23. CHAPTER 23
Aveline
It didn’t take long for me to gather what few belongings I had brought with me to Stormgaard. After a week of his absence, I had strong reservations about Sorin. He had failed to punish me for trying to poison him and appeared all too pleased to forget the incident entirely.
Was I so unintimidating as a threat? Or was it simply that he didn’t expect me to try again after I had explained to him the circumstances Queen Dyata had put me in.
I pulled my sorry excuse for a pack over my shoulder and joined Sorin, Voirel, and Rensford in the courtyard. My gaze bounced between them.
“How, exactly, are you planning to carry us all back?” I asked, straightening my spine beneath Sorin’s heavy gaze.
A grin spread across his lips that immediately made me sorry I ever asked. “You’ll climb atop my back, of course.”
I balked. “You…you can’t be serious.”
His eyes flashed as he narrowed his endlessly dark gaze at me. “We’ve been over this, I’m always serious.”
I shook my head back and forth, taking a step backward toward Stormgaard. I didn’t want to stay here, but I certainly didn’t want to ride on the back of a dragon, either.
“Can’t you carry Voirel, then Rensford, then come back for me?” I asked.
Sorin shook his head, his grin spreading even further as he extended his hand toward me. “That would take the entire day, and it would exhaust me. We can’t be late. Come, Aveline.”
Aveline.
I wasn’t sure if he had ever used my given name when addressing me before. It was always ‘Little Dove.’ My skin prickled at the sound of it. I enjoyed it a little too much.
I stared at the hand he extended between us as Voirel impatiently crossed her arms over her chest.
“What if I fall?” I asked.
“I won’t let you fall.”
“But how can you guarantee that?” I swallowed thickly.
Sorin laughed, and I bristled. “I will simply catch you.”
“With your claws?” My hand flitted to my chest as my heartbeat thundered.
I hated to admit that the thought of flying on dragon back terrified me. That the thought of adding to the plethora of scars I already possessed made my stomach sink.
“I have carried a great many people in my claws, Little Dove. Rensford certainly does not allow me to carry him like a princess in my arms when we travel alone, though that would be rather hilarious.”
The image brought a small smile to my lips at the idea of Rensford, almost as tall and broad as Sorin, held delicately in his grasp, legs tucked over one arm as they flew.
Voirel giggled at my side.
“You promise?” I asked, taking a hesitant step toward him.
Sorin bowed his head as I placed my hand in his, an electric current passing between us. “You have my word. No harm will come to you under my watch.”
I nodded once, allowing him to pull me forward to the edge of the sea wall, my hand still firmly in his. The sensation sent butterflies stirring in my stomach.
“Rensford and Voirel will show you how to mount. You’ll sit between the ridges of my spine. You have nothing to fear.”
I gulped one last time before Sorin jumped over the sea wall, disappearing below the mist that had blown in to obscure the cliffs below.
He disappeared from sight for one long moment before an enormous black figure could be seen cutting through the fog, wings flapping steadily at his side. He soared toward us, skidding to a stop and clinging to the side of the cliffs edge with his claws.
He turned his horned head toward us. I was surprised to find his dragon eyes the same rich shade as when he was human. I had never been this close to a dragon before, and I was not nearly as afraid as I thought I should be.
Voirel jumped first, grasping one of the raised horns on his spine to hoist herself up onto the ridge of his back. She settled between two large spikes, her grip tight on the one before her.
“Use the horn as a lever to pull yourself up!” she called.
Sorin shook his head. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he was laughing, his belly shaking.
“Shouldn’t Rensford go next?” I asked.
Sorin beat his wings softly with the limited space he had, stirring the air between us. He was clinging to the cliff’s face and wouldn’t be able to hold this position for long. My raven-colored hair pushed back from my face beneath the stirring wind.
Voirel shook her head. “He will take up the rear to hold you securely in place. Come on, Aveline!”
I couldn’t believe I was about to do this.
I cursed not putting on a pair of trousers instead of the celadon-colored skirts that danced around my legs. I pulled the material into a fist so it wouldn’t tangle in my limbs as I stepped up onto the waist-high sea wall with the help of Rensford.
