Page 2 of Dragon Revealed (Dragon Kings 1)
Jeyra breathed a sigh of relief. There was no telling how long that emotion would stay with her, though she had a feeling that once it was gone, it would never return again. But no matter how many laws she had broken, regardless of the consequences of her actions, she had to do this. Not just for herself, but for everyone living in fear of the Dragon Kings. It was time her people got justice for the numerous deaths the dragons had caused. It was time the Kings realized they couldn’t dominate everyone. Maybe then the killings would stop.
When Rankin’s gaze swung to her, she saw that he had come to a decision. “I’m going to carry him. If anyone asks, you’re going to tell them you found him on our side of the border. The two of you fought, and you got the upper hand before he could shift into his real form. I trained you, so that won’t seem too farfetched. And our people know of your skill, so that works to your advantage.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t,” he spat. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for our people. Because if it’s ever discovered what you’ve done, then whatever truce we have will be shattered, and the killings will start up once more. I can’t live through that again. We’ve had peace for decades now, and you might very well have ruined all of that.”
Jeyra’s heart clutched because she realized that whatever kinship she and Rankin had developed throughout the years had just been smashed, destroyed. Shattered beyond any hope of reconciliation. She had seen Rankin react like this one other time. He’d never forgiven his once best friend for the transgression.
And he wouldn’t forgive her.
Rankin was the only family she had, and she had ripped that into a million pieces for the justice she needed. She already ached for the loss because she loved Rankin like a father. But her path had taken her to this point. She’d always known this was exactly where she was headed. If Rankin couldn’t see and understand that, then he didn’t know her at all.
She blinked back tears as Rankin grabbed the Dragon King by his hands to sit him up. Then the warrior squatted and let the King slump over his shoulder before Rankin straightened and adjusted the body. Without a word, he started walking. Jeyra had no choice but to follow.
With one last look over her shoulder to the border she’d crossed, the line she had ignored, she squared her shoulders and prepared for whatever came next.
