Chapter 14
Fourteen
Shaye
Experiencing Tronovia from the clouds is akin to floating through a dream.
The spires of Starnborough glisten in the afternoon sunlight and tempt me to dip down to graze my fingers against the tops.
Draakstan is within sight. Our journey nearly over and I can almost feel the sudsy bubble bath I'm going to soak in tonight before bed.
Nyx waves at me and points downward at a familiar black rowhouse near the park. The euphoria of being back in Tronovia fills my lungs and draws a smile from me. I'm home.
We descend lower and it's then screams from the citizens below reach me.
I grimace. I didn't even consider how terrified the Tronovians would be with Frost Dragons appearing out of thin air when most of them believe dragons no longer exist. I cast a glance at my mother then down the line to Thrane who looks positively unbothered by the fear and chaos erupting beneath him.
His hair wipes behind him and he remains focused on guiding us to the dragon area.
Artax banks right and the group follows.
Draakstan appears smaller when upon a dragon's back and flying overhead, but as we near the open center, its grand size is made known. One by one, we land our five dragons in the arena where a small crowd has already gathered in the wooden bleachers.
Curiosity. Trepidation. Wonder.
There's a myriad of emotions flitting around the grounds.
I hold my breath as I glance at the benches.
No one moves toward us – for very good reason.
But I pay attention to the dragons and how they're acclimating having gone from the Frost Elves best kept secret to out in the open for any and all to gawk at.
Drexel and Corvex don't seem interested or rattled in the slightest by the growing audience.
They're the ones who fought in the Great War and are used to having eyes on them.
Seraxes, Artax, and Syrnix on the other hand are tense, their snouts flickering in a half growl motion. I pat Seraxes' back and reassure her she's safe in Tronovia, even if she has to put up with unapologetic stares.
My mother is the first to dismount her dragon and does so with a grace I can only envy. I'll be lucky if I land on my feet and not my ass. I've been practicing my dismount, but I'm still sitting at a fifty-fifty chance of embarrassing myself.
Thrane, Kamari, and even Nyx slide off their dragons with ease. I'm the only rider left, and I feel like a thousand eyes are on me. This is it. The moment of truth. I take a deep breath and slide down Seraxes' side.
Don't fall, don't fall, don't fall, don't fall.
My feet plant firmly to the ground and to my delight, I'm upright. Of course, I have to act like I've landed that dismount hundreds of times now that there's an audience. So, I stretch my arms over my head until my back cracks, feigning nonchalance, although I'm really proud of myself.
Seraxes twists her head to look at me. Is that a hint of pride in her eyes? Or maybe she's just glad I didn't embarrass her by falling flat on my face. Either way, it's a win in my book.
"I'd call that a memorable entrance," Nyx teases, pulling his gloves off. "You think we'll haunt children's nightmares tonight?"
"I certainly hope not," I stifle a chuckle, stroking Seraxes' snout and offering her a treat.
"I know one thing for certain," he brushes loose strands of hair from his face. "I'll be getting free drinks at Prue's."
I elbow him in his ribs. "Don't forget, you owe me a drink."
"As do I," Thrane circumvents Seraxes, popping into view.
I wave him off. "You don't need to buy me a drink for saving your life. You caught me countless times. Let's call us even."
"The drink isn't for you saving my life. Although, I am grateful." Thrane clasps his hands behind his back, straightening like a rod. "It's for making the trip with Nicodemus tolerable."
Nyx wags a teasing finger, a smirk snaking across his face. "Admit it. You enjoyed my company."
Thrane's lips remain neutral, but his eyes crinkle at the corners. "As I said. Tolerable."
"Well, if you're willing to leave your finery for a simple pub, then come with us." Nyx tosses his arm across Thrane's shoulders. My cousin side eyes the contact spurring Nyx to retrieve his arm. "Or not. It's up to you."
"I suppose that will depend on our host's reception," Thrane eyes the tunnel entrance as if he's expecting a royal delegation to greet us. Or a parade to honor his arrival. Who knows at this point.
