Izzy smirked. “Because I was there when my queen killed your lover—and you couldn’t stop her.”

The She-dragon’s back snapped straight, eyes fierce. “I remember you. Annwyl’s little pet whore who fought the ogres to distract me.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“Excellent point.”

Vateria turned away, her tail lashing out. It hit Izzy full on the side of the face and she immediately felt blood drip down her jaw to her chest, but she didn’t fall. She wouldn’t.

The She-dragon looked at Izzy over her shoulder, her eyes widening a bit. “My, my. You are strong.”

Izzy grinned. “You have no idea.”

Éibhear stalked behind the humans, allowing them to lead the way toward the sewers. Izzy’s kin had moved like lightning as soon as they’d heard she was gone, calling in the Imperial Guards and readying them for combat. Now they would take the information that they’d gotten from the scouts Maskini had sent out earlier and track down Izzy.

He refused to think beyond that. Of what might be happening to Izzy. He had to believe she’d be okay because he needed her to be okay.

The Mì-runach were with him, keeping their distance but still, in the most important sense, by his side. They would always be by his side, as he would always be Mì-runach. And knowing that kept him focused because he knew he wouldn’t have to fight alone to get Izzy back.

“You know, you might be going in the wrong direction.” Éibhear slowed down and stopped, slowly facing the owner of the voice. A male. A dragon male in human form. But not a Sand Eater. Nor a Southlander. In fact, Éibhear didn’t know what breed this dragon was. He couldn’t scent anything specific about him, but rather all. Although that didn’t make sense, did it?

“Really?” Éibhear asked.

“Hhhm. Just a thought really.”

“Do I know you?”

“Not that I’m aware.”

“Éibhear?” Aidan walked back toward him. “You all right?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” He looked at the other dragon. “So you think I’m going in the wrong direction.”

“Just a thought.”

“So you said.”

“Éibhear—”

Éibhear shook his head to silence Aidan. “So what’s the right direction?”

“Éibhear.”

“What?” he snapped.

Aidan shrugged a bit, Caswyn and Uther now standing behind him also looking concerned. “Who are you talking to?”

“I’m talking to—” Éibhear blinked, looked at his comrades. They stared at him like he’d lost his reason. Because they couldn’t see the other dragon, could they?

He faced the god, stared hard at him. “Where is she?” he asked flatly.

“They’ve always underestimated you, haven’t they? Big, sweet Éibhear with the heart of gold. They thought you’d be like that forever.”

“Where is she?”

“But Izzy . . . my little Izzy always had faith in you. Even when you were breaking her heart. Even when you were accusing her of all manner of beastly things. Tell me something, little blue dragon, when you find her body, will you feel guilty?”

Éibhear swallowed past what felt like definite panic. “Are you trying to tell me you won’t keep protecting her? That you don’t have plans for her?”

“Is that what you think? That I protect her? Do you have so little faith in my Izzy?”

“She’s not your anything. She’s never been yours. Izzy doesn’t belong to anyone.”

“Perhaps. Then again . . . if that’s true, why should I bother helping her?”

Chuckling, Rhydderch Hael turned to walk away.

Éibhear’s mind scrambled and he quickly called out, “What about your precious Vateria?”

“What about her?” the god asked, walking away, his long hair dragging in the sand-covered cobblestones.

“You still need me to find her, don’t you? The word the Nolwenn used was ‘rescue,’ I believe.”

The god stopped. “What about your poor Izzy?” he asked, not bothering to even look at Éibhear.

“Izzy can take care of herself.”

“What the hell are you doing?” Aidan snapped.

Éibhear raised his hand, silencing his friend.

“You still need me to do that, eh?” Éibhear pushed the god.

“Try where you started,” the god cryptically told him.

“What is going on?” Aidan asked.

Brannie ran toward them, her arms spread out from her body. “Oy! You lot? What are you doing?”

Éibhear looked at his cousin. “Go with the Guard into the tunnels.”

“And what are you going to do?”

“Just do as I say, Brannie. Protect them. There’ll be Sand Eaters all over that tunnel. Now go.”

Brannie let out a frustrated growl, spun around, and ran back toward the others.

“And what are we doing?” Aidan asked.

Éibhear looked in the direction the god had walked. “What we’re supposed to do.”

“Which is?”

“Rescue that bitch, Vateria.”

“But Izzy—”

“Isn’t our problem. I made a commitment to the Nolwenns.”

Caswyn stared at him. “Are you kidding?”