Page 33 of Secrets of Ruin

“We can do introductions later!” Kaylia snapped. “We need the infirmary… now!”

Lexi squeezed her wrist. “Then let’s go.”

Lexi turned toward the drawbridge and moat only fifty feet away as Alina shifted out of their way. Before they could move, Alina’s three children, Astarot, Belindo, and Nithe, burst out from under the open portico.

The three baby dragons were much larger than Kaylia remembered. They were all now the size of a small car as they tumbled, leapt, and fell over top of one another in their excitement to get to their mother.

Little puffs of smoke coiled from their nostrils, and their squeals echoed down the hillside as they pounced on their mom. The bundles of joy would have flattened anyone else, but Alina sighed as they climbed over her.

“Easy, children,” she murmured when they settled close to her head to nuzzle her.

“Holy shit, it talks,” Ryker breathed.

“She’s not an it,” Lexi said kindly. “She is Alina, speaker of dragons.”

“Amazing,” Leland breathed.

Yes, it was all so wonderful, but they were wasting time. The longer they stood there, the more blood Brokk lost and the more suffering he endured.

“We have to go,” Kaylia said brusquely.

She rested her hand on Brokk’s thigh as they carried him toward the palace. They were safe here, but she wouldn’t leave his side.

“I’m so happy you’re home,” Lexi whispered.

A single tear rolled down Kaylia’s face as love broke through the panic gripping her. Releasing Brokk, she threw her arms around her friend and pulled her close.

Lexi clung to her as Kaylia fought not to fall apart. They were safe; she could let it all go, but she had no time for such luxuries as she had to care for Brokk.

When Sahira rested her hand on Kaylia’s back, she half turned to embrace her other friend as they continued toward the palace.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Ryker did most of the talking while Kaylia, Sahira, Leland, and a witch Sahira introduced as Elsa worked to clean Brokk’s back while he lay face down on one of the beds. After the final battle against the Lord, this room was full of injured immortals, but Brokk was the only occupant now.

Once they finished cleaning his exposed muscles and nerves, Kaylia applied a poultice while the others created a healing and pain potion. It would help speed up his recovery process while easing his suffering.

She had just finished applying the poultice when Varo rushed into the room. His nearly white-blue eyes filled with concern, and his black hair stood at angles around his face as he rushed to Brokk’s side.

“What happened?” he demanded as Del and Maverick entered behind him.

“A lot,” Cole replied, filling him in on everything Ryker had revealed.

Adrenaline and her desperation to ensure she did everything she could for Brokk kept her going even as her eyelids drooped and her legs trembled. When she slumped against the side of the mattress, Sahira wrapped her arm around Kaylia’s waist.

“Why don’t you let Lexi take you to your room so you can shower and dress,” Sahira suggested.

Kaylia shook her head; it was all she could manage, as words wouldn’t come.

“Then at least sit down.” Sahira led her over to one of the chairs next to the bed. “You’re about to drop, Kaylia, and you won’t do anyone any good if we have to tend to you too.”

Kaylia reluctantly slumped into one of the chairs. Brokk’s hand was up by his head; she clasped it in hers as she leaned closer to listen to his shallow breaths.

She would prefer it if his breathing was stronger, but he wasn’t wheezing and still didn’t have a fever, which were both good signs. She wished he’d wake up, but that wouldn’t happen until his body had more time and blood to heal.

After Ryker told their tale, Maverick and Del showed him and Tucker to some guest rooms. Though she could also use some rest, Leland stayed behind to help them.

“We have to help them find their king.” Kaylia felt like she was pulling words from the sticky white substance that had sucked her into the mirror realm, but she had to tell them this. “We promised we would, and the ophidians have to burn.”