Dragonlands(188)

Bastian leaned over, kissing Tressa on the cheek. "I think I can understand that. I will accept it soon enough." He leaned into her, giving her a light hug.

Whether it was because she was sick or he was too afraid to get close, Tressa didn't object. She rubbed his back and was surprised to notice it didn't spark any kind of desire in either of them. She knew Bastian well enough to gauge his reactions. The lack of one was telling on its own.

"We can still be friends, right?" he asked her.

Tressa smiled. "Of course. Once I kick this virus, I want to see the kids and Hazel. Are they going to stay here at the castle with you? There were so many children, most of them now orphans. Who will care for them?"

"Connor, Elinor, and I were going to talk about that this afternoon. Do you think you're feeling well enough to meet with us? I'd love to hear your opinion."

Tressa nodded. "I wouldn't miss it. I'll be there."

"Good," Bastian said. He stood up. "I'll send Jarrett back in. He's probably waiting right outside the door."

"It wouldn't surprise me," Tressa said. "But he promised to give us privacy, and Jarrett always keeps his word."

Bastian's hand settled on the doorknob. Then he turned back. "Is he good to you?"

"Yes," Tressa said, feeling a blush spread up her neck. "He is."

"That's all I need to know." Bastian opened the door and slipped out of the room.

Within a breath, Jarrett was back at her side. "Are you okay?" he asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Tressa nodded and held back a tear. She wasn’t, but there was no good in worrying him further. She didn’t know exactly what was wrong with her. Talking to Bastian felt too much like saying her goodbyes to those she had loved before she…

No. She wouldn’t think about it that way. She’d find a way to beat whatever was destroying her from the inside.





Chapter Two


Jarrett helped Tressa to her feet. The gown swirled around her ankles as she attempted to steady herself on his strong arm. "I can do this," she said through gritted teeth, even though Jarrett hadn't questioned her.

She avoided his gaze, knowing it was one of concern and worry. It hadn't left him since she'd awakened after the battle at Malum. He was always looking at her eyes, as if he was studying a strange bug. It was unnerving.

They walked down the hallway, Tressa slowly placing one slippered foot in front of the other. She focused on each step. She’d worry about the other steps when their time came.

After what seemed an interminable amount of time, they arrived at the doors to the throne room. Jarrett kicked them open with a black boot.

The room hadn't changed since the last time Tressa had been in it. Except it was clean. And there were no dragons trying to kill her. In fact, there were no dragons at all. Familiar faces sat around a table.

Bastian. Connor. Elinor. There was another young woman Tressa didn't recognize. Her hair hung in stringy black clumps. Her bright blue eyes flashed nothing but kindness, echoed by the smile on her face.

"Tressa!" the girl exclaimed, jumping out of her chair. She rushed over and took Tressa's hand in hers, pumping it up and down. "I'm so excited we finally get to meet like this."

Tressa attempted a smile. Even that took more effort than it should have. "You're Fi, right?" She had vague recollections of the Black dragon that had spirited them out of Malum. Much of that night was lost in a haze. Her memories of that night were spotty at best. She remembered confronting her father, but beyond that it was only bits and pieces of events. Jarrett had confessed to killing her father, which she accepted. She knew her father had turned to evil and would never return. Besides, she had killed Bastian's mother. They all had to live with their actions.

"Yeah. Fi. That's me." The girl's black dress hung to the floor, hiding her feet. It was almost as if she floated in a thundercloud. Fi dropped Tressa's hand. "You're still not feeling well?"

"I'm getting better," Tressa said. It was a lie. Everyone knew. The guarded expressions on their faces spoke louder than the words from their lips.

Fi's face fell as she made her way back to her seat at the table.

Tressa let Jarrett guide her to a chair. She sank onto the pillows and attempted to sit up straight. She lasted a few breaths before giving in to a slump.

"Let us know if it's too much for you," Bastian said.

"I'm fine," Tressa snapped. "Let's start. We have a lot of important things to discuss and I've been holding everyone back because of this illness."

"I've consulted a few healers," Elinor said. "They've taken a look at you while you've slept and none of them know what's wrong."