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The roar became thunder, and the thunder a cascade of sound andto protect theht the unicorn horn I just wanted everything to stop Regardless of the consequences, I wanted it all over I was tired of fighting Hyto, of being afraid every time I turned around I was tired of the pain and threats, and the knowledge of how ready he was to h," I whispered "Moon Mother, enough If you want me to come home to you, take me now But please, spare Smoky and his mother And send Hyto to the depths of the abyss"

There was another loud roar, and then the dust suddenly began to clear and I felt round I opened --I couldn’t hear hi tendril of his hair that had held round, cut off froan to flow out of the severed ends Next to hi with blood

I whispered to the horn, "Cal slowed to a halt As I stood up, bruised and covered with cuts froled out of another pile of rubble He raced over to me and pulled me into his arms, but I pushed hi to Hyto

Vishana turned to the white dragon, as struggling to stand She lifted one delicate arash in his face He let out a curse but fell back, leaning back against the rocks A large stalactite that had been delicately propped against a pile of rubble shifted and fell across his legs He was trapped by a ton of rock, and there wasn’t rooon self

Smoky stepped forward, but his mother held up her hand "Your father’s life is forfeit But since I aon Reaches Gather your wife, and I will take Hyto Meet us in the Council chaht of punishment? What did that mean? I was about to ask when Smoky merely inclined his head

"As you wish, rabbed hold of Hyto’s aron in hand, vanished

I wrappedon? Where are we going?"

"You are going to on Reaches" And then, before I could say a word, the world again began to turn, and we spun around and around through the Ionyc Seas, just er than I could have ih to seat row after row of dragons--in their natural form Add to that a central pavilion froe and the Council presided The ledges for the dragons were fashioned of a stone that re the sky, and I realized that the dragons flew in fro on the spacious deck that stretched the entire front of the pavilion The skies here were pale blue, with billowing clouds rolling across the sky The temperature was chilly, but not icy cold like in the Northlands, and I wondered to just what realed

As we appeared in the center of the rooons--some in their human form, others in their natural form--stopped to stare at us

Vishana strode into the roo-strapped for now But I have spoken to the Wing-Liege and he has already agreed: Hyto ht of punishment We will meet within two hours You have tiine you would like to bathe--the dust in the cavern was thick and your people do not have our natural abilities"

I stared at her, realizing she was as clean as a whistle Saons? How do you do that?"

Vishana laughed "Iaer him about his secrets I’ent bottle or a washing powder Now, Iampaatar--take your wife to my chambers Bid my chambermaids to wait on her--whatever she needs"

"Excuse me, but the collar" I left the question unfinished,the yoke I still wore around h You will never need fear wearing it again after we are done today" And then, with a gracious nod, Vishana left us, gliding over to talk to a group of other dragons, who I assu and feel that she did

Spa I wrapped my arms around his neck and covered him with kisses as we headed out of the Council chaon-sized inhabitants As we entered thein huh the corridors, but the chae shape

Sazed at the walls, I realized that as ornate as the chas on the walls were muted, tone on tone, but as I looked closer, they proved to be et the impression that they were history in ht in the chae slits that looked out onto the sky How far up ere, I could not fathoiddy, but whether it was froe that Hyto was locked away, I didn’t know

"I hope Delilah’s not too worried," I said, suddenly realizing that my sister had no clue what had happened to me The last she saw, I’d been carried off by Hyto, and S with us "I wish I could let theh I know it’s hard, my love, but we cannot leave yet We must finish ently kissed my cheek "I am so proud of you, Camille You’ve been brave--and you’ve kept a calrip around his neck, reveling in the feel of his arms, his presence We came to a turnoff to the left and S into the chamber As he carried asp

Son Reaches Your ho from my last trip that the Council put the seal of approval on our on"

The rooths of silver and bluewithon a shield in Se bas-relief sculpture set in lapis lazuli and silver A dragon, glancing over his shoulder, was engraved on the front with nine silver stars shooting out of his on--two silver foils crossing blades shion, nine silver snowflakes drifting down from the sky The borders of the crest were set in silver, with two vertical lines of knot-work to the left of the dragon

I sloalked over to the crest "Tell ed to your father and your grandfatheris this, then, Hyto’s syy?"