The Moonflower Dance

by Lea Doué

He frowned, his eyes narrowing. “We?”

  “I took him to Healer Keir. He was—”

  Zared sat forward swiftly. “You told someone I spelled the gowns?”

  “Just the flowers—”

  “How could you do that?” His voice rose. “I trusted you, Neylan. This is supposed to be between you and me. If anyone finds out—”

  “Would you please lower your voice? I didn’t actually say your name.” Perhaps she shouldn’t have told him Keir’s name, come to think of it.

  His chair scraped against the floor as he rose and walked to the stove, arms folded. Anger filled his eyes, but he spoke softly. “I’ve worked too hard to get where I am now, sacrificed too much, for it to all be destroyed by a greedy little dragon sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  Neylan gritted her teeth. Wist was not to blame. Zared was the one who’d used sorcery to alter the flowers and everything else.

  He turned away from her and mumbled something that sounded like, both got what they deserved.

  Was he talking about Wist? He’d always seemed to dislike the dragon. But who else? Who else had been harmed?

  She bit her lip at a sudden thought. He’d seemed so… unaffected by Master Jiri’s death.

  Zared turned to faced her, holding a tattoo needle in one hand and a pot of ink in the other. His face had settled into the calm expression she’d become used to. “I’ve set the pieces in motion, and it’s too late to turn back. My master is waiting. Now is the time to decide, Neylan. Are you with us, or are you against us?”

  A chill crept up her spine, and goosebumps pricked her arms so suddenly as to be painful. Was Zared’s mysterious master a sorcerer, too? She stood quickly, twisting the cuff on her wrist, which had begun to itch. “You can’t be serious.”

  He glanced at the cuff and then smirked. “Join me, Neylan. It’s the easiest decision you’ll ever make.”

  And one that could never be unmade, as Gram had warned.

  “Zared, put the needle down, please. I still need time to think about this. I only came over to make sure you were all right.”

  He slammed down the needle and ink pot beside the stove. “You came over here to tell me what to do! Just like everyone else has my whole life. I’m done with that, Neylan. I’m my own master now.”

  She took a step back.

  He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. When he spoke again, his voice took on a wheedling tone. “I wouldn’t be here without you. I owe you this, don’t you see? It’s the only way I’ll ever be able to repay you. You know it’s what you want.”

  Her stomach churned. She’d wanted to learn sorcery in order to help people—Keir and her sisters—but it seemed everyone touched by it either got hurt or went mad. Gram was right. Sorcery wouldn’t help her, or anyone else. She would have to find a different solution.

  At the moment, she needed to get away from Zared. His instability frightened her.

  She forced herself to keep her hands calmly by her sides. “Zared, you’re going through a lot right now, and I’m sure you have a million things to do. Now is not the time. Please, I hope you can understand that.” She stopped short of giving him an outright no just yet.

  He stared at her blankly. What was going through his mind?

  Long moments later, he nodded once and poured tea into a clean cup and gulped it down. “Right.” He wiped his brow. “You’ll come back after the arrangements for Master Jiri are over?”

  “Yes.” Although she wouldn’t come alone, that was certain.

  “Good. I’ll be waiting.” He smiled. “I told you not to give up hope, didn’t I? And now we’re both going to be able to get what we want.”

  She offered a weak smile in return. “I have to go.” She all but ran from the room.

  Chapter Nineteen

  After leaving Zared’s workshop, Neylan and Euna raced back to the palace, where they rode Majesty past two startled door guards. Neylan wanted to check on Wist, and then she needed to figure out what to do about Zared’s sudden mood swings.

  Keir’s assistant let her in to see Wist, who was dozy but responsive, and then helped her fashion a bandaging cloth into a sling. After she settled Wist inside, she let out a shaky breath, and wiped her moist eyes on her sleeve.

  How could Zared say such a thing about Wist getting what he deserved? He would never harm anyone.

