Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Iwoke to the sensation of warmth—Zander’s arms wrapped tightly around me, his heartbeat thudding strong and steady against my cheek. My head rested against his chest, his hand tangled in my hair as if he hadn’t been able to let go, even in sleep.
Or maybe… he hadn’t slept at all.
My body ached, raw and heavy with the afterburn of magic, but I was alive.
Barely.
I blinked slowly, the morning sun streaking through the clouds above. The sky was pale-blue; the air charged—but calm.
Zander leaned over me, eyes rimmed with worry. “You’re awake,” he whispered, voice hoarse with relief.
“Unfortunately,” I croaked, and tried to sit up. His arms tightened briefly before he let me move, steadying me with one hand at my waist.
Siergen was standing a few feet away, staring at me with those familiar gold eyes. He had returned to his smaller form—the lean, elegant size he wore when delivering messages and pretending not to be the most dangerous creature in any room.
But the intensity in his gaze said that the power was still there. Just tightly leashed.
“How did you end up in that… whatever that was?” I asked, my voice still scratchy.
Siergen didn’t answer aloud. His voice echoed surely through my mind. I sensed a darkness festering in the Hollow. A wrongness. And while I’ve known dark magic to live in those roots, this was different.
He paused. His wings twitched once behind him.
As soon as I crossed the boundary, the barrier closed around me like a snare.
I swallowed, dread curling low in my gut. “What was it doing to you?”
Leeching my power. His tone sharpened, edged with lingering fury. Feeding off it. Whatever cast that trap, whoever, it was no simple ward. It was designed to drain. Had I remained within much longer, the caster would have become unstoppable. It will not happen again.
His eyes gleamed with the promise of violence.
I managed a small smile. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Siergen inclined his head. I was about to say the same to you, he replied, a flicker of warmth softening the steel in his voice.
Zander rose behind me, slipping an arm under mine to help me stand. “Easy,” he said, his voice lower now, gentler. “You exerted too much power.”
“I’ve felt worse,” I muttered.
“I know,” he said, his lips brushing the crown of my head.
But when I glanced at Siergen again and saw the fury still banked in his eyes, I knew we’d only scratched the surface of something much deeper—something still waiting to pounce.
And whatever it was… it had nearly consumed the most powerful dragon alive.
Zander’s hands steadied me as I swung a leg over Kaelith’s back, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “You sure you’re alright?” he asked, his voice low, concern woven through every word.
I nodded. “Still buzzing a little, but yeah. Better now.”
“Good,” he said, eyes searching mine before he turned and mounted Hein in one fluid motion, armor catching the light as he moved like the prince he never wanted to be.
Kaelith launched first, her wings snapping open with a gust that stirred the tall grass and sent a nearby flock of birds screaming into the sky. Hein followed immediately, and together we rose into the open air, the Hollow shrinking below as the wind rushed across my face.
Much better, I exhaled through the bond.
You needed the sky, Kaelith agreed, her voice steadier now, the edge of panic from earlier replaced with calm strength. The others have returned to the Ascension Grounds. I informed them that Siergen was safe.
You called in reinforcements, I realized, guilt twinging in my chest. I forgot.
You had more pressing matters, she replied. But they are aware. And they await your return.
The rest of the flight was fast and smooth. The land was waking beneath us as the sun climbed higher, casting Warriath’s towers in warm-gold. The city, unaware how close it had come to losing one of its greatest protectors, breathed on as if the world hadn’t tilted.
We landed with ease, Kaelith touching down beside Hein with the silent grace of a seasoned predator. I slid down to the stone just as Thrall Squad came into view, clustered near the center of the grounds, armor half-unbuckled, chatting and laughing in a loose circle.
Naia leaned against Jax’s shoulder, Tae gesturing wildly as Cordelle laughed, and Ferrula smacked Tae’s arm when he said something clearly offensive. It was a picture of peace I hadn’t realized I needed.
I stepped toward them, then slowed. “Where’s Veyna?”
Cordelle blinked. “Barracks, I think.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”
Zander moved to take my place, already launching into a briefing as I slipped away down the familiar stone path. His voice faded behind me, replaced by the soft creak of wooden doors and the quiet hum of the barracks hallway.
I pushed open the door to our wing—
And froze.
Veyna’s bed.
Remy.
Sitting on it.
Too close.
His hand was just pulling away from hers as the door opened. He turned, startled, but not surprised, and stood up a little too quickly, smoothing his coat as if that might erase what I’d just walked in on.
Veyna looked down.
My pulse thundered in my ears as I stepped into the room, the door swinging shut behind me with a dull thud. Veyna didn’t look up, but Remy did, his mouth already opening, probably to offer some casual, deflective charm.
Too late.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing?” I asked, voice harsh enough to break through the silence.
Remy straightened slowly, eyes flicking to mine with that infuriating calm he wore like a mask. “Nothing,” he said smoothly. “Just getting to know your sister.”
