Page 10 of House of Ashes

“Take me out of here,” I demanded again, more sharply. “Whatever you want, I don’t give a damn.”

“This eyrie is indefensible.” He was muttering to himself, not paying the slightest attention to me. “We’ll be lucky if we’re left alone overnight.”

Indefensible? He was worried about that when I was this close to shoving him over the edge?

“It doesn’t matter, because I’m not staying here overnight. You’re going to drop me on the shore and go wherever in Akalla you want, but it’s going to be far, far away from me.” I glared at him through red-rimmed eyes.

How had a celebration turned so sour? Maybe this was my punishment from the gods; I’d toasted my father’s death, and they’d delivered me straight to my worst enemy.

“No, I’m not.” Rhylan turned to face me, his cold eyes narrowing again. “You’re going to wash, so I don’t have to smell old shine all night. I’m going to ensure we have a safe shelter until dawn. Kalros is still alive. I had to leave him and focus on finding you before you did something stupid—like waltz into another dragon-filled tavern for a drink.”

How dare he accuse me? This…this pampered prince, who’d lived his entire life in a respected eyrie…he had no idea what it was like to scrape out a life on the cold stones of Mistward.

“Your audacity is truly amazing,” I finally said.

“So is your smell,” he snapped. “The doors to the interior are that way. The only way you’re leaving this eyrie without me is by climbing, so choose fast.”

Rhylan pointed to the doors behind me, and for a moment I was so choked with pure, black hatred that I couldn’t move.

But if my mother were here, she would have slapped me until I saw stars.

Think with your intellect, not your emotions, dear, she would say. And she’d be right.

I loathed Rhylan with the fury of the sun, yes. But he was a powerful dragon, able to take on Kalros’s crew, and seemingly committed to my continued survival for the time being.

He was my best chance. My only chance.

For now.

I swallowed the venom that wanted to pour out, hating myself for hating him so ineffectually, for giving in, and turned towards the doors behind me.

They were cracked open already, a tiny light flickering within. The entry hall led to the interior of the eyrie, a maze of halls and rooms that had been cut from the stone by whichever House had once claimed this mountain as their home.

But there were no shadowed halls ahead, only a small, cramped room. A candle only an inch high flickered in the dark, illuminating the ruins. Judging by the rippled pool of wax it sat in, it had been burning for many hours now.

This had once been an Eyrie-Master’s storage room, where a dragon’s riding saddles and armor would be tended, weapons stored, packs readied for long journeys, records maintained of anyone who flew in or out.

Now it was mostly empty, except for thick cobwebs, and the fresh, new packs that Rhylan had clearly brought in here earlier today.

A rusty old laundry wash tub had been dragged in here from the depths of the eyrie’s interior, and it was full of…I dipped a finger in. Ice cold water, naturally.

This would be very pleasant. I slowly stripped off my cloaks, then my shirts, and finally the two pairs of trousers I’d made from fabric remnants. They were so crusted together they came off as a single garment.

As I dropped it on the floor, I almost conceded that Rhylan may have had a point about the smell, but then, the smell had kept me alive the entire time I’d lived here.

He’d left soap for me, too. I scrubbed myself hard, teeth chattering, keeping my mind off the icy water by thinking of exactly why he would have come for me.

If the ferryman in the Wyvern’s Whore had spoken true…the Jade Leaves supported me. It had been a long time since I’d thought of that House, but perhaps they had a son of bonding age, and wished to find a draga for him.

Maybe they had paid Rhylan to retrieve what could be a very valuable token, a key to Koressis Eyrie. Exile or not, I was still of ancient royal blood; a mate bond to the eldest child of the Drakkon would give them an equal playing field against Yura and Tidas. Other Houses might be more persuaded to form a Court with them.

Or, if I were to think like my mother, there was another thread in this.

Perhaps Yura had paid him because she wanted to kill me herself.

If that were the case, I could handle it. I was weakened by years of starvation rations, but if given a chance, hatred would fuel me against Yura.

I thought I could at least take her down with me.