“And yet,” said Lucy, a bite in her voice, “there’s a dead dragon in your secret hidden dungeon.”
“Yes,” said Rasad, the amusement back on his face. “And there’s an explanation for that. But first, please humor me, and return to my receiving room.”
Lucy hesitated for another moment, but all things considered, she decided she’d rather confront whatever was coming back in the daylight than down in this sinister place.
Rasad seemed to realize that she didn’t want to turn her back to him, so he preceded her out of the room. She followed at a distance, breathing a sigh of relief when she emerged back into the main part of Rasad’s suite. But she didn’t waste any time in rounding on her host.
“Where’s Cody?”
Rasad looked at her blankly. “I already told you, Luciana. I don’t know where he is. All I know is that he left, and he took a horse with him.”
Lucy frowned, wondering how far to push it. She decided that there were more immediate matters. She jerked her head toward the door into Rasad’s secret study. “What are you up to down there?”
“Luciana, you’re distressed.” Rasad’s voice was patient, and infuriatingly calm. “Sit down. Let me order some refreshments.”
“I don’t want refreshments,” Lucy snapped. “I didn’t drop by your suite for a social visit.” Her gaze flicked toward the opening into Rasad’s bedchamber, and a new flicker of unease curled through her stomach. “So don’t get any ideas.”
Rasad chuckled. “Surely you must know better than to think I have any designs on your virtue, Luciana. Would I do anything to harm the reputation of the woman I’m hoping will be my wife?”
Lucy’s hot retort died on her lips. For several long seconds she was silent, stunned into immobility by the unexpected declaration.
Rasad’s eyebrows were once again raised. “My intentions can’t come as a surprise, can they? Have I been so subtle? I wasn’t trying to be.”
“I…you…” Lucy stammered. “You’re trying to distract me, but I—”
“Not at all,” Rasad interrupted smoothly. He turned away from her, crossing the room and bending over a small chest in one corner.
Lucy ran a hand across her brow, trying to gather her scattered thoughts.
“In case you doubt me,” said Rasad, straightening up, “I have proof that I have been hoping for some time to win you over.”
Lucy blinked stupidly at the jewelry Rasad was holding out to her. It took her a moment to recognize it as the amethyst set that Rasad had tried to buy her in the market in Thirl.
“You went back for it,” she said blankly.
“Of course.” Rasad’s smile was indulgent. “It was appropriate for you to decline, but I could tell that you liked it.”
He approached Lucy with a measured step. Her instincts told her to run, but she felt frozen to the spot, unable to master the avalanche of emotions racing through her. Before she fully knew what he was doing, Rasad had attached the necklace around her throat. He didn’t linger, but his hands felt strange and sensitive on her skin.
“It suits you.”
The satisfaction in Rasad’s voice unlocked Lucy’s legs. She stumbled back a step, raising her hand to the necklace. It felt like a shackle.
“I don’t want to marry you,” she said clumsily.
Rasad sighed, but he didn’t look especially discouraged. “I know I’m being too abrupt. I intended to be much more charming.”
“You don’t want to marry me either,” Lucy said, her thoughts sluggish. “You’re just trying to make me forget what I saw.”
“I’m perfectly serious, I assure you,” Rasad said. His expression warmed as his eyes rested on her face. He smiled at her—the open, genuine smile Lucy had once found attractive. Now it made her feel like she’d drunk sour milk. “And I don’t want you to think it’s just that you’re beautiful, Luciana. You are, of course, although I expect you’re sick of hearing it. But there’s much more to admire in you. You’re sharp, but you’re young, and have so much to learn. I believe I could help you become even sharper.”
“I don’t want to be sharp,” Lucy said. Tears were stinging her eyes, and she wiped them away angrily, feeling foolish.
Rasad’s smile became indulgent. “I know you tell yourself that, but we both know it isn’t true.” He took a step forward, his voice turning eager. “I have so much to offer you, Luciana. With me you can be everything you were born to be. I know you’ve never really belonged in Kyona, any more than you belonged in Balenol. But in Thorania you can become so much more than you imagine.”
