Page 79 of Spellcast
She bursts out from the tunnel and stops at the sight of us, her expression immediately clouding, stern lines of censure forming brackets on either side of her lips. Her mouth forms an O of surprise before she recovers to say, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’re back.” One glimpse at her tells me she is not sorry. If anything, she looks quite irked...and disgusted.
“I see that,” he says in a tight voice.
“We found him, the onyx. He told us that he just spotted two armies, one from Penterra and the other from Veturland, both on a direct path for each other.”
He tensed. “How close are they?”
“They should meet up in the valley south of the Great Falls.”
He’s gone from me then, releasing me in an instant. I paddle in place, looking up at them both.
Hehas no trouble exiting the pool. He launches out of it in one smooth lift.
“Let’s go,” he commands Danhy. “You, me, and Viggo.”
“What about Cyphus?”
“He stays behind. He can keep an eye on Arvos and her.”Her.Me. “If they battle, soldiers will scatter and swarm the area. The last thing we need is one of them stumbling on the entrance to our cave. Cyphus can secure and protect the cave while we’re gone.”
He means to leave me alone with Cyphus? My stomach twists sickly at the notion. I swim to the edge of the pool. After several attempts, I manage to pull myself out from the water, snatching one of the waiting linens and wrapping it awkwardly around my wet body.
They continue to talk like I’m not there.
“We will not engage.” A warning underscores his words. “This is strictly a scouting mission. We won’t give anyone the chance to see us. Understand?”
She nods jerkily.
Seemingly satisfied, his gaze swings and finds me, skims me from head to toe. There’s nothing his eyes don’t see, and I don’t just mean the soaked towel plastered to my skin. His gaze fixes on my face, and I realize he’s seeing me as I was just moments ago, undone and frenzied as a storm in his arms.
Heat crawls up my face and I know he can read my mortification, my bewilderment at how something this wrong—him, me, dragon, human—could feel so good. He understands. Sees it on my face. I wonder if this is some innate dragon characteristic, more magic...this ability to observe andknowa person so fundamentally.
Footsteps ring out and Cyphus emerges through the tunnel.
Tage does not turn to look at him. Still holding my gaze, he says, “Cyphus. Take care of her.”
“What? I don’t get to go with you?” The familiar look of disdain comes over his blockish features.
“You’re staying,” Danhy volunteers to explain. “Tage, Viggo, and I are going to scout—”
“You’re leaving me here?” he growls. “You might need me—”
“Ineedyou to remain here,” Tage finishes. “Can you do as I say, Cyphus?” The hard edge of his voice conveys that he will accept nothing less.
“But I’m better suited to scouting than Viggo and Danhy—”
“I’m standing right here,” she inserts wryly.
Cyphus continues, ignoring her, “What if there’s trouble? I’m stronger than—”
“You are strong,” he agrees. “That is why I need you here,” Tage smoothly interjects. “Secure and protect the cave, ourhome.” It wasn’t a question, but a command. “Take care of her. Take care of Arvos.”
Tage slides me a look, then returns his gaze to Cyphus.
Cyphus doesn’t miss the look. Splotches of red break out over his face like he’s afflicted by a sudden rash.
Words hover on my lips.Don’t go. Don’t leave me here with Cyphus.
They never find air.
