Chapter 59
GRAESON
Standing in the center of the cornfield, Graeson took a deep breath. He relaxed his body and dug deep within himself, coaxing the beast within. The dragon writhed beneath his skin. He rolled his shoulders back as a shudder rippled over his back.
Graeson was going to have to shift eventually. If it meant winning this war, what other option was there?
Moris' outbreak the day before had proven that they needed to get going sooner rather than later.
If there was an army of winged soldiers, how long could Sebastian contain them until they grew antsy?
If they were unleashed on the people of Vaneria in their rage-filled states, the likelihood of them being able to discern their enemies from the innocent was small.
Graeson, though, could even the odds.
Still, when he thought of transforming, a nervous spout of energy and terror rippled through him.
He had seen the damage he had caused to the forest. The smoke had just cleared from the skies. Did he really want to risk burning down the world?
"Maybe it’s too soon. If you can’t do it, you can always try again another day," Kal said.
"I can do it. I just…" Struggling to explain his anxiety, Graeson closed his eyes and shook his hands out at his sides.
What was he doing? This was idiotic.
Leaves crunched, and he spun. He held up his hands and blurted, "Wait, you shouldn’t get close."
Kal entwined her fingers with his and lowered their joined hands. She gave him a gentle squeeze. "It’s okay to be afraid."
"I’m not afraid." Graeson sighed when Kalisandre arched a single brow at him. "Fine, I’m somewhat afraid of having my bones break again."
"Maybe it will be easier this time?"
"Maybe."
Truthfully, he wasn’t so sure.
Kalisandre made to say something, but before she could, something caught his attention in the sky. He grabbed her and dragged her to the ground, shielding her with his body.
"Wh-what’s going on?" she said from beneath him.
He put his hand over her mouth. "Shh."
Graeson didn’t move as the dried cornstalks shifted in the wind. Four drakonises flew over them, heading south, led by a smaller winged figure that looked to be a guard. Kallie froze beneath him, spotting them, too.
After a few minutes passed and Graeson could no longer hear the beating of their wings, he stood. He held out a hand to help Kalisandre to her feet.
"Where do you think they’re going?" she asked, concern flooding her voice.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, tucking her against him. "I don’t know. But wherever they are going, they seem to be in a hurry."