Chapter Twenty-four

Six weeks later…

Esha entered her tent and slumped into a chair as she dropped her head to her hands. She tried not to think about how long it had been since Kendrick had left. She tried not to think about him at all—but failed miserably. Meditating or awake, he was always on her mind.

She winced as she sat up. The aches and pains from the thieves her squad had fended off did nothing to take her mind off Kendrick. Not a day had gone by without some scuffle or incident since he’d returned to Idrias. Word of him had spread far and wide across Shecrish. She couldn’t enter Rannora or Belanore without a bard singing of Kendrick’s power, or someone debating the bias of elves not being able to visit the dragons as Kendrick had so easily crossed onto their land.

Just as Savita had warned, the elves were divided. Those who wanted the dragons as allies didn’t hesitate to tell her as much, but it was the ones on the opposite side who were the loudest and most vocal—and they seemed to be winning.

For every elf who spoke about the dragons with fear, Esha tried to get them to see the benefits of having the dragons as friends. Somehow, the conversations always turned to Kendrick not being punished for coming to Shecrish, when they were promised death if they crossed the border into Idrias. It was the argument being waged the loudest among those who wanted to ensure that no dragon ever returned.

Esha was exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. She hadn’t given herself time to mourn Kendrick. Mostly because she knew if she did, she would have to admit how much he meant to her. That would lead to nothing but heartache.

“I found my mate in you.”

Esha squeezed her eyes closed as she heard Kendrick’s voice in her head.

“I love you, Esha. Come with me.”

“Stop,” she demanded in a hoarse whisper as she pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. Only when she was sure she wouldn’t hear his voice again did Esha lower her arms. She opened her eyes and caught sight of the hem of Savita’s white gown. Esha sat up and looked at her sister. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Savita said nothing as she walked farther into the tent. She stopped beside the table and ran her finger along the scabbard that held Esha’s sword. “You look tired.”

“A few days of rest would be nice.”

“I wish I could give them to you.”

Esha sat back in the chair and raised a brow at her sister. She was too tired for this. “What is it?”

“Do I need a reason to see my sister?”

“Of late, yes.” It was true. They hadn’t seen much of each other lately. Partly because Esha had been breaking up raids but also because Savita had been spending an exorbitant amount of time traveling back and forth to visit the Conclave.

Savita sighed. “Some of us are actively working to calm things down. It’s taking longer than expected.”

“Is that why you’re with the Conclave so much?”

Savita hesitated before saying, “They ask about you.”

“Of course, they do,” Esha replied sarcastically. “Kendrick is gone. What more do they want from me?”

“They want you to tell them everything Kendrick shared about the dragons.”

Esha got to her feet, anger making her seethe. “No.”

“I’ve had to disclose a few things you told me.”

“You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone. You agreed that they would somehow use it against the dragons.”

Savita lifted a hand to quiet her. “I had to give them something or they were going to bring you in. I didn’t share the story of what originally brought the dragons here. No one needs to know about the goddess. That would be used against the dragons.”

Esha crossed her arms over her chest. She knew Savita was protecting her, but she was still angry about everything. “What did you tell them?”

“How powerful they are, especially the Kings. I told the nightwraith story again and how Kendrick defeated it. I’m not the only one speaking about it. A Dark Elf, Dain, has been very vocal about Kendrick’s usefulness. The way Dain talks, he was at the battle.”

Esha said nothing. She hadn’t seen Dain since Kendrick left. She didn’t even know how to contact him. If she even had time for such things.

“Tarron of the Wood Elves is also speaking highly of Kendrick,” Savita continued. “Tarron is widely respected, so his word carries a lot of weight. His people who witnessed the battle are telling everyone they come across about what Kendrick did. I’m trying to help, Esha.”

Esha dropped her arms to her sides. “I know. It just feels as if it’s a losing battle. All Kendrick did was help. He protected me. Not once did he attack anyone.”

“It isn’t about that.”

“Yes, yes. The border. He came to Shecrish,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “The horror. The dragons could wipe all of us out with barely a thought, and yet some elves want to attack them. It’s ludicrous.”

Savita’s shoulders drooped. For the first time, Esha noticed how fatigued her sister looked. Savita leaned her hands against the table to brace herself.

“Have the runes shown you or any Reader a way to end this?” Esha asked with a concerned frown as she eyed her sister.

