Page 79 of Up In Flames
“Let's go,” Taroc said.
I continued to wonder about it as Xae took my hand and led me over to Ranor and the Tigers. When we drew close, Lord Vexen looked over and met my stare. As soon as he did, I remembered. He had been surprised that I knew his name. Granted, there were a lot of Wraith Lords, and I hadn't been among them that long, but tigers—the animals—had always fascinated me, so I knew the names of all the Tiger Wraith Lords. On the continent of Moav where I was raised, tigers were considered to be exotic beasts; so exotic, they were almost imaginary. By association, Tiger Ladrin were just as exotic to me. They were from Raxis, as most Ladrin were, but were native to the Northern tip, closest to the equator.
I'd been to that region once on a mission. It had been warm, even though it was night, and the city was surrounded by thick jungle. I still remembered the Tigers in the streets, fighting off the Corrupted in their beast forms. Giant predator felines with fur like orange tabby cats. They were even striped like a tabby, except their stripes were black, making the markingsstand out. These were not beasts who had to hide. They fought viciously and without fear, snarling and swinging their claws. Deadly and beautiful. I could see those beasts in the Tiger Wraith Lords—in the way they moved and even the angles in their faces. There was something cat-like in all of them. For Lord Vexen, it was several things, but especially his eyes. Their shape, that vibrant green, even the dark skin around them. All they needed was a slit pupil. If I stared into his eyes as he shifted, would they even change?
Lord Vexen's cat eyes slid to the side, gliding over Xaedren to settle on Aranren. His expression tightened. So, General Ranor wasn't the only one wary of Ara. Not that I could blame any of them. This was the man they had fought for centuries. The focus of all our animosity. And within the course of a few hours, he had shifted from enemy to friend. That's hard to process.
I nodded at the Tiger Lords, then focused on the General, “General Ranor, my team . . . er, my family would like to bring our newest member home with us, but I warned them that you might not approve.”
General Ranor stiffened.
The Tigers made low growls.
“Get over it,” Xaedren snarled back. “Death already knows where the citadel is. He's been inside it. As Aranren has. We're not risking anything by bringing him there.”
“Just ourselves,” the General said. “I'm sorry.” He looked each of us in the eye, including Ara. “I truly am. But until I'm absolutely certain that this is over, I cannot allow Aranren into the citadel. As far as I'm concerned, the war is not over.”
Ara inclined his head. “I understand, and I accept your decision, General Ranor. In fact, I believe it's both wise and for the best.”
“Ara,” I whispered.
“Time will speak for us, Ember,” Ara said. “I'm not concerned about where I rest my head, only that Death is not inside it any longer.”
“Well said.” General Ranor stuck out his hand and shook Aranren's. “I hope and pray that you are free of Death forever.”
“Thank you, General. I hope that as well. But like you, I am still processing this change and part of me hesitates to celebrate it.”
“Ara?” I said again, this time with more concern.
“Ember, it's the first day. I've spent centuries under Death's bones. It will take time to feel free.”
“I'm liking you more and more,” Ranor said. “But I still can't let you into the citadel.”
“Yeah, we got it, Ranor,” I snapped.
The General lifted his brows.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Ara and I have been through a lot.”
“I know, Ember.” Ranor laid a hand on my shoulder. “Look, we cleared the fortress. You could go there, maybe install a new ward. I'll send a unit of lords with you to help keep watch.”
“We'd appreciate that, General,” Rath said.
“What?” I looked at Rath. “You guys want to live in Aranren's fortress? Are you sure?”
“Why not?” Xae shrugged. “Our own fortress? Sounds good to me.”
“We'll have to cook for ourselves,” Ara said. “My staff was . . .”
“The Corrupted, “ Taroc said. “It's all right. I can cook.”
“You can?” I asked, starting to smile. “You never told me you could cook.”
“There was no point.”
“I would have liked to know. I can cook a bit too. Nothing magnificent, mind you. But enough to get us by.”
“Wonderful,” Rath said. Because I'm an awful cook.”
