Redheart by Jackie Gamber

Author:Jackie Gamber [Gamber, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

Blackclaw huddled over a wooden box in his chambers, cradling it with tender respect. He had once believed its contents to be an answer to his desires—a shortcut through the gloomy fog of time. He’d always known his fate was to bring Dragonkind to ruling power. He believed it still.

He lifted the ornate lid to reveal the circlet inside. The once- crimson bloodstone, held by thin fingers of woven gold, had gone black and hollow. He drew the pad of his thumb over the crystal. No spark of life, no hint of power. Even the surrounding metal seemed more gnarled than braided, desperately clutching the bloodstone like the hands of a mourner against the face of a dying hero.

He’d been a fool. A snarl erupted from the depths of his anger, and he threw the wooden box against the wall. So many years, wasted! Too many years to count. He’d spent them believing in a lie, putting his faith into a trick of art. He thought he’d been holding the future, but there was no future in the twisted, broken circle of gold lying impotent on his floor. No hope in the blackened stone. His future was his own to carve, just as it had always been.

Oh, he would have the circlet. The one, true Circlet of Aspira, created by skilled dragon artisans and hidden by the wizard. The one the Red died protecting. He would have it, and not because he needed it, but because it should have been his all along. He would prove to the wizard, to Whitetail, and to all dragons that he was no fool.

“Leader Blackclaw.” He turned to find Whitetail’s snout poking through the opened door of his chambers. “You are summoned.”

“Is it the human hunter?”

“No, there has been no word from him in several days.” Whitetail pushed the door open further, and waved snowy claws toward the hallway.

“Do not tell me the Red has finally come in regards to the wizard.”

“No. But this is nevertheless very interesting.”

Blackclaw stared. He crossed his forelegs. One claw tapped against the stone floor. “And are you going to tell me what it is, or shall I continue guessing?”

“Vaya Brownwing has arrived with a human companion she claims to have found in dragon territory. She believes the human to be a spy.” The corner of his mouth curled into a grin.

“A spy?” It was all Blackclaw could do not to release a belly laugh. “Well done.” He lunged through the door to follow. “Let us go see this spy. And tell me more of this Brown. She is the daughter of Hale Brownwing, is that right?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Has she been mated?”

“If memory serves, she was to be mated to Redheart’s son.”

Blackclaw stopped. “Then she would know if this Red whom we seek is the heir.” He grabbed Whitetail’s chin and yanked it close. “Why did you not mention this earlier?”

Whitetail gurgled. “I only just remembered. I am not even certain I am remembering correctly.”

Blackclaw released him.

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