Chapter 26.5- The Seadragon's Roar

Guess Laenor was right that people can do unnatural things when they are desperate. He jumped, just as Vhagar swooped in to catch him. Her claws barely missed him as he landed in the water, the rushing waves instantly swallowing him. Nope. As if she would ever let things end like that. Vhagar and she turned about, diving downwards towards the water.

“Get him girl” She said, as Vhagar landed in the water. Laena took a deep breath before the waves covered her head next. This was not the first time she would be going swimming with Vhagar. She would never advertise that fact to Mother. She’d heard all the warnings already, and disregarded them. Vhagar was an experienced swimmer unlike most dragons. And she knew how to take Laena’s need for air into account. She tried opening her eyes only to find she could see nothing but silt and sediment. She just had trust Vhagar’s senses here.

And by the time thirty seconds had passed, Vhagar trilled with victory, and the were zooming out of the water. When they hit the shore, Vhagar spat something out from her mouth. It was Pate. Except that he was no longer Pate in any of the ways that mattered. He’d probably smashed into one of the rocks the second he entered the water. He was dead. How disappointing. She had been looking forward to the opportunity to question him about just where he had gotten the genius idea to poison her brother. Maybe he’d never get the chance to talk.

“Calm, Vhagar. Stay.” She muttered as she unchained herself and began to walk over to the boat.

XXXXX- LAENOR VELARYON

Death was an interesting thing, I’d thought. The first time I had died, the next thing that happened was that I woke up to a squeezing sensation as mother pushed me out. That particular memory was so traumatic that I’d blocked it out for the longest time. So when I felt myself die again and woke up to a squeezing sensation, I had thought the worst. Thankfully, I was still in my body. And the squeezing had come from Laena holding on to me while I slept in my quarters.

“How long have I been out?” I asked first once I felt my memories snap into place.

“Just a night.” Laena replied, looking tired. Like she hadn’t slept all night. I moved and wanted to get out of the covers before I realised I was completely naked.

“Can you…?” I asked, gesturing to the door. It was a reasonable request, I felt. I needed to dress up. So why then did she freeze like I’d asked her to jump off the Hightower.

“No chance Laenor. I’m not leaving you”

“Well, unless you want to see me naked, you’d have to” I quipped instantly.

She looked like she was strongly considering that before she finally stood up and walked to my dresser.

“No. Don’t even think about it” And then over my protests, Laena began picking out clothes for me to wear.