Chapter 40

Dilacs and I hold hands as we walk in the lead. The men shifted the cart then turned it over to block the tunnel before we left it behind to travel on foot. I have so many questions but there hasn't been time to ask them or to hear the story of how he escaped. Right now all I can do is be grateful and try my best to not worry about what's next.

Dilacs is leading us to the Zmaj compound. I have no idea how this is going to go. The Zmaj and the Urr'ki hate each other. Or the Cavern Zmaj do and they'll be the first ones we meet as none of the other Zmaj, the ones we humans came here with, will be on guard duty. At least not that I've ever seen.

My shoulders are so tight that they're causing a tension headache. All of this depends on me. I have to keep the two sides from killing each other on sight. Dilacs I feel sure of, but Khiara has a temper and the General, well him I don't know at all.

"We are in their territory," Dilacs whispers.

I nod understanding though I have no idea how he knows. The tunnels all look the same to me. Well, not the same, but no differentiation that clearly delineates this is Zmaj territory versus something else. I try to swallow but my mouth and throat are too dry. I cough into my elbow, clear my throat, and swallow at last.

"Okay," I say. "You should, uhm, stand back maybe?"

"No," he growls.

Everyone is huddling close around, looking at me. I glance at each of them in turn before putting all my attention back on Dilacs.

"Dilacs," I say, still whispering as I place my hand over his forearm. His eyes drop to my hand and the fire in them is an inferno. His skin warms to my touch and I know that both of us are dreaming of being alone, but now is not the time. "I'll be fine. The Zmaj will not hurt me."

"Lizards," he spits the word.

"Zmaj," I correct him. "Let's not start off with insults, okay?"

A low growly grumbling is his only response. Exasperation rises, he's not listening. How do I get him to see past his prejudice and old hatreds? I've pondered this so many times since I came to live in Khiara's home. The hard truth is that the Urr'ki grievances are not without justification. They have been killed, stolen from, driven down and down. But if the future is to be different then someone has to be willing to forgive the past and start anew. All of which is easy to say and think, but much, much harder to do.

"Dilacs," Rani says, inserting herself into the conversation. "Trust your dragoste. This is her world, she knows it and them in ways we do not."

His lips tremble with unexpressed anger that is almost rage, but he looks to his Queen and bows his head.

"As you command," he says.

Rani nods then gives me a smile. I smile back as I take a deep breath. I grip Dilacs arm then rise up onto my toes leaning in for a kiss. He comes down and gives me the kiss I need for strength.

I straighten my shirt, roll my shoulders and neck, then walk forward into the dark. The tunnels are dotted with luminescent plant growths that give just enough light to be able to see, mostly. The luminescence doesn't cast shadows, but it doesn't have to. The dark is so thick as to almost take on a level of malevolent feeling intelligence. As if it is waiting just beyond the dim light plotting its ultimate take over.

Enough with the dark thoughts. I've got this. Don't think about the fact that the fate of an entire species is resting on my shoulders. Oh good. Thanks for that thought, thoughts. No pressure. Right. Gada.

I turn a corner and continue follow the instructions that Dilacs gave me. He made me repeat them six times before he was confident I had them. I'm so nervous, but I focus on one foot in front of the other, watching for traps which Dilacs also educated me on.

Another corner, then one more and I see the firelight of the Zmaj guard station. I pause, hold my breath and count to ten, then stride forward feigning a confidence I do not feel.

"Halt, who goes?"

I stop the moment I'm challenged and raise my hands into the air.

"I'm Gweneth," I respond.

"Gweneth? Human?"

"Yes," I say, slowly walking forward.

Two hulking shadows are backlit by the fire. My heart does some weird fluttering when I first see them. Their wings rising above their shoulders, the breadth of them, just the familiarity and sense of safety that the sight of them brings. The Zmaj saved my entire race. I have no doubt without them we'd be dead, but that doesn't mean they are without their flaws. Especially these Cavern Zmaj.

As I come closer the shadows recede and the Zmaj come into focus. I don't recognize either one of them but then I have never made an effort to get to know every Zmaj. The gleaming blades of their lochabers rise over their shoulders, set between their wings. The edge of the blades reflects the firelight glinting a deadly greeting.

"What are you doing out in the tunnels?" one of them asks.

The other one crosses his arms over his barrel shaped chest, frowning deep enough that it pulls his horns down onto his forehead.

"I need to speak to Rosalind," I say.

He arches an eyebrow while the other one snorts.

"Humans," the one behind the barrier says with a shrug when the one confronting me looks over at him.

"No," the one in front of me says. "You need to see the Al'fa. He will decide what happens next. You broke the rules."

My heart flutters under the cold brush of fears icy touch.

"Please," I say. "I am happy to speak with the Al'fa, of course, but first I need to see Rosalind. It's very, very important."

"Important to who?" he asks.

Who? You, idiot. The Urr'ki. Everyone. My mission is vital.

I can't say any of my thoughts because I know they will get me nowhere. I swallow the angry retorts and resort to something I know the Zmaj respond to. Tears. It's not hard. I'm so freaking stressed out they're there waiting for their moment anyway. All I have to do is quit holding them back and take one look at how bleak the future is if Dilacs and I don't succeed. It's more than enough push to get the waterworks flowing.

Though my vision is blurry I see it's working. The Zmaj wings open part way, his tail slaps the floor, and he raises his arms then drops them to his side, shaking his head and looking over at the other one. The other one shrugs, sighs, then makes a motion with his hands.

