Zander shook his head once. “No. He’sneverlanded on the isle with me on his back. But he wishes to transportyouas well.”
A strange chill threaded through me.
“Kaelith is waiting for you there,” he added.
Before I could answer, Alahathrial lifted the parchment from the table and handed it back to Zander, folding it carefully and pressing it into his palm.
“Repeat the words when you are ready to enter the sanctuary,” he said. “You’ll know when you’ve found it.”
His tone changed, sharpened. “But if you wish to remainundetectedwithin the Blood King’s wards, you’ll need a rider withWraith’s Caress. Preferably one who possessesPhantom Step, they’ll be able to slip past the veils.”
My mouth tightened. Remy.
“AFire Warriorwould be invaluable in dealing with the physical manifestations,” he continued, fingers lacing in front of him. “And someone withDominion of the Mindwould allow you to bypass any psychic barriers or enchantments tied to loyalty oaths.”
I let out a soft grunt. “AddHoned Reflexes,Kinetic Surge,Mirror Fate, andFlourish, and you’ve just described my entire squad.”
Alahathrial’s eyes lifted to meet mine, surprise flickering behind the gold. “You have access to individuals with those specific gifts?”
“Yes,” Zander said, voice firm. “All of them.”
A quiet moment passed. Then Alahathrial smiled, faint, distant, but real.
“Your birth was preordained. Both of you.” He looked between us. “You and Ashlyn were destined to be born when the time to fight for peace would arrive. But those gifts… they arerarein full-blooded fae. To have them all in one place, in the sameera?”
He shook his head slowly. “That is more than destiny. That isdivine orchestration.”
Zander touched my arm, grounding me as my thoughts scattered.
“We should go,” he said gently, then glanced back at the man who had fathered him in secret. “Thank you… for the information.”
Alahathrial bowed his head slightly. Not as a king. Not as a prisoner.
But as a man who understood what was coming.
We exited the castle into a sky washed gold with morning light, only to find Hein waiting just beyond the gates, massive and gleaming silver, his wings tucked in close like folded armor.
He stood perfectly still, the wind catching the edge of his scales and making them shimmer like stars.
Major Ledor glanced at us with a furrowed brow, clearly trying to piece together why Heinwas calmly waiting outside the castle like a personal escort. His gaze lingered on Zander, questioning.
But Zander didn’t stop to explain.
He strode straight toward his dragon, one hand brushing Hein’s side with casual familiarity before swinging up onto his back. Then, without a word, he reached down and extended his hand to me.
I hesitated for half a breath, only because I wasn’t used tothis. ToHein. But I took Zander’s hand, and he pulled me up behind him in a single, effortless motion.
“Should I be concerned your dragon likes me better than my own?” I asked dryly, settling in behind him, the heat of his body cutting through the wind already curling around us.
Zander twisted slightly, glancing back with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hein seems to likeyoubetter thanme.”
“Idoubtthat,” I muttered as Hein let out a low rumble and launched into the sky, his wings slicing through the clouds with effortless grace.
“He never offered to take me to Dragon Isle before, Ashe,” Zander said quietly as the ground fell away beneath us. “We’re going becauseKaelithwants you there.”
I blinked against the wind. “Why?”
“I don’t know.”