  Back in her rooms, Neylan slouched in an armchair by the fire with Wist, while Majesty curled up on the floor at her feet like a giant hunting hound. Despite everything, that sight, along with having her own little dragon back, brought a smile to her face.

  Her mind spun in circles, trying to make sense of everything that had happened since morning. Zared had told her not to give up hope, but then he’d smashed it himself. She should tell people the truth about him, but her shame at having come so close to taking the sorcerer’s tattoo still knotted her stomach.

  She should cut off all ties with him and let him be. Knowledge of sorcery wasn’t a crime.

  She couldn’t stop thinking about what might have really happened to Master Jiri.

  Before she’d made up her mind about anything, Euna came to help her dress for the next ball, Vanda’s birthday celebration. She had no desire to attend, but she didn’t want to worry her friends. Until she could figure out what to do—or how powerful Zared really was—she wouldn’t give him a reason to get angry.

  “Someone has removed all of Journeyman Zared’s dresses,” Euna said. “There’s only one ballgown hanging in the wardrobe.”

  Keir moved fast. She had no doubt he was the one who had given that order.

  “This must be the one Princess Melantha mentioned,” Euna said while helping her dress, “the one that belonged to King Sebastian’s late mother.”

  Neylan smiled, relieved that she wouldn’t have to wear anything woven with spells.

  The black gown looked like it had been embroidered from top to bottom in silvery-black scales, including the long sleeves and the collar that reached all the way to her chin. The split over-skirt revealed shimmering red dragon-wing leather underneath. A cape sewn onto the shoulders swept to the floor like a curtain of black feathers.

  She sucked in a sharp breath as Euna laced her up.

  “This cape is divided down the center and sewn onto the bodice like two flaps,” she said. “Makes it easier to cinch you in, but I’ve never seen anything like this built-in corset.”

  “I guess the fashion never made its way to Ituria.”

  After brushing Neylan’s hair, Euna braided in a silver ribbon and pinned it into a loose bun.

  Neylan looked at herself in the mirror, and for the first time in her life, she felt like the dragon girl everyone called her. “It’s heavier than the others. Maybe that’s why the corset is so form-fitting. For support.” Especially along her spine and shoulder blades. She walked around the room, and the corset, even the gown itself, seemed to move with her like a second skin.

  “The skirt is about a half inch too long, but nothing you can’t dance in,” Euna said.

  A dragon soldier arrived to escort her to the ball. “Master Keir was meant to escort you, Your Highness, but he can’t be found at present.”

  She settled Wist with Euna and joined him in the hall. “Is he unwell?”

  The guard shrugged. “Healers are called out unexpectedly from time to time.”

  Her mind racing with possibilities, she insisted on stopping by Gram’s rooms first and was told by the maid that Gram was not to be disturbed until noon the next day, at the earliest. Assured that Gram was busy with her unraveling, Neylan accompanied the guard to the lower level of the ballroom without another word. He bowed and left her to enter alone.

  Had Keir really had an emergency, or did he not want to see her after their argument? The thought left her feeling heavy, as if the gown weighed twice as much as when she’d put it on.

  Baz and Vanda were already dancing, so even if she’d wanted to speak with them, she would have to wait. S
he let herself be persuaded to dance twice, but the cape became too cumbersome for more.

  Midway through the evening, gasps and murmurs spread across the room to the window where Neylan stood alone.

  Euna sat on Majesty at the top of the stairs, scanning the room. Someone had provided her with proper riding clothes: dragon-wing leggings and a fitted tunic shaded grey to blend in with Majesty’s scales. A silvery-grey, elbow-length cloak hung from her shoulders.

  A fitting lady-in-waiting for the dragon girl.

  As soon as Euna caught sight of Neylan, she sat up straighter. Had Wist taken a turn for the worse? Did she know something about Keir’s whereabouts?

  Neylan made her way around the room as rapidly as the gown would allow. She ascended the stairs carefully to avoid tripping.

