The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2)(93)

The blade twisted, deepening its bite onto him. One hand closed around his wrist, pulling him in one direction. She landed the first hit square onto his face with claws.

The dullness of shock wore off quickly. Yveun dipped down, pushing the blade and her hand back. He reached with his teeth, sinking through all the mess of fabric and leather to her shoulder.

Most Dragons never attacked with their fangs out of the taboo associated with imbibing. But that made such attacks the perfect opportunity because they were unexpected. The woman gave a grunt, biting in a yell of pain. She let go of his hand, reaching for his neck. His claws gouged into her side and they both drew blood.

But the slit across his throat was enough to make his jaw relax. She leapt away, her dagger lashing out. Yveun parried it with his claws effortlessly.

It was then that he noticed the blood pouring from the wound on her shoulder. The taste it left lingering in his mouth. As gold as his, she did not bleed the rot of a normal Chimera. On his tongue was the taste of honeysuckle, the faint essence of Finnyr, and the recognition that didn’t require the other man’s obvious interjection.

“Arianna! It’s the Master Rivet, the engineer. The one from the rebellion!”

The woman turned to Finnyr, momentarily distracted by who she wanted to kill more. Yveun sprung for her when she was caught in her own loathing, barreling into her like a bull. Arms around her waist, he dug into her. He felt her knife stab into his shoulder.

Golden blood poured over his hands like an omen of all his worst fears.

“The Rivet who claimed to make the Philosopher’s Box.” The scent of blood made him feel alive, woke his senses and gave him power. Yveun gave an extra push and she tumbled under his weight. “I’m sure you’ve confused many a Dragon with your trick of bleeding gold.”

Arianna rolled away from his violent slashes, her blood leaving a trail on the balcony. The spool on her hip spun and the line whipped forward, keeping him at bay. Yveun ducked, narrowly missing it wrapping around his neck. She panted, reclaimed her feet and kicked, spinning midair, seeking purchase against him with feet or claw or wire.

But Yveun dodged her.

The woman was good, that much he’d admit. Yveun began to laugh, which only seemed to whip her into more of a frenzy. He could see how this creature had killed his Leona. It made so much more sense than the unambitious and untrained Cvareh. He had seen these movements in the pit, another explanation settled just by watching her attacks.

Cvareh was not mighty. Xin was not mighty. It was this girl, this prodigy of two worlds, who threatened him time and again.

As he dodged an attack, Yveun felt the line of a wire wrap around his ankle, pulling. The world fell from under him as he slipped back. She lunged forward, her knee digging into his side. Her blades above him, he didn’t even struggle, he merely kept laughing.

It was delightful.

“I expected more of a fight from the Dragon King,” she snarled.

“I’ve no further interest in fighting you, my pet.” Yveun relaxed, noting movement from the corner of his eye. “You are more valuable alive, at least for now.”

“You’ve lost.” She raised the dagger in triumph.

“And you wasted the chance to kill me like the child you are.”

Coletta loomed behind the Chimera who thought she had him pinned. In her hand was the smallest of daggers, little more than a letter opener. Without a single expression crossing her features, she dug the tiny blade into Arianna’s neck.

Arianna’s spare hand rose to the wound as she turned in shock. But her eyes were already losing focus, the artery quickly carrying Coletta’s poison to her brain. The Chimera twisted her blade in her hand and swung backwards.

Coletta stepped back in an effortless dodge.

Off balance and sluggish, the Rivet tipped sideways, landing in an undignified heap at Yveun’s side. Her eyes held awareness still. The only thing capable of attacking him. But looks couldn’t kill, and Yveun stood.

“She had you on a few attacks,” Coletta both teased and chastised.

“I merely didn’t want to kill her,” Yveun explained.

“I reasoned.” Coletta leaned forward, drawing the dagger from the woman’s neck. “The poison will wear off within the hour. Move her before then.”

Yveun watched with both fascination and chilling horror the gold blood that dribbled from the hole. This was what Fenthri could be capable of, if they were left to their own devices. The ability to become mighty enough to slay Dragon Riders and challenge even the Dono himself. All from the might of stolen organs.

“Your insight is unparalleled.” Coletta began to collect her things after nothing more than a cautionary glance that showed she had heard him. Yveun looked to Finnyr, knowing the source of his mate’s discomfort. It was very rare for them to have a guest in their chambers. “You have many words to tell me,” he spoke to the pasty blue Dragon.

“I will tell you all of them.” Finnyr thrust his face against the ground at Yveun’s feet. “But we have more pressing matters. Petra has sworn to challenge me today in court.”

And Petra would win.

Yveun sighed. The blue sack of flesh before him sometimes seemed more trouble than it was worth. As easy as it would be to off Finnyr once and for all, doing so would be a half measure, the easy route. He had cultivated Finnyr for too long to throw away the effort.