Page 40 of To Fight and To Fold

“Hey, buddy,” she said softly, and carefully reached out to him. Before she could pet him, he pulled his head away before returning it to sniff her. Her touch was not welcome, but her scent was.

“He misses his Tethered,” Vaelen said, and Thea’s throat went tight, tears welling.

She hated the pain this creature was in due to her own actions.

“His Tethered seems to know that he won't let us care for him, offering accurate details,” Vaelen reported. “Do you think her claim has merit?”

Marina shrugged. "It's certainly possible. I think many of us who have awakened have a deep connection with our dragons. In some cases, that bond can extend past the physical. It's magic, after all."

Thea swallowed her own emotions and glanced at Vaelen for answers, but the archdruid had that look in her eye, the one that meant she was just as curious as Thea.

"How do you think this one is manifesting? Senses? Visions?"

"I think it depends on the connection. With Moonbeam, I am aware of him always, like a second beating heart alongside my own." She glanced down sadly at Starspark. "But I've never been apart from him. Who’s to say what form our connection would take if we were separated."

Vaelen's brow furrowed. "Well. In the meantime, please be careful what information we divulge around Starspark. We know he means well, but at the moment his Tethered is conflicted. It would be in our best interest not to reveal something vital for her to overhear."

Marina nodded, almost reaching out to Starspark, but thinking better of it when he grumbled.

"Right. We'll continue to monitor him, try to entice him with blooms or something. It's been four days. We might need to take more… aggressive measures soon."

Thea stared at Starspark, his big, sad eyes. Please let us take care of you, she begged silently.

10

COLLABORATION

“They’re druids,” Prince Jarrick answered. “Naturistic rebels with unrealistic ideals.”

Aaryn's heart sank at the venom filling his words. She’d heard of druids, of course. Their lineage dated all the way back to the very creation of Rishika.

“They take and they use magic at their own discretion with disregard for everyone else around them.”

“But magic is scarce,” Aaryn said. Centuries ago, all the magic in the land had been taken, harnessed in order to end a curse on their lands, and even now, magic was concentrated to keep it at bay. Magic was not intended for the public, for personal use.

He gnashed his teeth. “Exactly. They care not for how their proclivities put the rest of us in danger.”

“Why are they coming after the dragons? The Tethered?”

Jarrick shrugged, frustration lining his features. “They’re Evergale's greatest defense. Maybe they seek to weaken us.”

“For what purpose? Are they planning an attack?” Aaryn asked, fearful. This felt bigger than Thea. What did Aaryn really know of all this?

“None of us know their next move, or what exactly they hope to accomplish. But they’re moving in. If she could get to you in the orchard, maybe they’re already here and we just don’t know it.”

Aaryn must have made a noise, because Jarrick shook himself. “Sorry, I don’t mean to frighten you. Maybe this was too much⁠—“

“No!” Aaryn interjected. “I just have never had to think about these things before. I would rather know than be caught unaware.”

When he didn’t answer, Aaryn continued, afraid that her involvement would end here. “The first step to defeating an enemy is knowing who the enemy is, yes?”

His gaze gleamed. “I suppose you’re correct,” he acquiesced, and began returning books to their proper places.

“I want to help more,” she said, resisting the urge to follow on his heels, and instead watching him move from shelf to shelf.

“You’ve already helped more than anyone expected you to. You should rest, take care of yourself.”

Aaryn sighed. “I will positively lose myself if I have no way to fill my time. Luckily for you, I’ve already figured out how I can do that,” Aaryn told him.