Dragon Blood [Alonia's Queenslayer #2]

16

"She what?" Eli asked, her mouth going dry from shock. The Red Queen wanted her dead? Why? How?

Lyari shrugged. "Trust me, I was just as surprised as you were. But when we saw you arrive, she pulled me aside and told me to find a way to get rid of you without arising suspicion, or she'd make sure I die a painful death. You and I obviously got off on the very wrong foot, and I admit I was being quite the ass, but killing you is not in my best interest."

"How can I trust you?" Eli asked, trying to process all that Lyari had told her. He sighed and looked up at her again.

"That's the fun part. You can't. I can't prove to you I'm worthy of your trust, not after pretty much trying to steal your boyfriend from you. Sorry about that, by the way, it won't happen again. I didn't realise that things were... serious. He and I used to be close, and I let that control me."

"I appreciate the apology, although I'm not sure I can forgive you that easily," Eli said, but in truth, there was a stone falling off her chest. Lyari seemed less arrogant now- he seemed tired. "You alright?"

He sighed, nodding. "I'm fine. Just... thinking. I'm wondering why I was in the vision, and why I had one in the first place. I'm assuming she saw me because I had the same vision. But I don't see how I'm connected to all this..."

"Well, it's obvious the Queen has something to do with this. We can assume she had contact with the Reveran king. He must've promised her something in exchange for making sure his daughter got killed." That was when a realization came over Eli. "That means the palace is most unsafe place the princess could be..."

Lyari shook his head. "If she died in the palace, it would be too suspicious. She's safe there, at least for now. The queen won't resort to drastic measures unless there's no time left for anything more intricate. In the meantime, you and I are going to nab that necklace, how about it?"

Eli raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really, you'll help me?"

Lyari shrugged. "Yeah. I feel like I have to, after everything I put you through. And besides, I'm clearly involved in this due to the vision and what-not. I feel that it's my destiny, if such a thing exists."

"I personally don't believe in destiny. Everyone has the capacity to do great things, and they're the ones in charge of their life and their future."

"Wise words. I like the way you think. However, some of us are destined to be... well, like me. But I've come to terms with that." Lyari seemed sad as he spoke, the smile on his face hiding his true emotions.

Eli snickered, getting a confused look from him. "Come on now, you can't blame your behaviour on fate. Maybe life dealt you a bad hand. I admit that I was lucky to be a dragon rider, and that made my life slightly easier in some aspects. But you're an adult. You're in charge of yourself, and you're responsible for your actions. If you don't like who you are now, only you have the power to change that. If its of any consolation to you, you were once amazing enough to gain Ril's love. Think of why you lost his admiration, and change for the better. Just you deciding to help me now is a step in the right direction."

Lyari was quiet for a while. Eli could see that he wasn't used to being honest, or open, about his feelings. Neither was Eli, but she had a feeling her words could help him. She saw herself in him, in a way.

"Right. Thanks, uhm, for the advice." That was the first time Eli had seen the smug and deceitful Lyari at a loss for words. "We should get going now though, we're wasting time."

"Before we go," Eli interrupted, and Lyari settled back down. "Do you know any healing magic?"

After fifteen minutes of Lyari working his magic to patch Eli up, he managed to magic some boots for Eli and a cloak for them, saying they're be there for roughly three hours. Which meant they really needed to hurry, because if the other groups didn't kill them, the cold would. Eli wasn't sure she'd do well climbing a snowy mountain barefoot.