The Awakening (34 page)

“Very ladylike, Miss Jahrra,” Neira scolded.

Jahrra was saved from coming up with a good retort, seeing as her mouth was full. The fire in the great room was crackling joyfully and the lamps and candles were lit as well. The light reflected off of the glass of the tall windows, the streaks of rain barely visible against the blackness of evening.

Jaax, Jahrra noticed, had already eaten and was sitting comfortably in his raised corner of the room reading a book. She shuffled over, plunking her bowl down onto the table she always used for dining and finally took a real bite out of the biscuit. She savored the buttery flavor before starting in on her stew. Jaax waited until she was done eating before speaking to her.

“How was class today?” he asked.

“Good,” Jahrra responded, intending on ending the conversation there as she leaned back in her chair.

“Merely good?” he pressed.

“Yes,” Jahrra said, “merely good would describe it. But I could say that sword practice with my friends was superb.”

She grinned, recalling earlier that afternoon when she had managed to lock swords with Dathian before tearing his weapon from his hands. Senton had clapped and cheered while Torrell had gaped in surprise.

“Hmm,” Jaax said. Then he took a breath. “I was talking to Neira earlier this evening.”

“Uh huh,” Jahrra said boorishly, tapping her feet as she balanced her chin in the palm of her hand.

“And I asked her the same question I asked you when you got home this afternoon, about any news I might need to know about.”

Jahrra stilled her tapping feet. Where might this be heading?

“And, funny thing, she informed me there was something that happened earlier this week that was noteworthy enough to tell me.”

Jahrra froze. She knew that tone of voice, that tension in the air. But what could Neira have told him?

“She informed me that you had a visitor early in the morning, two days after I left for Nimbronia to be precise.”

Uh oh
. Jaax wasn’t supposed to know about Shiroxx stopping by. Why had Neira said anything? It wasn’t that big of a deal.

Jahrra tried to tell Jaax so but he didn’t seem to be paying attention. He was still reading his stupid book.

“What did you discuss?” he queried.

“Honestly, Jaax, she was only here for five minutes,” Jahrra insisted.

She stood up and turned her chair around, sitting in it with the back facing the table and her arms crossed over the top.

Finally, Jaax looked up from the great tome and gave her a hard look. “Five minutes? One minute with Shiroxx can be damaging. Jahrra, I want to know what was said.”

Jahrra heaved a great sigh and tried to remember back to that day. Finally, she repeated, in so many words, what had happened; how Shiroxx had made small talk and then tried to ask her where Jaax had gone. About how she wasn’t pleased when Jahrra wouldn’t give her details. About how she lied and told the other dragon she didn’t know where her guardian had gone.

“What do you mean she wasn’t pleased?” Jaax asked, his voice growing harsher.

Jahrra shrugged. She hated this. She hated repeating the words of others for she was always afraid she would get something wrong and get the other person in trouble. Of course, she wouldn’t mind getting Shiroxx in trouble, but she knew that the female dragon could hold a grudge and for some reason or another she already despised Jahrra. She didn’t need to go about making the red dragon angrier at her.

Finally, she gave in, knowing that Jaax would hound her until he got every last detail out of her. “She tried to say the reason you didn’t tell me your whereabouts was because you didn’t think I was trustworthy.”

Jahrra wasn’t looking at her guardian, so when he slammed the book shut with great force she nearly fell out of her chair. Shocked and afraid he was irate with her once again, she braced the table for support.

“Why did you not
tell
me of this?” his voice was low, almost a hiss.

Jahrra swallowed and found the gumption to look up. Jaax was angry, there was no doubt about that, but his ire didn’t seem to be aimed at her.

Breathing a small sigh of relief, Jahrra cleared her throat and answered him, “It wasn’t as bad as you think, Jaax. I didn’t want to cause any more trouble with Shiroxx. I thought it best to just let it go.”

Jaax’s eyes smoldered for a bit longer but finally his jaw unclenched and he took a breath. Jahrra couldn’t help notice the tinge of smoke that accompanied it as he exhaled. After that, the room grew deadly silent, the only sound coming from the slight wind and rain outside and the crackle and pop of the fire.

Jahrra felt her dinner churning uncomfortably in her stomach. With a half mumbled complaint of a stomach ache, she scooped up her dirty dishes and headed for the kitchen. Neira was there, cleaning up the mess. Jahrra stopped short when she saw her and the two women locked gazes. It was clear from Neira’s brown eyes that she had heard at least a little of what had been said in the other room.

Neira spoke first, “Jahrra, I’m sorry, I didn’t think you didn’t want that dragon’s visit repeated, or else I never would have said something, but the way she treated you . . .”

