Page 8 of Soul of Fire

And five pieces of bacon, three eggs, a bowl of porridge, and two buttered rolls,I corrected. It had truly been a small feast, and my stomach had nearly burst trying to force it all down. Arik had insisted, watching me intently after consuming a portion three times the size of mine.That should be more than enough to make it to lunch.

And yet, Idunn’s stomach gave a hollow rumble that I was certain I would feel in my own when we shifted.

No poaching sheep, Baldur commanded. Steam rolled off him as the rain hit his scales, and I was sure the same was happening to Idunn’s body.We will eat soon, Kjære.

What does Revna say?Arik interjected, interrupting the discussion of sheep.

It’s very difficult to think clearly with all of you invading my mind. I found it easier to keep the dragons straight if I only focused on one at a time. Or two, as both Baldur and Idunn often demanded my attention.Kindra?

She commands you to fly safely and return soon.Another pause, followed by a draconic laugh. And she loathes paperwork.

She’s grumbling about paperwork,I told my mate as I released Kindra’s thread.

Business as usual then,Arik replied, unsurprised.

And Idunn is hungry, I added as she made a pathetic whining noise that had both Sigurd and Bryndis snorting in concern.

We shall procure a sheep,Bryndis declared, her golden thread a ray of sunshine in my mind. I was realizing that each of the dragons felt distinct, like a thumbprint or a signature.

No sheep!Baldur snapped his great jaws at the other dragons in annoyance. Both fell back a pace, their heads bowed in deference. While Idunn might technically outrank him, there was no doubt among the dragons about who was in charge on this mission.

Honestly, you made it across the sea without this much complaining,I pointed out as Baldur began to descend toward the river. A dark mass of rocky cliffs was now visible in the distance, but it was difficult to make out anything else through the rain and the dark clouds that filled the sky.You can manage until lunch.

There were no sheep in the sea,Idunn grumbled.I like sheep.

Baldur led us along the river until the city came into view. Pointed roofs, wooden masts, and stone walls took shape as we sailed above the river, which wound around the western edge of a great stone outer wall before disappearing into the distance. A massive gate appeared to be the only way into the settlement, and at least a dozen ships of varying sizes were docked in the sprawling river nearby. The castle rose from a craggy hill above, encircled by a second ring of stone on which turrets faced each of the four cardinal directions.

Welcome to Hovedstaden, Kjære.

Hearthmother above. It’s huge. What are the walls for?

Defense,Arik replied.Those walls have stood since the opening of the Rift.

That long?

Longer, if my father is to be believed. Come on.

The sky seemed to grow darker as Baldur made ready to land in a mostly empty field some distance from the city wall. The few sheep present scattered as four large dragons squelched into the muddy ground.

“Ugh,” Branka winced as Bryndis shuddered and released her hold on their form. Water clung to the braids in her hair, making it shimmer as she turned her head toward my mate. “Was it necessary to land in six inches of mud? Why can’t we fly directly into the castle?”

“Drage aren’t supposed to fly directly into human settlements except during Dragejakt. Plus, I’d like to be dressed and armed before meeting the king,” Jorgen joked as he shifted out of Sigurd’s bronze scales. “Although I’ll happily watch you stalk through the city wet and naked, love.”

Branka rolled her eyes and threw a boot at him.

Baldur was still in dragon form, waiting for me, I assumed. He snorted, a great plume of steam rising from his nostrils.

After nuzzling her mate’s neck, Idunn released her hold on my body. I grimaced as I took a stumbling step forward and felt the icy mud slide between my toes.

Baldur extended a wing above me to block out the falling rain, curling his body protectively around mine. The heat roiled off him rather like a campfire, but it did little to chase away the goosebumps erupting down my arms and legs.

Alright, Kjære?Arik asked.

Fine as always.I wiped the blood from under my nose and took a breath to clear the pounding headache and dispel the usual nausea.I don’t suppose I’ll ever just get used to this?

The pack that Idunn had carried in her foreclaw was soaked through. Everything was wet except for the cloak, which had a waterproof lining. I grimaced as I dressed in the wet clothes, which clung in all the wrong places as I forced myself into them, and made a mental note to wrap everythinginsidethe cloak next time.

Get used to what?Baldur and Arik rumbled the question simultaneously. I hid a smile as they mentally argued over control of their shared body.