them. It wasn’t like they had a better plan. When the alternative was returning to Valreus and accusing one of the country’s most important figures of war crimes and treason, he’d take his chances with the world’s largest wild predator. “So we’re going to Sharoani.”
Kalai reached for him, and Tauran took his hand.
“If I may ask one thing of you before you leave,” Andreus said. For the first time, he looked uncertain, his one good eye darting between them.
“Of course,” Tauran said, surprising himself with how easy it was to say.
Andreus hesitated. When he spoke, he sounded almost childlike and hopeful. “May I… meet your dragons?”
* * *
They brought Arrow and Leyra up to the house, because Andreus couldn’t walk very far. Tauran kept a tight grip on the base of Leyra’s wing, worried she might be too excited for the fragile Andreus. But as they approached Andreus leaning heavily on his crutch by the crooked fence, she seemed to sense his presence required her self-control. She calmed, stretching her neck toward him to sniff his coat.
Andreus’ hand shook when he touched her nose. Leyra kept still, allowing him to stroke her head. When he reached out his other hand, she turned her side to him and raised her wing.
Tauran retreated to the wall beside Kalai and watched. The image of Andreus, broken and trembling, was so at odds with the man Tauran had known before the battle. Then, Andreus had been strong, with an air of friendly authority, dark hair always carefully combed back, and permanent smile-lines creasing the corners of his eyes. The view of him with Leyra reminded Tauran of when he had returned to Valreus, faced with Valeron, the first dragon he had seen in four years.
Arrow came up beside Andreus and Leyra, soft coos echoing in the crisp night air. Andreus gasped at the brilliance of his white scales and stroked Arrow’s shoulder. Leyra made an indignant sound, annoyed to have her nose rubs stolen away.
So much had changed inside Tauran, it felt like months and not hours had passed since that morning.
The brush of Kalai’s hand made Tauran look down. He hooked a finger around Kalai’s.
“Are you okay?” Kalai asked.
Tauran nodded, slowly. “Everything feels different, now. It’s a lot.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” Tauran whispered.
Kalai frowned a little. “Sure. Shouldn’t I be?”
Tauran shrugged. “Just making sure.” He looked back at the dragons, so gentle with the human standing between them. “Leyra reminds me of Itana.”
“Yeah?”
“Mhm. Itana was older. More mature. But she had the same wild, carefree spirit Leyra has.”
Kalai’s voice was soft. “You miss her.”
“Yeah.”
They gazed at each other for a long moment. They had their answers. They had a goal. And they were all right.
Tauran turned his attention from Kalai to Leyra when she flopped onto her back, wings and legs spread wide in demand of belly rubs. Tauran laughed. “All right, girl,” he called. “Now you’re just taking advantage.”
CHAPTER 35
Andreus and Hali made them breakfast, consisting of a strange, but tasty roasted marsh plant, as well as eggs from the chickens the pair kept behind the stable. Without a word, Andreus took his breakfast outside to sit with the dragons while he ate. Kalai felt a little bad they’d have to rob him of their company so soon. It was obvious Andreus had longed for dragon contact for years. Like Tauran, he’d lost his companion. Kalai could only imagine how heartbreaking that must be.
“Take our horse,” Andreus said, once they joined him outside. Tauran was about to protest, but Andreus cut him off. “You have a long journey ahead of you, and your titan isn’t used to being ridden. I can no longer ride, and Hali prefers to go down to the shore on foot, to keep in shape. We hardly use her these days, and she’s still young enough for a long trek.” He gestured for Hali to bring out the horse before Tauran could refuse.
“At least let us pay you,” Kalai said, rummaging through his pockets, but Andreus’ hand around his wrist stopped him.
“What use do we have for money in this place? Knowing you’re doing what you can for the wild dragons is payment enough.”
“We will do everything we can to stop Falka and everyone who follows him,” Tauran said. “Even if I have to hang him myself.”
Andreus took a deep breath. “I wish I could say I’ve found my peace and no longer desire revenge, but that’d be untrue. When you tie the noose, do so in my name.”
Tauran