Chapter 38
Thirty-Eight
Atlas
My uncle decided to forgo a traditional royal funeral in light of the chaos our city endured.
There are over a thousand citizens dead and more reported missing.
It didn't seem appropriate to lay Aunt Esme in an open coffin and parade her through the city for the people to offer their condolences.
So, we kept her funeral small and private.
Honestly, I think she would have preferred it that way.
Once her body was laid to rest, the rest of us joined my uncle and Ronan in his throne room.
"What is the plan?" My uncle asks, the deep bags underneath his eyes noticeable from a good distance. He needs rest.
Thrane steps forward. It's the first time I've seen the Frost Elves don black. A great respect for our queen. "Send Atlas and Sylvane east to Midori. They can start their rescue mission by interrogating the Kitarnis."
Everyone stills. As if it was quiet enough, I can hear Ronan breathing heavily beside his father.
"Send a fleet with them for support. The threat to our dragons has decreased since the Soul Eaters had a bit of a head start on us," Thrane continues.
"And what will you do?" Ronan asks, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep and swollen from crying.
"Astrea Talay has taken Eris. She is also responsible for aiding the Soul Eaters' attack on your city," the Frost Elf clasps his hands behind his back, tilting his chin higher.
"She has an unhealthy addiction to using her storm brewing magic to sink ships.
Sending any of your vessels south would be a huge mistake. "
"So, what are you saying?" Ronan barks. "We just abandon Eris to her mother's cruelty, and the blood staining Astrea's hands goes unpunished?"
"Easy, Prince Ronan," Thrane says in a tone used to soothe angry children. "I didn't imply we would shrink from the Hydrans. I merely suggested we not send ships for her to destroy."
"Then what is your suggestion?" Uncle Soren leans forward, rooting his elbows to his knees.
"Kamari and I will fly to Hydra. If we remain above the clouds, we won't be detected until it's too late." Thrane glances at Kamari who bobs her head in agreement. "If we time it right, we can land in the dead of night and rescue Eris before anyone knows we're there."
"And what of Astrea Talay?" Ronan growls. "What will be done about her?"
"Eris is our top priority," Uncle Soren says. "Get her back safely. We will deal with Astrea when we have regrouped."
"That is your decision?" Ronan's eyes widen, revenge ripe in his face. "Leave her for another day?"
"We cannot fight two wars, Ronan," Uncle Soren slams his fist down on the armrest of his throne. "Once we have dealt with the demons, we will turn our sights on the Talays. But for now, we rescue Eris and bring her home. She is one of us. We will not abandon our own."
Ronan shrinks, his shoulders hunched.
"Take me with you." A voice from behind echoes, drawing our collective gaze.
My mother marches through the doors, stone-faced despite the dried tears staining her face.
"Soraya?" My uncle's eyes widen. "What are you doing?"
"I will go with Thrane and Kamari to rescue Eris," she says plainly.
My heart thunders. "Where is Finn?" I ask, my voice trembles.
She turns to look at me. A mother's fury. It's streaked across her face like warpaint. "The doctors are caring for him as best as they can. Your father will remain by his side until I return."
I swallow hard, pain ricochets through my ribcage. "Is he…?"
"He will fight." Her face hardens and I don't dare ask another question.
"Soraya," my uncle says softly, drawing her bloodshot gaze. "You should be with your son – "
"With all due respect, Soren." Her voice slices through the room and everyone stills.
"I am going to bring my daughter home. They fucked with the wrong mother.
" Her brow furrows and I can't recall my mother being this angry.
"I've sat by and watched far too long as cruel things happen around me.
I'm done waiting for someone to ask me to fight.
I am here. I am not asking for your permission, nor your blessing.
" She shoots a look to Thrane. "Take me with you.
A fire-wielder like me will be an asset. "
Thrane doesn't even cast a glance my uncle's way. It seems this decision no longer concerns him. He smiles and nods. "Welcome to the team, Lady Soraya."
"Let's get one thing straight," she holds up a finger. "None of that Lady shit. I'm Soraya. And I am ready to bring Astrea to her knees."
Thrane's smile couldn't be wider even if he tried to squeeze another inch out. "Oh, I like you."
"When do we leave?"
"Soraya – "
My uncle's protests fall on deaf ears. But Thrane isn't nearly finished.
"Might I also request Ronan accompany us as well?" the Frost King asks and it sounds more like a demand than a request.
"I'm to travel to Durne with the Dwarves to reconstruct a portal to Orabelle," Ronan reminds him, a grumpiness in his voice.
"I believe Professor Riggs is more than capable of assisting the Dwarves considering what's happened," Thrane suggests.
I'll hand it to him. The Frost Elf always seem to be a couple steps ahead of the rest of us when it comes to strategy.
"We haven't the time for arguments." My mother throws her weight around. "We will need all the help we can get if we're to infiltrate Hydra without Astrea knowing."
Whether my uncle is tired or knows debating with the likes of Thrane and my mother is futile, he sighs.
