Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

practice.
    “Every day for the past week. There are more of them now. All of the wives of the Council of Seven and several of the younger lower-ranking women. There are also about five young women from the common people who have requested and been granted training.”
    Vaddoc stared at the dragons for a long time…“Shadereen changes.”
    Kirynn shrugged. “Everything changes; it’s the only thing anyone can count on.”
    Vaddoc nodded but didn’t respond. The changes in Shadereen were easier for him to swallow than others. His time spent in Galdrilene had opened him up to most of what was happening in his birth nation. The other changes though, those tried to strangle him.
    His father and older brother had both been killed by Kojen. Lenyi, the first woman he had ever loved was killed before his eyes by Kojen. How was he supposed to look at a Ke’han and see anything but a Kojen? They were different, Trilene had proved that and yet he couldn’t get past the way they looked. Working with them was now part of his duty and he wouldn’t fail in that, but would he ever trust them?
    Namir raised his head and looked in his direction. “The Ke’han are as different from the Kojen as you are from the Shadow Riders. They will not betray you.”
    Vaddoc didn’t bother to answer; the dragon knew the thoughts that filled him. He turned away from the amber eyes of the golden dragon. If only he could see it the way Namir did.
     

     
     

 

     
     
    T he familiar crescent of Galdrilene’s caldera ridge filled Taela’s vision as Paki came through the Slide. So much had changed it felt as if they were gone forever. She blinked back the tears that welled unbidden. Anevay wouldn’t be there when they landed. In New Sharren, she’d been able to ignore the empty spot in the bond. Able to bury herself in helping others and pretend it was all a bad dream, and that Anevay was back in Galdrilene working on her weave.
    She wasn’t though. It was a silly thing to try and pretend. Taela knew that rationally. Her irrational heart, however, had wanted to hide from the pain as long as it could. She swallowed the lump clogging her throat and wiped away the tears that leaked down her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and blanked her mind of everything. For now, she wouldn’t think about it.
    Paki touched down just ahead of Kellinar and Shryden, her landing made awkward by the heavy load of the dragon’s nearly developed young in her belly. It wouldn’t be long now. Soon, Paki would lay the second clutch of eggs in Galdrilene. It could only be hoped with the changing world fewer eggs would die.
    Mckale strolled out to meet them. For a moment, Taela felt a flash of surprise at seeing him instead of Bardeck who had never failed to greet riders as they landed. The loss and sadness tugged at her, and she fought to ignore it.
    She unbuckled the safety straps and slowly slid from the saddle. Mckale smiled, his silver eyes warm. “It’s good to see you both again, you’ve been missed.”
    Kellinar returned the smile although Taela felt the heavy sorrow her bondmate suppressed. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I hear we have a new rider.”
    Mckale nodded. “That we do. A young woman named Liora. Mage Councilor Amariel has taken to finding any called by the song since Maleena needs to stay closer to home. Maleena feels them and senses their general area then Tellnox and I take the Mage Councilor there to locate the possible new rider.”
    Taela smiled to herself as she watched her friend, so obviously comfortable in his role. With all of the other mature dragons and their riders scattered, Galdrilene had turned to Maleena and Mckale to fill the roles left behind by Bardeck and Emallya. It looked like they were handling them well.
    “You might as well take some time to wash up. Kirynn and Vaddoc haven’t returned from Shadereen yet.” He glanced behind them. “Where are Jocelynn and Varnen?”
    Kellinar pulled