The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

interested in this new magic,” Scarface said.
    “Before I can even test you to see if you can gather dragon magic, I must have your life’s oath of loyalty to the Commune, Aaddler.”
    Myri raised her eyebrows at Nimbulan’s use of the man’s real name. Involving a real name among magicians seemed a gesture of intimacy or intense seriousness.
    “I understand.” Scarface nodded his acceptance. “I must think on this. A lifelong commitment like that cannot be taken lightly.”
    “I respect that more than a hasty agreement that might be regretted later. I find the fellowship and ideals of the Commune easier to live with than the constantly changing rules and loyalties of solitary magicians and rogue mercenaries,” Nimbulan replied. He turned his back on the stranger as he took Powwell’s hand in his own.
    By some unspoken agreement, Scarface also turned his back on the two communal magicians, continuing his watch of the low mountain pass—a narrow but easy passage from SeLenicca into Coronnan.
    Myri observed, through the magic cord that bound them together, Nimbulan’s preparations for the next attempt at a summons. Desperately she hoped that this time she would comprehend the secret of dragon magic. If she could figure out how to gather and use the special energy. Then, and only then, could she return to Coronnan legally with her husband, never be separated from him again.
    Once again the elusive process passed by her so quickly she missed the essential ingredient. Once again she was shut out of the special bond of communal magic.
    She sank back onto the ground beside Amaranth and Yaala. The need to open communication with someone prompted her to speak to the young woman. “Why did Yaassima exile and disown you? You seem like a woman who could lead.”
    “I don’t look like a dragon.” Yaala shrugged and shifted uncomfortably. She pulled her back straighter, away from the hard rock surface they had been leaning against. Her light blond hair had more color than Myri’s or Yaassima’s. Broken nails and encrusted dirt on her fingers couldn’t hide their slender length. But they weren’t extraordinarily long like Myri’s or Yaassima’s. Or baby Amaranth’s.
    “Do you have the spinal bumps?” Myri asked.
    “Very prominently.” Yaala wiggled her back again, trying to find a comfortable position.
    “Mine aren’t very obvious,” Myri volunteered. “I borrowed a human body for my dragon personality. Myrilandel was blonde and long boned already. My fingers and toes grew to accommodate Amethyst’s instincts to grasp and climb. I guess Amethyst also bleached the color from my hair and skin. But I couldn’t grow the extra eyelid that protects dragons from dust and the super brightness of the sun in the upper atmosphere.”
    Yaala stared at the flames, much as Nimbulan did to work the summons. A light film dropped over her eye.
    “Which person are you, Myrilandel or Amethyst?” Yaala shifted slightly, putting a few more finger lengths between herself and Myri.
    “Both and neither. Myrilandel was only two when her human body was on the verge of dying. Amethyst gave her the vitality to use her natural healing ability to correct the weak blood vessels in her brain. The two personalities were so strong that they compromised on forgetfulness, neither of them dominant, until I met the dragons and found a husband who loved me enough to let me explore my past without prejudice. I like to think I developed a personality all my own.” Unique, worth preserving. Yaassima had forced her to fight for what she held important in life rather than running away. Did she have the strength and will to continue the fight for Nimbulan’s love?
    Yes. She had to. Her family wasn’t complete without him. She wasn’t complete without him.
    “Yaassima can’t allow anyone that kind of freedom and individuality.” Yaala pushed the words out through clenched teeth. “She has to control every thought, every gesture, every moment of their lives. I fought her. My father encouraged me. That’s probably the real reason she executed him and exiled me to the pit.”
    “And yet she is very lonely,” Myri whispered. “She needed to love you. Since you didn’t meet her expectations, she transferred her need to Amaranth and me. If only she had recognized that the strength you found to fight her was the strength you need to rule Hanassa, you . . .”
    “But she did recognize it. She hated it and saw me as a rival rather