Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Don’t you think so?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
She’d only agreed to walking the May Day celebrations with him because she’d always loved the holiday. At Geivhrea, she and Fordham had been crowned for the night. She had no intention of doing that with March.
“Are you ready for your upcoming name day?” he asked, continuing around the Square. He offered Kerrigan a chocolate, which she accepted, popping it into her mouth so she didn’t have to answer. Anyway, March could carry on a whole conversation on his own. “I am most looking forward to it. I have had responses to three-quarters of the invitation for the election event. Everyone who is anyone is going to be there.”
Kerrigan didn’t want to be there. She didn’t want to have to wine and dine a group of people who likely would rather see anyone but a half-Fae on the council, but she would do it. She had to do it. Even if it was March’s goodwill that had gotten her the party.
As soon as she could get out of the festivities, she disappeared back to the mountain and up to the aerie. Most of the dragons were absent, out celebrating how they saw fit. It was a time for fertility, as March had told her more than once. Though thankfully, he hadn’t pushed for anything further with her—at least, not in public. She had a feeling he was going to want something for all of this work for the election. She didn’t think he was going to particularly like what he was going to get from her.
Shouldn’t you be out below? Tieran asked when she found him curled up in the aerie.
“Shouldn’t you?”
He snorted, blasting her with air and closing his gold-slitted eyes. I probably should. I am missing Risa today.
Kerrigan sank to her feet and leaned back against him. Risa had been Tieran’s mate. They had been together for years when she was killed with her dragon rider. Kerrigan couldn’t imagine the extent of his pain, knowing she was gone.
“I’m so sorry. I miss Fordham today too.”
Yes, he is yours as she was mine.
Kerrigan nodded. Not mated. Not in the dragon sense. But she could almost feel like if she stretched out enough, she could sense him out there in the north, waiting for her. It was ridiculous. Even a mated pair couldn’t feel another across an entire continent. Nothing could stretch that far.
Risa was beautiful. Her blood-red scales shimmered in the sunlight and the moonlight. She soared with the wind currents, as if they called to her. We would have had hatchlings in a few years.
She had no words for the death of that union. She pressed herself against him and sat with his ache.
After a few minutes, he nudged her. Are you ready for your next spiritcasting lesson?
“Are you?” she shot back. “You’re coming with me.”
I was born ready.
She rolled her eyes, but it was good to hear the bravado back in his voice. He needed that. They stayed curled up like that until dinner forced them apart.
* * *
She spent the next two days busy with work, anxious to talk to Cleora about what had happened with Fordham.
When the time finally came, she and Tieran flew back to their secure mountain spot. She sank into a safe position, reached for Tieran across the new crux bond she had wrapped around them on the flight back from Draíocht, and pulled them both into the spirit plane.
This time, when she landed among the clouds, she was on Tieran’s back. She laughed and sprawled backward. Lying atop his back in the clouds was how her life was supposed to be. She’d felt so grounded with everything happening in the Society. She’d forgotten how good it was to fly. Nowhere to get to and nothing to do.
Eventually, she gave up the one perfect moment and she angled him down toward the ground. They landed in the same place she had met Cleora previously. Cleora was already seated at a table and chairs when Kerrigan dismounted.
Cleora slowly rose to her feet and took one small step backward. Her head was high. If not for that tiny step, neither of them would have known that she was terrified. But she was clearly afraid of having Tieran in the spirit plane with her. No matter Kerrigan’s reassurances, Cleora still saw a mindless beast who would kill her at the first chance.
Of course, Tieran was nothing of the sort. He had a mind of his own, and though he could easily rip her limb from limb, that wasn’t his purpose.
“Cleora,” Kerrigan said with a easy smile. “Thank you for meeting me again. I would like to introduce you to my dragon, Tieran. Tieran, this is Cleora.”
Tieran spoke into both of their minds. Good evening, Cleora. I have heard a great many things about you.