Free Realm Of Blood And Fire (Book 3) by Dionne Lister Page A

on the job—not in the fifty years she had been queen. And what was that dark shape—if indeed there had been a dark shape. Hmm, I must be imagining things. There is too much to do without making up new things to worry about, you silly dragon. Trying to rationalize it did not stop the feeling of foreboding that slithered, spike by spike, down Jazmonilly’s spine.
     
    ***
     
    Bronwyn trudged next to the horse that Arcon led, her hand resting on Sinjenasta’s shoulder. The panther was still slung over the horse’s back—a week after they had left the seaside town. “He’s not getting any better, and the fever isn’t coming down.”
    Avruellen looked at her niece, lines of worry cementing a path across her usually smooth brow. “You don’t look so good, either.” The realmist placed the back of her hand on Bronwyn’s brow.
    “I’m okay. I don’t feel great, but what do you expect when my creatura is sick. Bloody infected gormons—I’m happy to die if I can at least kill a few before I go.
    “You’ll get your chance,” said Arcon. “But if we don’t get Sinjenasta to Vellonia soon, he may not.” He exchanged a fraught glance with his sister.
    “You’ll be okay, Bronwyn. You’ve got us.” Toran walked next to Bronwyn. Since they had met, he was never far away, wanting to stand near her and protect her from what may come.
    “I won’t be okay. You don’t understand—the bond between a realmist and their creatura goes deeper than anything you can imagine. I can feel his pain, and I have a fever too—even if it is mild. What happens to him, happens to me in a way. If he dies, part of me will die with him. I don’t know if I could survive with such a big hole in my heart.” Bronwyn looked at the panther, her eyes red and glistening with tears.
    Avruellen spoke into Arcon’s mind. If we don’t reach Vellonia soon, he’ll die. I think it’s time to call someone.
    Arcon sighed. That gormon saliva is packed with one Third Realm of an infectious punch. None of the herbs I’ve tried have done anything. I give him one, maybe two days.
    So, what are you waiting for? We’re what — another week from Vellonia? Call someone now!
    We’ve asked so much of them already. If they refuse, I’ll be more than angry. The last thing we need right now is a disagreement on our hands when we’re so close to going to war.
    If you don’t call them, Bronwyn could die. Maybe not today but in a few months—if we survive that long—she’ll lose the will to go on. You know that as well as I. It’s not a hard choice, Arcon.
    All right. Arcon stopped walking. “We’re going to rest here for an hour or two. Everyone find a place to sit.”
    Bronwyn looked at her uncle, dark circles under her eyes. “But we don’t have time to waste.”
    As Blayke and Corrille, who had been walking behind, moved past Bronwyn, Corrille bumped into her. “Oops. Sorry, Bronwyn.”
    Avruellen and Bronwyn both gave her a dirty look , and then Avruellen spoke mind to mind to her niece. If she wasn’t your friend, darling, I would have killed her by now.
    Auntie! You can’t say that, although I’m beginning to think your instincts were right.
    Beginning to think? Boh! Honestly, Bronwyn, you have to be more discerning when it comes to who you call a friend.
    The young realmist shook her head. Not now. Can you leave the lecture for another time?
    Avruellen sniffed, got some water from her pack and filled a kettle.
    Arcon helped Toran lift Sinjenasta off the horse. When they had settled him on the ground, Arcon said, “I’ve got a message to send, so if you talk to me, I won’t answer.” He sat cross-legged on the ground and stared into the distance.
    Valdorryn. Valdorryn, are you there?
    The dragon king answered immediately. Arcon? Is everything all right?
    No. I need your help. You know I wouldn’t ask unless I had the greatest need.
    Go on.
    We need a dragon, or two, who can come and take Sinjenasta, Bronwyn and I to Vellonia.