Dragonlands(239)

"Thanks to Connor, it is yours." Tressa looked toward Elinor. Her smile quickly faded. "What's wrong?"

Elinor's arms were crossed over her chest and she wore a mask of anger. "Your boyfriend almost killed us. And he killed all of Connor's newly hatched dragons, except for one."

Tressa's hand flew to her mouth.

Bastian slung an arm around Tressa’s shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said. "I wanted to tell you at the right time." He shot an angry glance at Elinor. How could she? News like that needed time and the right words. Tressa's heartbreak was evidenced by her furrowed brow and shaking hands.

"I didn't know...I mean...I knew there was something wrong with Jarrett when he tried to kill me..." Tressa's words faltered.

Blood boiled in his veins as he squeezed her closer. "He tried to what?"

"Kill her," Elinor said. "Same as what Jarrett did to those poor, defenseless babies. Vatra's lucky she got out alive."

"Vatra?" Tressa asked.

"Connor's own baby. The one in the egg he said was his," Bastian said. "When did Jarrett try to kill you?"

Tressa took a deep breath. "Last night. On the Isle of Repose."

"That's where we left him," Elinor said. "We hoped he'd wither away and die."

"What were you doing there?" Bastian asked Tressa. He wished Elinor would just stay quiet. Tressa had feelings for Jarrett, maybe even loved him. Jarrett may have managed to betray them all, but Bastian wanted to be careful of Tressa's feelings. She'd lost so much since Sophia died.

Tressa took a step back, looking at both Bastian and Elinor. "There are...things...you don't know yet. A lot has happened since I left with Fi. We should go somewhere and sit down."

Bastian didn't like where this was heading. Not one bit. He knew that look in Tressa's eyes. She had secrets, dangerous ones, and Bastian doubted she'd share them all. Tressa had learned at a young age to be secretive. Bastian had forgiven it because she had a hard life growing up without her parents. Even though Sophia was good to Tressa, there was always some separation from the rest of the village. Sophia hadn’t mixed much with the other villagers, except for when she had to lead. Tressa had been isolated by default.

"Let's sit then." Elinor stalked off to the large table on the side of the room. It was the same she'd been tortured on. She sat in a chair, her back straight, her hands folded on the table.

Bastian, Connor, and Tressa followed. Bastian looked to his friend. Connor had been silent through the whole conversation. A quick glance at Connor’s eyes told Bastian he was exercising great control over his anger.

"I need you listen to what I have to say," Tressa said, "and please don't say anything until I'm done."

"Fair enough," Bastian said.

Connor just nodded.

Bastian reached under the table, settling a hand on Elinor's thigh, but she bumped it off. He didn't try again.

Instead he sat back and listened to Tressa's story. How she'd visited the Black’s stronghold. How they numbered in the thousands. How they'd tended to her sickness and nursed her back to health.

She told them about the war, and how they'd flown north to fight with the Red. How she’d been lured to the Isle of Repose.

When she was done, Tressa sat back in her chair.

Bastian doubted she'd told them everything. Her smile was guarded.

"So Jarrett is here?" Elinor asked.

"He's under guard, I swear," Tressa said.

"I'm going to kill him," Connor said, fuming. He stood, his chair falling to the floor.

"Connor!" Bastian leapt up. "Don't."

"Don't? He killed my children! What would you do if he'd killed your daughter? And he tried to kill the woman you spent most of your life loving! How can you tell me to stop?" Connor got in Bastian's face, their noses almost touching.

"You're right. But if Tressa says there's a chance for him to be healed, we have to believe her," Bastian said.

"You can trust her all you want," Connor said. "But I don't remember her and I have no qualms about killing that bastard right now. I'll even do it while he's sleeping. Jarrett doesn't deserve a fair fight."

"Connor, please," Tressa said. She stood slowly, her palms on the table. "I understand this is hard for you."

"Hard? Hard was watching Jarrett murder my children. I will kill him." Connor stalked away from the table, his hands in fists.

Bastian ran after him. He grabbed Connor's shoulder, forcing him to turn around. "You of all people know what it’s like to be put under a spell. To be forced to change. What if Tressa's right? What if Jarrett can be redeemed?"

"It doesn't bring my children back to life."