It worked. I know that. Other selective murders have had the same effectbringing peace where none had been. But strengthening individual clans has never been your goal. The Chasm isnt fixed, you said. Unify the Dragon Kings.
And I will.
You will, he said so forcefully that he sensed his own waking. For a moment, he indulged in the sunshine-warm light emanating from her body. He let her seduce him back to sleep.
I have work to do, Tallis. The Indranan must be their most powerful and lasting selves, too. That means ending the civil war.
Peace and unity. That worked out great tonight.
The apparition flew closer. Hot breath scorched Talliss face. She had never guided the Dragon toward outright intimidation through violence, only ever through awed, calming authority.
My clan has been cleaving for too long, she said. North from South. Siblings from siblings. Its time to stop. With all the finger-pointing to come, the factions will resume hostilities. Frightened brothers and sisters will have no choice but to arm themselves. It will be . . . survival of the fittest. Her smile was blindingly beautiful, but unnaturally visible in the shadows cast by the corona. Those left standing will be few, but powerful enough to rival any of the Five Clans. The strong will ensure that the unification of the Dragon Kings becomes fact.
Tallis sat up. He ached from lying on the unforgiving ground. He could still see the Sun and her magnificent mount, so he was still sleeping. Hed expected a more subtle form of manipulation, where the worst possibility would be if he gave in. When he gave in. He wanted Kavya too much to refuse what her dream self might offer. This apparition, though, didnt evoke any sense of lust. Shed never spoken to him with such candor or fervor.
Something about this was wrong. Very wrong.
How would the strong unify the clans? he asked, his suspicion undeniable.
That isnt for a good soldier to ask. But it was good of you to walk away. Pashkah and I are grateful for your help, dear Tallis. She reached down to touch his hair, as if petting the fur back from a dogs eyes.
Wrong. So wrong.
His mind was still kicking. Somewhere. He was thankful for it.
As with dreams, when transitions never made sense, the Dragon had disappeared. The Sun was standing before his kneeling form. Tallis took her hand in his and held her palm flush to his cheek. It was hot. Not at all like Kavyas delicate assurance. You mourn them, dont you? North and South. Those who suffered today.
The hand didnt flinch. He wouldve
felt the smallest movement, no matter how involuntary. We did what was necessary. What has been cleaved all these years will be united. Fully blessed.
We, he said slowly. You and me. You and Pashkah. You and the whole of the Indranan. Or just . . . you?
The Sun frowned. Hed only seen that expression when she was upset with his reluctance. The corona of light dimmed. Swirls of charcoal and dull pewter invaded the sunny yellow brightness. You doubt when there is no need. Your tasks are complete. Ill never see you again, but Im thankful. And so will be the entirety of the Dragon Kings.
He tried to grip her fingers, but they slipped away like trying to hold a cloud. You mourn them .
The Sun blew him a kiss and smiled, even more childlike now, as if hed been blessed by a little girl who could never be blamed for anything.
Why wouldnt I? Good-bye, Tallis.
Tallis jerked away, eyes wide and chest thumping. The dream was gone, but the unnerving truth lingered.
Kavya and the Sun were not the same woman.
Kavya and Chandrani huddled behind a trio of evergreen trunks so entwined that they formed a natural shelter. Chandrani had shed what she could of the padded clothing beneath her armor, giving it to Kavya to stave off the worst of the cold.
But Kavya couldnt sleep.
That old fear had returned, that if she slept, she wouldnt wake up as herself.
I wont let that happen, Chandrani said without words.
Their communication link was whole again, as was the ability to use each others senses. But Chandranis powers of attack remained pell-mell and unreliable. Whatever she might accomplish for their defense would be done instead with body and skill. What sort of life had Tallis lived that he knew with such certainty how to incapacitate an Indranan?
Kavya stared into the gentle black as a late sliver of moon rose above the tallest peak in the east. The silver sheen reflected off the rivers wide waters. She stared as if watching a flame. Surely Pashkah had recruited a Tracker for his army. Kavya and Chandrani may as well be pursued by bloodhounds. They werent safe at night, and she couldnt think of a safe place to go come dawn.
I cant sleep, she said . You know that.
I know. Youve never been very good at letting go.
A moment of levity made Kavya smile at her friend. Can you blame me?
The Indranan hadnt been their only enemies when growing up in Delhi and Mumbai. Some humans wouldve liked finding defenseless young girls on the cusp of womanhood. She and Chandrani had hidden each other with psychic distortion, and they had stayed small and quiet. Only telepathy. Had anyone found them, Kavya harbored no doubt that Chandrani wouldve died trying to protect her. Her sense of debt to Kavya was infinite.