But it’s my eyes that make my stomach drop.
I don’t recognize them.
I can’t afford to think too much about it, though. So, I shake the odd feeling off and head over to the dining room.
The moment I take my seat at Kazh’s side, a friendly monk brings me a plate full of breakfast foods. I smile, nod, and thank him before he walks away. My stomach growls at the sight of scrambled spiced tofu, baked beans, and grilled veggies.
At least my appetite is back.
Not so gracefully, I shove in a forkful of scrambled tofu and groan.
“Fuck, this is good,” I mutter before stuffing my mouth full of beans.
Sitting across from me is Ravenna. She’s almost done with her breakfast, an open book lying next to her plate. With a smirk, she nods and returns to reading.
Kazh gives me a side-eye but says nothing. She doesn’t have to, really. I can imagine all the insults that dance on the tip of her tongue about the way I’m shoving the food down my throat like a wild animal.
But I don’t care.
Once I’m almost done with my plate, Monk Ren and an unfamiliar monk approach our table.
“Good morning,” Monk Ren greets us with a smile and a nod. “Hope your first night at the monastery was pleasant.”
“Absolutely. We appreciate your hospitality, Ren,” I say.
“Our pleasure, General.” Ren looks relieved. He turns to his friend, a monk with long white hair and a matching long white beard that reaches all the way to his damn knees. There are a couple dozen beads woven into it. “I would like to introduce you to Elder Arcon, Keeper of Flame. He’ll be assisting you on your journey, General.”
I dip my chin in respect at this Elder Arcon. “Thank you.”
Elder Arcon’s eyes are wise and full of mischief. He dips his own chin and presses a fist over his heart to show respect to me. Then he says, “Walk with me, General.”
I glance back at Kazh, who gives me a flat look, and rise to my feet. Ezkai Bjorn, Ezkai Emil, and Jax do, too.
Elder Arcon doesn’t even spare them a glance. “Alone. Dragon lore is only accessible to those on the path.”
I turn to my Ezkai and Jax and nod before I follow Elder Arcon away from the table. He leads me down the winding corridors in silence. For a fae who looks ancient, he moves quickly.
I clear my throat. “May I ask where are we going?”
“Patience, General. You’ll see.”
I bristle at his humorous tone, but don’t show it. Patiently, I follow him a little longer until we finally approach an arch-shaped double door. The wood is carved with the image of two dragons locked in a dance, or a fight. It’s hard to say.
It reminds me of the image carved into the door of my war room back at the Ezkai Castle.
Elder Arcon pushes the door and it smoothly opens to reveal a massive library. I enter after him, and close the door.
The dome-shaped ceiling here has the most intricate mural. My lips part as I crane my head and try to take in every single detail of the mountains with snowy tops, majestic waterfalls, misty forest, and a number of dragons soaring through the clear blue skies, each wearing scales of different colors. It’s a peaceful mural. No open jaws, or flames spewing through them.
Elder Arcon clears his throat, drawing my attention to him. He stands farther down between two tall white oak shelves stacked with a number of heavy leather tomes, his hands neatly folded in front of him.
“What compels you to be on this path, General?”
His question is unexpected.
I frown. “They haven’t told you?”
He doesn’t blink. “They may have. But I want to hear it from you.”
