ropy, tight curls of black hair, violet eyes, a constant smirk.”
She laughs, her own lips tugging into a smile.
“Why? How do you know Jaqual, Catarina? Why are you so interested?”
She cups a hand over her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. “I had no idea he survived.”
