CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MY SWORD SITS HEAVY ON my hip as I stride into the dragon’s keep. The night air is calm but the castle is lively with action as fae run to and fro organizing and preparing to move. Warriors are packing up their belongings, getting ready for the long trek ahead.
Not long after I made the decision to head to Maleen, a pixie knocked on the door announcing the arrival of my guard.
I nearly winced as I realized they would need to head out immediately, but they seemed excited about the idea of seeing Maleen again.
It’s the talk of the barracks, according to Killian.
Killian. I know him being standoffish is his way of attempting to keep what’s trying to bloom between us at arms length, but I wish he would realize that this is how it was meant to be.
It’s always been the five of us. We gravitated towards each other like magnets, like colliding forces that are inevitable; and when we all finally come together, I know it will be explosive. But I have patience.
Vasari snorts. “You have as much patience as your feathered rat the second his belly aches with hunger.”
Nero bristles, his talons tinkling as he adjusts himself on my armor to peer straight at her. “Like you have an abundance of patience? Wasn’t it just this morning you were telling Rav to hurry up with the rest of her matings?”
She straightens, her long neck arching so high it nearly reaches the ceiling. “I was merely reminding her that, as Queen and for this war, it would be prudent for her to take her mates as soon as possible.”
“I’m working on it,” I mumble, huffing out an unqueenly sigh.
Jesper bounds towards me with his endless energy. “Don’t worry, Little Beastie, your Vopn Fo male is just about to snap and give in. I can feel it in my toes.”
“They will come together, when they are ready,” Aemon states, giving me a quick, yet tender kiss on my forehead. “Stay out of it, unless she asks.”
Jesper goes to open his mouth but Aemon cuts him off. “And she doesn’t need to stalk them.” He levels him with a look that has Jesper dramatically groaning.
“Your Majesty?” A voice calls out from behind me, and as I turn, I see none other than Theo Numix: the first to join my Royal Guard.
He waits patiently at the opening of the Keep; not even a toe is inside.
“Only riders may enter where dragons den,” Vasari explains patiently, and I remember being told that at Phixmery. The only reason you enter is in hopes of a bond, and once you step over the threshold it’s either a dragon seeing into your heart and choosing you… or death.
With only that second of hesitation, I move toward him. There’s no sense in yelling over the distance. “Yes, Captain Numix?”
He bows and then straightens, puffing out his chest slightly at the promotion of ranking since joining the guard.
“I just wanted to inform you that all the troops are ready to head out. Skuggi fae have volunteered to escort those who cannot travel across distances through the shadows. We will arrive at the first rendezvous point and clear the area in preparation for your arrival. Your safety is in the best hands.” He smiles warmly at me and Killian’s growl snaps through the air.
I ignore my mate. “Thank you so much for your efforts. Travel safely. Send word if you have any issues along the way.”
He bows again and heads off towards the castle.
Talyn appears at my side. “I don’t like the way he looks at you,” he grumbles, his fingers tapping the hilt of his sword.
My brows shoot up. “And how does he look at me? He was nothing but friendly, and if he’s going to be in my guard, shouldn’t we be on good terms?”
“Not if he’s looking at you like that. Like he’s undressing you with his eyes. Only your mates should look at you like that, and I have half a mind to remind him that you’re taken.” The others busy themselves behind me, prepping our dragons for flight—and Lennox his gryphon.
In a deliberate movement, I turn to face him fully. “And am I? Taken, that is.”
The silence between us is deafening for the half a second it takes for him to step into my space, his golden eyes shining in the torch light.
“From the moment I saw you at Phixmery, you’ve been mine.
I just didn’t know it then. All the times I was a straight-up asshole and put you in the mud…
I am so sorry about that. My subconscious had to have known it was you, and I was pushing you away to keep you safe.
No more am I going to do that. I won’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t handle yourself, but I will be there defending what is mine. ”
Our breaths mingle because with each word he inched closer and closer. One small movement and his lips would be on mine. My stomach erupts in butterflies and my pulse thunders with need.
He moves, but his lips graze across my cheek before he whispers, “Our first kiss after I have my mind back to myself will not be in front of an audience, Princess. If you want it, come find me after we land.”
His hot breath causes my skin to erupt with goosebumps. He pulls back and smirks before sauntering towards Zaddro.
Fucking Fates, that’s maddening.