I crossed my arms. “Yeah, I could tell.” My gaze dropped deliberately to the bed where he’d been sitting. Too close. Too familiar.
Veyna stood then, moving to the far side of the room, her back stiff and her expression unreadable. She wasn’t going to speak—wasn’t going to defend it.
Which left him.
“I didn’t realize she was off-limits,” Remy said, voice low but pointed.
“She’s not a distraction, Remy. She’s not something for you to charm while everything burns around us!”
He scoffed, something flickering in his eyes—hurt, maybe. Anger. “I wasn’t charming her.”
I stepped closer. “Then what were you doing?”
“Something honest, for once,” he snapped. “You should try it.”
I froze.
The room crackled with tension, and I felt Kaelith stir at the edge of my mind.
Remy’s jaw clenched. “You’re one to talk,” he muttered, brushing past me, shoulder grazing mine as he stormed toward the door. “Like you aren’t tangled in your own mess of secrets and silence.”
He yanked the door open and left without looking back.
I stood there, the silence closing in again like a wave.
And Veyna… still didn’t say a word.
I stood there for a long moment after the door shut behind Remy, the echo of his footsteps fading like the last note of a fight neither of us really won.
Veyna remained across the room, arms crossed over her chest, her eyes fixed on the floor.
I let out a slow breath and crossed to her bed, sitting down gently on the edge. The mattress gave a soft creak beneath me, the air between us still tight with the weight of what had just passed.
“Come here,” I said softly, patting the spot beside me. “Please.”
She hesitated, then slowly crossed the room and sat beside me, close but not touching. Her posture was stiff, guarded. Like she was expecting me to yell. Or accuse. Or worse.
“I’m not mad at you,” I said, turning slightly toward her. “I’m just…” I sighed. “You don’t know Remy like I do.”
Her chin lifted slightly, eyes finally meeting mine. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know,” I said. “But Remy’s complicated. And he’s hurting. That makes him reckless. Sometimes… vindictive.”
She frowned. “You think he’s trying to use me to get back at you.”
I hesitated.
“Yes,” I admitted. “It’s possible. He’s unpredictable.”
Veyna shook her head slowly. “It’s not like that. We were talking. That’s it. About the squad. About court politics. He listened.” She gave a small, almost bashful shrug. “And besides… he already has a lover.”
That pulled me up short.
My mouth opened slightly. “He does?”
She nodded. “Didn’t say who. Just that it’s… complicated.”
I nodded slowly, absorbing that, the edges of my anger softening but not quite fading. “Good,” I said finally. “I’m glad he’s talking to someone. I just… I want you to be careful. He’s not cruel, but he’s erratic.”
Veyna looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting together in her lap. She didn’t argue, but her posture shifted. Closed off.
Something still felt off. Not wrong. Just… not right.
I stood, brushing a hand over her shoulder. “Get some rest,” I murmured. “You’ve had enough for one day.”
She nodded without looking at me.
I left the barracks; the door clicking behind me, and stepped back into the cool air.
The sun was just cresting over the stone towers as I made my way back to the Ascension Grounds.
The squad was still gathered in a loose circle where I’d left them, their conversation as animated as ever.
Tae was reenacting something with his hands—likely exaggerated—and Cordelle’s laugh rang loud enough to wake the dead.
Ferrula smacked Jax in the chest with the back of her hand, and he gave her a long-suffering look like he didn’t love every second of it.
Naia just leaned against a post, arms crossed, smiling like she’d already heard the story three times and still enjoyed it.
It felt… normal. Comforting in its own chaotic way.
I slowed, content to listen for a moment, soaking in their voices like sunlight after the storm.
Then I reached for Zander through our bond.
Hey, I said quietly, I just walked in on something between Remy and Veyna.
What kind of something? His response came fast.
It looked intimate, I admitted. But she assured me it wasn’t.
There was a beat of silence. And that bothers you?
There was a bite in his voice. Not jealousy. Caution. Or maybe both.
Only because I’m afraid Remy might use her to hurt me.
That silenced him.
I certainly wouldn’t put it past him, he said finally.
He seemed mad at me, I added, and not just because of our last interaction.
He’s the type to hold a grudge, Zander said grimly. Especially when he doesn’t win.
I just want to keep an eye on Veyna, I told him. Make sure she’s not being influenced by my grandfather.
You think there’s a chance she’ll betray you? he asked carefully.
I stared at the rising sun, my chest tight. I have no idea what powers Veralin possesses, Zander. For all I know, he could control her without her knowledge.
That’s unlikely while the wards are up, he said after a pause. He’d have to be inside them to affect her like that.
Then let’s just keep an eye out, I said, quieter now. Please.
Agreed, he replied. Always.
I looked back at the squad—my squad. Laughing. Loud. Alive.
But the shadow Veralin cast… I could feel it stretching, even now.