Lucy shook her head, hating the tiny part of herself that still found the picture enticing. The image of the dragon in the cave below reared up in front of her eyes, and she banished the traitorous thoughts with a flick of her head.
“If you wanted to marry me,” she said icily, “you wouldn’t be trying to conceal from me what you’re up to.”
“I’m not trying to conceal anything,” said Rasad calmly. “As I said, I didn’t intend to show you my experiments so soon, but I always meant to tell you everything, once you were ready.”
“Experiments?” Lucy repeated. “What does that mean?”
“It’s incredible, Luciana,” said Rasad, once again eager. He took another step forward.
Lucy fell back, a warning in her eyes. If Rasad noticed, he gave no sign.
“The endless possibilities, explored by so few before me,” he continued. “It’s more than I ever imagined. When I first heard the rumors that came out of Balenol when I was a small boy, of dragons, and magic, I hardly dared to believe there could be any truth to it. But I was captured all the same. I began to study, to search everywhere I could for any hint of information. My family has always been wealthy. When I was young, I had more opportunity than most to travel, to follow the scent.”
He shook his head, his eyes fixed on the distance as he spoke. “So few others ever bothered to question the rumors. I only ever found one person who saw a glimmer of the potential behind them.”
Lucy’s sharp intake of breath brought Rasad’s eyes back to her.
“Scanlon.”
Rasad nodded, holding her gaze. “I know you had no love for your uncle,” he said bluntly. “And truth be told, neither did I. We had a partnership, built on mutual interest in the possibilities behind dragon magic, nothing more.”
“So I suppose you had no idea that he planned to cause a civil war within Kyona,” said Lucy sarcastically. “That he wanted to punish the kingdom for Balenol’s decline. That he was determined to kill my whole family for personal revenge.”
Rasad shrugged. “I knew he wanted to access dragon magic. I didn’t ask what for. He had his plans, and I had mine.” His eyes again softened. “Certainly had I known you then, I would have done all in my power to protect you from his intentions.”
Lucy scoffed. “I was probably still a child when Scanlon was making his plans.”
“True,” mused Rasad. He chuckled. “Probably swooning over that foolish prince of yours.” He gave her a searching look. “Is it the age difference that makes you reluctant to accept my offer?”
Lucy drew a shuddering breath, unreasonably infuriated by Rasad’s scornful dismissal of Eamon. “No, it’s you,” she said bitingly. “And I’m not reluctant, I’m adamant.”
Rasad was silent for a moment, regarding her steadily. “There’s no need for a hasty answer.”
“You said you had your own plans,” said Lucy, ignoring the comment. “What were they? What are you doing with all that?” She waved a hand toward the closed door.
“I’m discovering,” said Rasad simply. “Inventing, even.” He made a scornful noise. “Scanlon was short sighted. And he didn’t have the patience I have. I had been conducting my research ever since I heard the rumors of your father’s magic artifact.” He leaned forward. “Have you ever held it? Is it really as powerful as the stories say?”
Lucy recoiled from his eagerness. “What does my father’s
rock have to do with any of this?”
“Everything,” said Rasad. “It was the first evidence in centuries of the possibility that dragon artifacts could hold a magic of their own. A magic that could be manipulated and used by humans.”
“So those crystals,” Lucy asked slowly. “They’re dragon artifacts of some kind?”
“Ah, you saw those, did you?” Rasad asked enthusiastically. “Aren’t they beautiful? Yes, they come from the Dragon Realm. The poor creature below brought them to me.”
“Brought them to you?” Lucy asked, stunned. “Willingly?”
Rasad chuckled. “I already told you, Luciana. The dragon was not my victim. He got from our bargain exactly what he wanted.”
“What, death?” Lucy challenged.
Rasad nodded solemnly. “Precisely.”
