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“Then you’ll have no problem swapping back, since you’re so proficient at it.”
“They say it takes years.” Fel sighed and decided to be honest. “I need to help my kingdom, my sister. I also plan to get married, and she’s human. I can’t wait for years. I mean, I’m sure she’ll want…” So many things.
“Keep wanting—it’s the seed of change, and it will make you stronger. That’s my final word, Isofel, son of Ticiane and Ircantari, grandson of Celia, Cassius, Ilaya, and Kasiel, heartson of Azir.”
This couldn’t be. “But we had a deal.”
“Do I look like a fae? I make no deals.” His voice was a growl now, and he stood at his full height, managing to be even more intimidating than before. “You came here asking for help, I gave you a test, you passed, and now I’m going to help you, but don’t make me change my mind.”
Fel had no intention of becoming dragon food, so he had to swallow his words, smother his protests, even though his chest was a burning cauldron about to explode.
The great Dragon continued, “Be thankful. I’m giving you what you need, which is much better than what you want.” He held a small necklace in one of his claws, with a pendant with a purple stone. “This is a rare and old relic, and quite a gift. I hope you have the sense to appreciate it. It will allow you or someone you love to go back in time—once.”
Going back? When he had so much to do right now? So much he needed? But if Fel complained about it, he’d probably leave this place with nothing, which was an even greater waste of time. “How… how does it work? And how can I carry it?”
The dragon threw the necklace in Fel’s direction, and the object disappeared. “The same way you carry your human clothes and objects. It’s with you.”
“So I’ll need to be in my human form to use it.” Great! Back to problem number one.
The dragon chuckled. “There’s a way to use it in this form, but it’s obviously above your pitiful knowledge of dragon magic. It might be for the best, as you’re obviously not ready to wield something as powerful as that.”
Then maybe he should have given Fel something more useful, a gift that could help him now, not in some unknown time in the future.
The First Mage then lifted a claw, as if to silence him.“I know you’re facing challenges. Every dragon has challenges, child.”
Fel sighed. This couldn’t be it. Perhaps he should ask for something different, a different type of support. He tried to send a thought in a gentle, beseeching tone. “People—and dragons—might die. An evil dragon might return, there’s fighting among dragons. In my land, magic is misbehaving. There’s something dark and dangerous about to run amok. Can’t you help?”
“This is the help I can give. I’m not connected to your world and cannot take part in your fight. But one thing I can tell you: there has always been struggle and strife and yet there’s always room for love, for hope, for peace and life to flourish. Trust that.” He then made a fire ring between him and Fel. “Goodbye, child.”
So this was it. “Thank you.” Fel wasn’t grateful—he was disappointed and angry, but complaining wasn’t going to help anyone.
In truth he was feeling small and deflated. It was horrible to depend on someone else’s magic, someone else’s goodwill. He’d always hated to feel useless, little, incapable, and this ordeal had only exacerbated the feeling of helplessness within him. And yet. All he could do was return to the dragon city and try to learn as much as he could, as fast as he could.
The sun was already setting on the other side of the fire ring. Fel came across a dark blue sky—not all blue. Bursts of flame here and there disrupted the darkness, while dragon shrieks and roars echoed in the mountains.
As Fel’s eyes adjusted to the dark, he realized what he was seeing: dozens of dragons—fighting.
* * *
Naia’s heartwas definitely jumping in her chest. River would soon realize she had no undergarments, would soon touch places that were definitely forbidden. His hand moving up her leg was so close, so close. This was definitely something unmarried couples shouldn’t be doing, which only made her want it even more.
A sound of something falling startled her. Him as well, as he turned to the door. The door! That sound again. It wasn’t anything falling—someone was knocking. Why did it have to be now, of all times?
Naia approached the door. “Yes?”
“It’s me,” a muffled voice came from the hallway. It was Arry.
She gestured for River to go to a corner, which he did, then opened the door just a little, so that she stuck her head in the opening and could see her visitor. “Something urgent?”
“King Sebastian is leaving. He wishes to see you.”
“Tell him I’m gone. I’m not here. By the way, I’m leaving.”
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Are you going somewhere alone?”
