33

When we arrive at our cave, we let the other dragons land first and set their cargo down inside, while Serylla and I circle the peak of the mountain. Once we move everything into place, I will fetch the hatchlings from Rothkuri and Everelle's cave, and we'll be together again, all four of us.

I once thought spawning hatchlings would be the height of my joy, but my love for the girl on my back surpasses what I could feel for any other living thing. Still, becoming the father of two such adorable, intriguing little creatures has been the second greatest happiness of my life.

As Serylla and I glide lazily in the sunlit sky, preparing to enter our cave, a black tempest streaks up from the valley, shooting past us, high into the arch of the heavens.

I'd know my brother's shape anywhere, no matter how fast he's flying.

A dark void orb pulses from Varex's jaws, rocketing upward before fizzling and imploding on itself. Immediately afterward, a shudder runs through my brother from nose to tail, and for a second, every one of his spikes and scales glow red and yellow along the edges, as if they've been dipped in lava. My blood chills at the sight.

"That was beautiful, and terrifying," says Serylla. "Is that normal for him?"

"No," I growl.

"Is he sick?"

"I'm not sure. He's been keeping his distance for weeks, and I've allowed it—but I'm done giving him space. He hasn't been himself since the Mordvorren."

With fierce, determined wingbeats, I climb higher. Serylla's legs tense and tighten around the base of my neck. She's used to being on my back, and she knows I'll catch her if she falls, but being this high up is still frightening for her.

"The air is too thin," she gasps. "Lower, Kyreagan."

"Of course." I dive down immediately, then roar for Varex's attention. His head swivels toward us, and reluctantly he begins to descend.

He and I land on the mountaintop, facing each other.

"You saw that," Varex mutters.

"Yes, what the fuck?"

"What he means to say," Serylla interjects sweetly, "is that he cares about you very much. We both do. And we're worried. If you're in some kind of trouble, you need to tell us. Please."

Varex chuffs softly. "Your concern is appreciated, brother—and little sister." He dips his head to Serylla. "As much as I hate to admit it, I think you're right. I can't handle this on my own any longer."

"Handle what?" Serylla asks.

"Speak your mind," I urge him. "Did the poison affect you differently? Are you ill?"

"Nothing like that." Varex's long tongue glides along his jaws, and then he says slowly, "As you know… I have void magic. "

"We're all familiar with it," I say dryly, and Serylla kicks her heel against my shoulder.

Varex doesn't seem to notice. "I once told Vylar that it felt as if there was a great void inside me, and that I had to keep tight control of it if I didn't want it to swallow me whole. If it becomes too much for me, I can squeeze pieces off the void—encapsulate bubbles of it—"

"Your void orbs, yes." I frown, concerned by his tone. He has never opened up to me before about how his magic feels—the fact that it frightens him. "What are you saying?"

He eyes me warily. "You're going to yell at me when I tell you."

"Maybe. I'll yell louder if you make me wait for the answer."

"Very well." He grimaces. "You know the Mordvorren lasted a long time."

"I was there."

"Right. For some of us, the food supply dwindled painfully low. Jessiva and I ran out of food two days before the end. And I'd seen the amount the others had stocked in their caves. I knew we were all going to starve if the storm didn't stop. By the time it quit on its own, we might be too weak to hunt or forage. I was desperate to save us, and I had an idea—a stupid fucking idea, more stupid than I realized at the time, and now I don't know what's going to happen to me—"

"Varex," I say, as calmly as I can manage. "What did you do?"

Varex takes a deep breath.

Looks me right in the eyes.

"I swallowed the Mordvorren."