Page 25 of When Ashes Fall

That statement rocked me. “Maybe I think this is the better version of me.”

“That only makes it sadder.”

I scowled at her while she stared back at me with forlorn resignation in the beautiful eyes that haunted my dreams every day we were apart. I loathed it.

Tearing my gaze from hers, my attention shifted to the sky as the shadow dragon swooped low over the land. Though the tribunal was gone, it stayed low to remain discreet. All dragons were highly intelligent, but this one understood it had to remain a secret for as long as possible.

Black shadows trailed it as it flicked the large black spike at the end of its tail. Two black horns rose from its head; they were every bit as lethal as the despair this twisted creation unleashed upon those it sought to destroy.

The improper use of magic had consequences. This majestic dragon was either forged as a result of the curse or because a dragon was visiting Wildwood, and my father, when the spell was unleashed. The night caster spell could have twisted a dragon into this creation.

As it soared toward the woods, the creature splintered into hundreds of shadows that raced into the forest. Those shadows would make sure that those who didn’t belong in this land left it.

Briar’s hand flew to her throat. “Oh, Gods. What just happened?”

“It’s a creature of shadows, and it sometimes returns to the shadows.”

She blinked a few times before finally releasing a loud breath. “Does it come back together?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not a dragon… or at least it’s not a dragon that was here when the curse happened. Black magic forged that creature.”

“I don’t care what created it; it protects our land and…” My voice trailed off as I stared at the place where the dragon vanished.

I felt Briar’s eyes on me but didn’t finish my sentence. “It’s your friend.”

Because, despite all the years and different experiences separating us, this woman still knew me well enough to speak the words I couldn’t.

The shadow dragon was my friend, and I had few of those.

“Let’s get you back to the castle so I can check on the others,” I said.

“The mushrooms?”

I grunted at her insistence on this. “I’ll gather them for you.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Briar

I tried to keep my face impassive when he said this, but I was determined to get back into those woods. There was another animal out there that could communicate with me, and I would find it. Not to mention, while I had more freedom here than in Nightshade, I wanted more of it.

Plus, I might, by some miracle, figure out a way to escape this place if I could get beyond the walls again. I refused to spend the rest of my life in a limbo where I could be returned to Nightshade or tossed out of here when I was no longer useful.

I was done with having no control over my life.

Seth was dead; in his place stood a man I didn’t know and barely liked. Holding on to the past would only guarantee me more heartache than I’d already had.

“You have to be careful while harvesting the mushrooms,” I told him. “And handle them with care.”

With his large hands and impatient personality, he might destroy the mushrooms before they ever made it into a basket. He studied me before his attention shifted to a nearby rose, drooping beneath the gray sky.

“Fine, I’ll take you out to gather more of them tomorrow,” he relented.

I hid a smile. “Good. I’ll start a new potion with the mushrooms I have until then.”

We didn’t speak again as we walked to the castle. As we approached, the sprites watching for us started opening the gates.