Remy hesitated, his mouth tightening like he had more to say. Maybe more that he wanted me to know.
But before he could open his mouth, Zander’s loud whistle cut through the clearing.
“It’s time to go!” Zander called. “Mount up!”
I turned my back on Remy without another word, Kaelith already moving toward me, her large wings beating dust and ash into the air as she walked.
She hadn’t taken off like the others, knowing somehow that this stop was only temporary.
Thank you, I thought as I reached for her saddle straps.
I swung up into place, Kaelith rumbling deep in her chest, and with a single mighty push, we soared into the sky.
The flight to the Kruisaan Kingdom was mercifully short, the landscape below a blur of rocky shore and twisting roads.
When we reached the castle, it was immediately clear we weren’t in Warriath anymore.
The courtyard was much smaller, barely enough room for three dragons to land at once without risking wing or tail.
Kaelith circled once, wings tucked in tight, before landing with a heavy thud that rattled the cobblestones.
I slid off her back, boots hitting the ground hard as I unsnapped her saddle and tugged the ropes free.
To the left, the stables stood cramped and narrow, packed with nervous horses whose aggressive snorts and whinnies echoed through the courtyard.
I think they’re scared of you, I said silently.
Kaelith grunted in my mind, the sound low and unimpressed.It is not sporting to hunt a caged animal.
And wild horses?I asked, a little wary.
Tasty,she replied without hesitation, her amusement crackling through our bond.
I peeled the saddle from her back, slinging it over one shoulder, and Kaelith took off immediately, giving room for Riven, Jax, and Ferrula to land.
I placed Kaelith’s saddle on the low rail set up near the stables and leaned against it, waiting as the others dismounted and released their dragons.
Once we were all gathered, Zander led us toward the castle’s lower levels, past narrow stone corridors and low archways.
“We each get our own room,” Tae said, glancing back over his shoulder. His mouth twitched like he wanted to smile, but didn’t have the energy left to manage it.
We split up silently, exhaustion dragging at all of us.
I entered my small, bare room, just a simple cot, a table, a washbasin, and began stripping off my armor piece by piece, letting it fall with heavy thuds to the floor.
Finally, too tired to even wash up properly, I crawled into the narrow bed and closed my eyes, letting the weight of the day crush me into sleep.
The creak of the door dragged me from my dreams like a knife through silk.
My eyes snapped open.
The room was dim with early morning light, just enough to outline the figure slipping through the door, quiet, deliberate.
I’d locked it.
My hand shot beneath my pillow out of instinct only to find it empty. Godsdamn it. I’d forgotten to stash a blade.
I moved fast, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed and lunging to my feet. The stone floor burned cold against my skin.