Neira always spoke in run-on sentences when she was nervous or frightened or worried.

Jahrra had been slightly angry at first but she reminded herself that she’d never asked Neira to remain silent, so she let her irritation go.

“It’s okay, Neira,” she sighed, “you did what you thought was best.”

Neira nodded. “I’ll draw a bath for you then.”

Jahrra shook her head. “Let me help you with the dishes first.”

With both women working it didn’t take long to get the kitchen cleaned up. Jahrra enjoyed her bath afterwards but didn’t linger in the hot water long. She was tired and still a little disheartened by her conversation with Jaax. She sighed and pushed herself out of the copper tub. Her class was taking a trip outside the city tomorrow and she wanted to be well rested for the hike they would be taking.

With the close of last session’s classes, Jahrra had been very disappointed that she would no longer be enjoying her wildlife class with Anthar and Dathian. That is, until her professor informed her that he gave a second class; a continuation of the previous course. She, Senton and Torrell had been the first three students to sign up. Jahrra grinned, drying her hair as she imagined all the animals they might see this time around.

She rose early the next morning, despite spending a good deal of time trying to fall asleep the night before because of the situation with Shiroxx. She quickly got dressed, packed her bag with the necessary items, pulled on her good boots and headed downstairs. She met Neira in the kitchen and the maid gave her a packed lunch and a few leftover biscuits from the night before for breakfast.

Jahrra thanked her and headed through the great room, grabbing a few strings of dried apples for Phrym on her way out. Jaax was already gone, she noted, but he was rarely home in the mornings anyways. Stepping out into the crisp air, she picked up her pace and at the bottom of their hill joined the few early risers already up and moving.

As she made her way to the stables, she shuffled the conversation she’d had with her guardian the night before over and over again in her head. Perhaps she had been wrong; perhaps Jaax should have known about Shiroxx’s visit right away. For all Jahrra knew, the female dragon could be plotting something against her. Highly unlikely but not impossible.
You’re not the insignificant little Nesnan you were in Oescienne, Jahrra
, she told herself.
You could have enemies lurking around every corner you never even dreamed of.
Not surprisingly, the thought didn’t make her feel any better.

-
Chapter Nineteen
-

Confessions, Accusations and an Inevitable Banishment

Jaax hadn’t slept the entire night, for the information Jahrra had shared with him had gnawed at him the way a river carves away stone. He had too much on his mind, what with the news he’d gathered on his trip to Nimbronia and now Shiroxx’s attempt to manipulate Jahrra. How was he going to tell her that they might be required to leave Lidien much sooner than he had ever hoped? If the reports were accurate, and he had little doubt that they were, then the Tyrant’s men were at this very minute leaking into Felldreim’s borders and slowly making their way to Lidien. How they had managed to get past the magic was beyond his knowledge, but if they reached the great city there would be immeasurable catastrophe, he was certain of it.

As daunting as this information might be Jaax had other things to worry about at the present. He glanced out of the window behind his desk, noting that the trees were still a black silhouette against the dark sky. At least two more hours before dawn; two more hours before he had to go talk to Shiroxx and stress that she needed to stay away from Jahrra.

He sighed and rubbed his scaled knuckles against his forehead, the spirit stone in his ring glinting in the pale candlelight. He smiled despite his headache and irritation. He never particularly enjoyed jewelry of any kind but this ring held special meaning coming from Jahrra.

A soft knock on the front door of his estate drew his attention. He paused and listened carefully, thinking he’d imagined it. The sound came again, a little stronger this time. Who would be calling so early in the morning?

Not wanting Neira to be disturbed, Jaax rose and crossed the hallway. He opened the door and blinked in surprise.

“Forgive me, Lord Raejaax,” a familiar golden dragon said, his voice all formality, “but I must speak with you.”

Jaax studied the young Tanaan standing before him, cowering like a wolf that had been put back in his place by the alpha male.

“Of course,” Jaax said carefully. “You are Kehllor, I believe.”

Kehllor nodded and swallowed, lowering his eyes.

“Very well,” Jaax sighed. “My study would probably be the best place, since I have a feeling you wish to discuss something of a delicate matter.”

The golden dragon nodded again, the scar running down one side of his face seeming to pale even further.

Once they were both settled in the dragon’s study, Jaax behind his desk and Kehllor sitting before it, the younger Tanaan blurted out, “I have a confession to make.”

Jaax lifted both eyebrows.

“I know I should have waited until later this morning, but something has been weighing on my mind for several days and I just had to tell you and this way she won’t know I’ve spoken to you.” He heaved a great sigh and released it.

