32. Riggs

32

Riggs

I spent the class sitting beside Breana and thinking about Tez.

And openly yawning.

"…the Cryptid council has long been the only governing body that crosses realm borders, but it had lacked any power to make change…"

The headmaster's monotone delivery was boring as heck, although, to be fair, the topic of council policies and procedures was very dry. As far as my attention span was concerned, it wouldn't have mattered if it had been Sexual Practices Across the Realms .

Who the heck was Tez, really? Because I was infernally sure he was something much more than what he'd portrayed himself as. Every time I was around him, my instincts, such as they were, fired like mad.

What it meant, I had zero idea. Even if I'd had my Dragon and all my memories, I might not have had any idea why he set my teeth on edge. Except, of course, for the fact he'd handed the fight instructor his balls.

Well, not quite. But Tez had fought like a demon possessed, and although Cody had loved every minute of it, by the end, it was clear who was the better of the two.

Where had Tez learned to fight like that? He'd said his grandmother had taught him. Who in the heck had she been?

He dazzled Breana, that I knew. She sat beside me, with the sheathed sword resting between her knees. My hand itched to reclaim it, as though the sword was an addiction I couldn't kick.

Of course, my hand also itched to touch my most major desire. The sword was one issue, but resisting Breana was even harder. And as the minutes ticked by, increasingly impossible. She was only inches away, and I could feel the heat of her body straight through the clothes I wore. By the time the class bell rang, I was in something of a state.

I almost injured myself by shooting to my feet, and I had to turn away from inquiring female eyes to adjust a few things. I needed to escape, but Sid was between me and the aisle, and that mountain was impossible to get past. So I was forced to meet Breana's gaze as she rose with a raised brow.

"You in a rush?"

"I have something to do," I said, focusing on my wish to talk to Tyrez. "I will see you at supper."

She wasn't deceived, and I caught the subtle flash of hurt in her gaze. It galvanized me to vault over the seat back, taking advantage of the faster moving students behind us to make it to the aisle, and then up the steps to the door.

Tyrez. I needed to see my brother.

I had no idea where he might be. Didn't even know where his suite was. Cara would know, so I'd start with her.

When she opened the door to my knock, I discovered she wasn't alone. I was surprised to find the Oracle sitting at the table.

He had a cup of tea with him, but it sat untouched. And the look in his eyes as I entered the room stopped me cold.

A flash of pain, so pure and deep, twisted my own heart. Why was he here? Even though he could surely answer my question about his mate, I turned away from what radiated from him to address the Watcher. "I need to find Tyrez."

Why did she not look surprised? She glanced at Ash.

He answered from the table. "He's out flying. If you go to the roof and shout, he'll hear you."

They were mates, so he'd know where Tyrez was. No guarantee that my brother would come if I yelled, though. But then I remembered who Ash really was.

The Oracle.

They both stared at me, and I swear Ash had his soul in his eyes. My skin prickled. When neither of them said anything more, I spun and left.

Freaky was the only possible word for the atmosphere in that room.

I ascended the stairs to the roof. The afternoon sun's heat radiated off the stone, and I had the sudden insane urge to stretch out on it and bask. Instead, I shaded my eyes and scanned the sky.

Against the clouds—a distinctive shape. I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted his name.

For an instant, despite Ash's assurances, I didn't think Tyrez would answer my call. I knew he was avoiding being near me in public. But I was alone on the roof—and the form banked to fly closer.

A moment later, I stood aside as the wind "cracked" against wing, and he dropped to a perfect landing on the roof. But he stayed a Dragon, his enormous turquoise form looming over me.

I'd meant to launch straight into the funeral discussion, but what came out when I opened my mouth was, "Mykal came to see me."

His turquoise eyes widened in alarm. "When?"

"Early this morning. Don't worry, Cara oversaw his visit, so no one was any the wiser."

He relaxed, but only marginally. "Hes shouldn't have dones that."

"Cara said our family is stubborn."

The lips along his muzzle twitched. "She's nots wrong."

"I remembered him."

There was no mistaking his shock because every scale on his huge body stiffened. His eyes gleamed with what could only be defined as hope.