Lucy opened her mouth to protest, then shut it again as she remembered the details of Jocelyn’s adventures. “That’s the dragon who forfeited his power to Scanlon on purpose. The one who wished he hadn’t chosen immortality, and wanted to die. He knew that by giving up his magic, he would waste away. The crystals aren’t from the Dragon Realm in Kyona’s mountains, where my father’s rock comes from. They’re from the Dragon Realm off the coast of Valoria. The one Joss and Kincaid entered.”
“That’s right,” said Rasad, seeming pleased to find her so well informed. “Scanlon was immediately captured by the possibility of receiving the beast’s magic into his own body, impetuous fool that he was. I am more cautious. And as usual, I was the only one to see the true breadth of the potential. Through my experiments, I can make use of many kinds of magic, without warping my own being.”
“But…how?” The instinct to run was still there, nagging at Lucy’s mind, but Rasad’s revelations held her in thrall.
“It’s incredible,” Rasad said enthusiastically. “There are so many things to try, with the scales particularly. It’s been months, and there has been no breakdown at all. I could probably spend years experimenting. But it’s the crystals that really hold the magic.” He shook his head. “Such power, when applied correctly. Such a shame that I have so few.”
“How do you have any?” Lucy pressed. “Why would the dragon bring you crystals? If Scanlon gave him what he wanted by taking his magic away, why would he bring you gifts?”
Rasad gave a grim smile. “Scanlon did have his uses. He was wily, and very persuasive. I financed most of his activities, and he had his end of the bargain to fulfill. He didn’t agree lightly to the exchange with the dragon. He convinced the creature that more was required of it. Retrieving the crystals was one part of that deal. What you saw below was the other part. You see, dragons usually return to their own realm when they approach their end. But this one,” Rasad’s teeth flashed in a grin, “came here.”
Cold ripples of horror passed over Lucy at the enthusiasm with which Rasad spoke of the death of the dragon, and the way he and Scanlon had swindled the poor, foolish creature. He didn’t even seem to realize that he had lost her, too caught up in his satisfaction to take in her expression.
A knock at the door interrupted the flow of words. Lucy turned, tensing as she once again raised her weapon.
“Enter,” Rasad said, his voice as calm as ever.
Lucy started forward with a gasp at the trio who entered. Matheus looked pale and afraid, but he didn’t appear to be injured. The observation did little to soften the sight of her younger brother being restrained by two burly, armed men.
“What’s going on?” Rasad asked his guards, his faint surprise almost more maddening than the situation itself.
“We caught him following the other one,” said one of the guards gruffly. “He stole a horse as well.”
Lucy scowled at her brother. So much for protecting him by keeping him out of it. She should have predicted this after he gave in so easily.
“You were trying to follow Cody?” Rasad asked, still unruffled. “It wasn’t necessary for you to do that, Matheus. I told you that I sent people after him. And if you did want to join the search, you didn’t need to be clandestine about it. I could have provided you with a horse if you’d just asked.”
Matheus didn’t respond, and the blankness of his expression sent a tendril of fear curling up Lucy’s spine.
“Did you catch up to him?” she pressed. Matheus was an excellent rider, better than Cody. Perhaps, if Cody really had only just left…
“Almost.” Her brother’s voice was so quiet she had to lean forward to hear him.
“What do you mean almost? Matheus, where’s Cody?”
Matheus met her eyes at last, and she could see the intensity of the emotion he was trying not to show.
“He’s dead.”
Chapter Thirty
Lucy took an involuntary step back, her senses swimming.
“No.” She shook her head stupidly, refusing to consider the possibility. “Matheus, that might be what they want you to think, but Cody can’t be—”
“I saw, Lucy.” Matheus’s voice was anguished. “No one told me anything. You know I’m a better rider than Cody. I thought I could catch him, and I was right. I was in front, with the others not far behind me. I almost had him, Lucy. I’d almost caught up when I saw…” He trailed off, swallowing hard.
“Saw what?” Lucy demanded impatiently. If she focused on her irritation, she wouldn’t have to acknowledge the terror beneath it.
