Chapter 21
Twenty - One
Shaye
It might sound silly but flying over the Tronovian forests is entirely different than flying over the frost tipped mountains of Elowen.
In the Frost Kingdom, the weather is bitter and the wind is cruel.
Despite practicing with Seraxes daily, I didn't adjust to the cold at all before we traveled south.
Here in Tronovia, even though the weather has taken a dip into chilly territory, flying has been so much easier for me.
My joints don't ache and my bones don't feel as if they'll snap in two from the ferocious wind.
Here, I can soar without my teeth chattering.
I thought it would be a harsh adjustment for the Frost Dragons, but if they're struggling with the new air pressure or temperature, they display no signs of it.
To the great irritation of my mother, Seraxes loves to dive close enough above the tree line that her belly is tickled by the branches and leaves protruding.
I keep my chastisements to myself. Seraxes knows what her body is capable of better than I do and if she wants to scratch her belly, so be it.
I won't be the one to stop her. Although Corvex and my mother keep a close eye on us during training simulations.
If we are to be ready for war, we must continue to practice as a team, as one cohesive unit.
There's no telling if other dragons exist other than ours, so we proceed as if our group will be the only airborne assault available.
With Nyx and Drexel now in the fray, we must all learn to move together.
To strike and retreat when necessary. To watch our partner's back and be prepared to aid when needed.
It's a new style of warfare for Nyx but he picks up on it quickly, as if his mind is suited for strategy and battle.
When our session is over and our dragons are safely nestled in Draakstan with all the treats they could desire, Nyx and I make our way out of the arena only to find Ronan leaning against his personal carriage.
"I got to say," he straightens, a smile beaming across his tan face, "I am very impressed. Dragon riding leathers suit you both."
Nyx strikes a pose, flexing his biceps. "What can I say, Drexel makes me look good."
Thrane was here for our training session and kept quiet with how the meeting with the council went. Vidarr flew off the moment Atlas left Draakstan earlier and we haven't seen him since. But if anyone will spill details of that closed session, it will be Ronan.
"How did the meeting go?" I ask, trying and failing to hide my anxiety.
"I'll tell you one thing," Ronan chuckles, casting a glance behind us to make sure we're alone, "I'm not interested in pissing off your cousin."
"Oh no." I groan. "What happened?"
Ronan leans closer and whispers, "Thrane did what I've wanted to do for years. Tell everyone in that council off."
I sigh, not really surprised at all. "I suppose we should have seen that coming. Thrane doesn't particularly tip-toe around the feelings of others."
"And bless him for it," the prince's voice thunders. "I had to pinch my arm to keep from laughing."
"Does that mean House Basilius isn't welcome here anymore?" I ask, bracing for some kind of consequences for Thrane's actions.
"Oh, he's welcome here forever," Ronan drapes his arms across my shoulders, tugging me close. "Sure, a couple old men got their feathers ruffled but it'll do them some good. The point is, he made a case for Atlas and Vidarr and won."
"Wait," I pull away from him to square my shoulders to his. "Atlas can ride Vidarr?"
"As Thrane put it, the council had no say in dragon matters because they don't know shit about dragons."
Nyx barks out a laugh. "That Frost Elf grows on me daily."
"And he also volunteered to train Atlas. So," Ronan kicks at a small rock, skittering it across the path. "Looks like those two are going to be spending a lot of time together."
I narrow my eyes, confused. "Thrane… volunteered? Why?"
Ronan shrugs. "I have no idea. He doesn't seem like the good-natured type. There's a reason why he is going to train Atlas to ride his dragon, but no one other than him knows what that is. Despite what he says."
"Well, good luck to them both," Nyx huffs, stuffing his leather gloves into his pockets.
"They're both hard-headed and have alpha male syndrome so I'm sure there will be a small war to be fought.
" Nyx stops, eyes brightening. "Actually, when are they going for their first ride?
I need to see this, and I'll need to bring snacks. "
I swat his chest with my gloves. "Way to be supportive, Nyx."
"What is more supportive than showing up to cheer for my brother?" He wiggles his brows at Ronan, drawing a muffled giggle from the heir.
Ronan collects himself enough to say, "As far as I know, they start tomorrow."
"Perfect." Nyx smiles, elbowing me gently. "I know where I'll be tomorrow."
"Speaking of plans. What are you two doing tonight?"
"There's a restaurant Atlas wants me to try. The Garden Room."
