“Do you think the girl knows anything?”
“I don’t know.” Tyrez grimaced. “She’s been through one hell of an ordeal.”
Eriana tilted her head to regard him. “Will she talk to you?”
He grimaced. “She’d better, if she wants my protection from Rindek.”
The Matriarch’s lips twitched. “She might not.”
Tyrez hesitated. His mother had a point. “Dani wants revenge against Rindek, which dovetails nicely with our intent, but trust is a major issue,” he admitted.
Eriana’s lips tightened. “It was unfortunate that your father couldn’t keep a lid on his suspicion. In the old days, he could have handled this situation. But I think it is beyond him now. He’s jumping at shadows.”
Tyrez grimaced. “It certainly didn’t help with Dani. If Father had been more accommodating, she might have been willing to participate in a team effort with the Dragons. Now, I think if given a chance, she’ll be gone like smoke on a breeze.”
Eriana pushed her long, black braids off her face. “You might be better to question her away from the palace.”
Tyrez eyed her. “You thinking of involving the Watcher?” It wasn’t a bad idea. Cara was a healer, as well as many other things. And tough as she seemed, he was pretty sure Dani had been traumatized. The Watcher might be able to reassure Dani, get her to open up.
His mother pursed her lips. “Bringing in the other two women that Rindek changed to Dires might help her too.”
Tyrez stared at her. “But they were taking shots at each other during the battle.”
The Matriarch smiled. “That was then. This is now. They have much in common. Putting them together might yield results.”
It wasn’t a bad idea, actually. As usual, his mother had excellent advice. Tyrez nodded. “I will arrange it.”
“Might be an idea to speak to the Watcher about accommodations too,” she suggested in a gentle tone.
Tyrez’s first reaction surprised him. He fought to hide it, but his mother didn’t miss much.
“You don’t want her to stay anywhere else, do you?”
Tyrez cleared his throat. “I suspect Dani has been traumatized. The Watcher has abilities that could help with that.”
“But?”
“I don’t want her to go,” he admitted. “I don’t know why.” Tyrez cleared his throat. “She might not stay, either. Once back in the human realm, she could bolt. And I don’t think we’ll find her a second time.”
Eriana scanned his expression. “Perhaps it ties into why you came.”
Tyrez squirmed a little among the cushions. Why did he suddenly feel vulnerable, like he was a child caught doing something he shouldn’t?
His mother’s brows drew down. Then her eyes dropped to his arms and fastened on his wrists.
“So Razir was right about the golden scales.”
Tyrez swallowed and resisted the urge to bury them beneath the cushions. He should have known his brother wouldn’t keep that tidbit to himself.
“Why did you do that?” His mother’s voice was soft, her expression curious. “He also told me you were acting a little weird about Aranta’s mating.”
He’d have to have a discussion with Razir about brotherly bonding and keeping secrets from mom. Tyrez sighed. “From the moment I entered the room where the Oracle had been kept captive, I’ve been experiencing odd things.”
“What kind of things?”
He shrugged. “The scales tingle when I touch them. Almost like I’m getting an electric current off them.”
She reached out and took one of his hands, running her fingers along the golden scales attached there. She shook her head. “I don’t feel anything when I touch them.” Her eyes raised to his again. “Is that all? Why are you reluctant to mate Aranta?”