“Saw his horse carry him straight over the edge into the ravine.”
Lucy felt frozen to the spot, unable to make sense of the words. She could only stare blankly at her brother, searching his face for some sign that he was making this up, that it was some kind of trick to fool Rasad.
“So he was heading for Thirl,” said Rasad quietly. He turned to Lucy. “Luciana, I’m so very sorry. It’s treacherous terrain, and my people had reported that the horse he took was a new stallion, not fully broken in. He must have—”
“Stop.” Lucy held up a hand, not even willing to look at Rasad. “I don’t want to hear any more of your lies.” Her eyes met Matheus’s, pleading with him. “Maybe he survived. Did you go to the edge, did you…?”
Matheus was shaking his head, bitterness in his expression. “They caught up to me and restrained me. They dragged me back here.”
“Luciana,” said Rasad gently. “There’s no way he could survive that fall.”
For the briefest moment Lucy felt grief welling up inside her, threatening to burst out with terrifying violence. But her eyes were still locked on her brother’s, and she could see the devastation behind his pale face. She drew a deep breath, forcing everything else down. Matheus was only fifteen. And if Cody was really gone, there was no one but her to protect him. She couldn’t fall apart.
She turned to Rasad. “Let us go. Let us both leave, and return to Thirl.”
Rasad raised an eyebrow. “You speak as though you’re prisoners.”
Lucy looked pointedly at the two guards still restraining her brother. Rasad sighed, but made no order for Matheus’s release.
“I understand that this is a crushing blow for you both, truly I do. But I would so much prefer you to stay.”
“How kind,” said Lucy sarcastically. “But we would like to leave.”
“Yes, well.” Rasad sounded politely regretful. “The difficulty is, you’ve been a little too hasty in exploring my personal belongings. If you’d wished to leave yesterday, there would have been no issue. But now…” He shrugged. “I’m afraid I’m reluctant to part ways without some kind of assurance that you’re not my enemy.”
“What does that mean?” Lucy spat.
“Well…” Rasad looked back toward the closed door into his secret study. “The things you observed could be misunderstood by some, and I would hate for—”
“What do you want from me?” Lucy cut him off.
Rasad took a step forward, reaching out to touch a hand to the necklace she still wore. “I thought I’d already made that clear,” he said softly.
Lucy recoiled, unable even for the sake of her brother to contemplate the idea. “That’s not going to happen.”
“But Luciana, you’ve only seen a glimpse of what I can offer,” said Rasad. His voice was once again eager and his face alight, no sign of regret over Cody’s fate remaining. “If you knew the scale of my plans, how much you would gain from allying yourself with me—”
“Over my dead body,” interjected Matheus unexpectedly, his voice fierce.
“You took the words out of my mouth,” said Lucy grimly, retreating another step away from Rasad.
He sighed. “I wish you would reconsider,” he said, a hint of pleading in his tone. “I would so much prefer to work together. You could be of such assistance if you were only willing.”
“I’m not assisting you with anything,” said Lucy, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’ve seen more than enough to know that I want nothing to do with it.” She drew a shuddering breath. They were past pretense. “And you killed Cody. I don’t know how you did it, but I know you’re behind it.”
Rasad regarded her silently for a moment. Then he waved a hand lazily to his guards. For one hopeful moment, Lucy thought that they were going to release Matheus. But only one guard relinquished his hold on the boy, moving instantly toward Lucy. She raised her blade, backing away, but Rasad’s voice drew her up short.
“I have the highest respect for your fighting abilities, Luciana, but I don’t think we need a display at this moment. Given your position, Matheus is of little use to me. If you resist, he will be disposed of.” He gave a curt whistle, and two more guards appeared in the doorway, joining the one who still held Matheus.
Lucy froze, fury battling with fear within her. It went against every instinct to relinquish her weapon without a fight, but the blade now being held to Matheus’s throat made it clear that she had little choice.
She threw her dagger down with a clatter, glaring death at Rasad. “If you’re just going to kill us, why prolong it?”
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