Nyx nods in approval. "Good food. A little fancier than Prue's but not by much if you ask me."
"Well, I enjoyed Prue's so I'm sure this will be good too." I inhale deeply, enjoying the crisp forest air filling my lungs. "It's just nice we get to spend time alone together in the city. We've both been so busy lately."
"Speaking of Prue's." Ronan's eyes light up and his brows dance in mischievous delight. "You up for it tonight, Nyx?"
To my surprise, Nyx shakes his head, a sheepish look smeared across his face. "I don't think so, Rone." Nyx wipes the dirt from his face with a small handkerchief he pulls from his pocket.
I'm not the only one taken aback. Ronan's mouth drops open. "You don't want to go to Prue's? It's Friday. I thought we could grab a couple drinks, meet a few ladies – "
"It's been a long day," Nyx interrupts, swaying foot to foot.
"Are you sick?" Ronan plops his hand to Nyx's sweaty forehead and pulls back, flicking his hand of the perspiration. "Gross."
"That's called a hard day's work, Your Majesty." Nyx's sarcasm doesn't affect Ronan in the slightest.
"If not Prue's then what else are you going to do with the rest of your night?" Ronan presses. "Shaye will be with Atlas so you don't have to follow her like a lost puppy."
"Bodyguard," Nyx grinds his back teeth. "I'm her bodyguard."
"Call it whatever you like – "
"Ronan – "
"Finn and Eris will be at the apothecary shop tonight – not that either comes to Prue's anyways." Ronan ignores Nyx's protests. "Shaye and Atlas are going on a date and probably want the house to themselves when they get back."
Nyx scrunches his nose like a child. "Ick."
"So that leaves us bachelors," the prince slaps a hand on top of Nyx's shoulder, unbothered by our reactions. "And bachelors go to Prue's. When is the next time we'll be able to go?"
Nyx shrugs his hand off. " I don't know. Next week?"
"Be realistic," Ronan rolls his eyes. "We both know it's only a matter of time before my father has a new assignment for you and I'm chained in depressing matrimony to a stranger. Let's go have a little fun."
Nyx can't seem to find a good reason not to go.
I can see the wheels in his mind spinning, looking for some kind of excuse.
I would help him if I could, but even I fall short of ideas with Ronan staring at us with great expectation.
The prince knows he's cornered Nyx, and he won't accept no for an answer.
I can't say I blame either one for the perspectives. Nyx is probably tired and wants a night to himself. But Ronan is going through a mental crisis. Being forced to marry is clearly stressing him out. It might be one of the last nights Ronan and Nyx can go to Prue's as single men.
When the silent stand off continues far longer than I like, I open my mouth to break the silence but Nyx beats me to it.
"All right, Rone." Nyx's eyes soften, as if he's also come to the same conclusions I have about the prince. "You've convinced me."
Ronan puffs out a relieved breath. "Thank the stars! I was beginning to think I was talking to an imposter."
"Never that," Nyx smiles, but there's something off about it. I wish I could pinpoint what was bothering him, but I keep my thoughts to myself, waving as I make my way down the hill to the pathway into the city.
"You boys have fun!"
"Wait," Ronan motions to the carriage. "Do you want us to drop you off at the house? We have to go that way anyway."
My eyes dart to meet Nyx's. There's a silent plea for me to join them. What the hell is going on? Did they have a fight I don't know about?
I swallow hard and nod. "Sure. That'd be nice. Thanks."
The carriage ride is awkward. Ronan rattles on and on about all the good times he and Nyx had at Prue's over the years. Nyx has remained quiet, only chiming in once in a while to prove to Ronan he's listening.
I tap the tip of my boot against Nyx's. He's directly across from me and when his eyes meet mine, there's unmistakable pain.
I mouth, "What's wrong?" as Ronan chats on.
Nyx shakes his head and offers me a false smile. "I'm fine," he mouths back.
I wrack my brain to recall a memory of Nyx lying to me before but come up empty.
Something is wrong but I won't be getting answers tonight.
With the carriage pulling up to Harland House, I allow my line of sight to linger on Nyx a half-second longer before I hop out of the buggy and wave them onward.
My feet remained glued to the pavement until they disappear down the street. The sun is just beginning to set. By that standard, Nyx will have a very long night ahead of him. As much as I want to help him, I have to purge him from my mind for now. I have a date. One that is greatly needed.
I trot up the steps and unlock the front door, hanging my key on my hook. I notice Atlas' key is in its place and my heart leaps.