Katie MacAlister - The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons

“Oh, it did, but when I pointed out that we might put our heads together concerning a few things, he decided the risk of someone swooping down to kill me was not going to be very high with you two present.”

“Drake would never attack you,” Aisling said, looking mildly offended.

“Nor would Gabriel.”

“I know that, and you both know that, but Baltic . . . well, you have to remember what he’s been through. My death, his death, his resurrection . . . it’s taken a toll on his emotions, and I suspect it’s going to be some time before he realizes I’m not going to be snatched from him again.”

“You know,” Aisling said, dabbing at her eye with a tissue, “when I first saw Baltic, I figured he was a madman. But I can’t imagine what it would be like to survive when your mate was dead. The pain he must have suffered for all those years . . . it doesn’t excuse his actions, but it does make me understand his motivation behind them.”

“There’s no excuse for him shooting at you all at a sárkány , certainly,” I answered, sniffling back a couple of tears of my own. “But I’m glad that you guys have come to realize that he didn’t kill all those blue dragons.”

“Someone did,” May pointed out. “Fiat won’t talk, but pretty much everyone agrees that it would have been physically impossible for him to have killed all of them. He must have had help, but who helped him?”

“I don’t know, but I’m determined to find out. I want this stupid war to end. I want us to be part of the weyr. I want to be able to invite you over for dinner.”

“Dinner? Ooooh, I’m so there,” Jim said, plopping itself back into its seat. “Can I come for a visit?”

“Jim!” Aisling scolded. “You don’t ask people to visit them, you wait for them to offer it first. Besides, I’m not going anywhere that you need to stay with Ysolde, and if I was, I’m sure May would be delighted to have you.”

“Of course,” May said, although she looked anything but thrilled at the thought.

“May knows I love her, don’t ya, May? But the eats are better at Soldy’s place, and it’s always fun to watch Baltic come unglued.”

“Regardless, you’re not going to invite yourself to Ysolde’s house when she has so much on her plate right now. And speaking of that, you were going to tell me about this new vision you had. May said it was something different.”

“Oooh, gossip,” Jim said, looking interested. “Spill!”

By the time I was finished explaining about the vision, our lunch had come.

“Well,” Aisling said, her fork poised over a plate of seared pork loin and caramelized onion. “That certainly is different, all right.”

“Obviously the First Dragon wants me to do something about Constantine, but I’m at a loss as to what,” I said, admiring the oak-roasted salmon and new potato salad that sat before me.

“No fries?” Jim asked, looking up from its mammoth hamburger. “How can I eat a burger without fries?”

“Too much fat,” Aisling replied with a meaningful look at its midsection.

“I’m not the one who was just telling Drake she’s still got to lose her baby fat,” it answered.

“Do you want to eat that hamburger or wear it?” she asked sweetly.

“Sheesh! You guys are witnesses. Cranky demon lord alert.” Jim went back to its hamburger with only a few mutters.

“As for your situation, Ysolde,” Aisling continued, “I’m at a loss as well. Unless you think that the vision meant Antonia von Endres killed Constantine and that you’re supposed to avenge his death.”

“But did Antonia kill Constantine?” May asked. “All Gabriel’s said is that Constantine disappeared right at the time that Kostya killed Baltic. Which we now know is when Ysolde died.”

We were silent for a moment. I knew that they were seeing the same remembered image as I was—that of my body lying in the snow, still and unmoving, while a man stood over me with a blood-drenched sword.

“He killed me, but I’m supposed to avenge his death?” I asked the table at large.

“It does seem rather odd,” May agreed, munching on a grilled tuna, chickpea, and coriander salad. “But like Aisling, that’s the only thing I can think of.”

“It’s just so vague,” I said, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “I wish I knew for certain what it was I should be doing.”

“You could always ask the First Dragon,” Jim said around a mouthful of hamburger.

We all stared at the demon dog.

“What?” it asked, a piece of onion dangling from its lips.

“Just when I think you were only sent to me to torment me, you pipe up with a bit of genius like that,” Aisling said, giving it a hug.

“Does that mean I can have some fries?” it asked hopefully.

“No.”

“Of course,” May said slowly, a smile forming on her lips. “Ysolde can summon him. We can just ask him what he wants her to do.”

“We could . . .” I considered this idea. For some reason, I was hesitant to go to the trouble of summoning the ancestor of all dragonkin, but really, did I have a choice?

“She can’t summon him if her magic is still wonky. I don’t supposed Dr. Kostich has lifted that interdiction on you, Ysolde?”

“No. I sent him a letter telling him that since he managed to blackmail that mage sword away from Baltic, the least he could do was lift the interdict and let me rejoin the Magister’s Guild, but he sent back a bill for the thirty-seven years of training I had while I was his apprentice, so I figured I’d better let it drop.”

“He’s such a pain,” Aisling said.

“A huge pain,” May agreed.

“Just like a sharp stick shoved up the—” Jim’s eyes opened wide when Aisling removed its plate from in front of it. “Hey! Demon starver!”

“Hardly.” Aisling gave it back its hamburger and we all resumed eating our lunches.

“I don’t like summoning him without a very good cause, and I’m not entirely sure I can do it again, since I wasn’t trying to summon him before, but I don’t see any other way to determine just what I’m supposed to be doing.” I took a thoughtful sip of lemon water, then added, “I’ll do it tonight. Baltic is supposed to go down to Burleigh House to eyeball the rough plan Pavel made, so he won’t be in my way when I summon the First Dragon.”

May and Aisling looked at me in surprise. “You know about Burleigh?” Aisling asked.

“Drake’s house in the Sussex countryside? Of course I do.”

“Well, hell. That was supposed to be a secret from you guys. I guess I’ll have to tell Drake that Baltic knows where Thala is being held.”

“As we’re on the subject of Thala . . .” I bit my lip. “I don’t suppose you two would like to help me get her out of there?”

“Ahem!” Jim said loudly.

“Sorry—you three. And Cyrene, of course, assuming she’s back from her water thing by then.”

“You want us to help you break out the weyr’s prisoner?” Aisling was clearly astonished by the idea.

“Yes, I do.”

May and Aisling exchanged a glance. “Let me make sure we’re all on the same page, here. You want us to set free the woman who helped Baltic attack our house the day I had the twins?”

“I realize that she’s no one’s favorite, but yes, I would like your help. In fact, I need your help.”

“Why?” May asked.

“Why do I need your help?”

“No, why do you want her out?”

“Oh, well, a number of reasons,” I said, putting down my fork and leaning back against the curved settle. “For one, Baltic wants her out, and if we don’t get her out peaceably, he’s going to attack. I don’t think anyone wants more dragon deaths—certainly I don’t.”