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River had never imaginedhe’d set foot in Fernick again, that he’d come to the place of the dragon temple, now abandoned. Here he was with Naia. The idea of going back in time just to do something that had already been done was a little strange, and yet, apparently it had to be done.
Naia had spoken a lot more with her family and Tzaria in the last year. It turned out that the staff River had stolen was the real Krittl staff, the staff of death. The dragons had thought it was a replica, meant as a trap for Cynon or his followers, but someone had switched them. It had been a dangerous object, and the dragons were glad River had destroyed it.
Again, this wasn’t something other dragons should know, or they would try to take a closer peek into his power. Even River sometimes didn’t understand what it was, or how much of it was just because of Naia. Of course it had to be her. Her father, blood father, had been the one to set the trap, and she could undo it because she carried his blood. Coincidence. Or maybe a greater plan? He couldn’t be sure.
He wanted to try to establish peace with the Dragon Council, but Ekateni and Tzaria warned him against it. There were still Boundless infiltrated everywhere, and it was not the time for an alliance. Still, he was glad to be friends with some of the dragon lords, especially Naia’s blood family.
That said, they needed to return to Aluria quickly, as Naia wanted to be there to see her niece or nephew be born.
Their dragon friends were securing the perimeter, while Naia and River climbed the steps.
“Aren’t you anxious?” he asked.
“Of course.” She made a voice imitating her brother. “I mean, make one mistake and rip the fabric of reality.” Her voice turned back to normal. “You’re right that it’s not scary when the reality is crappy.” She looked at him. “But now…”
“The dragons say it should be simple.”
She laughed, such a lovely laugh. “They also say they had never heard of this amulet. And for some reason the old, strange, mysterious dragon, the First Mage, doesn’t want to talk to us anymore.”
River shrugged. “He must have retired.”
“It’s not funny.”
Was she really chastising him? “You’re the one who started laughing.”
“Because I’m nervous!”
He held her hands. “I trust you. I know you’ll do great.”
They were atop the hill, standing on what was now ruins of that temple.
Naia took a deep breath and placed her hand on the amulet. “I hope—”
She simply disappeared. Not even black smoke around her, nothing. River closed his eyes, feeling his heart accelerating. If this went wrong, if this object had been a trick… There were so many horrible possibilities, and contemplating losing her was terrifying. And yet, all he could do was wait. Wait he did, an eternity of pain, until she appeared again.
He held her close, so close, so tight.
“River, you’re suffocating me.”
“I feared losing you.”
“I’m here.” She chuckled. “I had forgotten you told me you didn’t have horns. It was a little odd.”
“You see me glamoured all the time.” As much as there were a lot of fae in Fernick, few had horns like the Ancients, and he didn’t want to draw attention.
“I know. It’s just… you were so young. Also, you were flirting with me. Really, River? You had never seen me and you were already flirting?” She was amused, but also curious.
“You’re my life companion. Why would I not flirt with you?”
“You didn’t know who I was.”
That made no sense. “You think I wouldn’t feel it?”
“Maybe.”
River stared at her. “And you can’t seriously blame me for flirting with you. You, who wanted to kiss me five minutes after first meeting me.”
“After saving your life. It was romantic, River.”
