Slowly, Oritan leaned back in his seat. He spoke in a low voice. "In Leatherwing Tribe, a chieftain must only marry the greatest female warriors. After my first wife died in battle, I sought others to wed, but they all failed the test." He stared at her, eyes narrowed and blazing. "If you pass the test, Laira of Goldtusk, we will wed. And we will fight together."

Cold sweat trickled down Laira's back, and she gulped down a lump. "A test?"

The chieftain rose to his feet. He stepped to the edge of the pillar, stared down into the cavern, and shouted. His voice echoed through the chasm.

"A bride will be tested!" He raised his fist. "Open the pit! Release the Beast of Bride's Blood."

Tribesmen cheered below, and the chamber swam around Laira. She glanced at Jeid, winced, and clutched the hilt of her sword.

TANIN

 
TANIN

Two dragons flew over the sea, landed on the dark beach under the stars, and beheld the ruined city of Eteer.

His claws in the sand, Tanin turned to look at Issari. She stood before him, her alabaster scales gleaming in the moonlight, and firelight glowed between her teeth. The white dragon's eyes shone damply as they gazed upon the walls of her city. They had landed a mark away, too far for any guards on the walls to see them.

"Home," Issari whispered and lowered her head. "A place of ruin, of darkness, of evil."

Tanin folded his wings around him. Smoke wafted from his nostrils. "A place we will rededicate."

She looked at him, eyes moist. He could see the sea reflected in those orbs, the waves crested with moonlit foam. "But not tonight. Not in the darkness, for fear of that city's new queen still chills me. In the light I will feel brave again. Will you stay with me here, Tanin, on the beach outside my home? For one last night—you and me in the darkness, safe from the horrors of the world?"

He nodded and nuzzled her with his snout. "Of course."

They released their magic and sat in the sand, humans again, facing the sea. A path of moonlight spread into the horizon, and the waves whispered, their crests silver. The stars shone above and the city festered to their east; tonight Tanin pushed that city out of his mind, staring only at the waves.

Issari wriggled closer to him, place a hand on his thigh, and leaned against him. He slung his arm around her.

"I used to come here sometimes as a child." She stared ahead into the water. "With Sena. I miss him so badly. I miss those days—before the war, before all this happened. I wish I could go back, to be a girl again."

The breeze blew, warm and salty. Tanin placed his hand upon hers. "You know what I wish for?"

She looked at him, the stars reflected in her eyes. "What?"