“Shiroxx came to visit me last week, more agitated than usual, saying she had to talk to me and that she couldn’t take it anymore. She was so angry and carrying on about the insolence of the girl,”

He was babbling now and Jaax was sure he had forgotten where he was and to whom he was speaking.

“Stop,” he said, using the authority that came so naturally to him. “Start over. Forget that it is early, for it is clear we have both spent the night worrying about something.”

Kehllor swallowed, closed his eyes, and began in a more normal tone, “Several months ago, Shiroxx asked me to spy on the girl Jahrra for her, and I agreed.”

Jaax tensed, but he kept himself from snapping at the younger dragon. “Continue,” he said shortly.

“I got my first opportunity on Sobledthe Eve when I ran into Jahrra and her friends, but after spending the evening with them I knew I couldn’t go through with Shiroxx’s wishes.”

He looked up at Jaax with morose eyes. “I have been avoiding Jahrra ever since and feeding lies to Shiroxx.”

Jaax took a deep breath and released it. He had planned on giving Shiroxx a warning later that morning. Now his plans would have to be changed to something much more severe.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Kehllor went on when Jaax said nothing. “Jahrra was so kind to me, befriending me like she did; I couldn’t report to Shiroxx what she’d said to me, even if it seemed unimportant. But Shiroxx has me trapped–”

“No,” Jaax cut him off, thinking about what the golden dragon was saying.

Jahrra and Kehllor were friends? When had that happened?
Probably when you were off performing your ‘more important’ duties
, his inner voice told him.

Jaax shook his head and returned his focus to the current dilemma. “No, you no longer need to feel any obligation to Shiroxx.”

Kehllor blinked in confusion.

Jaax took a breath, quickly going over the thoughts running around in his head. He couldn’t make a decision now but perhaps he could speak with Kehllor again after visiting Shiroxx.

“I’ll handle Shiroxx. As you know, she visited Jahrra last week with the intent on gleaning information from her. I have to speak to her about this, today.”

Kehllor nodded but his jaw was clenched tight.

“Go home, Kehllor. Go home and rest and then meet me back here an hour after noon. You have provided me with important information and I will not forget it.”

“I cannot go home. Shiroxx has been providing me with a small cottage and I don’t wish to go back there anytime soon.”

Jaax noted that his guest’s voice was no longer so compliant but had become tainted with disdain. If he was judging correctly, he would say that Kehllor had felt detached from Shiroxx for quite some time but felt obligated to stay by her side.

Jaax made sure Kehllor looked him in the eye before he said, “Then go for a very long walk or flight. You are always welcome to stay here with us if you feel the need, until this all blows over.”

Kehllor looked genuinely surprised but bowed his head in acknowledgment, his nerves finally seeming to settle.

Jaax sat back and relaxed and Kehllor mimicked him. It was still too early to visit Shiroxx, despite his eagerness to confront her and demand answers, so he turned his attention back to the young Tanaan in front of him. It had taken some deal of courage for Kehllor to come to him and admit his partial involvement in Shiroxx’s devious plans. The female Tanaan had been on Jaax’s watch list for some time now. He knew she could be demanding and pushy at times and he always suspected her of taking things one step too far. Now he had his proof.

“Tell me about yourself Kehllor, for unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to get to know you since you joined the Coalition.”

Kehllor took a breath and repeated the story he had told Jahrra on Sobledthe Eve, about how Shiroxx had found him wandering alone in the desert without a single memory of his life before her discovery of him.

Jaax listened intently, storing away every word. No wonder the young dragon felt so compelled to serve Shiroxx. He owed her much, but no one had the right to take such advantage of others. She would pay, for her treatment of both Jahrra and Kehllor, Jaax would make sure of it.

The sky was finally growing light in the east when Jaax saw Kehllor to the door. Shiroxx would surely still be asleep at this hour but he didn’t care. He had a few choice words he wished to exchange with her, all of which he was certain she wouldn’t like to hear.

He sighed and headed down the drive, intent on making it to the other end of the city. That was one consolation; at least Shiroxx hadn’t managed to acquire one of the empty cottages on the hillside beside his own. If that had been the case, then the conversation he was planning on having would only cause more of a problem. It might do that in the end anyway but this time the dragoness had gone too far; it was time he put her in her place.

For weeks she’d been trying to point out all of what she considered Jahrra’s faults to him and he had ignored her, as usual. But to come to his home while he was away and to entice his ward in such a manner, and to bully Kehllor into spying on her? He shivered in irritation.

Jaax furrowed his brow as he ambled along, most of his attention lost in thought. He would deal with this inconvenience and then move onto the next one, the matter of Cierryon’s men moving in like the coils of a snake.