Savita was silent for a long time. “There has been unrest among the elves for a while. Much longer than anyone knows. But it was at least kept somewhat contained. Those in power who have pushed to see if the dragons were gone from Idrias are now turning that to a demand for anyone who comes onto our land to be detained, possibly with lethal results.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Savita lifted her head and met Esha’s gaze. “Yes. The runes showed me a way to end all this.”

The news shocked Esha. The excitement and hope that rushed through her left her knees weak. “When? Never mind. That doesn’t matter. What is it? Have you told anyone?”

“Eventually, a few elves will cross the border. The dragons will attack. And elves will die. It will enrage those who have supported the dragons. ”

Esha blinked at the bleak future her sister put before her. “I thought you said you knew of a way to end this.”

“I do.”

“That isn’t a way. That will begin an all-out war, and we don’t stand a chance against the dragons.”

Savita nodded slowly. “I know.”

Esha shook her head, refusing to believe this. “No. There has to be another way. Surely, the idea of our annihilation should put a stop to all this nonsense.”

“I’m not the only Reader who was shown this outcome.”

Esha paced the tent. For a split second, she’d felt hope that this chaos could be stopped, but the answer was worse than she could comprehend. “You told me to send Kendrick away. You told me that would stop things.”

“I said it should.”

“He’s gone. No dragons will be coming to Shecrish for the foreseeable future. Probably not ever.” She couldn’t think about the knot in her chest that the idea of never seeing Kendrick again caused.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but that’s because you haven’t been made aware of the things going on politically.”

Esha halted and spun to glare at Savita. “No one gives a shite about that. This is about our lives! Our very existence.” She covered her face with her hands and tried to calm the riot of emotions. If she could get word to Kendrick and warn him what Savita had seen, then the dragons might be able to come up with a way to stop the war. But…that would mean going to Kendrick. There was no way he could come back across the barrier to her.

Her heart raced at the thought of seeing him. It would only be for a moment, but it would bolster her. And, hopefully, she’d save her people.

“You used to do that when you were younger.”

Savita’s words pulled Esha out of her thoughts. She lifted her head, frowning. “What?”

“Pace and cover your face when you were thinking over a difficult problem.” Savita grinned as she straightened and walked to Esha. “I always thought your mind was moving so quickly that your body had to do something to try to keep up.”

Esha grinned. “Something like that.”

“Rest, sister. We’ve a long road ahead of us.”

“You should take your own advice. ”

Savita shot her a sad smile. “I’ll try.” She turned to go, then paused and faced Esha. “I know you think I lied to come here with you. I didn’t. The runes guided me.”

“Did they tell you why?”

Savita’s eyes danced with delight. “Of course.”

“You aren’t going to tell me?”

“What would be the fun in that?”

Esha chuckled as she shook her head at her sister. “You’ve been a pain in the ass, but I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.” Savita held her gaze for a moment longer before turning to leave.

Esha returned to her chair and sank into it once more. She couldn’t stop thinking about what Savita had told her. There couldn’t be a war. It wasn’t fair to the dragons or the elves. The only way to stop it was to get word to Kendrick. Esha thought about trying to find Dain, but she didn’t have a clue where to begin. Try as she might to find another way, it ultimately fell to her to get to Kendrick.

With the decision made, she began planning how to do it. She went about her evening as normal: bathed, had dinner, spoke to her squad. She almost stopped by Savita’s tent to tell her sister what she was doing, but it would likely be better if no one knew. Besides, if everything went according to plan, she would be back by dawn. But that meant she had to get moving.

Esha wove through the dense jungle of trees. She nodded to the Rangers on watch. It wasn’t odd for her to be out at night, so no one paid much attention to her. Once at the lake, she moved quickly to make her way to the edge of the plateau, and then down.

Sweat covered her by the time she jogged toward the barrier. Her eyes scanned the darkness for any signs of movement, be it animal or elf. Esha hoped that Kendrick was there. He had told her she would know where to find him. That had been weeks ago, though. Would he give up so easily? She hoped not.

Was she prepared to look into his green eyes again? To hear that sexy voice? Could she withstand the desire that flared anytime she was near him? For every day they had been apart, a part of her soul had withered away. She hadn’t wanted to believe him when he said that she was his mate, but she knew it was true. She missed him so much that she could barely carry on and get through each day without him, and the closer she got to the border, the more that ache grew until it nearly consumed her .

