Truth of Embers (Dragonsworn Book 3) by Caitlyn McFarland

Author:Caitlyn McFarland [McFarland, Caitlyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pegasus
Published: 2023-07-10T23:00:00+00:00

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Juli slipped out of her rooms early the next morning. She moved through the halls, invisible once more, and settled in her spot behind the tapestries. Preparing for a long—and hopefully fruitful—day, Juli leaned her head back against the wall and searched for Owain’s mind. When she found him, he wasn’t alone. He was with Jiang, and they were—

Juli backed out of their minds like she’d stuck her hand in a fire. No, thank you.

Putting that scene out of her mind, she scanned for Kavar instead. He was training with his vee. Good. That would keep him more than occupied. This time, he wasn’t going to catch her until it was too late.

The only other minds she sensed within Owain’s large complex of rooms were a handful of guards close to the door. She skimmed, but none of them were thinking about anything useful. One wanted a nap, the other had missed breakfast, things like that.

Twenty minutes passed, and only a few low-level soldiers walked down the hall. They didn’t know anything useful either. The only thing Juli had been able to find out since taking her cuffs off the night before was the news about Rhys and Kai’s raid had finally hit Cadarnle. Owain had been waiting for enough cordial for his whole army. Now he had none, and Rhys and Kai were getting stronger by the day. Things were looking up.

Juliet. Ashem’s voice in her mind was soft as a feather falling. Homesickness for him rose up, threatening to overwhelm her. I miss you.

He enfolded her in something like a mental hug. They wound around each other, knotting her insides tighter and tighter until she was sure she would crack and shatter.

I miss you too. She expressed it as a feeling more than words. Pure, heartbroken longing. Where are you?

Nearly to Eryri. The storm yesterday only grounded us for an hour.

She smiled. Good. I’m glad you’re safe.

He hesitated. I don’t want this anymore. I want you home. Have you found out more about the poison?

Juli pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around them. Not yet. I stole the key again and got my chains off, so that’s what I’m doing now.

Distress. Ashem might say he had no feelings, but just because he refused to talk about them didn’t mean they were nonexistent. Be careful, nooré cheshm-am.

His love surrounded her like a cocoon, warm and safe. Juli returned the feeling, tears pricking the back of her eyes. She wanted to go home and be with Ashem, away from this cold and darkness. Away from Kavar, so pitiable and so tempting. Even if love was arbitrary or magic-driven, she had chosen Ashem.

Romantics could deny it until the cows came home, but love was choice. It was commitment despite temptation. It was forgiveness, even when forgiving hurt. Have you spoken to Kavar at all? He says your connection is still open.

A grumble. That was a no, then. Juli sighed. Some wounds were too old to heal easily, but at least they hadn’t completely closed each other out.

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