I eyed the divide between where Sorin was clutching the edge of the cliff and the wall I stood on, nausea rolling in my stomach. Voirel had made it look so easy, but the jump was much farther than I had imagined. Farther than I thought I could manage.
Rensford’s voice was almost swallowed on a gust of wind that barreled through the courtyard. “I’m right behind you! He can’t hold this position forever. He is too heavy, and the rock face will crumble beneath him. Jump!”
I did not hesitate.
With the wind at my back, I jumped.
I released my skirts midair to grasp the horn Voirel had indicated with both of my hands, nervous sweat slick against my palms.
“Good!” Voirel called, clapping her hands together. “Use the horn beneath your feet to push up and take my hand!”
Her delicate hand was extended out toward me, and I did as she instructed, pushing off from the horn beneath me to grasp her palm in mine.
She pulled me up with a strength I didn’t expect from her.
I swung my leg over the ridge of his back and settled against his spine, as if I were mounting a horse.
His scales were warm and smooth beneath my bare legs as my skirts settled around me. Rensford wasted no time making the jump, easily settling himself into the ridge behind me and securing his arms around me like a cage.
I might not be Rensford’s favorite person, but I trusted him to keep me safe. Without warning, Sorin pushed off the cliff face with immense strength. We were free-falling for one heart wrenching moment before his wings beat in a steady rhythm at my sides.
My heart jumped into my throat.
We ascended over the Saltale Sea, Voirel pressed against my front, Rensford breathing heavily at my back.
I had done it.
I was riding a dragon!
Enora would never, ever believe me. I could barely believe it myself as we straightened out, reaching a steady altitude where Sorin could ride the wind. He was careful to avoid making any quick maneuvers that would send me sliding off his back.
Every moment we were skyborne was a moment that brought me closer to reuniting with Enora and Quinnick. I would need to search for ingredients for my tincture as soon as I was able when we arrived back in Gothryn. Knowing I had been poison-free for over a week was deeply unsettling.
If I was allowed out of Sorin’s sight, that is.
There was a very real possibility that I would be immediately taken to the dungeons upon arrival.
My hair whipped back from my face, and I could hear Rensford sputter as it smacked him in the face. The wind was cold against my cheeks, the air stinging my skin.
I dared a glance down—and immediately regretted it.
Between the thin veil of clouds, I could make out the sea below. The ships were so small I could almost pretend they were merely toys. Figurines a child might play with.
I swallowed back the alarm that had climbed its way up my throat, vowing not to glance down again.
I watched the sky before us between the great black horns on Sorin’s head.
The movement of his scales beneath me was rhythmic as his wings beat steadily.
But without Voirel and Rensford holding me in place, I surely would have slipped to my death.
We arrived in Gothryn much faster than I expected. The speed with which Sorin flew was at least twice, if not three times as fast in his dragon form compared to his human form.
Sorin gracefully glided toward the balcony of his rooms, landing on the paving stones right before them and stepping up to the balcony railing with a yawn.
Rensford dismounted first, allowing himself to slide down the scales until the railing of the veranda came up to meet his feet.
Without a cliff’s edge to hang from, Sorin was able to sidle right up against the balcony’s edge.
I wasn’t sure I could be nearly as graceful as Ren had been, and I worried that my dress would ride up entirely from friction as I slid down Sorin’s scales.
Without a word Ren extended his hand out toward me, signaling me to do the same.
I swung my leg over the ridge of Sorin’s back, allowing myself to slide down the same way Rensford had.
I cursed this blasted dress once more, the skirts pooling around my hips as my feet hit the railing with a jarring start that rattled my teeth.
I fell forward, and if Rensford hadn’t been standing there to catch me, I would have fallen face first onto the stone.
Voirel was behind me in a heartbeat, having dismounted with the elegance of a practiced rider.
I was sure she had traveled with Sorin many times over the last century.
Within the blink of an eye, Sorin’s hulking dragon form disappeared.
He appeared in human form, black leather wings at his back as he dropped onto the balcony beside us.
