Brood of Vipers by Maggie Claire (good books for high schoolers .txt) 📕

from screaming. It takes me a few moments before I realize I’ve been using Ekard’s scaly side as my pillow.

“Apparently, I inherited some healing abilities when I became a Cadogan,” Drake mumbles, slumping over to sit beside me, leaning heavily on Ekard’s back too. “I wasn’t prepared for that gift to be so exhausting, though.”

“Thank you,” I mumble, desperately wishing I could ask Drake why he and Ekard would choose to help me. Ekard’s dislike of me and his longing to lead the Ddraigs haven’t been far from my thoughts. If anything, I’d have thought Ekard would opt to let me die, removing one more obstacle between himself and his goals.

“Well, I wouldn’t let you die, Iris.” Drake sighs exasperatedly, and I wonder if he somehow heard my thoughts. “Despite the feud our Ddraigs seem to have with one another, I do not wish you harm. And I told you I’d stand by you unless you made a move against me. As long as you do not purposefully pick a fight with me, you will have my allegiance.”

“I’m glad we’re still on good terms then,” I retort, wishing I had the strength to laugh. “I really do appreciate your efforts, Drake.”

“I know,” Drake smirks, leaning his head back on Ekard’s warm scales. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my Ddraig and I need some restorative sleep to make up for all this life-saving we’re doing.” His eyes droop closed, and he begins to snore almost immediately after he finishes his sarcastic speech.

Maybe I’ve misjudged them, I force myself to concede, hoping we really have reached a truce. “Suryc, where’s Cyrus?” I call out, wondering why I no longer hear his desperate voice.

“I’m here,” Cyrus whispers, looming up beside me, his face turned aside as though he waits for me to yell at him. “I’m so sorry, Iris.” He speaks the words, but it’s as if he is asleep.

“It’s okay, Cyrus.”

Cyrus turns to face me fully, his eyes completely black as he hollers, “No, it’s not! I killed you, Iris. If it hadn’t been for Drake and Ekard, you’d still be dead. Nothing about this situation is okay.”

“Cyrus, I do not hold any ill will toward you,” I reply, hoping I truly mean my words. With Cyrus’s eyes as black as night, I know his Asíle abilities will see through any lies I tell. I must pick my words very carefully and sort out my feelings later, I surmise, the agony in my chest making it difficult to breathe. “You were dreaming when you attacked me, Cyrus. I understand that you did not intend to hurt me. That’s all I was trying to say.”

Cyrus stands completely still, his black eyes harshly observing every word as it spills forth from my mouth. He cocks his head to one side as he watches me, waiting for some sign that I am lying. Yet I must pass his test, for, after a few heartbeats, his eyes fade back to their normal hue, and he mumbles, “You should blame me. The heavens know I certainly do.”

“How long have you been having nightmares?” Suryc thunders clearly displeased to only just be learning of his Cadogan’s troubles. “Why did you not think to tell me? I could have shielded your mind while you slept or helped you block out the painful memories that are plaguing you.”

“I don’t want to forget,” Cyrus confesses, closing his eyes and staring up into the cavern’s ceiling. “Blocking the past won’t help me get through it. I don’t want to spend the rest of my days depending upon you to protect my mind, Suryc. I have to learn how to cope with it myself.”

“But you don’t have to do it alone!” Suryc snaps, his long, spiny tail flicking in annoyance as he stalks over to Cyrus’s side.

“He wasn’t alone,” I intervene before the arguing can begin. “He had me, and now that you all know, he’s got you too.” Reaching up my hand, I feebly attempt to catch Cyrus’s fingers, fatigue weighing down my limbs. Cyrus hesitates, flinching away from my touch, the fear of hurting me filling him with terror even as a hopeful fire kindles in his eyes. “We’re going to get you through this,” I declare, a cough building up in my throat. It feels like someone is grabbing my spine and shaking me brutally from the inside out when I finally let out the wheezing hack that rattles my chest.

“I…I don’t think I can trust myself around you right now,” Cyrus admits, backing away from my side. He skulks toward the opening that leads deep into the Pith caverns, Suryc right behind him, muttering under his smoky breath.

“I’m not sure if I’m relieved that you’re okay or furious you kept all this from me,” Siri announces, laying down a few paces away from me. I’m still leaning against Ekard, and as much as I’d like to get away from the red Ddraig, I do not think I could handle the pain of moving.

“Siri, I saw….” My words trail off as I wonder for the second time what I should call the man I’ve always known as my father. Rather than speak everything aloud and risk letting Drake and Ekard know my secrets, I replay the key moments of my conversation with my father in my mind.

“Nothing, it seems, has happened by chance,” Siri decides, dropping her head down to touch the cavern floor as she processes all I have shown her. “Your mother put you in a difficult position, demanding that you betray your country before you even had a chance to decide what you wanted.” Siri turns her silver eyes to inspect me closely as she adds, “At some point in time, you will have to meet with the king of Déchets. If he opts to obey the laws of his land, then you will live. But I’ve never known anyone from that land to be that honorable, so I wouldn’t hold much hope.”

“I don’t care what happens