"I'll get her," he says. "You two stay here."

"Thank you," I say, not having to fake the sobs.

Honestly, it's a relief to let it out. I've held in so many emotions, so much fear, more than fear, terror and now that I've opened the box it rushes out like I'm Pandora. The tears are, in a strange way, cleansing. They let the pain go. The fear. I don't bother trying to stop them or hold them back, I need this.

The Zmaj guides me behind the low barrier at the opening of the table then looks around. He finds a stool that he places for me and then he hands me a skin of liquid, urging me to take a drink.

I do and though I hate the content, it's the weird milk stuff the Cavern Zmaj seem to enjoy, I appreciate the sentiment. The milk is thick and always leaves a coating on my tongue along with a strong sour aftertaste. I stop after a sip and hand it back.

"It won't be long," he mutters, continuously glancing between me and the path into the compound.

He's looking for his companion or more specifically release. It's clear how uncomfortable he is. His wings rustle and his tail makes a raspy sound as it twitches across the stone floor. I lower my head and let my hair fall over my face while I wait.

My tears run their course and they were cathartic. The emotional storm I've been holding at bay for what feels like forever has calmed and now there is only me and my thoughts. Which are full to the brim with Dilacs.

This is love. Beyond the horniness, the physical reactions of my body to him, is this. This warmth in my chest. This lifting of my heart. The feeling that it will all work out because he and I are together.

"They come," the Zmaj says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I lift my head and stare down the walkway. It's the Zmaj equivalent of night time, which means most of the torches that light the compound are extinguished, but I see the shapes coming out of the gloomy dark.

Rosalind is only recognizable by her size in comparison to the two Zmaj flanking her. She's not wearing her normal uniform, the pristine white space leathers. It's odd and pulls at my attention. One of the Zmaj with her is the one who went to get her, the other has a hood pulled over his head and low across his face.

"Gweneth," Rosalind calls the moment she's close enough to be heard. "Are you okay?"

I stand up moving forward but the Zmaj throws his arm out and blocks me. I give him a glare but he only shrugs.

"Sorry," he says. "Can't be too careful."

I roll my eyes but don't push it further. Rosalind comes on like a rolling storm. The stern look on her face causes a quiver in my stomach long before I see the swell of her belly.

She's… oh…

"What is the meaning of this?" she barks, marching right up to the Zmaj who drops his arm and takes a step back before her.

"I'm following ord?—"

"Orders?" Rosalind cuts him off. "Here are my orders. Let her go. Now. I need to debrief her immediately."

"I have to ge?—"

"No," she cuts him off again. "You don't. She is coming with me. Feel free to alert the Al'fa because I will want to see him next. We will be in my office."

I watch the exchange in utter and complete awe. I've always known that Rosalind is a bad ass, but watching her in action takes that knowing to an entirely different level. She doesn't even wait for the Zmaj to respond, pushing past him, taking me by my arm and then she's pulling me away.

The Zmaj don't stop us. They don't even protest, letting us walk away without a word. Rosalind moves quickly, leading us through the compound and then before I hardly know it we're in her office. She moves behind the desk, takes her seat, and motions for me to sit opposite. She leans her head back and rubs her belly for a moment, sitting in silence.

While she does the hooded Zmaj who followed along with us moves behind her and massages her shoulders. She lets out a soft groan then opens her eyes, leans forward resting her arms on the desk and locks her steely gaze onto me.

"Report," she says.

And I do. I tell her everything trying to leave nothing important out but I can't sit still while I do it. I talk fast, worried that a random Zmaj patrol will find Dilacs and the others, but also knowing that if I don't lay this all out for her, she won't understand the importance of it all.

She doesn't interrupt. I'm not sure she even blinks the entire time I'm talking. I put it all out and when I finish she nods. Her right hand fingers drum on the desk but it's the only reaction.

"Shit," she mutters. "The Queen?"

"Yeah," I say.

She nods again, her eyes narrowing and her fingers drumming faster. Finally she rises to her feet.

"I'll deal with the Al'fa," she says. "He's not going to like this, but I will make it work."

"But we can't leave them out there waiting," I say, but my throat goes dry when she fixes me with a withering glare. "They'll be… scared."

"Yes," Rosalind says, dryly. "Visidion, will you please go with Gweneth and extend a welcome to our newcomers? Keep them safe until I can come to you with the Al'fa on board."

"Of course my treasure," Visidion agrees.

"Good," she says, stretching her back then straightening and squaring her shoulders. She walks around the desk and comes to a stop right in front of me. "You have done incredibly well. Better than I could have hoped. Thank you. All our peoples owe you a debt of gratitude."

Blood rushes into my cheeks and chest making them itch and burn. I stammer trying to say something but stop when only a squeak emerges. I nod, my eyes teary with pride. Rosalind grips my shoulders tightly then gives a sharp nod and leaves the room. As she does someone is entering the outer office.

"Good, I'm glad you're here. Saves me having to look for you," she says.

"What is the meaning of this?" the deep bass of the Al'fa echoes into the office.

"We should go, now," Visidion says, offering one arm while motioning towards the door with the other.

I take the offered arm and he leads us around the arguing leaders. The debate is already heated and getting louder. I look over my shoulder as we leave the office. Rosalind catches my eye and gives me the briefest of smiles that lets me know it will all be okay. The road may not be easy, but she'll bring this Al'fa Zmaj to heel.

I'm coming Dilacs. Our road isn't going to be any easier than hers, but we'll walk it together.