The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

launch a spell, Nimbulan replied.
    So close. He’d gotten so close to Myri. If he could just get through this one last obstacle she would be in his arms again.
    Nastfa smiled. His full set of white teeth shone in the yellow light of the dim ceiling panels.
    Nimbulan’s heart leaped to his throat. That grin could only mean that Nastfa enjoyed killing people. Why else would he become a professional assassin?
    Slowly, Nastfa raised his hand.
    Nimbulan blasted him with paralysis.
    Nastfa’s grin froze. His hand remained poised over the hilt of a small throwing knife.
    Nimbulan took one step forward. Nastfa didn’t move.
    The door behind Nastfa creaked open a slit.
    Nimbulan saw Myri’s incredibly long fingers curve around the panel.
    “Careful, that’s the Kaalipha!” Scarface said, aiming the end of his own staff at the door.
    “No, that’s my wife,” Nimbulan asserted. He pushed past Nastfa and yanked the door open.
    “Lan!” Pale and beautiful, Myrilandel stood framed in the light of the ceiling panels. Her nearly colorless hair reflected the strange light in a halo of gold.
    “Myri!” Nimbulan threw caution to the wind and rushed forward. She came into his arms, fitting against him as living water.
    Her sweet smell filled him—different than he remembered, better. His heart beat stronger, truer. More completely than rejoining with his talent. A sense of rightness washed over him. He bent to kiss her, tasting her differences and her familiarity. Her curves molded against him with the ease of belonging.
    He came up for air, then bent to claim her mouth once more. He seemed to have waited all his life to hold her this close.
    A resounding slap stung his cheek before he could complete his kiss.
    “What was that for?” He reared back his head in alarm and found himself staring into Myri’s livid eyes. Normally very pale blue, they’d lost more color in her anger.
    “That was for forsaking Powwell and Kalen when you promised to aid and guide them. And this . . .” She slapped him again, “is for deserting me and leaving me vulnerable and never even coming close enough for me to tell you about . . . about . . .” Tears pooled beneath her eyelids, bringing the iris closer to their normal color.
    A soft whimpering sound drew his attention into the room behind him. Kalen stood, dressed and ready to flee, with a baby in her arms.
    Nimbulan cocked one eyebrow upward. “Do you have Maia’s baby?” he asked. His task would be much easier if he didn’t have to go looking for yet one more person.
    “ We have a daughter, Nimbulan. I have named her Amaranth. I hope you approve,” Myri snarled. “Maia lost her baby son—Televarn’s child, not yours. She sleeps soundly in the other room. We mustn’t let her betray us to Yaassima—if the Kaalipha ever wakes up from the drugs I gave her—or to Televarn.”
    Nimbulan kissed her again, long and hard, before speaking again. “We must be on our way immediately.” He had no doubt that Televarn, Moncriith, and Yaassima would follow them with murderous intent.
    “We have to get Powwell out of the pit,” Myri reminded him.
    He snatched another quick kiss from Myri to keep him from doubting the outcome. He trusted Rollett to secure the gate. Once beyond the city, Myri could call the dragons. Shayla must restore the Covenant then.
    “How sweet. The lovers reunited just in time to die together,” Yaassima said, coming into view from one of the rooms within the suite. Televarn stood beside her, holding the sagging woman up with one arm around her waist. His other hand held a beautiful goblet of delicate porcelain.
    “You really should have used some of your own magic in the sleeping potion, Myrilandel. My mixtures are so easy to counteract,” the Rover chieftain said. His wide smile nearly interfered with his words. “Scarface, relieve the magician of his weapons and wake up the traitorous guard. We’re going to have a party in the Justice Hall.”

Chapter 27
     
    T elevarn continued to hold Yaassima up on the long trek from her apartments to the Justice Hall. The bell clanged harshly again and again, summoning the entire city to witness judgment. Maia stumbled behind them, while Scarface and the guards herded Myri, Nimbulan, and Kalen ahead of them. Why was Scarface still holding Nimbulan’s staff? He should have discarded the powerful tool rather than keeping it close to the magician. So close that Nimbulan could grab and use it in a