Dragon's Rise by Lou Hoffmann

Author:Lou Hoffmann [Hoffmann, Lou]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64080-985-7
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2019-07-09T05:00:00+00:00

LUCKY HAD been all wrong about the way the people of the Simple Way would think about him. Although there had been some outcry—the Followers had malcontents as does every community—concerns had been laid to rest when the people whose lives (and kitten) Lucky had saved and those who’d worked with him in the bucket line spoke out in gratitude, and Almirah, Kahnalee, and Arnohk added their influential voices. Then the elder Traveler, whose name Lucky still didn’t know, explained that his “people” had started tracking Lucky as soon as his departure was discovered.

“One among us who has the needed skills saw that Luccan had sent that spoiled energy into total retreat. The young Suth Chiell’s signature was all over the magic he’d done to accomplish that.”

Having forgiven him—and even being grateful for what he’d done in the fire and afterward—the people of the Quarter wanted him and Thurlock to stay for a feast and celebration of life in their honor. But Lucky, still confused about whether he’d done good things or just made things crazier, was glad when Thurlock said they needed to leave.

“Thank you,” he said, speaking to the crowd, “but I believe it’s best if we make haste to leave the city. We’ll return when times are better, and you have our gratitude.”

Lucky was so pleased with the idea of getting the heck out of Dodge, as the Earthborns sometimes say, that he didn’t even care Thurlock had spoken for him without asking. Zefrehl had been tended and watered while they spoke with the people, and she was waiting with Sherah. Thurlock whistled for Sherah, and both mares trotted out from the stables just as Thurlock and Lucky arrived. They mounted up, and Thurlock gave Sherah directions in his usual undetectable way. Then Thurlock settled into his saddle and pulled out the note Lucky had written him.

It was still sealed, and Thurlock looked at him with what might be called side-eye as he broke the wax and unfolded it. Lucky tried to decipher his expression as he read it, but the only thing he saw for sure was a softening of the hard line of his mouth just before he folded it carefully and put it in one of his bottomless pockets. After a few minutes riding side by side in silence, Thurlock reached over and gave Lucky’s shoulder a squeeze. Lucky looked at him and as surely as if he could read minds the way Han could—which he couldn’t—he knew that what had touched the old man’s heart were the last words in the note, “I love you both.”

He was glad he’d thought to add the postscript, but he hoped Thurlock knew he hadn’t done it to try to stay out of trouble. He really meant it. They were his truest family, and he felt fortunate indeed to have them. Hank George, back in Black Creek Ravine when Lucky was twelve, had taught him what it was to be loved and love back. But if it hadn’t been for Han and Thurlock, he might have forgotten the lesson.

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