“No,” he roared, cutting Arborius off just before he could reveal his family name. Vesper’s voice shook as he snarled, “Release her.Now. This is between you and me.”
Arborius flashed his teeth but didn’t retract his hold on Kaida. Her eyes locked on Vesper’s in a desperate plea. As his mind raced, his chest throbbed where hisShadowheartlay, a pounding, pulsing, living thing, and he fucking prayed the dragon would listen. That he would let Kaida go, before he had to do something drastic. But if he died, would hisShadowheart, too?
The worry at the forefront of his mind, the one he hadn’t dared entertain, was what would happen if she died and he was left to continue this life without her, a piece of him missing, a hole in his chest where the mark once held her. Or if her dying would take him as well. He wouldn’t let any of that happen.
“How interesting this turn of events is. You see, I could scent her on you that day in the cave. It’s tragic that someone like you has been given a blessing like this. To have such a magnificent beast bound to you.”
The sword at Kyrith’s hip sang that familiar melody he had hummed only moments ago. She froze on the spot, her hip still butted against his.
“I believe you have something that belongs to me,” Arborius growled, his voice fire and smoke. “And if you do not return it, this one will pay.”
“If you touch her, if you hurt her, Iwillmake you regret it,” Vesper ground out between his teeth, his mask suddenly a pillowover his face, and he couldn’t get any air into his lungs. “This is between you and me.”
“But you see, it is not. Because nowsheis an accomplice.” And as Arborius’s eyes slid from Vesper to Kyrith, his world tilted. “You left tracks each time you visited this place. And I have seen two sets. One in which holds a scent that lives within me too.”
Vesper blinked at the dragon. His brows drew together and a new fear manifested inside him. Because Arborius appeared as if he would snatch hisShadowheartaway and never return. “Kaida’s mine. Youcan’ttake her.”
“It is not this one I seek.” Arborius searched the clearing and his nostrils flared. “Bring her to me and I will release your dearShadowheart.”
Vesper’s mind raced. He glanced back at Kyrith who had paled about ten shades, and though her eyes still held fierceness, fear wove through them. “I don’t—” she started but was cut off by rustling in the bushes.
Stiggy emerged with twigs tangled between her stubby horns and a smudge of mud across her nose. When the little dragon’s gaze locked with Arborius, they both stilled, caught in some silent communication, a stolen moment, and in Arborius’s stare was something Vesper had never seen.
Vulnerability.
And hesitation.
Vesper stole the moment to call Kaida back and opened that chasm inside him that housed her. Before Arborius could clamp his jaws, Kaida shifted, faded into a slithering shadow, and slammed back into Vesper’s chest.
“Grab her,” he ordered, not daring to take his eyes off Arborius who now harboured absolute and unfettered hatred. And it burned within him like that strange white fire—the holy flame.
Kyrith snatched Stiggy before Arborius could lunge. The dragon clumsily barrelled forward seemingly drunk on whatever he wanted this tiny dragon for.
Vesper grasped his magic, held onto the thread andpulled. He harnessed his wind and threw it at Arborius with all the strength in his veins. As he flung his arms out, it burst from him in a swirling tunnel. His wind knocked the dragon back, and even as he thrashed, he couldn’t penetrate the sheer power of the gust. Vesper tethered and wound andheldhis magic, as he gritted his teeth against the strain. He’d never used his wind to this magnitude, didn’t even know he could do this. But desperation was a marvelous thing. He felt like he could lift a fucking castle right now.
Kyrith edged toward the ledge, Stiggy wrapped in her arms like her own offspring, and appeared as if she would throw herself off it to keep Arborius from taking her.
Arborius opened his mouth as if he debated scorching them to ash but his stare caught on Stiggy and he sucked back the air in which he had expelled.
“Surely we can be sensible,” Vesper snapped. His magic sapped the strength from his bones. “Tell us what you want with the little one.”
A flash of fear and pain struck across Arborius’s face like lightning and he blinked at Vesper, long and slow. “I should kill you for this. I should roast the flesh from your bones. Melt the—”
“A trade,” Kyrith declared, her voice strong and clear and so melodic Vesper’s head swam. Recognition settled into her gaze, as if the puzzle pieces now fit and she could see the whole picture. “There are rumours you may contain the knowledge to end all of this.” She nodded to the bloodlace, but didn’t dare loosen her hold on Stiggy who watched Arborius with keen curiosity. “Funny you have stalked us. We have actually been searching for you. For your new dwellings.”
Arborius blinked at her like he hadn’t seen her until now.
“I know of you, Arborius. I know of the thingsKennahave done to you and the hatred you harbour. But what sort of future will you have if you don’t help us now? Despite your feelings toward our kind, this land will wither away to nothing and you will be trapped in this tomb with us.”
The dragon watched her as his tail flicked behind him like a cat playing with its new toy. But he gave one great nod of his head and tucked his wings.
“I’ll release you,” Vesper choked out. Blood slid from his nose and pooled on his upper lip. “But, first, promise you won’t harm us.”
“Tell us of the Gravers,” Kyrith added. “It’s said you know their location.”
“Very well,” he purred. “I shall tell you what you require. What I know. But first,” he growled and that fire returned to his eyes, “release my offspring.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR