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

return. Blayke breathed honeyed spring fragrances and snapped verdant grass blades between slender fingers. “Arcese is such a slave driver.”
    “I’m not complaining. Just look at everything we’ve learnt.”
    “You would say that, Arie,” said Blayke. “You’re the fastest learner I’ve ever seen—not that I’ve seen much.” He laughed.
    “You’ve got that right, lad,” Arcon’s blue eyes crinkled at the corners.
    “Ha, ha, you’re so funny,” Blayke quipped, overjoyed at having his uncle back from the edge of death. Arcon’s strength grew daily, and after the latest review from Agmunsten, it had been decided they could leave Vellonia in another two days. Blayke’s brow furrowed when he remembered what he was trying not to think about—tonight they would have to undertake the first stage of the unlocking for his piece of quartz. When Zim arrived, he would be carrying the mineral that held a drop of blood—whose or what’s blood, no one knew.
    Bronwyn quickly rose from her position resting back against Sinjenasta. “I think I see Zim!”
    Her eyes squinted into the azure sky. The others looked up.
    “How can you tell it’s him? That dragon’s too far away to tell anything.” Blayke placed a hand at his forehead, shielding his eyes from the glare.
    “I don’t know. Maybe it’s not him, but I think it is.”
    Arcon stood and observed everyone watching the dragon’s gliding descent. When he had finally woken the other day and seen his nephew sitting by his bed, enormous relief washed over him. That none of them had died seemed a miracle. Talia still had a chance, although with Leon’s greed and stupidity, it was yet to be seen whether they would stand united before the gormons arrived.
    He looked at dark-haired Bronwyn and thought it a miracle that no one had asked questions. Well, they may know soon enough, but he wasn’t about to tell anyone their secret. Maybe when they caught up to Avruellen, the truth could come out. Goodness knew Bronwyn would have many questions, and her aunt would be the best person to answer them.
    He flexed his fingers and felt an ache he knew would take a few more days to dissipate. Shielding for so long had almost killed him, but it had saved Blayke. He would have to teach his nephew how to do it. Maybe there was a less dangerous way to shield using Talian magic? He would have to ask Arcese.
    “See, I told you it was Zim.” Bronwyn’s comment jerked Arcon out of his reverie. He saw the black dragon that was almost upon them. It was now clear it was the prince.
    Zim, sixty feet from the ground, swept in an arc parallel to the valley floor, beat his wings down with gusting, powerful strokes and dropped the last fifteen feet to the ground, crushing the flowers unlucky enough to be growing underneath. “Ah, I have a welcoming party.” His teeth-revealing smile caused the younger realmists to shiver. “So, you must have missed me?”
    “Don’t flatter yourself. We needed some fresh air after being cooped up inside that mountain. We hadn’t even realized you were gone.” Agmunsten winked.
    “Well then, you don’t want to receive the news I’ve brought, or the pendant I carry. Never mind; there are others who love me.” Zim sniffed and carefully wiped an invisible tear from his eye with the back of a clawed finger.
    “He’s as good an actor as you, Arie. We should have shows and start charging. I knew there was an easier way to earn a living than being a realmist.” Agmunsten rubbed his palms together, while Arie rolled his eyes.
    After everyone greeted Zim, they retreated into Vellonia to meet with King Valdorryn. It was time to plan, and then it would be time to bless the piece of quartz that would help decide Talia’s fate.
     

Chapter 9
     
    Bright candlelight reflected off the polished stone, and Blayke looked briefly at his faint reflection on the walls. Sweetly-scented smoke wafted around him before it curled into small vents at either end of