Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
The fire paddock awakens to the soft blush of dawn. Sunlight expands across the sand and crushed stone, illuminating the dust motes swirling in the chilly morning air. Steam rises from the dragons’ scales as they finish their meals and stretch, prepping for a long flight.
Today is not just another sunrise. This is the day Sterling leaves to seek answers from the gods.
Around me, some of the people I love most in this world prepare for their journey. Agnar fidgets with his gear, laughter bubbling just beneath the surface of his stern facade, while Leesa offers him an affectionate eye roll.
My eyes drift back to Sterling, and my heart clenches as I watch him methodically tie the final straps of his armor.
He looks like a knight readying himself for battle. And in a sense, he is. This is a war for our future, and the thought rattles me.
He comes closer, his dark gaze boring into mine as if attempting to hold my spirit in place with willpower alone. “Your Majesty.”
I know he means to distract me with that formal title, but my attempt at a smile falters under the weight of my worry. “Stay safe.”
That’s all I can manage before a knot of emotion clogs my throat and moisture fills my eyes.
He pulls me to him, squeezing me like he’s grasping me for dear life. “I’ll come back, love. We all will. If anything, you might enjoy getting me out of your hair for a while.”
He trails kisses along my neck, my jaw, and the corner of my mouth.
The knot in my throat grows to the size of a boulder, and I can’t even manage a snarky reply.
Sterling must catch the heartache in my eyes because he lowers his head, his lips a breath away from mine.
“Hey, none of that. I’m too damn pretty for anything to happen to me.
Besides, if death came for me, I’d look him right in the eye and tell him to fuck off.
Not a damn thing in this world or any other will keep me from you.
I’d find a way to break out of all three hells to return to my rightful place at your side.
” His lips graze my temple. “My queen. You are my everything.”
The boulder crumbles, and the dam bursts. Tears stream down my face only to be wiped away by gentle thumbs.
Then his mouth is on mine.
Our kiss is hungry. Raw. Desperate. He cups my cheeks, tilting my head back until he finds the perfect angle. His tongue tangles with mine, and his teeth nip my lower lip. A groan slips from him, the guttural sound echoing my own intense longing.
Much too soon, he pulls back, pressing one last kiss to my swollen lips.
Chest heaving and heart hammering, I swallow down the next wave of emotion that threatens to drown me. “I love you.”
He skims his knuckles down my cheek. “And I love you. Madly. With every fiber of my being. Too much to let anyone or anything keep us apart for long.”
My heart drops as he turns around and walks away. The others follow.
My sister. My friend. They join Bastian, who is already standing next to Nailah. Though he isn’t going with them, he’s here to help load the dragons with what they’ll need for the journey. That, and to send off my sister.
My stomach cramps at the thought of them braving the dangers ahead. What if they don’t come back? What if I never see them again?
Tanwen extends his foreleg, prompting Sterling to mount. Then the green dragon gives me a knowing look. A very human one. He’s claiming responsibility for Sterling. The two have shared a bond for a long time, and that fact brings me comfort.
Tanwen, Kaida, and Nailah won’t let anything happen to their riders. I project my emotions to the dragons, conveying both my gratitude and concern.
A collective blanket of reassurance washes over me. As if they’re saying, “We’ll be safe, Mother. Stop worrying.”
With a roar that echoes across the palace grounds, Kaida launches into the sky, his dark scales shimmering beneath the waking sun. My pulse stutters as the other dragons follow suit, their powerful wings beating the air.
For a moment, I’m suspended in time, wishing desperately to carve through the heavens with them. To seek answers from the gods and help protect the people I love.
As I watch them disappear into the horizon, a familiar sense of worry sinks its claws into my heart, clenching tight.
Bastian wraps an arm around my shoulders, anxiety flickering in his own eyes. “They’re strong. They’ll figure it out. And they’ll all come back to us unharmed. Have faith, Lark.”
I know his words are just as much for himself as they are for me.
I try to straighten my shoulders. They left, and I’m expected to sit on the throne and serve the kingdom with my imitation of a queen.
I know I need to ready myself to tackle the duties awaiting me, but I’m struck numb by the hollow ache of absence. The void in my heart.
And I don’t see any of that changing until they all return, safe and sound.
The tables in my private sitting room are an ocean of scrolls, papers, reports of alliances, and mundane wedding details that can’t hold my attention.
The sun is high in the sky, flooding the space with warm light.
I should feel invigorated. Instead, a thousand unattended tasks weigh down on my shoulders like a lead blanket.
For five days, I’ve thrown myself into my duties. Anything to distract myself from the glaring absences in my life.
Words blur together, weaving into a tapestry of scribbles I have no desire to decipher. I rub my temples and will my mind to focus.
Just as I do, a burst of bright energy barges into the room, accompanied by the flicker of a flame sprite.
“Lark! Lark!” Rose bubbles with excitement, her small frame frenetic. “You have to see what Knox is doing.”
I blink, attempting to draw myself back to the present. The guards have given up on trying to keep Rose out, and I can’t say that I mind. No matter how busy I am, spending time with the little girl always lightens my heart.
“What?” With my curiosity piqued, I push aside the burdens of leadership.
She scampers across the room. “Kin can show you. We’ve been practicing.” Rose plops down cross-legged on the chair.
It’s hard not to smile at her enthusiasm. “Show me.”
For a second, I consider if spying on Sterling this way is okay.
