(Ashdeer POV)
Four Days After Kidnapping
Ashdeer looked out onto the snowy mountain peaks around Fortress Irismus. On a normal day, these peaks used to fill him with happiness and wonder. But today, they gave him no peace or pride. He felt like a dead and empty man.
"Quinn, you are right. I have failed my duty. I let my heart rule me."
Quinn smiled at him and said, "You are not the first man in the world to commit this folly."
"What do we do now Quinn? Azriel is too important and we need her back here with us."
"We could get her killed in the Blight, could we not? It would place the equation back to what it was."
A nerve twitched in Ashdeer's temples. His scales began to move and his eyes darkened. His nostrils flared and he asked Quinn in deep anger, "Is this a test Quinn? Are you testing me again?"
