Chapter 21: Choices

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance series. Just the charries that come from my mind.

*Three weeks later**Vroengard Beach*

Brom looked across the ocean, contemplating the colors reflected from the setting sun. Vervada was in the water, diving and splashing, the light bouncing off her scales like a thousand diamonds. Normally Vervada's antics would have entertained Brom, but not today.

Brom had a problem.

After three days, the Council had agreed to Eldrey's terms, on the condition that Tenekida stayed in Doru Araeba until Roland was returned. After much arguing and threatening, Eldrey had agreed. Brom was to take Tenekida to Kuasta as soon as Roland was in Doru Araeba.

But that wasn't Brom's problem.

Zera was avoiding him again.

Ever since that night, Zera had been hiding for three or four days then appearing and talking to Brom for about a day then disappearing again. Brom had gotten irritated with the hiding but after Vervada had given him a thorough tongue lashing about respecting Zera's privacy, he had made no attempt to find his second.

He closed his eyes and sighed. What he had been thinking was something that he had yet to figure out. He had never been interested in finding a mate, being disgusted by Eldrey's sleeping around when they were younger and later he hadn't had the time to look for one. He was going ask to be reassigned as soon as possible. He didn't think he could stand having to spend the time on missions with Zera after what they had done.

Footsteps warned him that someone was approaching. He opened one eye and immediately wished he hadn't.

"Brom?" Zera's voice made him want to disappear.

"Yeah?" He kept his eyes closed, hoping she would go away.

"I…may I join you?" Brom opened both eyes and sat up.

"Sure." He scooted over to give her room to sit. She did and gazed across the darkening waters. Brom watched as her green dragon, Beroa, joined Vervada in the water.

"I came to apologize," Zera said as the last rays of the sun faded. Brom looked up sharply.

"For what?"

"For…for pushing myself on you. I don't know what came over me."

"Oh." Brom avoided looking at her, feeling his face grow hot at the memory of that night.

"I am sorry." She paused and swallowed, but before Brom could say anything she continued.

"I asked to be moved to a different team. I am leaving your command after we take the princess to Kuasta."

"We?"

"The council said it was too dangerous for you to go by yourself. As your second, I am the one they assigned to go with you." Zera frowned. "I am sure they will listen if you want to have someone else."

"No. No, I couldn't ask for a better companion. And if I had my way, I wouldn't see you leave. What happened between us…it wasn't your fault. I take full responsibility for what happened."

Zera shook her head. "Perhaps it would be best if we weren't around each other until we leave."

Brom took a chance and laid a hand on her arm. She flinched, but didn't move away.

"Zera, I don't want you to leave. Please."

She gave him a considering look.

"Fine," she said after a while. "But after we take the princess to Kuasta, I am asking to be transferred."

"Very well." Brom put his arm around her shoulders. She stiffened but after a few minutes she relaxed. The night grew cool and Zera drew closer to Brom for warmth.

"Brom?" she said after a while. Brom opened his eyes.

"Yes?"

"Look." Brom looked down the beach and choked back a laugh.

Vervada and Beroa were playing in a sort of tag-diving game in the surf. Brom smiled.

"I haven't seen Vervada act like that in a while."

"Beroa isn't usually so playful. I wonder what is going on."

Brom started to answer when Vervada shot into the sky, Beroa hard on her heels. He gasped when a tide of desire filled his veins. Without thinking, he pushed away from Zera and shot to his feet. As more waves hit him, Brom took off down the beach. Overhead, the moon flashed on green and opal scales and a human Rider spent the night on the beach of Vroengard Island alone.