Page 21 of Salt in the Seas
The heaviness of Durriken’s form left her anchored, the light mattress under her body back in the Myndren Mountains no longer palpable. The physical sensation was immediately followed by the irritated internal grunt of Durriken sensing her presence.
I’m sorry.She attempted the words, not knowing if they’d cross over but hoping they would.
Whether or not he was aware or cared, he took flight, drawing Aeliana’s attention to the forest growing smaller beneath him. The remains of Islara shrank to their right before being replaced by trees as they flew south. Just as Aeliana gained her bearings, the dragon angled down, circling as he lowered, as if hunting for the perfect clearing.
Durriken’s anticipation fluttered through Aeliana, crossing over thethread that connected them, but she couldn’t say what he looked forward to.
I have no wish to control you.She tried communicating again, suspecting Durriken could hear her but was unwilling to respond unless it benefitted him.But if you’re willing to share information, I could use your help.
Her stomach jolted as he dropped, apparently finding the exact spot he wished to land. The motion almost made her lose her hold, and for a heartbeat she felt the sheets against her skin, the coolness of her chambers back in Myndren.
Durriken let out a satisfied harrumph.
Did Mayvus have any stores of blood in the mountains? Anyplace she had you take her that only she knew of?
Durriken landed in the clearing, his paws touching down on the grass with a gentleness she hadn’t expected. His weight shifted as his front paw stepped more inline. His limp was no longer pronounced as he compensated for the missing fourth leg.
He lay down, resting his head over his stump, and let out a smoky breath. It seemed no answer would come, and Aeliana’s confidence that he’d heard her, that he could understand, waned. Perhaps the brand wasn’t like her mother’s because Durriken was a dragon. And yet he’d spoken in her mind when she’d first branded him. He’d heard her respond. She had to hope it was possible even across this distance.
Eventually Durriken’s ears perked at the flutter of leaves, the crack of snapping twigs. He held unnaturally still though his heart raced.
Aeliana internally winced, wondering if she would be forced to watch him catch his prey. Perhaps it was time for her to release her hold on their brand.
Yes.
She sensed his purr of agreement cut short as he realized his mistake. So… hecouldunderstand her in this strange state.
Please, Durriken.
He hesitated, shaking his withers as if he might shake off her hold.
She tried again.When Mayvus returns, I don’t want her to brand you again. You or anyone else.
He stilled, finally sensing her desperation enough to respond.Mayvus is dead.
The flicker of memories returned at double speed, blood and torn flesh, the cave in the mountain’s peak. A ripple of disgust ran through him. Despite Mayvus’ status as the enemy, he took no pleasure in the taste of starblood, and when her body felt lifeless, he deposited it on the cave floor and flew away.
Before she could ask more questions, a small figure broke through the trees, interrupting the memories he’d shown her.
“You came back.” A young boy breathed out the words, his eyes lit up in wonder.
Panic engulfed Aeliana, but Durriken made no move to attack. Instead, he peered beyond the boy.
“I couldn’t bring Adella today. Grandpa wants her to sleep more.”
Durriken’s rumble of disappointment flooded through Aeliana, but the true shock came when the boy stepped closer and rubbed the dragon’s nose. His stance held trust instead of fear, and his lips lifted in a smile.
“You’re slimy,” he said with a laugh.
Durriken let a huff of air out through his nostrils, sending the boy to his backside in a gust of wind. But the boy giggled and leaped to his feet.
“Again!”
Everything inside Aeliana drooped with relief as the boy and dragon resumed their game. She’d always wanted to believe the best of Durriken. All the atrocities he’d done had been when he was under Mayvus’ brand and authority, but that alone wasn’t enough for her to be certain. What if he wasn’t any better than the beast Mayvus had made him become? What if he’d simply wanted freedom to do a different kind of evil?
But that fear had been unfounded.
Durriken circled the clearing, tucking in the sharp edges of his scales as he let the boy chase—and even catch—his tail.
