Page 24 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
“There were those there who had been capturing dragons and torturing them for years, using the dragons’ magic to strengthen theirs, and preventing others from using magic within the city.”
Tamlyn was glad she was sitting, the shock was so great. “I–I don’t understand. Those without don’t want magic in their cities.”
“Unless the leader of a city happens to have magic and manages to keep it from everyone.”
“It’s so preposterous that I can barely believe it.”
“Well, I don’t believe,” Jenefer said as she strode into the courtyard.
Tamlyn jumped to her feet in surprise. She glanced at Cullen, but he didn’t seem surprised to see Jenefer. Sian stood a few steps behind the warrior and smiled in greeting at Cullen. He bowed his head to both women.
“What is he doing here?” Jenefer demanded.
Tamlyn licked her lips. This isn’t at all how she’d wanted to tell her friends. Her lips parted, but before she could utter a syllable, Sian spoke.
“One of the children said they heard a male voice. We decided to check it out,” she said.
Tamlyn sighed and met Jenefer’s glare. “He returned earlier, offering aid again.”
“And you accepted, knowing how I felt?” Jenefer demanded.
Tamlyn thought about all the reasons to argue for Cullen, but she decided against it. “I did. We could use the help.”
“Speak for yourself,” Jenefer snapped.
Sian put a hand on Jenefer’s arm and glanced at her before saying to Tamlyn, “We just wish you would’ve spoken with us first before deciding.”
“You two make decisions all the time without talking to me. Why is this any different?” Tamlyn asked. “Whether we like it or not, having Cullen aid us will be good.”
Jenefer rolled her eyes. “You don’t know him. This could all be a setup.”
“Maybe, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Tamlyn blew out a long breath. “We’ve managed to save a few, but not as many as we could. Think how many more children we could free.”
Sian clasped her hands in front of her. “I’m not against Cullen helping—”
“Thank you,” Tamlyn said.
“But,” Sian said, her gaze hard, “how? It isn’t as if you can walk into the city and start taking children.”
Jenefer crossed her arms over her chest and turned her attention to Cullen. “Why are you doing this?”
“As I told you earlier, the bairns. They can no’ help being born with magic or abilities. They shouldna be condemned to death because there are those who doona wish to accept that.” Cullen faced Jenefer. “I’ve given my word to my friends that I willna instigate a war. I gave that same vow to Tamlyn, and I give it to both of you.”
Jenefer shrugged her shoulders slightly. “Pretty words. I’d like to believe them, but I think there’s more.”
“There is.”
Tamlyn snapped her head to Cullen, furious that he hadn’t told her. “What?”
He swung his gaze to her. “It isna a secret. I was about to tell you when your friends appeared.”
“Tell us now,” Jenefer ordered.
Tamlyn saw a muscle twitch in Cullen’s jaw, but he remained calm. She had to give him credit because Jenefer was pushing him.
“Recently, there have been attacks on dragons coming from your side of the barrier,” he said.
Sian shook her head. “Who would be that stupid? I take it they’ve been caught.”
“What’s a few spears thrown?” Jenefer asked with a roll of her eyes.
“Several dragons were killed,” Cullen replied, anger tinting his voice. “Both Brandr and Eurwen were also attacked, but they managed to survive.”
Jenefer dropped her arms, her expression easing from its hard lines. “We heard nothing about that. Do you know who it was?”
Cullen shook his head. “No one was seen.”
“How is that possible?” Tamlyn asked.
Cullen looked at her. “That’s what I aim to find out.”
“In other words, you’re really here to find those who harmed your kind,” Jenefer stated.
Cullen closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m here for both. There’s no reason I can no’ take care of both issues while I’m here.”
“And if you’re found out?” Sian asked.
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “That willna happen. But if it does, I’ll make sure I have no association with any of you if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not,” Tamlyn said. She looked at her friends when they gawked at her. “Think about it. Do you know what having a Dragon King on our side could do for us?”
“You trust him?” Jenefer demanded. “After everything we’ve been raised to believe about dragons and Dragon Kings?”
Tamlyn hesitated, glancing at Cullen. His pale brown eyes met hers. A tremor went through her. The fear was still there, but she couldn’t deny that something pulled her to him. She had learned so much already. “Yes.”
“He saved Tamlyn and Pedar this morning,” Sian said.
