Free Sparks Fly: A Novel of the Light Dragons by MacAlister Katie Page A

how he is.”
    “Oh, we know. He hasn’t left Gabriel’s side for more than an hour or two,” May said, leaning into her wyvern.
    “I had to sneak out the back of the house in order to escape without him on my heels,” Gabriel said, looking extremely martyred.
    “We’ve tried to explain nicely that we have nothing but the utmost respect for him since he founded the sept, and that we’d be happy to have him visit, and that he’s even welcome to offer advice—”
    Gabriel made a choking sound.
    “But he keeps insisting that Gabriel stand down and let him take his rightful place as wyvern. He doesn’t seem to understand that he’s a ghost. The only time we get any relief is when he runs out of energy and has to go into an incorporeal state to recharge his batteries.”
    Gabriel slid his arm around May. “My guards had taken to challenging him to sword fights in order to facilitate that event, but after a few weeks of that, he caught on to us, and now simply haunts me every chance he gets, attempting to formally challenge me for the sept. I refuse to accept the challenges, of course, citing the fact that he’s not living as my excuse, but it is growing exceedingly tiresome. I wish you would take him back, Ysolde.”
    “I think Baltic would kill me himself if I did that,” Isaid with a sympathetic look. “I’m very sorry, though, Gabriel. Perhaps if someone else was to talk to him…”
    “You’re the only one he talks about,” May answered. “If you could try reasoning with him again, we’d be very grateful.”
    “I can try, but I’m not sure he’ll listen to me any more than to you. He hasn’t thus far. But I’ll bring it up with him again. Baltic and I owe you so much, it’s the least I can do.”
    “About that,” Gabriel said smoothly, his brows rising slightly in question. “Have you approached Baltic about the curse?”
    My shoulders slumped as the weariness swamped me. I struggled to keep my head above it, rising from the table and moving over to the fireplace. “Two weeks ago, as a matter of fact. He’s remaining steadfast that there’s no compelling reason for him to lift the curse from you guys. I keep telling him that the whole reason behind the curse is moot now that we know Constantine didn’t kill me, but he just says it’s as good a reason as any, and ignores my attempts to make him understand how it’s hurting all of you.”
    Gabriel’s jaw tightened as May put her hand on his, obviously reminding him of his manners. I felt bad watching him struggle to keep from lashing out, knowing just how much the silver dragons wanted Baltic’s dramatic curse removed, made at the time of my death, and dooming them all to never having a mate born until a black dragon ruled the sept.
    “What I need is some leverage I can use against him,” I said, desperately wracking my brain for something, anything I could use to force Baltic into lifting the curse. “Something that he wants so badly, he’s willing to give up his long-nursed grudge for it. Something…”
    The image of an object came to my mind at that moment, a bright, shining object that glowed with white-bluelight, something that was indeed so valuable, its reclamation could well force Baltic into a position where he had to lift the curse.
    “You’ve thought of something,” May said, her expression going from despair to hopeful in a second.
    “Yes,” I said slowly, turning to look thoughtfully at Drake.
    “Something über-valuable for Drake to steal?” Aisling said, leaping to her feet, excitement visible in her expression. “Something that you can use to get back Dragonwood? Or to use against Baltic?”
    I was about to explain when Aisling’s words struck me. “Oh. Dragonwood. Yes, it would be valuable enough that Kostya would probably give Dragonwood up for it. But…” I glanced over at Gabriel and May, my heart aching. There was no choice to be made, however. Despite the fact that my very soul cried out for