to know about the cathedral, didn't she? And here they were in the land where Pearlis existed. His parents had always been awkward when the odd query had come up about his birth, hadn't they? That was over three decades ago though.
Gabriel felt nauseated. Had his parents lied? Had his whole life been a lie, waiting for this moment for him to flip into another world ... the world he'd originated from? It sounded feasible, in a sinister way, given his situation. Is that why Aphra had found him to be the perfect 'ride' home? Was it that he would not disturb the fine fabric of the worlds if he were one of Morgravia's own returning? Had she been so blinded by her own desperation that she was risking not telling Cyricus the whole story? Is this why she was so fearful?
Had Reynard known? If so, how? Did the raven know?
And even though his jumbled thoughts crowded in to frighten, disturb and sadden Gabe, this one thought of Aphra's fear of him stood out. It pleased him and he experienced a thrill of pleasure that Aphra was keeping secrets from Cyricus. Divide and conquer, he thought.
The wolves surrounded Fynch, deep in the forest, where they had dragged him. Unbeknownst to Cassien, Romaine had sent her kin to range alongside the two men as they'd travelled, staying within the dark shadows, far enough away so the horses did not pick up their scent.
Fynch owed them a debt, for once Cassien had finally - and he knew, unhappily - left him, he didn't have the strength to do much more than die by the roadside. Death! He wasn't ready for it. Surely it would not choose this time to call him, when the Crown most needed his counsel? The pair of wolves had sat, like sentinels, beside him for two days now. He understood they were keeping vigil to watch him slip into death and would stay by him until his body cooled.
The clue that this was not the plan was the sudden stirring of the trees. A strange wind had erupted in the darkest, quietest part of the night when even the owls were still. He heard the leaves flutter above and then felt the air buffet his face. He opened his eyes and, for a heartbeat, he felt a moment's fear that this was it; true darkness had come to claim him. The soft whine of the wolves as they lowered themselves to the ground, and a looming shape above, told him this was not death but life hurtling toward him.
Tree trunks bent, branches snapped, and leaves fell as though it were a different season, as the familiar shape broke through the sparse canopy of this woodland area and landed soundlessly on the forest floor. The beast's colours, like illuminations, glowed and softly spilled a pool of low light about itself.
Fynch blinked, grinning despite his weakness. It had been a long, long time since they had seen one another. 'My king,' he murmured, his spirits soaring to see the great dragon. 'Forgive me for not being in a position to welcome you more elegantly.'
My friend, it replied in his mind, in its usual gracious manner, and dipped its huge head.
Fynch chuckled. 'Far too long.'
Nevertheless, we are always together.
'You've terrified my wolf friends.'
It is the wolves that called to me. Romaine is persistent; she howled her despair for two entire nights. Set my head aching and my whole body on edge, the dragon complained.
'She had me followed!' Fynch complained.
Clearly you can't be turned loose from the Wild before you get up to mischief, the dragon chided.
'Ah, but I wish it were only that innocent. I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders right now, my king.'
It is not your burden to bear.
Fynch shook his head weakly. 'I have pushed it onto the shoulders of others and - '
Look at you, more than old enough to know better than to risk your life, to deliberately spill your precious, magical blood! The dragon gave a soft growl of displeasure.
I think I am dying.
You may have been, but I'm here.
Despite the dark, he and the dragon could see each other perfectly well.
You obviously had good reason to spill the dragon's blood.
'You felt it?'
Every drop. We are of one flesh. You bound yourself to me and I to you.
'So you can heal me?'
My strength is yours to use. But we must leave here.
'Dragon strength,' Fynch wheezed.
Dragon magic. Come,