is humble," Elinor said, taking control of the conversation. "He is, in fact, the new leader of the Blue. He was instrumental in taking down Queen Stacia, along with your friend Jarrett and his bride to be. They are all very brave people." She set the cup down on a nearby table. "And we should be on our way. We don't want to miss the wedding, do we?"
Bastian watched her carefully. Her eyes were dull. She didn't mean a word of it. He opened his mouth, ready to ask her if she'd prefer to stay at the oasis rather than travel to the wedding. He thought better of it and pursed his lips together. If Elinor didn't want to go, she could say so herself. Bastian wouldn't speak for her.
"Yes," he said, setting his cup next to hers. "If our dragon has had enough water, then I am ready to continue. Thank you."
The guard smiled. "Give my best regards to Jarrett. Had I known he planned to marry the girl so quickly, I might have offered him one last night of freedom with one of the girls here. Now he'll be tied down to that surly, homely girl." He shrugged. "An odd choice when he could have had the queen."
"The queen?" Elinor raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," the guard answered. "Jarrett has long been the queen's favorite. Why he would bring around a common girl when he could have the most beautiful woman in the all the lands escapes me." The guard sighed. "I suppose Jarrett is as free as all of us." He led them out of the tent, back into the blinding sun.
Bastian wrapped his scarf around his face again, and Elinor did the same. He glanced at Connor. Water glistened around his snout and his tongue lazed out the side of his mouth. Yes, he appeared to have had his fill too.
Elinor stood next to Connor. She reached up, grabbing hold of his scales, and attempted to hoist herself onto his back. She failed. Three times.
Bastian stood back, watching her. Why wouldn't she wait for him to help her like he had the other times?
The guard sidled up to Bastian. "Is she your concubine?"
"My..." Bastian glanced at Elinor again as she attempted a fourth try. "No, no. She’s my friend.” At least he hoped so.
The guard laughed again. "She is intrigued by you. Be careful with that one. She is strong, and she may not take no for an answer. You may end up her concubine before you know it."
Elinor? Interested in him? The guard was wrong. Bastian clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you again. We will pass on your good wishes to the groom and bride." After he punched Jarrett and confronted Tressa. Maybe then Bastian would remember to wish them luck.
He strode over to Elinor. "May I help you?"
She grunted. "Fine."
Bastian placed his hands carefully under her arms and lifted Elinor onto Connor's back. She weighed no more than a child, but he could feel her curves and he knew she was no child under the layers of clothes.
"Thank you," she muttered. Her eyes lingered for a moment too long on his.
Bastian swung up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She sank into his chest, then stiffened just as quickly. Connor's wings unfurled, and within moments they were soaring in the sky again, headed toward the confrontation Bastian both anticipated and dreaded.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Tressa and Jarrett held hands and walked down a long hallway toward the garden where they would be wed. He'd promised her that as soon as the ceremony was over, she was free to do as she pleased and he would support her decisions. Tressa wanted to thank him, but she still didn't trust herself to speak. Instead she only nodded, her lips pursed.
Despite her less than innocent feelings toward Jarrett, she managed to put aside her shame. She walked to the garden with her shoulders back, baring everything to the people of the Sands with her sheer gown. To her surprise, there were no leers, no lecherous comments from the men. She'd grown used to the men of the Black Guard who bragged about their sexual escapades and spoke of women as if they were objects for lust. The people here treated her as if she were a gloriously dressed queen, despite being able to see every private part of her body through her gown.
Jarrett led her into the gentle light of the setting sun, down a path strewn with