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“I already had a talk with Vanzir about that. Smoky’s going to have to get over it. I don’t have the energy to soothe his fears. And whatever happened, there’s nothing we can do about it now. The important thing is that we pull together. I notice they’re in the same room out there and there’s been no bloodshed. That’s a good thing so far.”
I finished my sandwich and flexed my hands, except for my finger held rigid by a splint. They were about the only part of me that didn’t hurt, aside from the fractured bone. But Sharah’s salve had worked wonders, and the pain was muted. As was the queasiness and my fatigue. Whatever was in that little vial was a wonder drug as far as I was concerned.
“We have to get over to the astral and find Chase. He seems to be able to home in on my energy field—we have similar sparks in our auras and I think he’s going to end up wielding some interesting magic in the future.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Delilah cocked her head, giving me a skeptical look.
“Keeping busy is the only thing that will save my sanity right now. I can’t sit here forever, worried that Hyto is going to come barreling down on me. Come on, let’s see if Smoky can take us over with him.”
I pushed back from my chair, then stared down at my nightgown and robe. “I guess I’d better get dressed first, huh?”
She laughed, and her laughter felt good as it rang through the air. “Yeah, somehow I don’t think those are fighting clothes.”
“You said it, not me.” I forced a smile to my lips and we headed into the other room. “I keep clothes out here for when we come to stay. Hold on and I’ll be right out.”
As I entered the bedroom, I saw that Hanna was back in bed, asleep. Sharah motioned me to the side. “She’s malnourished and exhausted and has a nasty case of asthma. I’ve got her on meds, and she’ll need to rest for a couple of weeks at least.”
I nodded, quietly plundering the closet for a skirt, bustier, and jacket. I longed for my unicorn horn—until we killed Hyto, it was the only thing that might stand between me and the dragon.
As I returned to the living room, the others were gathered together, discussing the best place to approach Hyto. I motioned for Delilah to lace me up.
“Are you sure that’s wise? That corset is tight.” She pulled on the laces and I let out a gasp of pain.
“It will help. I checked with Sharah. The support will ease my bruised ribs even though it makes the lacerations on my back hurt.” I held up my hand. “Not much is going to help this little bugger but time, though.”
Being back in my own clothes, among my family, I began to relax just a little. It would take time to heal, but as I glanced around from face to face, I knew that with their help I’d be back in control sooner than later.
“Chase was stronger than I’ve ever seen him. He had no clue how he’d gotten out on the astral, but the fact is he managed it.”
Delilah let out a long sigh. “Smoky’s the only one here who can reach the astral. He can’t take all of us. If Roz were here, but he’s not . . .”
“I can take three,” Smoky said, “which means Delilah, Camille, and Trillian. Vanzir—” Here he stopped, again staring coldly at the demon.
Vanzir met his gaze, but did not challenge him. “Truce holds?”
Enough of this crap. I stood up.
“Both of you—listen to me. I don’t want to have to say this again. I’ve had enough of feeling responsible for the hostility between you. So right now, it ends. No more. No more fighting. What happened between Vanzir and me happened. It shouldn’t have, but it did. We were both injured by the aftereffects. It’s over. Done. He’s been drained of his powers, and I ended up as Hyto’s plaything. We’ve both been hurt. So, Smoky, you have to stop. You have to stop this.”
Smoky sputtered, but I shook my head. “No. Just . . . no. I want you two to shake hands and apologize to each other.”
Vanzir let out a long breath. “I don’t do apologies easily, but I am sorry for this. I’m mostly sorry to Camille—it was she whom I hurt. But Smoky, my apologies to you, too. Whatever it takes to be on the same side again.”
I turned to Smoky. “I’m waiting,” I said, tapping my boot. I’d had enough of petty fights.
My dragon rolled his eyes. “Whatever you wish, my love. Vanzir, I remove my threats to dismember you. But remember this: Once was an accident. Twice—”
“Yeah, yeah, the big bad dragon will tear me to shreds.” Vanzir waved him away, but then his gaze fell on me and he sobered. “I’m sorry. I just realized . . .”
I bit my lip. I had to make a choice. Either I could let this drag me down, or I could soldier on. And regardless of his feelings toward me now, I’d been born and raised a soldier’s daughter and I still had that sense of honor. We didn’t have time for me to wallow. I’d have to wait until downtime for revisit hell.
“Then let’s get busy. Until we know what we’re going to do about Hyto, we go on as usual, except I live out here because with this collar, once Smoky’s father decides to come finish me off, I’ll be a moving target and I won’t put our house in danger.”
“We can just transfer all the operations out here for now. Menolly can sleep in the barrow during the day—there’s no chance for sunlight to reach some of the caverns here.” Delilah leaned back in her chair. “We can leave a skeleton crew of Asteria’s guards at the house. But we bring everybody else out here just in case Hyto decides to destroy our house out of spite.”
I frowned. “If you think so . . .”
Smoky nodded. “There are labyrinths in the lower chambers—Menolly and Maggie can hide down there. I’ve actually got a well-lit living area down there, where the light of day never touches. You can’t see it from up here.”