Then my concern for his safety—for everyone’s safety—snuffs out any lingering doubts. Five days have passed without an update from them. There’s no way I can say no to Rose’s offer.
With a delighted clap, Rose encourages Kin to expand.
The flame swirls and coils before shaping into a pool of shimmering light. Inside the magical window, vivid images flicker with the fire.
My lungs flatten and reinflate as the view swoops down and centers on Sterling. He’s grappling with the rough terrain alongside Tanwen as they climb a mountain slope.
The scene transfixes me as he clings to the dragon’s scaly neck, his face set with grim determination.
“Look at them!” Rose cheers with awe. “Isn’t it amazing?”
“Yes. Amazing.”
And terrifying.
The scene shifts to reveal Leesa using the sword imbued with my magic to chop away sinister plants writhing toward them.
Crafting a weapon infused with both my phoenix fire and regular fire element was Bastian’s idea. Thanks to his forethought, the bladesmith—along with a little assistance from me—began the finicky process of fashioning the magical sword a few months ago.
My heart races at the sight of my sister working by Sterling’s side.
That’s when I realize what’s happening in the scrying pool isn’t current. The magic’s showing me events that have already transpired.
The scene shifts again, this time revealing Agnar holding a rockslide at bay, his imposing figure steady as he channels earth magic to keep his companions safe. The juxtaposition of their strength fuels my pride, yet a gnawing dread unfurls in my gut.
Up next is Sterling again. He kneels at the edge of a high cliff while trailing his hand through a waterfall that flows upward. Sparkling droplets hang in the air. His face is intense with focus, brows knitted. I can practically feel the wonder radiating off him.
Rose claps her hands in delight. “He’s really good!”
Though my chest still tightens with anxiety, I can’t help but admire the way he moves. His bravery.
“He’s certainly taking plenty of risks.” I frown on the last word as my chest twinges with both trepidation and longing.
Rose hops down from her chair. “Look, he’s about to do something wild again! It’s because he hangs out with Uncle Agnar so much. That’s what my Mama says. Uncle Agnar is always doing big things. Watch!”
The flames flicker, and my eyes are glued to the scrying pool as Sterling leaps into action once more, nearly putting himself in danger for the fourth time within the short span of our viewing.
“Be careful!” Rose squeals, nearly jumping with glee as he effortlessly dodges another threat. My heart thunders in my ears, torn between pride and an overwhelming sense of dread. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”
I want to reassure her, but the answer sticks in my throat like bitter ash. “He’d better be, or he’s going to be in so much trouble.”
Rose giggles and squirms. “You can get the dragons to pick him upside down and use his head as a mop!”
Despite my apprehension, that visual elicits a snicker. “Now there’s an idea.”
We watch as he navigates through the forests and heads toward the cloud-covered mountain peaks. Rose views his adventures with bright eyes and the innocent, unyielding belief that everything will work out. I wish I could embody even a fraction of her faith.
Hesitating, I nod to the flame. As Kin flickers back, I gently remind myself to cherish this. Such magic was unheard of before. Whether this is something new, or something old and reborn again, it fills me with dual fascination and hesitation.
What would the other kingdoms think if they knew we weren’t merely retaining our powers while theirs falter, but utilizing a new ability to peek in on them at any time, past or present?
What would happen to Rose?
My stomach twists. I don’t intend to find out.
The next evening, the air is crisp and clear, providing a welcome reprieve from the tangled web of palace duties as I land in the middle of the training fields.
This is the only time I allow myself to detach from the demands of the throne.
Especially since no one is watching. Of course, the guards are around, but they know better than to get too close and reveal their presence while I unwind for the day.
No cheers. No calls from soldiers. No attendants hurrying me along.
This is where I shed the layers of royal expectation and become something else. Where I can be myself, where the fire within me truly burns.
I step through the gate of one of the rings.
The soft glow of the moon bathes the arena in silver light and dances along my short sword when I free the weapon from its sheath.
I begin to move, fluid and fierce, testing out the techniques I’ve practiced both alone and with a partner. A silent choreography of stepping and turning. Advancing, retreating.
The sword glides through the air, slicing invisible foes. Each swing sends a surge of power through my veins.
Flame and steel.
With the crackling energy intensifying, I push myself even harder, driven by a desire to surpass what my title demands. The perfect queen seems a distant ideal as I embrace the fighter within myself, flowing through techniques that weave fire and steel into a deadly dance.
Too long. It’s been too damn long since I’ve trained with a physical weapon.
I ignore the fatigue creeping into my muscles. Instead, I focus on the freedom of movement, the strength rising in my core, on breaking the chains of expectation and worry.
From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Rafe as he observes from outside the ring, his arms crossed in a casual yet assessing manner.
His intense gaze dares me to be better, to evolve into the leader I’ve always envisioned yet haven’t fully embraced, and I try my best to meet that challenge.
“Impressive.” His expression possesses a hint of something I can’t quite place. Approval? “You’ve made remarkable progress.”
A swell of warmth ignites in my chest, grounding me in this moment. “I need to be more than just a crown. I need to be able to protect those I care about.”
“That’s the spirit of a true leader.” He nods, a flicker of admiration illuminating his features. “You’re not just a queen, Lark. You’re a warrior. Embrace it. Follow your heart. That’s the only reason we’re all still ourselves and not puppets being controlled by a god.”
As I strike against the air once more, I vow to embrace my duality.
I am not merely a queen. I am also a fighter, a protector.
With that knowledge burns a fierce determination. I won’t allow the world to dictate who I am any longer.