A Time of Darkness (The Circle of Talia) by Dionne Lister Read Free Book Online Page A

that life was uncertain, as was Talia’s future. She flinched from the thought, but it was there now, and hiding would not make it disappear.
    Bronwyn stepped from the doorway and went to Queen Jazmonilly. She spoke through lips that felt frozen. “I’m sorry for killing your nephew.”
    Jaz lifted her head and looked at the small human.
    “I didn’t want Sinjenasta to die, and I didn’t want to kill the dragon, but it was a choice, and I did what I had to. I see your nephew in my dreams and in my waking thoughts. I hear his screams and see his blood. I don’t know why it happened, but I do know Sinjenasta wouldn’t lie to me. He said Drakon had ordered it.” Bronwyn stepped closer and shocked everyone by attempting to circle her arms around Jaz’s belly—the only part she could reach.
    The queen laughed: out of shock or amusement, no one could tell. “Are you embracing me?”
    “Yes. I’m sorry for your pain. In my world, when someone is hurting, this is what we do.” Bronwyn let go and looked up at the silver dragon.
    Sinjenasta shook his head and shared a look with the king, neither believing what they saw. If the panther had his old hands, he would have rubbed his eyes. The thought brought a yearning to be human, and he held a painful breath as he watched Bronwyn. It had been hundreds of years since he had touched a woman with his human fingers, had looked in a mirror and seen a man staring back at him. He had believed himself accepting of his life by Drakon’s side, but now a tremor loosened foundations built on reluctant necessity.
    Jaz smiled with a closed mouth—she found humans sometimes mistook a toothy smile as a threat and figured it had something to do with her bountiful, sharp teeth. “Eventually I will find out why Drakon saw fit to murder one of his own, but I will let it rest for the moment. I won’t say I’m accepting of what happened to Symbothial, and I am still upset, but I do forgive you, Bronwyn, and Sinjenasta. I can imagine you have been placed in a situation where no decision was favorable. You have my pardon.”
    “Thank you, Queen Jazmonilly. I appreciate your forgiveness.” Bronwyn curtseyed again, and the panther bowed his head.
    King Valdorryn spoke up. “Now that’s all sorted, I think it’s time you two were off to bed. I’m sure you have a lot of work to do with my daughter while you’re here. I understand she’s teaching you the secrets of Talian magic.”
    “Well, she’s teaching me. Sinje already knows how to do it.” Pride in her creatura shone in Bronwyn’s delicate smile.
    “Ah,” said Valdorryn, “that’s to be expected, I suppose. Oh, how the world moves on without me. I can’t remember the last time I ventured out of Vellonia.” He sighed.
    Jazmonilly patted his arm. “We like it here. It’s not like there’s anything to see out there that’s superior to our beloved home; is there?”
    “No, love, you’re right. Anyway, enough of my complaining. You two have a good night’s sleep, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Sinjenasta and Bronwyn thanked the dragons again and left. “I told you everything would be okay, didn’t I?”
    “Yes, Sinje, you did. Thanks for being so strong. What would I do without you? Hmm. Actually don’t answer that question. I wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place: I’d be somewhere with my aunt. I hope she knows I’m okay.”
    “Agmunsten will tell her, and I’m sure Drakon would have let her know. And I should have told you this before, but don’t tell anyone Drakon talks to us. You never know what secrets are revealed by seemingly harmless words.”
    “Oh, okay. Sorry. I won’t tell anyone anything. I thought it was a good thing you’re related to Drakon somehow.”
    Sinjenasta coughed and said nothing. Bronwyn had a lot to learn.
     
    ***
     
    Two days had passed. Realmists and creaturas reclined in the cool grass of Vellonia’s valley, under the retreating afternoon sun, awaiting Zim’s