Chapter Twelve

“I like her,” Aurien stepped over to the table and inspected the contents of the tray. He liked her. I felt a spike of pain. Ashara was exactly what he was looking for. Half Fae, she was a brethren wife he could take back to his cave and make a family with. “She is very efficient.”

“Yes,” I swallowed, my mouth dry. “She is.” He was my dragon, I thought, he had pledged himself to me for the rest of his life. Was I selfish enough to keep him for that long, though?

Win the war first, I told myself. Take back Uyan Taesil, free the brethren from Clareath, and then… what will be will be.

He passed me a plate of roast meat and vegetables. I sat on one of the seats and took the knife and fork into my hands but looked at the plate without appetite. My stomach had been delicate over the last few days; worry and nerves making themselves physically known. I picked at the food.

“General Mariene is an adva