Dead Moons Rising, first in the Honest Scrolls series

Chapter Four

Aydra tossed the heart and knife into one of her bags on the saddle of her horse once Lex had returned with them. They helped Draven roll the Infi creature into a blanket and tie it to the back of his horse. Aydra washed herself of the blood in the surf before they headed back towards the town.

The sun had risen fully by then, and the Dreamers were beginning to stir through the streets. Shrieks and gasps filled their ears as they made their way to the castle gates.

"My Queen—"

Aydra held a hand up to Bard as he met them at the castle steps. "Wake my brother," she commanded him. "We do not have time to waste."

Lex jumped from her horse and began barking orders to the men standing around, telling them to pack up water and food for their journey east.

Young Prince Dorian was first to arrive on scene, his blue robe tucked around him and fluffy black hair disheveled as though he'd just woken.

"Morning, sister," he said with a yawn. "What's this about your bloodlust taking over before dawn?"

Aydra nearly laughed, but instead gave his hair a playful shuffle. "You know for someone of seventeen—" she lifted his chin and raised a brow at the hickey marks on his neck "—you certainly are getting around."

He gave her a sleepy wink and smiled. "Reputation to keep up," he yawned. "You understand." His eyes traveled back, and he met the gaze of the Venari King. "Morning King," he said with an upwards nod. "What trouble did my bloodthirsty sister find for you on this morn?"

Aydra nudged his arm, and Dorian laughed softly at her. Draven simply shook his head and gestured toward the dead creature on the back of his horse. "Infi creature behind your mother's pool," Draven told him.

"He's showing me proper disposal should we ever need it again," Aydra informed Dorian.

"Can I come?" Dorian asked.

Aydra met Draven's eyes. Draven shrugged, and Aydra turned back to her younger brother. "I suppose you are the next king..." she thought aloud. "Can't imagine it would be up to Nyssa to behead criminals," she mumbled under her breath. "Fine," she finally agreed. "Change clothes. Quickly."

Dorian beamed and ran up the steps into the castle again, nearly running over Rhaif on his way through the doors. Rhaif said something smart to Dorian, but he didn't stop. Aydra stopped stroking her horse and turned toward him, his burnet cloak billowing behind him as he walked. He was still in his night clothes, and for a moment, he looked like the old Rhaif that she had once adored and played sticks with on the beach.

But the brief moment of bliss was short-lived, and his new character fell into his eyes upon his double-take at her figure.

"Why are you wet?" he asked as he came to a stop in front of her.

"Good morning, brother," she smarted. "And you're welcome."

His jaw tightened. "Welcome for what?"

She pulled open the bag on the saddle and revealed the heart inside of it. "Finding the Infi creature," she told him. Her eyes cut at the Belwark Captain standing behind Rhaif. "No thanks to you, Bard," Aydra smarted. She shook her head and turned again towards Rhaif. "Lex and I will accompany the Venari to Bedrani where he will show us proper disposal of the creature's body."

"I do not want you going alone," Rhaif said. "You will take my company with you."

"Your company is an embarrassment to this kingdom," Aydra said haughtily. "They'd all night to find the creature and there he was, in the exact spot we threw him from." Her jaw tightened at Rhaif's displeased face. "My Second and I are leaving, and we are taking Dorian with us. We will return in a few days, finally rid of the filth in our streets. You can have the parade ready for us upon our return."