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Arianrhod leaned close, but used shielded mind speech anyway.“Do ye wish to speak with a select dragon or two about the dark mages co-opting dragon magic?”
He thought about it. “Let’s see if they stonewall us finding Eletea, and then we can decide.”
He took stock of where they were. For once, not too far from the mound that housed the dragons’ council chambers. He reached for her hand, but she shook her head, and he felt her wrap magic around herself. Before he could wonder why, he caught sight of a green dragon winging its way toward them. Probably the same one who’d dismissed them from this world. Angus straightened his spine and clasped his hands behind his back, waiting.
The dragon touched down lightly and focused her whirling gaze on Angus and Arianrhod. “What are you doing back here?” The words were harsh, clipped. She didn’t bother masking her annoyance.
“We must speak with Eletea,” Arianrhod said, standing tall as she faced off against the dragon. “She’s in danger.”
“We can take care of our own.” The dragon bristled.
“I never said ye couldna.” Arianrhod’s voice was soft, laced with compulsion. “Would ye rather I told you, and then ye could take it from there?”
Wingbeats drew Angus’s gaze skyward. Another dragon, this one copper, flew toward them. Was it Eletea? He sent power spiraling outward to detect who was heading for them and smiled. In the brief time he’d spent with the young, earnest dragon, he’d come to care about her.
“Hold.” He addressed Arianrhod. “You can tell her yourself.”
She glanced up, right along with the green dragon, who clanked her jaws together in what sounded like exasperation.
“I’m glad ye dinna imprison her.” Arianrhod threw down the gauntlet by saying what Angus was thinking.
“We don’timprisonour own unless there’s need,” the green gritted out.
Eletea landed heavily a few feet away and trudged toward them kicking fist-sized stones out of her way with her large back feet. She looked sad, resigned, and years older than when Angus first met her.
“Good to see you.” He strode toward her wanting to hug her, but dragons didn’t lend themselves to hugging. “How are your wings mending?”
She held up a foreleg when he was two feet away, clearly meaning for him to stop. “It’s kind of you to ask. They’re fine now. We have healers among us, and they helped repair the mutilation.”
He wanted to ask about the damage to her spirit, but since the message he’d come to deliver about Cavet would make things worse, he settled for, “I’m glad.”
“Thank you for rescuing me. I didn’t get a chance to tell you before.” She shifted her gaze to Arianrhod and bowed her head. “You too, goddess.”
“We do not bow to the Celts,” the green hissed.
Eletea drew herself to her full height, which was a foot shorter than the green dragon. “I can take things from here, Dorae. You needn’t trouble yourself.”
The green dragon puffed steam and smoke before spreading her wings and taking to the skies. Angus gazed after it. “How’d you get her to leave without pitching a fuss?” he asked Eletea.
“One dragon can’t refuse a reasonable request from another,” she replied. “I’ve been cleared in Mitha’s death, so Dorae couldn’t turn me down.” Eletea puffed flames skyward. “Well, she could’ve, but it would have been terribly rude.”
“At least we know her name,” Angus said. “She never told us.”
“Never mind her.” Eletea crossed her forelegs over her copper-scaled chest. “Did you return to Rhukon and Connor? Are they dead?” She leaned forward, her eyes a whirlwind of menace, mingled with fury.
“Aye, we returned, yet they are verra much alive, I fear,” Arianrhod replied.
“I didn’t realize the dragons had exonerated you about Mitha, so when I couldn’t get the truth of things from Rhukon and Connor, I dreamed it,” Angus broke in. He hunted for a softer spin to describe his vision, but gave up. “You won’t like what I have to say.”
“How much worse could it be than Rhukon and Connor wanting me dead?” she countered. “Or Danne’s betrayal? You’re fortunate you caught me here. I’ll be returning to Cavet and the Highlands at first light. He’s anxious for me to come home.”
“About that—” Angus began, faltered, and cleared his throat.
“What?” Eletea marched closer and bent her head until she was nose to nose with him. “Say what you will, Seer.”
“You can certainly return to the Highlands, but I’d forget about Cavet.”
Eletea blanketed him with steam. “I’ll do no such thing. I know the others think he’s a ladies’ dragon, but he’s never given me cause not to trust him.”
