“Doona take her word for it.”
“I doona intend to. Now, do you want to know about Shecrish and the elves?”
“Absolutely.”
For the next hour, Kendrick relayed the information he had gained and answered resulting questions. As expected, Con was interested in the elves. An alliance between their two cultures could help if there were a war. How far that pact could go was up to Eurwen and Brandr.
Sooner or later, the elves would likely ask to cross the boundary and travel across the land of the dragons, just as he was doing here. And Kendrick knew that would never be allowed. There was a reason the dragons remained separate from everyone else on the realm. Kendrick would have to share that story with Esha in hopes she appreciated the rationale.
“Keep in regular contact,” Con told him as their conversation wrapped up.
“I will. Also, tell Ceri I appreciate her concern.”
Con chuckled. “She’s no’ exactly thrilled to learn she’s been worried for nothing.”
“I’ve been trying to get her to talk to me since I arrived. She wouldna even tell me her name.”
“Seems you made more of an impact than you thought.”
Kendrick grinned as he thought about the tiny dragon. “I’ll make it up to her.”
“That would probably be wise. I doona need to tell you to be safe, do I?”
“You know me.”
“Exactly.”
Kendrick wore a smile when Con severed the link between them. So, the Pink had been concerned. And now he knew her name. He was under no illusions that Ceri would talk to him when he returned, especially after this. He wouldn’t give up, though.
His gaze traveled slowly around him. Esha hadn’t come back. He also hadn’t had another visit from the Dark Elf, Dain. But Kendrick wasn’t alone. He sensed others out there. Most likely Rangers who had been sent to keep an eye on him. He had given his word that he would stay in his camp until Esha came for him. The Rangers had no reason to trust him, but he would show them they could.
His thoughts turned to Savita. That’s where his concerns lay. She could sway Esha’s enthusiasm for hunting their shared foe with him. The three days she had given him weren’t long enough, but he had to plan on it being all he would get. Sure, he could tell them all to kiss off and remain for as long as he liked, but he wouldn’t. Not only because he was trying to build trust but also because war was already brewing on the dragons’ eastern border. He didn’t want a separate conflict to the west.
Kendrick ignored the comfortable bed within the yurt and stretched out on the ground. He threaded his fingers behind his head and looked at the midnight sky and the stars blinking down at him while the rainforest animals filled the night with their own special music. New constellations stared back at him. He wanted to learn what they were. Surely, someone on the realm would know. Maybe even an elf. He filed that away to talk to Esha about in the morning.
* * * *
Dawn broke with Savita’s stomach still tied in knots. She had consulted the runes multiple times throughout the night, and the answer was always the same. Danger.
No matter the question she posed, no matter the context.
Her conversations with Esha and the Dragon King had gone as poorly as she’d known they would. But it wasn’t as if she’d had a choice. Her sister clearly didn’t realize the consequences of her actions. All Esha saw was a way to achieve her goal of finding the thing that’d killed their people. Yet there was so much more to it. Not that Savita could tell her any of that.
Then there was Kendrick. A shapeshifter. A Dragon King. Her superiors would want to know about him immediately. Savita hadn’t yet shared that information, though she wouldn’t be able to hold off much longer.
She walked to the mirror that hung in her tent and stared at her reflection, taking in the paint on her face and the gold designs that marked her as a Reader. She had rubbed her cheeks so much during the long night that the paint had smeared. Instead of calling in her maid, Savita stripped, pinned up her hair, and washed herself in the large tub without heating the water. The chilly bath was bracing and helped to invigorate her.
After she dressed, she brushed out her hair until it gleamed. Then she sat before the mirror to apply the paint and markings again. She couldn’t remember the last time she had gone without them. As she stared at her now-bare face, she almost didn’t recognize herself. Her identity was that of a Reader.
The life of a little girl who had been thrilled to have a younger sister felt like a lifetime ago. So much had transpired since then. She had left the family and immersed herself in all that came with being a Reader. It was her life and all she’d ever wanted. The power of her position was simply a byproduct of her ability to understand the runes.
A Reader never allowed themselves to become emotionally involved with an outcome given by the runes. Savita had held to that standard and never found it difficult to keep herself distant.
Except for one time.
Savita closed her eyes as she turned her thoughts away from that event. It was a secret she carried within her. There was always a chance the runes would tell another Reader, but that hadn’t happened so far.
And yet, Savita found herself in a similar position now.
She sighed, opened her eyes, and looked into the copper orbs staring back at her, noting the flecks of gold shimmering in her irises. She picked up the pot of gold paint and began applying it to her face with her special brush in slow, sure strokes.
With every sweep, she became the renowned Reader that many had sought. She had a duty, and nothing could make her forget that. Not even the arrival of a Dragon King.
Chapter Ten
There was a pep in Esha’s step when she emerged from her tent. Her excitement died a little when she looked for her squad and couldn’t find them.
“Sister.”
At the sound of Savita’s voice behind her, Esha turned. “Where is my team?”
“Elsewhere.”
“You do understand that I’m in charge of my crew, right? We each have a place. You don’t want me interfering with yours, and I don’t want you interfering with mine.”
Savita stood calmly as she said, “The runes made the decision, not me.”
“Did they? Or is this you showing me how you can put me in my place?”
A brief frown marred Savita’s brow. “I read the runes. That’s all.”
Esha took a step closer and lowered her voice as anger made it shake. “That’s far from what you do. You’re supposed to be here to help.”
“I am.”
“By sending my team away when you’ve given me only three days to hunt the creature with Kendrick? Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
Savita swallowed and glanced to the side. “Follow me.”
Esha remained after her sister had pivoted and walked away. She wanted to ignore her like she used to do when they were younger, but she couldn’t. Esha might lead the Rangers, but Savita could exercise command when the runes spoke to her. Was her sister lying? Others accused Readers of it, but no one had ever been able to prove it happened. Esha knew she had little chance of that herself. Yet it seemed suspicious that Savita had made such a move after their clash yesterday.