“I think Rav needs a new pair of panties,” Nero jests, cawing in laughter at his own joke.
Vasari snickers. “Just burn them all. She won’t need them for long anyway.”
My lips roll between my teeth and I shake my head as I make my way back over to her, ignoring them both.
As I pass Roz, Ember and Thornwing they throw me a look, and I can only imagine they’re brimming with curiosity to know what was said. They will just have to wait to find out.
“No need!” Jesper announces, “I gave them a quick rundown so they wouldn’t delay your ‘adventure’ tomorrow night. You’re welcome!”
“You are such a meddler!” I tell him, exasperated, as I climb up onto Vasari.
His laugh booms around the keep, turning everyone’s gaze towards him, which is good because I’m pretty sure I’m as red as a tomato.
“So are you going to find him after? Or are you going to make him work for it a little longer?” Nero asks, and I can feel my other bonds perk up in curiosity.
I suppose I need to get used to having no privacy in my head while I’m not actively trying to block everyone out.
“Why, thinking of watching?” I ask cheekily, cackling as he’s torn between flying away in disgust and knowing he’s stuck with me while we ride to our destination—Maleen, my childhood home.
Even as I joke with Nero, I can’t help but wonder what will await us there?
THE FLIGHT IS long with very few stops along the way. We fly all through the night and the next day until finally we arrive at a clearing about an hour’s flight from the Wraithwater Channel. We thought it would be wise to stay in Vathia before crossing the border into Spirrix.
As we begin our descent below the clouds, torches in long lines in front of tents light the way for us. And after such a long flight, I can’t wait to stretch my legs.
“You can’t wait to stretch your legs? What about my poor neglected wings! This ought to be familiar abuse you know! A bird in the sky; flightless! Blasphemy!” Nero continues on his tirade, while I feel Vasari’s enormous form shaking from laughter under me.
Leaning over, I open his cage and he jumps out, freefalling dramatically before catching the air under his wings. “Wind! Sky! Oh the freedom! How I’ve missed you so!” he cries.
“Oh that looks like fun!” Jesper, interjects and I look over to see him standing on Tisur’s saddle.
Tisur sighs like this isn’t the first time Jesper has done something like this. “Rider, sit your scrawny butt down. I am not—oh for Fate’s sake,” he grumbles as Jesper swan-dives off his back.
My stomach is in my throat as Tisur dives down after him and catches him in his talons.
“Jesper!” I chastise.
He smirks up at me from below Tisur. “What? I was bored, and that was the most fun I’ve had in almost two days. What a way to wake yourself up! Plus Tisur knows the drill; he would never let me fall to my death. He loves me too much.”
Tisur snorts. “Remind me why I chose you as my rider? You’re constantly giving my heart a run for its coin, or however you fae use the expression.”
“Well, to list a few… You have amazing reflexes because of my antics. I’m handsome. And without me you would be bored out of the clouds.” I listen to him go on for a few more minutes of him listing his qualities before focusing back on our landing.
The moment Vasari’s talons touch the ground, Aemon’s at my side, whisking me off her back and into his arms. “It feels good to have you in my arms again,” he murmurs, pressing his lips against mine tenderly.
A contented sigh leaves my lips. “It’s nice to be in your arms too, and as much as I would love to stay here, we should check in. And I don’t think it would look too good if I’m being carried through camp.”
“I know; just one more moment,” he says, resting his forehead against mine before blinking us both to the ground and placing me on my feet.
Footsteps approach and our dragons are on alert for a moment before they relax, which can only mean that whoever is approaching is on our side. I loosen my grip on my blade but I don’t remove it. You can never be too careful, especially during these times.
Captain Batsil rounds Evisdor, eyeing the dragons warily as she moves towards us.
“Your Majesty. Lordlings and friends.” She bows to us.
“Your tents have been prepared, and food is just being served now at the center of camp.” She gestures for us to follow as she continues to debrief us.
“The travel here was smooth, and so far we have seen no problems; I don’t expect that will be the case once we cross Wraithwater though.
We sent some scouts ahead, and only one returned—he was not in the best shape.
The Lords have warriors posted all along the channel. ”
Aemon’s voice is confident as he responds, “As long as we have cloud coverage crossing into Spirrix, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
The moment he finishes his sentence, I ask, “How is the warrior?”