War In The Winds (Book 9) by Craig Halloran Page B

just teasing you.” She hugged him again. She wore a traveling cloak. Leather boots covered her ankles. Her auburn hair was soft and fragrant. “I’ve missed you.”
    “I’ve missed you,” he said. “It’s been so boring here.”
    “Boring?” she said, eyeing him. “I’ve heard nothing but talk of your exploits in the arena since I got within five leagues of here.”
    “Really?”
    She clasped his hand, looked at him with soft eyes, and said, “It does my heart well to know that Kryzak is vanquished, and that it was done by your hand makes the tale even sweeter.”
    “He had it coming.”
    “He did,” she said, toying with the pendant on her neck. “How about we sit? Talk?”
    “Maybe we should go for a walk,” he said. “I could use it.”
    She grabbed his arm and dragged him over to a sofa and sat down.
    “I’ve walked more in the past few weeks than I’ve walked all my life.” She patted the spot next to her. “You don’t mind, do you?”
    He smiled and said, “No, certainly not. I assume you’re tired.”
    “That’s an understatement, but I made it a priority to come and see you as soon as I returned. I was worried.”
    “About me? Nath Dragon?” He nudged her. “You know I’ll be fine.”
    “I can see frustration in your brows, Nath,” she said. “I can feel the tension. I know you. You know that. What is going on?”
    “Sasha,” he said, “I actually became a dragon! A full-sized flying dragon!”
    “You did?”
    “Yes, and I could fly and everything!”
    “So, what’s the problem?”
    “I turned back into this, and now I can’t turn back into the dragon,” he said, frowning, “and I don’t understand why not. I am a dragon. I should be able to turn whenever I want, the same as Selene.” He brushed his own auburn hair out of his eyes. “It’s frustrating. More than frustrating.”
    “Maybe you’re trying too hard,” she said. “I think you need to relax. You always put too much pressure on yourself. It makes me think of Bayzog.”
    “Hmmm,” Nath said, rubbing his chin. “And how is he?”
    “He’s holed up in Quintuklen, spending time with his sons and doing well enough. But he is a little crankier these days.” She pulled her legs up underneath her. “He sends his regards. That’s about it, seeing how he’s a man of little words.”
    “And how are other things in this world?” he said. “I’m only getting bits and pieces. Selene says we are soon to travel abroad, but I’m not so sure I believe her.”
    “You’ll be pleased, Nath. The Truce has brought about many great things. Honestly, Nalzambor hasn’t felt so wonderful in a long time.” She yawned and stretched her arms. “And I’ve tried the most wonderful foods from all around. I even had a conversation with a pixlyn named Gorgy. A black-haired little sprite with plenty more attitude than size.”
    “I’m happy for you,” he said, “but have you seen any dragons? Not the ones that are black winged and tailed either. My kind.”
    “They are hard enough to find as it is,” she said. “And I can only say I’ve heard a few tales. Nothing noteworthy.”
    It didn’t sit well with Nath. Not one bit. Something was going on out there, and he needed to see it.
    “How well do you know Selene?” he asked Sasha.
    “Well enough to not get too close.” She shrugged her eyes. “Why?”
    Rubbing the back of his neck, Nath said, “I just don’t know how much I can trust her. She has shown me so many things, and I feel we have so much in common, but ... I can’t explain what it is about her.”
    “You like her.”
    “Guzan no, Sasha!”
    “She’s beautiful.”
    “She’s evil.”
    She shrugged and said, “We all have evil in us, Nath. We all have good in us, too. You know that. Besides, she is of your kind. It’s normal that you would be comforted by her. Nath, I can see it in you. You are now more dragon than man. Before long, you might not relate so well to this world of men at