Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Elias and Gerard followed Grand Monk Ferdinand to a wooden podium by the cliff’s edge. The monk walked around behind it. Ornate silver shears and a small wooden crate sat on the podium.
The crowd fell silent, gathering behind Elias and Gerard.
“Today, we are gathered to see Prince Gerard and Prince Elias set off on their couple’s quest. This quest has been planned by their noble families.” The grand monk smiled.
“Grand Healer Eveline”—the grand monk gestured to the tall, thin woman who was head of the healer doves and the Dove Healing Academy—“has requested you fill this crate with lorei leaves. It is a rare plant with many healing properties.”
He paused. “Unfortunately, the supplies of the plant at the Dove Healing Academy have run extremely low. So we will be relying on you both to collect some and bring them back to the grand healer. But these leaves are extremely difficult to obtain. Lorei bushes can only be found growing on the tallest mountains in Draconia.”
The grand monk gestured in the direction of Draconia. “You must fly there together, across the sea. Then you must locate the herbs and bring them back to the grand healer.”
Elias tensed.
Shit.
That meant he’d have to fly on Gerard’s back. He should have thought this might be a possibility.
Most dangers Elias could easily face. He could handle darkness, tight spaces, spiders, snakes, and dragons trying to kill him.
But heights? No. Definitely not.
His heart raced in his chest. It seemed he wouldn’t have to act today to appear craven.
Minutes later, Gerard had shifted. The scent of smoke lingered in the air around him.
Despite the fact that Elias’s heart was now trying to beat right out of his chest, he couldn’t help but admire the magnificent green dragon. Senta and Konrad came forward to attach a harness to Gerard’s body. Elias’s hands, which held the shears and crate, sweated.
I’m going to be flying on Gerard’s back. I’m going to be flying over seas and mountains. And if I fall …
His hands trembled.
No. There is a harness with straps. I will be safe.
Gerard turned to look at Elias, long neck swinging around as Senta and Konrad stepped back.
Senta came up next to him. “Ready, Elias?”
He gave her a shaky smile. “Of course.”
She clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine,” she said, voice gentle. Clearly, she could see how terrified he was. “You don’t have to do anything. Just sit in the harness. Gerard knows where to go.” She pressed him forward.
For a second, Elias resisted. Then he forced his feet onwards. But it was a battle within himself! He wanted to turn and run, sprint away from Gerard and the cliff’s edge. Instead, he climbed on, trying to control his erratic breathing.
Senta pulled the straps, locking him in place.
“Make sure they are tight enough,” Elias said.
Senta laughed. “I will. Don’t you worry.” She took the shears and crate from Elias’s shaking hands and put them into a large saddlebag attached to the harness. Then she stepped back and away.
“He’s ready!” Senta yelled.
Elias opened his mouth to protest. I most definitely am not fucking ready!
But already Gerard rose and stepped towards the cliff’s edge. Elias clutched at the pommel with his hands. He opened his mouth. But Gerard spread his wings wide and launched them into the sky.
The air rushed into his mouth, choking him and stopping the panicked scream that clawed and attempted to break free from his throat.
Elias’s eyes widened as the water glittered beneath them. The wind whipped around him. Elias squeezed his eyes closed. He felt light-headed.
I need to breathe. He forced himself to suck in air.
After several moments, he opened his eyes.
Gerard stared back at him.
Why isn’t he looking where he is flying? We’re going to crash into the ocean! We’re going to die!
But then Gerard turned his head and looked forward. Elias’s fingers grew numb as he gripped the pommel. Soon they’d passed over the sea and flew over sandy coastline. Then fields, trees, villages, and farmland.
This is Draconia. We’re flying over Draconia now.
He’d only been in Draconia once before. And that was when he’d faced Gerard.
Mountain peaks rose sharply in the distance. Above the mountains, heavy dark clouds congregated.
Elias sucked in a breath as he sat up. Storm clouds. His fingers tensed.
What would it be like to fly through a lightning storm? His heart raced. But this time, it had nothing to do with his fear of heights. He imagined the air crackling. The scent of ozone. And all that energy flowing around them.
We could fly through the lightning.
Elias would protect them from any strikes. In fact, he could pull and direct the lightning. Oh. He could wield so much power!
But of course, they could never do that. He could not reveal his abilities to Gerard.
They landed on the top of a mountain. Elias exhaled and sagged.
No trees marked the peak. But lots of small bushes scattered amongst rocks. A small wooden cabin stood to one side.
He sat still in the harness. His breathing and heart rate slowly returned to normal. Gerard looked back at him. Elias smiled. Then he realised he would have to undo the straps and get off Gerard before the man could shift.
After dealing with the straps, he half climbed, half fell off Gerard’s back. His legs almost gave out. He stared at the harness for a few seconds, trying to work out how to undo it before setting to the task. Then he tugged it off.
The air thickened and rippled. A second later, the big green dragon disappeared and instead Gerard stood as a human before him.
“You all right? You look a little shaky.” Gerard gave him a soft smile and placed his hands on Elias’s arms.
Elias laughed breathlessly. “I’m a little scared of heights.”
Gerard gave him a lopsided smile. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Then Gerard took out his clothes from the pack on the harness and dressed.
Elias pointed to the shrubs. “Are those the lorei bushes?”
Gerard nodded. “But let’s take a rest first before we collect the leaves and head back. I think you’ve earned it.” He tugged on Elias’s hand, leading him towards the cabin.
Elias eyed the cabin. “You’ve been here before?”
“Many times. It’s a good place to rest and spend a night when travelling. Senta knows about it. There is even a supply of dried food and water inside. It’s all pretty basic. But it will keep us fed.” He reached the cabin and opened the door. “Hmmm. Looks like my sister has been busy.”
Inside stood a bed, a fireplace with wood stacked beside it, and a table laid with various foods and several bottles of wine.
Elias laughed. “Looks like your sister wants us to eat, drink, and fuck on our couple’s quest?”
Gerard chuckled. “She is a very good sister.” Then Gerard tugged him inside.