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He looked away into the distance and growled the next words fast and low, as if he was talking more to himself than to her.
“These quests are more than a debt to be repaid. I feel it. Someone is using us for some unknown purpose. To do what? What does gathering these various artifacts from different times and places mean? Will they accomplish something by being brought together? To what end?”
He was speaking so fast Divina had to lean in and concentrate to follow.
“First there was the Jewel of Dreams, a dragon’s tear for her Mate. Not at all what we thought. What we were led to believe it to be.
Morgan Le Fey spouted the same verses that were engraved into Sorin’s skin. What does it mean? Mere coincidence? I don’t believe it.
Those words could have been applied to the intrigue at King Arthur’s Court. Wolfe could be the Champion. Or was it the battle in the end between the white dragon and him and Rui? Both Rui and Wolfe could be the Champion.
And Merlin…where does he fit in all this? We weren’t tasked to bring back any red dragon until the last minute. Does Merlin’s presence change things?”
“I’m not following,” Divina whispered, but she didn’t think Ere noticed.
“And now we’re to retrieve the Song of Destiny. Destiny of what? ‘Find the horn. Storm the mountain. Retrieve the lyre. Gather the fleece. And bring back the song—”
“You’re really good at remembering things,” Divina interjected, “I forgot all of that.”
He went on as if he hadn’t heard her, and she rather thought he hadn’t. He was in the zone.
“How are we supposed to bring back a fuckingsong? It’s like the Jade Emperor wants me to fail every quest. If he wanted me to succeed, wouldn’t he have given me more to work with? More specific instructions and clues?”
“Papa Jade isn’t so bad,” Divina huffed.
“And now we’re embroiled in a potential war for centaur supremacy. About to walk into a virgin sacrifice that could easily escalate into a bloody battle between humans and centaurs.”
Ere squeezed his eyes shut in sheer frustration.
“Fuck my life.”
She patted his arm in an attempt to soothe.
“About that,” Divina said, excited to contribute something that might be useful in their expedition.
“I have an idea.”
Ere jerked his head a little to look down at her, first at her hand stroking his arm, then into her eyes, as if he just realized she was there.
Having gained his attention, she went on, “What if I can convince the women to come with the centaurs willingly? These are much beloved daughters and sisters, I can tell. Of the ones I met in the bath hall, each and every one comes from a well-to-do family. They’re good girls. Sheltered perhaps, but unspoiled. They want love and happiness. If they choose to come and be mated with the centaur stallions, I think whatever potential battle you are imagining can be averted. At least with the people of Thessaly.”
Ere’s eyes didn’t narrow, but Divina could feel the intensity of his concentration increase as he stared at her.
“How would you convince them to leave their homes and everything they know willingly? To hitch themselves to those uncouth beasts—”
“Don’t be condescending, Ere,” Divina admonished. “They only need to be taught some manners.”
“In less than a day?” His eyebrows elevated in obvious doubt.
Divina wished she had sleeves she could roll up just to show her seriousness and determination.
“I can do it. I can train them before we arrive in the city. I’ve tamed more unruly creatures than these in less time. It’s part of my charm.”
He blinked, as if just realizing something.
“Huh. Maybe that’s why the JE sent you here with us.”
“Papa Jade always has his reasons,” Divina agreed.
