THE AMOROUS INTENTIONS SIAN HAD appeared to have seemed to disappear while she had him explain the creatures. Daron didn't mind too much, they'd have time tonight. He like seeing what caught her attention and rattled off names and descriptions.'Those are leeni,' Daron pointed at the creatures that swung through the branches and clustered on the roof above them, peering down with curious, bright eyes. To his surprise, Sian shrank back, watching them cautiously.'Pixie? What's wrong?''The people at Lothost warned us to watch out for leeni,' she frowned at the animals.Daron laughed. 'Leeni are rather mischievous and good at getting into things.' As he said that, one attempted to swing over the roof edge into their room. Daron caught it by the tail and flicked it off the balcony. The animal gave an excited scream, spreading the skin flaps it used to glide. Others on the roof made the same scream and dived off, whooping through the trees.'Wow, they can glide really far.' Sian watch

'SIAN?'With a jolt Sian realized that the sound, the voice she kept hearing, came from the ground. 'Land, Nesha, I need to get off now!''Fine.'The griffon swooped low, and Daron grabbed her waist with a muffled curse when Nesha dropped to the ground. Sian swung a leg over the saddle and slid down, hitting the ground hard. She danced on the spot when pain shot through her feet. 'Ow! Ow, ow!''Please.'Sian froze. There it was again. 'Did you hear that?'Daron and Nesha gaped at her with twin expressions of surprise.'No?' Daron ventured.Feeling exasperated, she clarified. 'A voice, like Nesha's, in my mind. It's been asking for help. You didn't hear it?'They looked concerned now and stared at each other for a long moment. Nesha nodded, and Daron came to stand beside her. 'Can you tell the direction?'Sian paused. The voice repeated its plea, and she nodded to him. 'This way.''Okay, let's go.' Daron grabbed her hand. 'Lead the way.'While Sian dragged him off, Nesha set

LIEUTENANT IGNATIUS STORMED DOWN THE corridor. Where was that damned Sorceress? This was going too far.He rounded another corner while servants and nobles scurried out of his way. Walking calmly toward him came the Sorceress and her consort. Yakov gave him a flat look which he returned with heat. He'd never liked the Southerner and felt less than impressed with the relationship the adviser appeared to have with the heir; the Princess should only be surrounded by born and bred Elionites.'What the hell is this I hear about a dragon?'The Sorceress gave him an undecipherable look.'I believe the Lady Sian has linked with a stafandral dragon. We're on our way to meet him, will you join us?'The casual, unconcerned tone she affected had him biting his tongue in fury. The heir to the throne should NOT be exposed to such risks. Ignatius knew better than to waste his time arguing with her; that idiot adviser would leap to her defence and waste more time. While against his nature to subm

WE ALL MADE AN EFFORT to shake the serious mood off. Elena closed the circle, signalling the end of training. Yanking off my boots, I tossed them to the side and helped Sian spread a blanket. We laid the food Hiranes had packed out over the blanket, and everyone grabbed a plate. Sito suddenly looked more interested.'Food?' Came the loud, hopeful thought.Sian gave him a look. 'You ate just the other day, and I know that'll satisfy you for at least another week.'He huffed and lay back down on the black sand, his huge eyes doing the best puppy dog expression ever. 'Meanie.'Loi choked on a mouthful when she laughed, and I thumped her on the back. It wasn't what I'd expected from a dragon either, well maybe from Nnelg, but from a beast that looked like it could inhale a griffon in a breath? Not so much. With my legs outstretched in the sun I began to feel sleepy and lay back to enjoy it. A tug on the ankle had me peering down at Loi, who studied my anklet.'How does it actually wor

THE NEXT DAY WAS FINALLY the rest day. Alek still slept when I snuck out of the room. The two guards shadowed me as I walked to the library. I thanked the one that opened the library door and paused, staring at all those shelves packed with books.I intended to spend the day reading up on my realm. Not the romantic rest day I'd envisioned at the beginning of the week, but it had to be done. I had so much to learn.'Morning, Cat.'I jumped. I hadn't spotted Kassie on the far couch, tucked up with a blanket and surrounded by books. 'Kass, you're up early.'She smiled at me then pointed to the mezzanine level. 'But not the earliest.'Leseach's melodic tenor voice called out quietly, 'Good morning, Your Highness.'I climbed the short, narrow staircase to her level. 'Good morning. What are you studying?'She stood bent over the table looking at a large map of Elion and glanced up. Those vivid green and yellow, inhuman eyes stared as she flashed a smile. 'Looking at where else the Sor