"Not everything," I hurried to add. "But I remembered bits and pieces of him growing up." When his big metallic eyes gleamed at me, I realized I was grinning at him. And the lips slowly peeled back from his sharp teeth in a Dragonian version.

"That's—promising," he rumbled at me. "It's greats, Razir."

My grin faded. "Whoa, dude. I've got a long way to go before I regain that name."

"Buts it's a start," Tyrez stated, and I sensed his relief.

My thoughts swung back to the issue at hand. "Tomorrow is the funeral,"

"Yess," he affirmed, his own grin vanishing.

"Are you going?"

He looked away. "Ash says I haves tos. If I don't shows supports for Taran—there ares those who might use my absence to start a civil war."

I swallowed. "Don't go. It is going to end badly."

He snorted steam. "Ares yous an Oracle now, too?"

I gritted my teeth. "Call it a gut feeling."

Energy rippled across my skin, a very strange sensation. Then Tyrez turned to look behind him. The meadow gate had just spat four individuals through it. They looked up at Tyrez, whose large beast stood out against the pale stone. In moments, they had shifted to Dragon, and were arrowing for us.

"Who are they?" I asked.

"Legion," he hissed. "Theys can't be allowed tos sees you. Get outs of here."

But as I backed toward the door, they were already banking to land.

Tyrez placed his body between me and them. "Go," he ordered over his shoulder.

If they were coming from the palace to see Tyrez, I had little doubt it was about the funeral. So I pulled up my hood and crossed my arms.

Tyrez glowered at me as they landed. He was bigger than them, but not by much. The rooftop was distinctly crowded until they shifted to human.

The one in the lead was older, and images flashed through my mind. I'd known him, once upon a time . Dang it. I pulled the hood closer around my face and questioned my life choices. But I was concerned enough about my brother to stay.

The older man planted his hands on his hips and addressed Tyrez. "You never used to be rude. At least meet us in your human form."

Tyrez's huge teeth ground together, but moments later, his form writhed its way to human. He traded forearm clasps with the older man.

"Hello, Ganit. Been a while."

Ganit nodded. "Yes. Much has changed since the Emperor exiled you. And none of it is for the better." He glanced toward where I stood in shadow, with my hood up. "This is a private meeting. We need to talk to Tyrez."

"Are you here about the funeral?" I asked.

The old eyes sharpened. "We are. Among other things."

"Riggs was just leaving," Tyrez cut in, casting me a significant look.

I stood firm. The thought of my brother being trapped and possibly killed twisted me up inside. Maybe my memories weren't as destroyed as I had assumed. "What assurances does Tyrez have that he will be safe, should he attend?"

Tyrez growled, very low. Ganit took a step closer to me. "What is it to you?"

"I am his friend," I said.

But Ganit's eyes had narrowed. "Your voice is familiar, friend. Lower your hood."

"Riggs is just a nosy bastard," Tyrez insisted. "And in this case, his counsel is not required."

Ganit ignored him, taking another step closer to me. "Lower your hood," he insisted.

I'd put myself in this position. Yet something deep inside insisted I could trust this Dragon. A memory? I didn't know.

When I reached up, Tyrez warned, "Don't do it." There was an air of desperation in his voice.

I lowered my hood, and Ganit's breath whistled through his teeth. Behind him, the other three shifters stiffened.

"Razir," Ganit said. "We thought you were dead."

Tyrez stepped forward. "He is recovering from a head wound and has lost his ability to shift."

Ganit froze. "Is it permanent?"

"I don't know," I said quietly. "But that is not all I lost. My memories have vanished."

The old Dragon tilted his head. "You remember me, though, don't you? I see it in your eyes."

"I remember that I know you. That is all."

"How were you wounded?" Suspicion laced through the older Dragon's words. "We were told his death was due to an underworld mission gone bad."

"It was," Tyrez butted in, and his glance to me was filled with warning. "But we have reason to believe his life is still in danger. So his survival must be kept secret, for now."

