Page 61 of Dragonbound

ERANN

Erann woke to bright sun pouring into the cave. He must have slept half the day away. He heard a crash and turned his head to see Emma swinging her pot back into place over the fire. Then everything from the day before came crashing back and for a moment he was consumed with anguish.

‘Emma, Skaldi,’ he called.

Emma abandoned her cooking. Skaldi poked his huge, golden head inside the cavern entrance. There was no reason to be secretive any more. He and Emma could talk freely to the great golden dragon. The dragon’s green eyes sparkled as sunlight bathed him in molten liquid.

For all that, Skaldi seemed lesser, somehow. Erann noted it, but he couldn’t think about that now. All he could think about was Sereh.

‘Do you know where she is?’ he questioned Skaldi.

Yes, and I could go and get her, but how is more of a problem. She can’t see me. She doesn’t even know I exist. Even if she did, I’ve no guarantee she’d come back. The dragon’s response was gentle, filled with understanding.

‘I could come with you,’ Emma suggested, a little reluctantly, Erann thought.

Yes, you could, but she distrusts you, I’m afraid. And I cannot transport you both and her four-legged friend on my back. Nor, as we saw yesterday, can we leave Erann alone. You and I were only gone for an afternoon. In that time, he’s undone much of the healing.

‘By the Gods,’ Erann growled. He knew he’d injured himself again yesterday in his desperate bid to go after Sereh, but he didn’t know how much damage he’d caused. It must be bad if Skaldi had mentioned it.

Perhaps we should leave her, Skaldi mused. She cannot see me. She will not believe you now if you tried to explain, Erann. I know you have feelings for her. Erann hoped Emma couldn’t hear Skaldi’s half of the conversation. I understand. But we have bigger things to worry about. You need to get well. I shall move you and Emma to rún-ketill. You will be safer there. Once that’s accomplished, I’ll seek Sereh. Until then, I can keep following her movements from a distance.

Erann felt his frustration increasing.

‘I understand, Skaldi, I do. But I want Sereh back – she belongs here, with me. But she won’t come back unless she trusts me. I need to be able to tell her the truth.’

I can’t allow you to tell her anything, he said, slowly, almost regretfully. You don’t know everything you need to know. You must be patient.

Erann wanted to scream. Patience had defined his life for eight rotations. He was done being patient. He wanted to start living again. His father was dead, his mother was killing herself, and his sister had sacrificed herself to save their family and was now bound to a man they both loathed. None of that could be undone. None of it could be fixed.

But Sereh was real. Solid. Immediate. He needed her with an ache so deep he felt hollow without her. Fierce words of denial burned on the tip of his tongue when Skaldi’s attention snapped from him towards Emma. His huge green eyes swam with sudden concern.

Erann twisted towards where Emma had been standing.

She was gone.

He couldn’t believe she’d just abandoned the conversation. But Skaldi had lowered his huge muzzle to the floor and was twisting his huge head from side to side. Erann’s gaze dropped.

Emma lay curled at the dragon’s feet, whimpering softly.

‘Emma,’ he cried, fighting with the heavy furs to get to her.

He hissed sharply as pain lanced through him once more. He knew he was healing quickly – but it wasn’t fast enough. And yesterday, he’d undone some of the healing.

‘What’s the matter with her?’ he demanded, still fighting with his coverings. He was making no progress, and sweat beaded his face. ‘What happened?’

I don’t know. I cannot sense her with my mind. It’s as if she’s no longer there.

‘How can that be? Is she sick?’

I’m not sure. Let me think. I’ll try to find a way to connect with her.

Emma’s soft whimpers had stopped now, but she wasn’t moving. Erann was frantic. He shuffled up his makeshift bed, trying to reach her without knocking his splinted leg too much.

He stretched out, twisting his body, and thrust his hand onto her forehead and shuddered. Her skin was glacially cold.

‘Emma,’ he called softly, rearing back and balancing on his elbow so he could see her face. Her eyes were open and unseeing.

‘Emma,’ he called again. He gently rocked her shoulder.