Chapter 66
KALLIE
"This is a bad idea," Ellie grumbled, shifting nervously on her feet in front of the stable.
Kallie held back a snort as Nyrri gave Ellie a side-eyed glance, as if the situation equally displeased the drakonis.
After Graeson and Kallie agreed they would go to Frenzia together, Ellie decided she would meet the Tetrian forces on the road. Should Graeson transform again, the others needed to know he was not a threat.
Now, however, it seemed Ellie was regretting the choice. The last time Ellie had flown—granted, involuntarily so—the warrior had gotten sick all over Graeson’s paw multiple times.
"The saddle has a buckle," Kallie pointed out. But based on the glare Ellie sent her way, the reminder wasn’t as helpful as Kallie thought.
"Do you remember what happened when she crashed with Graeson on her back? He nearly had a stick go through his back. The saddle will not protect me."
Nyrri released a disgruntled snort, sending a plume of debris flying into the air.
"It was barely even a scratch," Graeson said, waving the hay from his face. He pulled on the strap, tightening the saddle. He had borrowed thread from Menz to repair the ripped strap. While his stitching was a little rough around the edges, it would suffice. At least Kallie hoped.
Ellie lifted her chin. "Well, it would be my luck that if it were to happen to me, it would go all the way through."
"It’ll be quicker this way," Graeson reminded her. He scratched Nyrri behind her ears, earning a low purr. "Now that Nyrri is comfortable with a rider, she’ll be able to cut the distance in half. You can meet up with the troops and then meet us in Frenzia."
"That seems like a wasted trip, does it not?" Moris asked, standing beside a stall. When he had first entered and leaned against the door, the horse inside the stall had tried to nibble at his wings. Now, he leaned against a post with his wings tucked away from the curious horses.
Ellie shook her head. "My place is by Medenia. She will likely be leading the charge. My oath is to her. There is no other option."
"So mount up, Euralys."
Ellie groaned.
Kallie cocked her head to the side, observing the warrior whose pale face had grown a pinch green. "Are you afraid of heights, Ellie?"
"What?" Ellie snapped. Scoffing, she folded her arms over her chest. "No, of course not."
Kallie arched a brow.
Ellie looked around the room—everywhere but at Nyrri. "Maybe. I don’t know." She pointed a finger at Graeson as she narrowed her dark eyes. "Nyrri nearly killed you several times."
Graeson rolled his eyes. "And like I said, Nyrri is better trained now."
Kallie scratched Nyrri’s head. The drakonis peered up at her with a bored and annoyed gaze. "You won’t kill Ellie, now will you?"
Nyrri considered the warrior as if debating. Her nostrils flared, and she flexed her wings at her sides as she tilted her head. Then the drakonis released an exasperated huff.
"Why does she sound upset?" Ellie asked, glancing at the four of them. "She sounds upset, doesn’t she?"
Menz shrugged, unfamiliar with the drakonis’ habits.
"Kind of," Moris admitted with a shrug.
Ellie glared at Moris.
"What? You asked!"
"You’re lucky you’re going with them, flyboy," Ellie said, sneering. "Or else I’m not sure Dani and Sylvia would ever get the chance to see you."
A retort was on Moris’ tongue, but a groan from Graeson cut him off.
Graeson shoved his hands into his pockets. "We’re wasting time as it is, Ellie. Make up your mind. You can either take a horse or let Nyrri take you. It’s your choice, but make it quickly."
Ellie glared at Nyrri.
Unfazed, Nyrri simply licked her paw, cleaning the debris that had gathered between her claws.
"Fine," Ellie said, stomping her foot. "Let’s get this over with."
Kallie grabbed her hands. "It’s going to be fine."
Ellie snorted. But Kallie didn’t miss the small, thankful smile that momentarily twitched at the corner of the warrior’s mouth.
Ellie took a deep breath and approached Nyrri. When she grabbed the pommel, Nyrri looked back at her and snarled, sharp canines gleaming.
"Oh, stop that," Kallie scolded, booping Nyrri in the snout.
Ellie tilted her head to the sky. "Nerva, help me," she implored, praying to the goddess of strength. Then she hoisted herself onto the saddle, using the new stirrups to help propel her.
Stepping back, Kallie gave the pair two thumbs up. "Go easy on her."
Ellie scoffed. "I’ll try."
Kallie’s smile wavered. "I was talking to Nyrri."
Ellie rolled her eyes and fixed her attention on Graeson. "Leave some of the fight for me, yeah?"
"No promises," he said, giving Ellie a rueful grin that sent a chill down Kallie’s spine as the dragon surfaced.
Nyrri nudged Graeson’s hip. He scratched behind her ear and planted a gentle peck on her forehead. "I’ll see you soon," he whispered.
Nyrri licked his face, leaving a trail of saliva on his cheek.
With a shudder, Graeson bunched his nose in disgust and patted Nyrri on the side.
The drakonis sprang into action, her paws smacking the ground as she sprinted. Dirt spiraled into the air, filling Kallie’s nose with the scent of freshly turned soil. Ellie squealed and promptly choked on dirt, coughing.
"Keep your mouth closed!" Graeson hollered. "It helps keep the bugs out."
Ellie tossed Graeson a vulgar gesture over her shoulder.
Nyrri jumped, her leg muscles rippling with power. With a scream, Ellie lurched forward, grabbing the pommel with both hands and pressing her stomach against Nyrri’s back.
In a matter of seconds, they were off, soaring into the sky. Ellie’s scream faded the further they climbed. Her white hair was like a beacon of light against Nyrri’s black scales and wings.
"Not the most subtle, is she?" Kallie crossed her arms, her elbow bumping into Graeson.
"Nothing Ellie ever does is subtle," Graeson answered.
When his smile faded, Kallie reached for his hand, entwining her fingers with his. He squeezed it in gratitude. The four of them watched Ellie and Nyrri fly over the trees.
"She probably should have taken the beast on a test run first, no?" Moris mused, approaching the edge of the stable. He had rarely been outside since they had arrived, the fear of someone seeing him keeping him cooped up. However, now that they were all leaving soon, there was no point in hiding.
Graeson shrugged. "Ellie’s more the type to dive head-first than to ask questions."
"Not sure if that was the smartest move here," Menz said, watching the pair.
Graeson snorted. "Perhaps not, but if she had any more time to consider her options, she wouldn’t have taken off on Nyrri."
Kallie nodded in agreement. She knew Ellie didn’t want to waste any more time than they already had.
A cool breeze swept through the stable, and goosebumps skated down her neck. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Kallie hugged herself tighter. Graeson’s arm brushed hers, and she inhaled a slow breath.
When the pair was only a speck in the sky, too far to even distinguish from the birds, Graeson at last turned to Kallie.
"Ready, little mouse?"
"Are you?" Kallie asked, failing to hide her concern.
"I’m ready if either of you care," Moris interjected, leaning forward and waving a hand between them.
Kallie laughed. Although the joviality was short-lived before the nerves returned.
She wasn’t sure what she was more nervous about: riding a dragon or seeing Graeson transform again.
She had witnessed how gruesome the transition was when he had shifted the first time, and she didn’t care to see Graeson go through that sort of pain again.
However, he didn’t really have a choice. This was who he was, who he had always been. Was it not worse if he denied this part of himself?
Kallie recalled how it had felt not to use her gift the past few months. It had been a painful itch that wouldn’t stop.
Maybe this time it would be easier for him. At least, she hoped.