  Once on the landing, she took a moment to catch her breath, her shoulders aching, and then motioned Euna into the hallway. “Is it Wist?”

  “He’s sleeping.” Euna patted the belt pouch resting on her leg, and then handed Neylan a note. “It’s from Keir.”

  Neylan walked farther down the hallway and turned a corner so they would have fewer prying eyes. She opened the note.

  My dearest, meet me at the oak. Alone, please.

  —K

  “When was this delivered?” It wasn’t Keir’s handwriting, which meant he’d likely dictated the note in a rush.

  “About five minutes ago.” Euna fidgeted with the reins. “I thought it might be urgent.”

  “Thank you. Can you take me to the training grounds? I’m not sure I can make it all the way on my own in this ballgown.”

  “Of course.”

  Whatever Keir wanted to discuss could wait. She needed to apologize for her behavior first. Whether he called himself one or not, Zared was a sorcerer—and she’d almost followed him down that path.

  “Keir wants to meet with me alone.” She climbed up behind Euna, which proved awkward in the gown, but she made it work by swinging around each side of the feathered cape and draping them in front of her. She filled Euna in on a few details of what had been happening so she would understand the need for discretion. “If you can get Majesty to tiptoe past the stables, you can let me off just beyond, and I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

  Iron clouds streaked the sky, but they no longer threatened to soak everyone who walked by. Majesty carried them swiftly and quietly, raising no alarm as she strode through the unlit gardens. Euna guided her through the shadows behind the stables, arriving on the far side with no one the wiser.

  After Neylan dismounted, Majesty settled beside the ancient hedge wall that surrounded the farthest fields, she and Euna camouflaged against the leaves.

  Heart pounding, Neylan hefted her skirts and dragged herself several dozen yards through damp grass until she reached the lopsided oak.

  Keir was nowhere to be seen, either as a man or as a dragon. Had he given up on her and left?

  She approached the tree, hoping to see some sign that he’d been there. Perhaps even another note tucked among the branches.

  “So glad you could join me.” Zared stepped out from behind the tree trunk and approached, stopping two feet from her.

  She stumbled back a step.

  “You won’t get far in that gown,” he said with a smirk. Oddly, he was dressed to match her, his fitted tunic covered in black scales, a feathered cape flowing behind him.

  “I wasn’t trying to run away, but you look like you’re going somewhere. Looking for another invitation to the ball?”

  His gaze raked over her from head to toe as if he hadn’t even heard her question. “That looks remarkable on you. Better than I could have hoped.”

  So, she wasn’t wearing the gown Mel had mentioned, but another one of his creations. “Did you ever care about me, or were you just using me?”

  “Both, of course. People in your position use each other all the time to get what they want.”

  Her legs shook, and not just from the weight of the gown. How could the man who’d found her after the razor-tail attack in the forest, who’d listened to her with such kindness, say such a thing?

  She looked him in the eyes. “You’re a liar, just like every other sorcerer.”

  He crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side, again responding without acknowledging she’d said anything. “I’ve taken care of making sure we won’t be followed.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He smirked.

  Panic entered her voice. “Zared, what have you done?”

  He stepped closer and spoke slowly, as if he had all the time in the world. “I did what had to be done. I was going nowhere, Neylan. I was nothing. Do you know what it’s like to be nothing? Can you tell me you’ve ever been overlooked or forgotten? Cast aside as useless?”

  “You don’t hurt people to get what you want.”

  “I’ll hurt them before they hurt me!”

  She flinched.

  “The healer knew too much,” he hissed. “So did Master Jiri.”

  She couldn’t wrap her mind around everything he was saying. “Where is Keir?”

  “He’s safe for now, but he’ll be in a bind tomorrow night. Locals might hear him moaning if they venture too close.” He grinned as if he’d made a joke.

  Her fists clenched at her sides and she stepped forward. “Zared!”

