Page 128 of Queen’s Gambit

‘That we cannot promise, Fireborn. Let her do this, and I’ll strike a bargain with you. I’ll give you Reynard Erenheart. If Roksana accepts her fate, Reynard will not die until you release him,’ Veles offered. Cinared bared his teeth in a predatory smile.

‘Swear it. Swear on your connection to the Veil that he’ll live unharmed and unchanged, just as he is today,’ Cin insisted, a familiar lisp returning to his speech. ‘I know your malice. You will not turn him into a walking corpse.’

‘Wait. I have a condition. Tova—give him back his memories.’ I glared at Veles, and the death god’s stare softened.

‘I can swear, but I cannot return what no longer exists. The Veil erases all. It would be cruel to leave a soul to wander the afterlife, yearning for all they’d lost. You have his life. Whether his heart returns to you, that’s not in my power to give.’

Tears pooled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. There was always a price to pay. At least Tova wouldn’t miss what he didn’t remember.

‘Thank you. Am I free to leave?’

Jurata stepped forward. ‘One more thing, Little Vila.’

I narrowed my eyes, bracing for more demands. ‘Yes?’

‘No one must know about this night. Not even your king. If you wish to remain human, you’ll live like one. Your godhood and all the knowledge of it must be sealed in Tangra’s sands,’ she said, and even though her voice was soft, it was a warning I wouldn’t ignore.

‘I understand,’ I said before turning to Cinared. ‘Take me back to Rey, please.’

I followed the dragon without looking back. Once we were free of the cave, I climbed up, plastering myself against his warm scales.

You didn’t tell me you planned to leave again. Why, Sanika? Don’t you trust me?

I trust you, Cin. I wasn’t keeping it a secret. I… We won the war, and I’m supposed to be happy, but… I’m sorry, Cin. I stumbled through my explanation, so instead of making things worse, I opened myself to our bond and let the dragon see everything.

For the longest moment, there was nothing. Then warmth and love surrounded my soul, and tears spilled down my cheeks. I pressed a kiss to his scales and whispered, ‘I’m sorry.’

You taught me to feel, to love, and to fear losing the light you brought into my existence. My brothers and I made this world, and even if that power is lost to us, I can still unmake it. Please remember this next time you bargain with the gods.

Cin, you are scaring me. How could I carry so much responsibility?

I’m sorry, Sanika. I’m not like Vahin; his feelings are the soul of the tempest. I am destruction. The flame that burns the sky and forms the land. That’s the only way I know how to love.

We landed in the palace gardens, and I slid off his back. Cinared turned towards me, fixing his gaze on mine before dipping his head. A wave of sadness swept over me. I reached out, grabbed one of his spikes, and pulled his head toward mine.

‘I love you, my big softie. I never want you to change. Thank you for defending me, for standing up to the gods and threatening them. Now be a good beast, my beautiful destruction, and promise you won’t follow through on your threats.’ I chuckled when his tongue slipped out, its tip tracing the line of my face.

‘You love me?’ he rumbled, and I sighed, placing a kiss on the ridge of his eyelid where he could feel the touch the most.

‘I do. From the bottom of my foolish heart.’

He lifted his head and roared, sending a plume of fire into the sky. The alarm trumpet blared from the turret, and I sighed.

‘I’ll keep the world safe for you and worthy of my love.’ He leapt into the sky, leaving me to shield my eyes.

Go to Rey, Sanika. He is waking up, and he is not happy.

Despite Cinared shielding his thoughts, I sensed how thrilled he was to have caused chaos among the soldiers.

I bet he is, I thought back as the groggy men gathered in nightshirts after the alarm.

How am I going to explain this?