Before She Ignites (Fallen Isles Trilogy #1)(2)

I’d met a Silent Brother only once, and the interaction had been brief. He hadn’t been unfriendly, but I’d gotten the impression that Brother Ilyas disapproved. Of me. Of the treaty my father had written. Of Damina and all the other islands. Of everything.

“What if their government doesn’t accept our help?” someone asked. “We can’t just let their people suffer.”

“I’m afraid we won’t have a choice.” Because The Book of Love said that loving our neighbors meant staying out of their business when they didn’t want us, we had to accept it. “The Mira Treaty does not permit unwanted assistance. That would be invasion, not aid.”

The people shifted uncomfortably. No one liked to hear that their attempts to do good could actually be harmful.

A breeze lifted across the square, carrying the scents of fresh rice bread and spiced cloudfish. Palm trees rustled and swayed, and in the distance, waves crashed on the rocky cliffs. Goats bleated from farms and the nearby marketplace, and Water Street bustled with carriages and foot traffic. It was hard to reconcile the peace of Crescent Prominence with the devastation happening in another part of the world.

I closed my eyes and imagined children covered in dust and debris, tears making muddy tracks down their cheeks. I imagined men and women struggling to lift rubble off their neighbors. I imagined others searching for loved ones, only to find bodies whose spirits had already evacuated.

“We will offer assistance.” I glanced at Councilor Elbena, who disguised a nod by tucking a tightly curled strand of hair behind her ear. The golden sunburst pendant on her throat shimmered in the midmorning light, bright against the umber of her skin. “As for whether the Silent Brothers accept—we can only pray they do.”

My paper held the answers to a few more of their questions, and finally, I stepped aside while High Priest Valko said a prayer to Damyan and Darina, the god and goddess of love.

“Give us peace. Give us grace. Give us enough love in our hearts.”

An incredible quiet surrounded his voice; only the sounds of breathing, seagulls calling, and clothes rustling in the wind touched the square. Distantly, human activity hummed along, and life proceeded as though this was the only moment that mattered.

That was an uncharitable thought. Life couldn’t halt everywhere because of a tragedy in one place. But oh, my heart hurt for people I’d never know, in places I’d never see.

High Priest Valko finished with a blessing, echoed by everyone in attendance: “By the Upper Gods who stayed in the stars, and the Fallen Gods who came to Noore, we offer our thanks. Cela, cela.”

With those words, my part in this disaster was finished. I returned to Elbena and Bilyana.

“Wonderful,” Elbena said, hugging me. “The Luminary Council is so fortunate to have you ready to speak for us, Mira. Thank you for continuing to put the Mira Treaty first in your life.”

I’d never been given a choice about it, but Elbena’s approval was always welcome. She was such an admirable person, always willing to help and inspire. Only ten years older than me, she already held one of the highest positions in Damina. I liked her ambition.

When they finished complimenting my execution of duties, I approached my parents, who were waiting near the council house door. Anticipation simmered within me.

“Well done,” Father said. “You’ll make a fine politician one day.”

I didn’t want to be a politician, and it seemed there must be more to such a career than reading someone else’s words off a paper, but I soaked in his praise because he so rarely noticed how hard I tried.

“You performed adequately.” Mother tilted my chin upward and inspected my face for flaws. Satisfied, she gave a brief nod and stepped back. “And you looked stunning. That dress is perfect on you.”

“Thank you, Mother.” Adequately. I’d never live up to her expectations, but at least I performed adequately. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to visit the sanctuary.” My hunting gear waited in the carriage.

She blew out an annoyed breath, but motioned at Hristo, who’d kept to the background during my speech. “Go on if you must. Don’t get your clothes dirty.”

Hristo rubbed his chin. It was a habit that betrayed his frustration with my parents, not that he would ever admit that out loud. He was my best friend, but he was also my personal guard, and he felt it was unprofessional to air such grievances to me; I’d heard said grievances from Ilina, the third member of our friendship trio. She was already at the sanctuary, and I couldn’t wait to see her.

When we were alone, moving toward my blue and silver carriage, Hristo’s quiet broke and he smiled at me. “Ready for dragons?”

My soul lightened. “I am always ready for dragons.”

AFTER I CHANGED into my hunting gear, Hristo and I drove to the sanctuary.

An enormous wall protected it, closing in an immense space of land that stretched from the Skyfell Mountains to the sea. The wall was seventeen stories high—not high enough to prevent dragons from flying over, but most understood that it was for their safety. The dragons stayed by choice.

We passed through a huge stone gate, the words Luminary Department of Drakontos Examination: North Entrance carved into block letters above the arch. As always, my heart soared at the sight. I couldn’t believe I was allowed here. With dragons. With LaLa.