I have no parents anymore, but I have Killian. If I can signal to him without drawing the dragon’s attention…If I can’t do that, then I can hide.
It requires every ounce of my strength to force myself into movement.
Sipping air, I edge around the back of the rocky outcropping. The enormous creature’s intelligent, unblinking eyes follow me. I keep my gaze fastened on the ground but I observe the monster from the edge of my vision as I creep away. Rocks at my back. Monster at my front.
Killian, where are you?
My voice sticks in my throat. Can’t speak. Struck silent.
I’d even welcome Alistair’s rescue at this point. I don’t want to die. My entire life has been co-opted by others. I want a chance to live freely.
If I get out of this, I will never let anyone else make decisions about my life again. If it means I’m poor, I’ll find a way to get by. If it means I’m alone, then I’ll find a way to protect myself. I am through with acquiescing.
I’m so tired of sleepwalking toward my fate. I’m desperate to wake up, but it’s going to take more than seducing Killian in secret.
Away from the dragon, I slowly flutter my eyes open. The rock is cool and rough against my back. I exhale in relief. I can wait here until Killian returns.
A crunching twig sends my pulse soaring.
Not safe yet.
On instinct, I twist and claw my way up the sloping side of the outcropping. My nails tear to the quick but I ignore the pain and climb with trembling desperation, slipping off my shoes to seek purchase with my toes.Don’t make noise.
Stupid dress. I hate the way it rustles and impedes my ability to pull myself up the outcropping.
Somehow, I clamber my way to the top and lay flat on my stomach, breathing, for a long time. My own beating heart is all I can hear. No crunching twigs. No birdsong.
Nothing but a light breeze shaking the leaves of the trees all around me.
Nearby, Killian bellows my name. I push myself up, inch by inch, rolling onto one hip and scanning the clearing. Nothing. I have to warn him before his shouting attracts the dragon. Sitting upright, I scan the place where it was a few minutes before and exhale for the first time since I locked eyes with the monster.
Gone. I did it. I got away all by myself. I’m safe. A hint of pride swells near my heart. I’m not helpless. Icanfend for myself.
I push up to stand. I don’t dare yell down at him. Turning to examine the steep downslope and try to figure out how to get back down, I inhale sharply?—
And scream.
25
Killian
Briar’s cry has me running before my brain can catch up and figure out where I’m headed. The underbrush snags my boots, trying to trip me, but I kick free and keep moving before realizing I was mistaken. She iswhere I left her, more or less. Her shout came from up on top of the big rock.
What the hell is she doing up there?
She’s too close to the edge. Dirt and pebbles rain down as she backs up a half-step at a time. She’s going to fall?—
I fling aside my sword and brace, arms outstretched, to catch her. She stumbles but catches herself and manages to remain upright.
A shadow creeps over her, its shape one I’d prayed to all the fae gods never to see again. I never pray, but for one thing: please don’t ever make me confront a dragon again. Once was enough.
The oversized lizard looms over her. Hairs on the back of my neck rise like hackles. They like to play with their prey.
According to lore, the monsters can talk, but the one I killed didn’t speak.
Fucking Alistair, ragging me for being illiterate as if I didn’t spend months studying how to track and kill the one wreaking havoc on Belterre.
“Briar, jump!”
