Page 65 of Dewpoint
“Too bad the king and queen weren’t as wise because that’sexactlywhat I suggested they do if Sagan was ever discovered,” she seethed. She nodded when I did a double take. “Maple, we’re rare, but as I said, no dragon is as rare as people think.”
And right before my eyes she changed the color of her streaks.
“Well, I feel silly,” I chuckled darkly. Of course she could do that.
“No, you’re just—you were sheltered and trained for different perspectives, child,” she said with a kind smile. “What debt?”
I told her about how Sagan saved Myriam’s life at school. Men had come to rape and kill her because they were mad at her father and Sagan’s mystic dragon had come out to save her. She’d never spoken a word about what she’d seen or told anyone about being saved—who had done it even. Except apparently, she told her father who saved her, so he knew the debt was real.
That was it. She never outed Sagan as being different and immediately came to help Sagan.
“And what changed? What—you are too distressed.”
I told her how Myriam cornered me the last time I was at the castle, and while she admitted she didn’t know as much as she’d like, Sagan’s dragon was struggling. She was trying to help, but she wasn’t a dragon. She pumped me for information that I wouldn’t give until I realized she knew more than she should.
When I was about to end her, she simply chuckled and busted me for knowing Sagan’s dragon was really purple and she could change it to red to hide. No, that wasn’t the truth, but… Better she thought that and it wasn’t a bad ploy.
She also wouldn’t tell me what they were really up to, just that it was bad and getting worse. That Sagan needed more disguises and could I help with that—find whoever taught Sagan and the control she had learned.
Because Myriam worried Sagan was going to snap and soon.
Yeah, that I could help with for sure.
“What really happened, Belinda?” I asked, chuffing when she didn’t answer. “No, no more of this protecting my memory of Rhys. No more protectingme. I’m not a child and I—fuck his memory if he wasn’t who I thought. I want the truth and to protect Sagan. I don’t have children like my other siblings and—Darren and I are united in this.”
A piece of my soul died hearing what my brother, who I had loved dearly, had done. It really did.
“They told me to control her abilities. I never dreamed they meant suppress them and try to get rid of her dragon,” Belinda explained, barely keeping her rage contained. “They finally visited where we were hidden. Once. Just once that summer and Sagan was thrilled. Always reserved, but I could see it.
“Herdragonwas thrilled because she wouldn’t be an embarrassment anymore, but powerful and an asset to the royal family even if hidden. She transformed physically as I’m sure you’ve seen.” She waited until I nodded. “Rhys and Amelia couldn’t hide their horror. It was all over their faces. Amelia left without a word—just walked away.
“Rhys wasn’t better, but demanded Sagan change back and notplaywith magic again and remember who she was. When I argued thisiswho she was, he was furious—actually broke his composure and told me to stop teaching hisheirnonsense. To teach her how to hide her other dragon and keep it dormant.”
“What?” I pushed.
“I protected Sagan from hearing his blowup, but she knew something was wrong and she’d disappointed them. She askedif she could stay with me, if I would adopt her and become her mother if they wouldn’t ever want her. She—that little girl suggested they should have another baby to replace her as heir. One they could love and want.”
I swallowed loudly, feeling a cold chill race over my skin. “What was my brother’s reply? Did Sagan hear it?”
“No. No… I don’t think she did even if she felt it was bad,” Belinda answered. “I still had her blocked, but she is powerful. Sagan ispowerful—beyond what I am if she was allowed to train again.”
I nodded and twisted my hands together. “What did my brother say about his own daughter, Belinda? Please tell me so I can help her?”
“He said they were already trying and had been for years, so to make sure no one could find out she was wrong in the eyes of the gods until they could have an heir that would be accepted by Thovudin.”
I broke down sobbing for Sagan. I didn’t think any childhood could be worse than what my siblings had suffered at times. Fraser went through so much being the “backup” and my sister and I being the pretty mares to be mated one day.
But this? This was… Sagan was amazing and what they did to her—fuck Rhys and Amelia.
“I need you to come with me and help her.”
“That’s too big of an ask for me—”
“Fuck what you need and your life, Belinda,” I roared, ignoring her shock that I broke my own training as a royal. “She isdrowningand wouldn’t get out bed today. That little girl I know you loved is dying under the pressure and weight of what’s been done to her—is being done to her. Please?”
I slid of my seat and dropped to my knees, hanging my head and continuing to cry.
“Please. I know what I’m asking and the risk, but you’ve lived your life. She’s—please, Belinda. Save Sagan. Please love her like her parents should have and help Darren and me protect her. We can’t help her in this way. I will as a royal and Darren as her advisor, but we can’t with her power. Please. Anything you want, just save her.”
