Dragonlands(238)

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Gaia," Bastian said.

Her eyes closed. "My brothers wish you to know their names as well. They are Adamec and Vennox." She opened her eyes. "We will help you, Bastian of Hutton's Bridge. If you ask us to restore the fog, we will."

"I also ask that you not kill Connor when he is in dragon form. He will stay in Hutton's Bridge with the children and a few other adults, as their protector."

"I will know this Connor." The tree trunk closed again, looking just as it had before she'd appeared to him.

Bastian climbed down carefully, stopping on a thick bough next to Elinor, who had her arms wrapped around the trunk, eyes still closed. He looked down at Connor, who was talking animatedly with the tree.

"She can move up and down the tree," Bastian said, amazed. He hadn't realized she could do that.

"I'm sure she's lovely," Elinor said. "I wanted to meet her and ask if there was anything I could do to help, but now all I want is to get down."

A vine unwrapped itself from the tree trunk and wound around Elinor's waist.

"What?" she screamed. "Bastian, help me." Elinor kicked and fought, but the vine was too strong.

"Tell her to be silent," Gaia said. "I am simply helping her to the ground. I shall speak with all three of you there."

Elinor's eyes were wide as the vine lifted her off the branch and slowly descended through the forest. Bastian and Connor scrambled down, reaching Elinor just as the vine was unwinding.

"Well, that was helpful," Elinor said, smoothing out her dress. "I don't know what came over me. Normally I'm not so afraid of heights."

The tree bark parted and the woman appeared to them. "Many are afraid. It is not the climb, but the painful trip back down that scares them. Bastian knows."

He remembered the first time he'd found Gaia and how she'd nearly killed him by blasting him out of the treetops. Luckily he'd landed on a bough solid enough to break his fall. He glanced at the vine, neatly wrapped around the tree again. Perhaps it hadn't been a coincidence. If Gaia had wanted him dead, she could have made sure he hit the ground.

"So you will help us hide the children in Hutton's Bridge?" Connor asked. "And you won't kill me if I change into a dragon to defend them?"

"I will not," Gaia said. "I have seen your heart, and I recognize it. You will be safe from me and from my brothers. But other dragons will die if they come anywhere near the village. You can count on us to protect your children."

"Thank you," Bastian said. "We will arrive tomorrow with the children and supplies."

"All you need to do is visit me here. I am ready when you are." Gaia caressed Bastian's arm. "I will miss you, Bastian. Visit me anytime you like."

Elinor slipped her hand into Bastian's, squeezing possessively.

"Tomorrow, then," he said, still smiling at Gaia, despite Elinor's fingernails digging into his hand.





Chapter Thirty


Weary, Bastian and Elinor dismounted Connor in the throne room. Hand in hand, they crossed the marble floor.

"I can't believe we're doing this," Bastian said. "After all the years I spent trapped in that damn village behind the fog, I'm now sticking my own child into it."

"I can't believe it either," said a voice from the throne.

Bastian stepped around to the front. "Tressa! What are you doing here?"

Elinor dropped his hand quickly. Bastian felt hurt. True, he still hadn’t told Tressa about Elinor, but he didn't see why Elinor had to act possessive around Gaia and then pretend like there was nothing between them around Tressa. Women. He'd never understand them.

"Hi, Bastian," Tressa said with that familiar grin on her face. For so long, those were the lips he'd kissed, the smile he’d looked for every day, even when they weren't allowed to be together. Now they belonged to someone else.

"What are you doing here?" Bastian spread his arms and motioned for Tressa to give him a hug. She hesitated only a moment, then buried herself in his embrace. Bastian gave her a peck on the head and let go. "I'm glad to see you doing so well. So they were able to heal you in the Charred Barrens? Where's Fi?"

He dreaded the moment she'd ask for Jarrett. The man had killed the dragon babies, and Bastian would never forgive him for it. Connor was likely to kill Jarrett the next time he saw him. He didn't know how to explain what had happened to Tressa.

"Fi's resting. We found an empty chamber for her. I hope that's okay." Tressa said.

"Of course," Bastian said, laughing. "My castle is your castle. If you can even call this mine. It doesn't feel like it."