"Understood." And there was a wealth of grim emotion in the single word. Ganit's eyes gleamed at me, before he said, "That you are alive—it is an answer to a prayer, even if you have temporarily lost your Dragon."

"It might be permanent," Tyrez stated. "We don't know, yet."

"I am not the answer to anyone's prayers," I said at almost the same instant. My pulse thundered.

"Yes, you are," Ganit responded. "We have come to Tyrez because the Empire we once served is teetering, and Taran seems determined to tear it down."

Tyrez moved closer. "It is still difficult to believe Taran would collude with the underworld."

One of the other shifters spoke. "We have been trying to prove it. But so far, everyone we send to investigate has disappeared without a trace."

Ganit's eyes moved again to me. "I don't suppose you can help with that?"

I shook my head. "I have no memory of what was done to me. And even if I did, it would be my word against theirs."

The other Dragon hissed through his teeth. "At this rate, we will never get proof of what Taran is up to."

"Dragons are not good at subterfuge," Tyrez stated. "When I return from the funeral, I will put together a team. It will have to run beneath council radar, of course."

Ganit grimaced. "We may never get the proof we seek. What we need, is an alternative plan." His gaze moved from Tyrez to me. "Someone to contest Taran for the Emperor designation. According to the laws, Taran would have to accept the challenge."

I looked toward Tyrez. "He is the leader, not me. It is him you must protect."

"Fate may have other ideas," Tyrez stated. "It is not me who the sword chose."

Ganit glanced at him. "What sword?"

Before my foolish brother could say anything more, I snapped, "I was only the bearer for a short time. I have given the sword away."

Tyrez huffed a laugh. "Cara told me about that. But no one ducks Fate, Razir. Not even you." He turned to Ganit. "Because of my non-Dragon mate, most Empire residents would never accept me as leader."

Ganit hesitated, but then he said, "You are wrong. Many want your exile expunged, and I agree. The old rules must be upgraded. Your mate is a moot point as you already have a pure-blood heir. You are the logical choice for Emperor."

Tyrez's mouth straightened. "I was exiled according to the ancient rules and traditions. I cannot betray those rules, and then claim to uphold them."

Ganit's expression betrayed a frustration that matched my own, but I needed to refocus this discussion. "If Tyrez's challenge would not be accepted under the current rules, I think we are at an impasse." When a muscle jumped in Ganit's jaw, I stated the problem at hand. "This funeral could be used as a trap. He isn't safe."

"The Oracle has spoken on this topic," Tyrez insisted. "If I don't accept Taran's invite, it is an indication that I also don't accept his status as Emperor. As Ganit stated, I still have supporters. It could stress things to the point of fracture and tear the Empire apart."

"All Taran had to do, was not invite you," I pointed out. "You are exiled. No one would have questioned it. So why did he do so?"

Ganit took a deep breath. "You're not wrong. That Taran wants Tyrez at the funeral is enough to cause me concern, too."

"If you cannot guarantee his safety, then how can he go?" I asked.

"I go because I have to," Tyrez growled. "To preserve the Empire. It might have exiled me, but I am still loyal to it."

The determination in his expression, and his voice, triggered a flash of rage. I flung my hands in the air. "By all means. Uphold your honor. Just don't come crying to me when it blows up in your scaly face."

Ganit sighed and crossed his arms. "You two still argue like brothers. But what's all this about a sword?"

When Tyrez attempted to say something, I cut him off. "We are not talking about the blasted sword," I growled, a distinctly Dragonian sound. I glared from Tyrez to Ganit. I now knew nothing I would say was going to sway any of them.

These Dragons took stubborn to a new level.

I spun, plunged through the door to the stairwell, and pounded down the stairs with my thoughts sizzling through my head. Why was I the only one who saw the dangers here?

I should have hightailed it off that roof like Tyrez had wanted me to. Now there were Legion Dragons that knew I was alive. That they also wanted me to step up and help to challenge Taran's hold on the Empire…

For the first time, I was glad I'd lost my Dragon.

The building was full of students enjoying their free time. I didn't want company, so I strode straight through the foyer to the front meadow and continued until I hit the path along the lake.

And then I began to run.