Shoulders slumped. "Inform King Torben and Professor Riggs of the change.
" He rubs his fingers against his temple.
"Ronan, you will join King Thrane, Kamari and your Aunt Soraya. The objective is Eris. Is that clear?"
Ronan bites his lip, mumbling something under his breath, but concedes "Clear."
"Good," Uncle Soren reclines in his throne, his eyes watery.
He stares out the window but he's not looking at the city.
No, he's far away. His heart is heavy, his mind bruised.
But he holds himself together as a good king should.
"Although things look bleak, we will fight to the very last of us to ensure our freedom. Be safe on your travels."
Within a couple hours, Vidarr and Corvex are prepared for our flight across the sea.
But it's Seraxes and Drexel who are giving everyone, including me and Sylvane, hell.
Seraxes has been destructive since Shaye was taken and Drexel has refused to eat.
Though no one is keeping them locked in the arena, they haven't flown away.
They're grieving, feeling the loss of their riders. It's a desperation I understand fully.
"What should we do with them?" I ask Sylvane, my heart breaking for the creatures. "Seraxes might do something rash if she's left behind and I fear Drexel will die of starvation."
Sylvane watches the dragons, teary-eyed. "We cannot leave them. Seraxes has been left countless times before. I fear this time it might kill her."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"She and Drexel will fly with us." Sylvane meets my gaze. "They will help us bring Aurelia and Nyx home."
Across the way, Thrane and Kamari are readying their dragons.
Ronan and my mother stomp over, armed to the teeth in knives.
They're wearing borrowed riding suits from Thrane and Kamari.
Ronan's doesn't look too far off from the size he would typically wear, but my petite mother wearing Kamari's leathers is laughable.
She looks like a kid who was let loose in their mother's closet.
My mother makes the best of it, rolling the sleeves and pants up so she doesn't trip.
"Ah," Thrane coos, motioning for the duo to join them. "Welcome, Prince Ronan. Soraya."
"In all your scheming, you forgot one very important thing," Ronan ignores his greeting, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What's that?" The Frost King seems almost giddy for Ronan to speak.
"We don't have dragons," he spits, tossing a finger between him and my mother. "How exactly are we supposed to – "
"You will ride with us," Kamari interrupts, tying her boot. "Soraya will fly with Thrane and Artax. You will fly with me and Syrinx."
Ronan's eyes widen. "Why wouldn't I fly on Artax? He's bigger."
"As lovely as it would be for you to wrap your arms around me the entire flight," Thrane drawls before Kamari interrupts.
"Artax would rather drop you into the sea than carry another male on his back." She shrugs nonchalantly. "He's particular."
Ronan grimaces. "Your dragon won't react the same way?"
"Syrinx is a good girl," Kamari strokes her snout and if dragons could smile, Syrinx would be grinning like a fool. "She is all right with a second rider."
"I thought dragons only permitted one rider?" I enter the conversation, too nosy for my own good and worried about my kin.
Thrane shoots me a lazy, bored look. "Typically, that is the case. However, Kamari doesn't adhere to rules very well. She was caught sneaking dates out for dragon rides late at night."
Kamari giggles, a twinge of blush crossing her cheeks. "What can I say? Sneaking is half the fun."
"Although a punishable offense," Thrane cuts straight to the point, "she has been granted leniency. It seems Syrinx has been trained for this moment."
"You're welcome," Kamari teases and reaps Thrane's ire.
"Don't push it, Kamari," he snaps.
"And what about my mother?" I ask, brows furrowed. "You think Artax will permit my – "
Thrane tosses a thumb over his shoulder. I glance past him and my jaw drops. My mother is petting Artax's snout and offering him a treat. Thrane smiles when my gaze darts to meet his. "I might have given her some advice on how to butter the old boy up."
I point a finger at him, tapping his chest twice. "Protect my mother."
His face softens, as much as Thrane's face can at least. "As if she were my own.
" A promise. And if there's one thing I've learned about Thrane is he doesn't make promises he has no intention of keeping.
Though I'm nervous, especially knowing how afraid of heights she is, I put my faith in him.
"Find them," he says as he marches to Artax.
I nod. "I will."
My mother glances at me and makes her way back to me. She places her hands on my cheeks and whispers, "Our family will be together again. Fight hard, my son."
I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers.
I inhale deeply. This is my mother. I know what she's capable of, the sacrifices she's made for her country and her family.
But it doesn't hurt less to watch her ride south without me.
The fear this is the last time I will see her creeps into my heart and squeezes.
But she taught me to be strong. If there's one thing I can do, it's fight.
"Make sure Ronan doesn't do anything stupid," I chuckle and pull away from her.
She smiles and nods before joining Thrane and Artax.
The six of us mount our dragons and spear into the sky.
Seraxes and Drexel follow closely behind me and Sylvane, the first sign of life they've had since their riders were captured.
With our group headed east, and Thrane's group south, all I can do is mutter a prayer that this isn't the last time we see each other.
War has come sooner than we thought. But vengeance will be ours.