"Who will look after the dragons when we are not here?" Kamari asks re-braiding her long white hair. She and my mother join our party. "I'm not sure I like the idea of them being unattended. Perhaps we can take turns spending the night with them?"
"Are you concerned someone will sneak up on our dragons?" Thrane tosses the question flippantly and Kamari flinches. "I do believe anyone brazen enough to creep into this arena will meet a vicious end."
Kamari's cheeks heat at Thrane's chastisement and my heart cleaves in two for her. I wrap my arm around hers, drawing her gaze. "If it will make you feel better, I will request King Soren post guards at all the entrances, so no one wanders in."
Kamari's eyes flick up toward Thrane, but I step in the way, blocking her view of him. "I'll make sure our dragons are safe here. I promise."
"Aurelia to the rescue," Thrane drawls.
I swivel and frown up at him. "Can I speak to you in private?"
Thrane motions for me to lead the way. I march toward Artax, putting a good bit of distance between us and the others.
"Why are you being such an ass today?" I slam my hands on my hips, furrowing my brow.
He seems almost delighted I've asked. "I'm always an ass. Any particular reason why it bothers you now?"
He has a valid point. I let loose a breath, the tension in my shoulders releasing. "Kamari is sweet and kind. She asked a question and you responded harshly."
"Kamari is indeed sweet and kind."
"I feel like an excuse is coming," I huff.
"She is spoiled." Thrane doesn't mince words. "Her father doesn't challenge her, doesn't push her to reach her full potential. If I, too, coddle her, she will be eaten up by this cruel world and spit out."
"Her kindness isn't a weakness, Thrane," I point out and he agrees.
"Of course, it's not a weakness. Her lack of awareness and quitter's mentality is, however."
I'm taken aback by his comment. "She completed her training. She has her Orhelle tattoos. How does that qualify her as a quitter?"
"She barely passed her training. If she wasn't a Basilius, I would have written her off years ago as a silly creature.
" Thrane's words are harsh, but his tone is light, as if none of this is troubling.
"I would see her rise and take her place amongst us, not because of her name or title, but due to her own merit.
" His face softens. "I might have come across tough with her just now.
I will attempt to be better in how I respond to Kamari from now on. "
That's as close to an admission of guilt I'll probably summon from him.
I see his reasoning. The Harland brothers and Thrane, too, for that matter, didn't coddle me during training.
They took a spoiled, self-centered, naive princess and gave me the pep-talks and training needed to become who I am today.
Perhaps, Thrane should work on his delivery, but his intent with Kamari comes from a good place.
I can't fault him for caring in his own way.
"I agree with your request."
"What?" I look up at him.
"Asking King Soren to station guards at every entrance." He acknowledges. "It's a good idea."
"Thank you," I smile.
"Stop smiling at me like that," he squints.
"Why? Does it make you uncomfortable?" I tease.
"House Basilius isn't known for grinning."
I shrug, enjoying being under his skin. "Perhaps it's the Sol in me."
Before Thrane can offer a quick-witted response, there's commotion at the tunnel.
Standing at the mouth of the entrance is a small delegation from King Soren, banners waving high. But in front of all of the attendants sent to welcome us to Tronovia is a familiar face. Tears prick at my eyes and I sprint for Atlas.
He doesn't hesitate to do the same and once I reach him, I jump into his arms, wrap my legs around his torso and squeeze as tightly as I can. I've never been happier to see someone in my life.
"You're home," he murmurs in my hair, and I melt into him. "I missed you, Strenlys."
"I'm home," I pull back and kiss him.
Thrane clears his throat as he passes us by to greet the delegation. "Definitely your Sol side."
A laugh escapes me. He just can't help himself.
"Welcome, King Thrane, to Tronovia," one of the attendants dressed in vibrant deep green steps forward. He bows at the waist, paying my cousin respect. "King Soren has sent carriages for us to escort you to Starnborough. He is eager to meet with you."
Thrane offers what would be considered a full-blown smile by his standard, but in actuality, it's little more than a smirk. "Lead the way."