“Shall I take her into custody?” Rensford asked at my back.
I spun, betrayal stinging fresh in my gut.
I had trusted him to keep me safe while we flew, but I was a fool to think we had arrived at any sort of truce between us. I had still tried to kill the crown prince, after all. My mouth fell open to speak, but Sorin held up a hand to stop us from bickering.
“I will take care of it.”
Rensford’s jaw tightened. “But, My Prince—”
“It isn’t up for debate,” Sorin replied, his tone brooking no argument.
Rensford bowed deeply at the waist before casting a dark glare in my direction and disappearing into Sorin’s rooms with Voirel. I could hear the door to his rooms slam distantly.
I turned back to Sorin, my brow raised in question.
My palms were sweating, and I tried my best to discreetly wipe them on my dress as I pressed my skirts down.
I cleared my throat. “Is this the part where you take me to the dungeons?”
Sorin stepped closer. Close enough that I could feel his breath fanning across my face as he spoke. The smell of spice and ash filled my nostrils. My instincts told me to take a step back. Despite that nagging voice in my head, I stayed put, feet planted.
When he reached out to tuck a lock of my hair behind my ear, my skin sparked. His touch was warm against my skin, burning. I frowned in confusion.
“What is it?” he asked, concern evident in the lines of his face. His mouth parted, dark eyes assessing.
When he had touched me before—I felt smooth, glassy water coating my skin.
The taste of salt and brine filling my mouth.
Since his return to Stormgaard, I now felt the exact opposite.
It was precisely what I had expected to feel the first time…
fire and brimstone. A flame beneath his skin.
Was this his Vireth magic at work? Or something else entirely?
I pressed my eyes closed, shaking my head as his large hand cupped my cheek.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I said.
Sorin laughed humorlessly. “It should be, yes.” He allowed his hand to drop back to his side. The lack of his touch brought with it a sinking feeling. I cursed myself. “But it isn’t.”
He turned from me, toward the interiors of his chambers. He did not glance back to see if I followed. I swallowed hard, gathering my skirts as I dashed after him.
“What does that mean?” I asked at his back.
His stride was easily two of mine and I had to race to keep up as he opened the bedroom door to the corridor beyond.
“It means, you won’t be going to the dungeons. Today, anyway,” he replied, not bothering to turn back toward me.
I halted past the threshold of the doorway, dropping my skirts to the etched stone floor. I frowned at his retreating back.
“And why not?”
I had to muster the confidence to project my voice across the corridor knowing that other fae and servants would be milling about these halls and could overhear.
This time, he did stop. His shoulders rose as he took a heaving breath and turned back toward me, gaze sparking with amusement.
“Because I haven’t decided what to do with you just yet.”
I should be happy with his answer. That I wasn’t to be immediately sentenced to death and executed for my crime against him and the kingdom of Gothryn. My mouth fell open in confusion, and despite my better judgment, I pushed.
“Why is that?”
Sorin ran a hand down his face, suppressing a mirthless laugh. I was wearing on his patience, that much was clear.
“Aveline…return to your room and prepare for the ball. You’ll find a selection of dresses there for you to choose from. I will see you tonight.”
“Am I not to return to my duties as your indenture now that we have returned to Gothryn?” I asked.
Sorin gave an exasperated huff. “We can drop the charade. I will no longer pretend I did not have ulterior motives to keep you close, and you no longer need to pretend you did not come here to murder me.”
What did he mean by that? What ulterior motives?
I opened my mouth to protest one last time, but he was gone within a blink. He had disappeared either up the spiral staircase toward the higher reaches of the tower, or down toward the main hall.
I darted to the landing, my skirts pooling around my ankles as I came to a stop. I searched up and down, but there was no trace of which way Sorin had gone.
I was alone.
My hand pressed against my sternum as a hysterical laugh bubbled to my lips. I had tried to poison the prince and stood to suffer no consequence as a result.
I just might be able to escape this charade with my life.
With a smirk, I started toward the indenture dormitories.
I needed to get ready for the ball tonight—but there was one thing I needed to do first.
I needed to find Enora.