CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO ISI #3
“We need to be strategic about this,” Trew said. “Sealing the veil breach is our priority—”
“No, he is.” Addie’s eyes blazed. “Fenmark is out there. Your cousin. The man I love. And you think we should prioritize a magical tear over his life? We’ve waited long enough. It’s time to go after him.”
“If we don’t seal that veil, everyone will die,” I said. “Including Fenmark.”
The truth of my words hung between us.
Addie’s shoulders sagged, and she slumped back on the bed.
“I know this is the logical choice, but my heart doesn’t care.
” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “What if we seal the veil and he dies because we should’ve gone to him first?
What if I never get to tell him—” Her voice broke. “I have to go with you. Please.”
She was still too thin. Her hands still trembled. I was about to take someone who could barely stand and fly her into the most dangerous place in the realm because love was the only argument that had ever moved either of us.
I glanced up at Trew, and the look in his eyes told me this was my decision.
“Alright,” I said. “The three of us will fly south together. We’ll meet up with our friends. And then we’re going to end this.”
Trew pushed off the wall. “We’ll take fresh dragons and fly straight through the night.
When we find Lexie, Derren, and Kerralyn in the valley, they’ll either have Fenmark with them or information about where we can find him.
We’ll fix the veil. If we can’t do it fast…
” His jaw clenched. “We’ll figure something out. ”
“Will we have time to fly south, connect with the others, and seal the veil before the war begins?” I asked, worried about the endlessly tight timeframe.
He gave me a curt nod, though I could see the worry in his eyes.
“Do we have much choice?” Addie asked, equally concerned.
Not really, though the plan was crazy.
Addie glanced toward the window. “It’ll be dark soon. I need to get ready to leave.” She was already pushing herself out of bed.
“We’ll leave within the hour,” Trew said. “That gives you time to eat and pack.”
Trew and I left her to prepare and walked through the castle corridors in silence. My mind raced with everything that needed to happen and every way this could go wrong.
“Talk to me, Minx,” Trew said quietly.
“Armies march, Skathes hunger, and the veil threatens to tear reality apart.”
“That’s only three things to take care of.”
My snort rang out.
“You’re the only certainty I have left,” he said. “And I’m holding onto that as tight as I can.”
Stopping him in the hall, I rose onto my toes, claiming his mouth in a kiss that poured every fear and hope into the contact between us. His arms banded around me, holding me close enough to feel his heartbeat.
We broke apart, both smiling. “When this is over and we’ve sealed the veil and ended the war and saved everyone, promise me again that we’ll have time for just us. No crises, no battles, and no world-ending threats.”
His laugh rumbled through his chest. “Knowing us, peace might only last a few days before we find new trouble.”
“I’ll take it.”
We continued toward his suite to get ready.
Dusk layered the sky in deep amber and violet as we mounted fresh dragons. Pherin settled on my shoulder, her energy renewed after a short rest and food. Gavelle would fly ahead, scouting the route south, though the two would take turns with the duty, resting with us in between.
Our friends’ companions rode or flew with us, Lexie’s Levar in dragon form with the others mounted on his back.
Addie rode Nim in dragon form. She looked stronger and more herself, though I caught the tremor in her hands as she gripped her companion’s neck spike.
“Stay close,” Trew called as we flew away from Syllavar Castle. “Do not hesitate to tell us if you need help.”
“Will do,” she said with a pert nod.
The dragon’s powerful wings carried us south. I looked back once, watching the castle shrink behind us, wondering when we’d see it again.
Trew’s arm tightened around my waist. “We’ll be home before you know it.”
“I cannot wait.”
We flew hard through the darkness, the rhythm of Wairen’s wingbeats marking time. Addie kept pace on her dragon, her determination clear in the set of her shoulders.
The night stretched endlessly around us, stars wheeling overhead in their ancient patterns. Trew’s breath warmed my neck as he leaned close.
“I’ve been thinking about what we talked about in the hall,” he said. “I want to take you to a place where no one can find us. One with a soft bed and good wine and absolutely no need for dragons.”
I smiled despite everything. “You’d miss Lakast within a day.”
“Possibly.” His lips brushed my ear. “But I’d have you to keep me occupied.”
Heat bloomed low in my belly, chasing away the cold fear. “Is that a promise, Your Majesty?”
“A vow, my queen.”
Somewhere in the wasteland ahead, our friends waited. Fenmark. And the veil that might tear our world apart.
Behind us, war brewed.
But between Trew’s arms, with Pherin warmth on my shoulder, I felt something impossible blooming in my chest.
Hope.