The darkness of night still clung to the hidden corners of the city, but Jaax preferred it that way. As his claws scraped the smooth cobblestones below his feet, he instead thought about the information he had gleaned from Jahrra the night before. She had been reluctant to admit to what Neira had told him; that Shiroxx had shown up unannounced, trying to gather information from her.

It made Jaax grit his teeth as the fire in his chest smoldered. Why was Shiroxx so keen on knowing every single move he made? And why would she solicit Jahrra for that information? Was she trying to somehow belittle the girl in Jaax’s eyes? Somehow prove that all the slander she’d been whispering to him about his ward was true? It made his skin crawl that Shiroxx had steeped so low as to pester Jahrra, but below the irritation and disgust there glowed a spark of satisfaction. Jaax was proud of his ward for her dealing with Shiroxx: the female dragon was definitely a master of manipulation and Jahrra had handled her quite well.

Blinking up at the bare trees now flanking the main road through Lidien, Jaax realized his destination was near. He released a great puff of air and narrowed his eyes. He could feel the fire brewing even hotter in his chest and he had to force himself to calm down. It wouldn’t do any good approaching Shiroxx in such raw anger. He knew it would probably end that way but it was best to begin with a calm demeanor.

The side street leading up to the large cottages in Shiroxx’s small neighborhood appeared before him and Jaax turned left, the twitter of the morning birds accompanying him. The climb was short, for this hill wasn’t as steep or large as the one his own house sat upon. The torches in front of Shiroxx’s pale pink dwelling were black and unlit but the sun was only moments from cresting the eastern horizon. Jaax stepped up to the front door, a great carved oak construction similar to his own, and pulled the rope attached to a large bell hanging outside, ringing it once.

A few moments passed then Jaax heard movement inside. A servant finally slid the great door open. Jaax eyed him curiously as he beckoned him inside.

“I need to speak with the mistress of the house, the dragoness Shiroxx.”

A handful of housemaids peeked around the corner, then bowed and walked briskly away. The Resai man who’d opened the door gestured for Jaax to follow him and was led into a large sitting room to wait.

Having nothing else to do until Shiroxx arrived, Jaax glanced around the room with curiosity. It was much more ornately decorated than his own great room and the overabundance of rich fabrics, detailed tapestries and vibrant rugs made his headache worse. There were several floral patterns of which none matched and many pieces of gilded, overstuffed furniture that would never be suitable for a dragon. Portraits of epic proportions covered any bit of wall that wasn’t draped with a tapestry and the edges of the great windows were composed of stained glass.

The sickly sweet scent of perfume and incense stirred in the air and Jaax had to resort to breathing through his teeth or else be sick. He eyed the fireplace in a bored fashion and noticed that several logs were perched there, waiting to be lit. Jaax would have done the honors himself but he feared the combination of added heat and the overpowering scents wafting through the sitting room would just be too much for his senses.

Sighing, he found a comfortable patch of floral carpet and sat upon the floor. He curled his tail around his feet and kept his senses alert, facing the great door that led farther into the house. Jaax eyed the tall clock in the corner of the room, a device owned only by the most affluent, and grew more and more irritated as the minutes ticked by.

He waited nearly an hour, keeping a tight rein on his anger the entire time. He needed to be calm and collected when Shiroxx appeared. He had an inkling that she might suspect why he was here at such an early hour, and her delay had nothing to do with her servants getting her to rise from her sleep; it had everything to do with her desire to arm herself against an impending attack. Jaax considered all this as he waited; preparing himself for how the other Tanaan dragon would react to what he had to say.

The muffled sound of commotion shortly followed by a brisk opening of the smaller side door jerked the Tanaan dragon from his contemplation. He lifted his head and eyed the Resai man from earlier with scrutiny.

He held his head high but offered Jaax a customary bow. “Her ladyship will be with you shortly.”

Jaax merely nodded, a sharp jerk of his head. Not that the butler would care; he hadn’t even lifted his eyes to acknowledge his lady dragon’s guest from the time he entered the room until he left it.

A few moments later the larger doors swung open, once again by the efforts of many attendants, and Shiroxx stepped through, looking like a relaxed queen come to deal with a pleading peasant. Jaax wrinkled his nose in absurd interest. He knew their kind descended from humans but it was a bit ridiculous to try and dress as them. What Shiroxx wore could only best be described as some sort of robe, despite the light, sheer weave of the fabric. The strange gown trailed easily behind her and shimmered like gold, the same gold that decorated her head in a twisted circlet. Like all dragons, the Tanaan also possessed that obsession that their reptilian brethren were famous for: treasure-hording. However, most dragons hid their treasure away as opposed to airing it out in the open for all the world to see as Shiroxx did.