Truths in a Rift (The Traveling Rifts Trilogy: Book Two)

Second Meeting

Aris spent the rest of the day in a foul mood, doing her best to not contact the dragon. She didn't go back to the camp, due to the fear of Klovic and Taleryn's questions, and even skipped lunch. She just wandered around the forest, bored out of her mind, but incredibly angry.

When the sun began descending behind the line of trees, she finally decided that it was time to head back. The shadow dragons were probably beginning to stir, as were the shadow elves. They would most likely call a meeting to discuss what to do with the small dragons. So, biting back her anger and pride, Aris walked back to the clearing with a calm façade. Once she arrived, she spotted Taleryn lying next to the lake as if he hadn't moved all day. Yori lay on his chest, curled up. His hands were clasped atop his stomach. Klovic and Lyra were nowhere in sight. However, Hesper could be seen soaring up in the darkening sky. She seemed to be enjoying the sun's rays for the few minutes she could. For a small moment, Aris found herself marveling at the beauty of Hesper's blue scales. In the sunlight, they reflected beams of glorious light.

"There you are," Taleryn said, gazing up at Aris. "We were beginning to worry. Where had you gone off to?"

"It doesn't matter," she responded glumly, taking a seat next to him.

Yori lifted her head eagerly and flapped over to the keeper. "Did you know how much warmer woodland elves are to shadows? They're like little fuzzy suns that are so cuddly you just have to cuddle them! But shadow elves are more like cold, demeaning moons."

The small dragon let out a sigh and dropped on Aris's lap.

"What did she say?" Taleryn asked, gazing over to the girl.

After a moment of gazing at him, Aris said dryly, "I'm pretty sure you don't want to know."

"You do not seem well," the elf said with a furrowed brow. "Did you try to contact the dragon?"

Aris debated on whether she should answer, but with a sigh, she began lying down. Began. The lake's pristine water was broken before she could. Lyra burst from its depths.

"Again with the chattering next to my lake!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "It's annoying."

"I do not mean offence, but this is not just your lake, Mistress Neona," Taleryn told her.

The water rippled as her bored expression turned to a dangerous glare, silver eyes flashing. "I live in it. I breathe in it. It. Is. Mine."

The woodland elf took a deep breath. "Very well. We will leave."

Just as Taleryn turned to leave, Klovic stepped out of the trees and said, "Not so fast. I need you two to discuss matters with the shadow elves. And since the dragons already know what's going on, I'm sure they'll want to participate. Lyra, gather everyone and tell them to come to the meeting place."

The mer made a growling-like noise in the back of her throat, her anger instantly turning to Klovic. However, Lyra obviously knew picking a fight with an arbres would not be wise. She stepped onto the grass and stormed towards the dragons' caves. As if she heard, Hesper, up in the sky, dove down. Her wings were flattened to her back. At the last second, she straightened them and softly landed on the grass.

"Ah, that never gets old," the dragon said. She flicked her ears to the others, then began the walk to the meeting place.

"Aris, would you get the Empire refugees?" Klovic asked. "Tell them I can carry Astil and Raven."

Her instant thought was to rebel and storm away, but Aris bit back the bile and said, "'Course."

"I will join you," Taleryn said, obviously noticing her mood. It made her all the more angry that he could tell so easily.