Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
I unstacked the books, laying one next to the other before opening the first one to the section about suppression magic.
After a quiet beat, Arleth said, “How do you mean to help my son?”
I blew a breath out slowly. “I’m not sure yet. That’s what I’m doing here.”
“Maybe I should’ve asked—what’s wrong with him? His scarring?”
I flicked a glance her way and saw genuine concern. A mother’s concern. So I explained what Calia had said as I pulled Govam and Denski inside and sat them on chairs near the corner I would take over.
“Okay,” I told Govam when I’d finished, not bothering to weigh Arleth’s reaction. “Explain Dolion’s magic to me. When it’s strongest, how it works, if you know of any healing that seems to work on it…”
“I thought you had a cure for their demon magic?” Delaney asked, crossing her arms.
“Crowded everlass handles the sickness brought on by demon magic, yes, but that’s not what’s plaguing Nyfain. The magic that’s caught inside him is blocking his magic, but it’s not a poison. I don’t want to give him the crowded plant. It’s too dangerous. His life is more important than wings.”
“Do you really mean that?” Arleth asked with a blank face and even tone.
“Dragons put a lot of weight on their ability to fight in the air,” Delaney explained brusquely. “A king wouldn’t be able to lead his army without wings. I’ve known dragons who would prefer death to a life without wings.”
“Dragons need to straighten out their priorities. Now please shh.” I waved them away. “Let me work.”
Thankfully, they returned to what they were doing, making salves and ointments. I listened to Govam’s explanations, checked the books, and thought about the various elixirs and concoctions I’d made to counteract demon magic. Minutes tugged hours behind them. The sun started lowering toward the horizon. My guards had likely swapped out with replacements at some point, but no one had come in to alert me.
Through it all, Govam and Denski sat in their chairs, answering my questions when I had them and sitting quietly when I didn’t. No one prodded me when I leaned against the table for long periods of time, staring out at the dimming light, thinking. Wondering where to start. Wondering how.
Finally, when a course of action started to take shape, I straightened up with a pop in my back and grabbed the cedar tray.
“Here.” Turning from the simmering pot she’d been tending, Delaney grabbed one of the pine trays.
“No, thanks. I want really strong everlass for this one. Hannon…” I called.
Vemar poked his head in through the door. “He left a while ago. Said he wasn’t needed.”
“Can someone see if Nyfain has the time to help me? I need him to sing to the plants. And maybe track my sister down, too. She harmonizes well with him. She’s in a room on the second floor of the castle—”
“Yeah, yeah. Fiery little thing, right?” He put out his hand like he was measuring the top of her head. “Takes no shit? I’ll go get her. You got this?” He pointed to the demons.
“Yeah, I’m good. Or you can let them go back, if you want. I have all I need for the moment. Now it’s time for some trial and error.”
“We’ll stay, if you don’t mind,” Govam said.
“It’s calming, sitting in here, watching you ladies work,” Denski added.
I shrugged, hefting the cedar tray. “Suit yourself. I’m heading out to the field to harvest. Try to run, and I’m sure a bunch of dragons would be happy to hunt you.”
“Didn’t need to be said,” Govam murmured.
“If you want stronger leaves, you’ll want the pine trays,” Arleth said, setting down the collection of herbs she’d pulled off the drying racks in the corner. They’d been there since I’d last used this place, probably not in the best shape but serviceable enough.
I turned enough to look at her and Delaney, who’d taken her concoction off the fire. It looked like they were readying to leave.
“That’s a common misconception,” I replied. “I had this talk with Nyfain once. Long story short, cedar works better. Try it and see.” I headed out the door as the demons stood.
A few wolves lounged outside in their furry forms, their noses twitching from the scents filtering out. They lifted their heads at my exit and then stood, waiting for the demons to emerge. I ignored them, glancing toward the castle. Vemar was already out of sight, but a collection of dragons soared overhead—two large dragons, one of them Lucille, with five smaller dragons fanned out in obvious disarray behind them, their wings rolling and tilting and occasionally flapping erratically. The new dragons were learning to fly.
My heart beat faster with the sudden urge to shift and join them. I hadn’t flown in the last couple of days, and I could feel my dragon’s eagerness. Her desire to master her craft so we could fight Dolion from the sky.