Her heart thudded loudly in her chest. She had turned away from him once. How would she do it a second time? She couldn’t think about that now. She needed to focus on finding him and relaying the information.

The border loomed before her. A quarter moon hung in the clear sky, but no dark shapes of dragons flew near it. Esha slowed to a walk. She’d half-expected Kendrick to see her so they could talk without either of them crossing the boundary. That way, neither side would be incited.

She quietly drew her sword when she heard a whisper of sound. When she turned toward it, she saw a Ranger with his weapon raised, running at her before shadows abruptly overtook him. She stared in shock as the Ranger fell to the ground, and the shadows moved away to reveal Dain.

“Did you kill him?” she demanded of the Dark.

His lips flattened in annoyance. “It’s nice to see you, too. And, no, I didn’t kill him. Though I should have, given what he intended to do to you.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Helping you.”

Esha turned her head from one side to the other, searching for other Rangers. “What are you talking about?”

“Savita sent me.”

“What?” she asked in a shocked whisper.

Dain walked to her. “Rangers are guarding the border. Savita knew you would need help.”

“That’s not possible. I’d know if Rangers were guarding the border.”

“They kept it from you.”

She narrowed her eyes on Dain. “Why?”

“Because they feared you would do exactly what you’re about to do.”

Esha only became more confused. “Who?”

Dain sighed as if it put him out to be the one to fill her in. “I told Savita we should tell you, but she said it had to be your decision to go to Kendrick.”

“Tell me everything. Now,” Esha demanded as she pointed the edge of her sword at Dain’s throat. The fury that consumed her was so thick she wasn’t sure she could control it.

Or if she wanted to .

“All you had to do was ask.” He shoved aside her blade with a finger. “I’d planned to tell you.”

Esha lowered her weapon. The muscles in her jaw ached as she clenched her teeth together. “Then talk.”

“The runes told Savita about those on the Conclave who saw you as a threat. They’re the ones who released the nightwraith. Fools,” Dain ground out with hostility. “They will pay for that.”

“Why are they afraid of me? I’m just a Ranger.”

Dain snorted loudly. “The Conclave Reader told them the stones had shown you and Kendrick together in a romantic relationship. It would give the elven people a strong ally, but those opposing that have other plans.”

“So, I had to die?” It was too much to grasp.

“They didn’t think the problem through, or they would’ve realized that if Kendrick somehow survived, he wouldn’t let you die.”

“They had no way of knowing that a Dragon King could kill a nightwraith.”

Delight shone on Dain’s scarred face. “No, they didn’t. I wish I could’ve seen their faces.”

“If I am supposed to be with Kendrick, why didn’t Savita tell me? Why did she let me sit here for weeks without him?”

The Dark shrugged. “As she said, you had to decide on your own. And she wanted to see how others reacted.”

“Is she in danger?”

“We’re all in danger,” Dain said with a shrug. “Don’t worry about your sister. She’s craftier than I gave her credit for. She found me, and that isn’t an easy thing to do. Even for a Reader.”

Esha glanced behind her to the plateau. She thought of Flamefall, of her Rangers, and of Savita. “What happens now?”

“You warn Kendrick, which will hopefully stop the war. We’re going to get to the bottom of who is pulling the strings here. I have some ideas, but it’s going to take more digging.”

“Will you look after Savita?”

Dain issued a bark of laughter. “As if she would allow that. Your sister will be fine. But, yes, I will keep an eye on her.”

“Thank you.”

The Dark placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head. “Tell Kendrick hello for me. I hope to see both of you again.”

“We will.”

“Go, Sun Elf. I’ll make sure no one stops you. ”

Esha had the sudden urge to hug him. She nodded and sheathed her sword. Dain grinned before calling the shadows to him and disappearing. Then she started running toward Idrias and Kendrick.

No one tried to stop her again. She didn’t look behind her to see if anyone would. She kept her gaze locked on where Shecrish ended and the land of the dragons began. When Esha crossed through the barrier, the feel of the magic sweeping around her was like a soft hum. Then she stood on dragon land, her heart hammering again.

Suddenly, a dark shape appeared from a nearby mountain. Wide wings spread as the dragon flew straight at her. She knew without seeing the color of the scales that it was Kendrick. Elation and a tiny bead of panic rushed through Esha. The excitement was too much to contain. Esha didn’t hide her smile as she watched the beautiful dragon approach.