  He raised a hand as if trying to calm her. “It doesn’t make any difference to you. You’re coming with me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  He stepped close enough for her to smell the sweat on his skin. “I tried to make this a pleasant experience for you, but time is running out. My master grows impatient.”

  She put her hands on her hips, although she felt like spitting in his face. “Your master will have to deal with his disappointment. If he’s even real. You’ve never told me his name,” she said with challenge in her voice.

  He shook his head and spoke slowly, as if explaining the obvious to a young child. “You’re too trusting, Neylan. You know his name. Think about it. I learned what I know from Sissi… who learned what she knows from… .” His eyebrows rose in invitation for her to finish the sentence.

  “Idris.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. He couldn’t possibly have learned from Idris. The man wouldn’t have stayed so close to Mazereon after what he’d done the past summer. “You’re bluffing.”

  “Come with me and find out.”

  He’d love for her to make it easy for him. “I don’t think I will, and you’re not going anywhere, either. The only way out is past the stables, and there’s no way you’ll sneak by with me kicking and screaming the whole way.” Not to mention the added weight of the gown, which he’d designed. Did he not consider that? He wasn’t even armed.

  “You can kick all you like, but I think this will take care of the screaming.” Lunging forward, he grabbed her around the waist and kissed her.

  A sour taste flooded her mouth, like rotten limes. She pushed Zared away, and he backed up without a fight.

  She took a deep breath and screamed… but no sound came out. Eyes wide, she clawed at her throat.

  “It worked,” he whispered, an awed look on his face.

  She slapped him hard, then turned and ran. He might have silenced her, but he didn’t know about Euna. If Neylan could reach her, they could still make it to the stables and rouse someone.

  He didn’t try to stop her.

  As she ran, her back burned, like the worst sunburn she’d ever felt, and the black-feathered cape fanned out behind her. It tugged against her so hard that she struggled to gain ground. Had it caught on something? She glanced behind her and gasped silently.

  The cape had unfurled on either side of her like wings, supported by the same metallic threads that formed the scales on her bodice. The higher they rose, the more pain sizzled down her back. They began to flap, folding and unfolding, dipping into the air faster and faster.

  She gulped as the corset tightened, digging int
o her armpits.

  Her feet lifted off the ground.

  “You’re fond of flying, are you not, Your Highness?”

  Zared hovered in the air beside her.

  Chapter Twenty

  Neylan flailed in midair as her black-feathered cape flapped like wings and lifted her farther and farther from the ground. Zared rose next to her, his matching cape-wings keeping time with hers.

  How had he done it? No, no more questions of how. Why?

  Pain seared her back. She screamed, but whatever Zared had done when he kissed her had stolen her voice, and her thrashing had no effect except to increase the pain.

  Save your energy, Neylan. Save it for… whatever Zared has planned next.

  The wings took them straight up into the air. Not nearly as high as she’d gone with Keir, but high enough to escape notice from anyone on the ground. Once the distant palace lights had faded to the size of the stars overhead, the wings whipped them forward, carrying them over the uninhabited wooded hills beyond the training fields, away from the palace. Eventually, they changed direction, skirting the borders of the city itself until they finally left it far behind.

  They were headed west towards Maglyn, where Zared’s master waited—Idris, the “genius” who had helped Zared hone his talents.

  Her stomach twisted at the thought of meeting the mastermind responsible for all the trouble her sisters had suffered over the past year, whether he knew it or not.

  Why had she thought sorcery held any answers?

  With nothing to hold onto, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and concentrated on breathing, tilting her head upwards to gain some relief from the choking collar.

  Her only hope was that Euna had noticed their escape and gone for help.

  The landscape gradually changed beneath them, from farms and fields to shadowy forest. How long had they been flying?

  Suddenly, the wings faltered, and she lurched downwards a few feet before they resumed their even flapping. Zared seemed to have experienced the same turbulence, judging by the terror on his face. A bubble of silent laughter escaped her lips. Served him right.