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“They bow to the throne of Ybaris. You are heir to that throne, are you not?”
“Apparently.”
“If she were to die, it would be yours, and those casters would bow to you.”
“Not you too.” Radomir already made the not-so-subtle suggestion. “I already have one throne.”
“You are Queen for All. The throne is yours to take.”
“How?”
She cocks her head. “There is only one way. You know that.”
To kill the queen. “I am here and Neilina is on the Ybarisan side.” I point to the nymph doors. “Will one of those get me there?”
“Not close enough, no.”
“Then what? How am I supposed to do this?”
A rush of footfalls sounds then. Jarek charges down the steps into the crypt, stumbling on the last one.
“What’s going on?” Panic laces my voice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him out of breath before.
But it’s Lucretia who speaks. “I imagine the answer to your question has arrived. You must wear that to greet her, so she knows you are ready.” She gestures at the gown. “And do not forget your crown.”
Eros doesn’t break his stride once on our gallop through Ulysede.
“So, the wings …” Jarek begins, but I shoot him a glare that cuts off any mocking.
I’m not in the mood. Lucretia was insistent that I must change, daring to invoke Gesine’s name to convince me. Gesine would tell me to listen to the sylx and so I did. For her.
The wings are featherlight, their texture between my fingers silky soft. I barely feel them at all. The black dagger sheathed at the dress’s belt, I notice far more. I’m fairly certain it’s a token from Malachi, the material reminding me of the cuffs I wore in Cirilea for a time.
As soon as I reach the outer gate, Caindra tips her head back and roars.
I feel it in my teeth. “How does she seem bigger every time we see her?” Does she grow every time she eats someone? That thought makes me shudder.
“It is the first time we’ve seen her in full daylight.” Jarek’s eyes are wide—with appreciation or fear, I can’t tell. Likely both.
“She’s been doing that since she arrived,” Loth says. “Roaring and stomping the ground.”
All around her taloned feet are deep gouge marks in the earth, confirming his claim. It’s like she’s waiting impatiently for me.
“Open the gate.”
Jarek gapes at me like I’ve just suggested he hold up his sword so I can run into it. “Are you mad?”
“I have wings on and I’m walking out to say hello to a fire-breathing dragon. No, I’m perfectly sane.”
His lips press in a thin line. “I do not appreciate your sarcasm at the moment.”
“Lucretia says Caindra’s my answer.”
“She’s a serpent. You cannot trust her advice.”
“I don’t have a choice. She’s the only one left who has any idea what’s going on.” My voice cracks. I swallow against the lump in my throat before I break down. “Caindra has had two chances to kill me so far, and she hasn’t. She helped us yesterday. Remember?”
Jarek’s shoulders sink but he doesn’t counter me.
“Open the gate. Please.”
Loth pulls the lever, and the portcullis ascends.
I inhale, searching for courage. My crown dangles from my fingertips. With reluctance, I settle it on my head. “Wish me luck.” I step out.
Jarek moves with me. “Do not attempt to dissuade me.” He shakes his head firmly. “Where you go, I go.”
The dragon examines us through those menacing eyes. There’s no way to read her. “She may kill you.”
“I am not afraid to die for a worthy cause.”
“Well, I’m afraid for you to die. I can’t lose another friend.”
He peers off into the distance, his lips parted as he weighs his next words. “You asked me why I am still here, why I did not leave once I figured out what you were.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “You are the worthiest of causes I have ever met, that I ever will meet, and I will follow you into the rift if you ask it of me. But do not ever ask me to leave your side.”
His declaration sparks a sudden surge of emotion in me. Maybe it’s because I just lost Gesine, but to have such loyalty after so many years of being alone is something I never imagined. “Just to the dragon will do for now.” My voice is husky.
With a deep breath, together we walk toward her, my grip firmly on my affinities, my pulse in my throat. Her talons remind me of the taillok’s, only twenty times larger. They look capable of shredding stone with a single swipe.
She makes a snuffing sound, then lifts her head to scent the air, but otherwise she doesn’t move.
“Hello, Caindra.”
Jarek snorts. “She doesn’t understand you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she is a beast.”
Caindra snarls, showing fangs the length of my leg.
“Uh … think you’re wrong about that. Say you’re sorry before she kills you.”
