The heir to Winter’s Realm would, eventually, break free. And when that happened, I was certain Rhistel would seek revenge on his mother. Likely, he’d take her life.
As much as I despised both Lord Riis and Queen Inga, they were my mate’s parents. He loved them. And I loved Vale.
“You still trust him?” Thyra whispered, tearing through that horrible realization.
I looked away, unable to answer.
Chapter 8
NEVE
We dipped out of the cloud cover, and the City of Myrr revealed itself, gold and gleaming in the rising sun’s light.
Arava neighed, making me smile as I ran a hand down her neck. The pegasus and I were new to each other, but she’d claimed me, and I had to admit to feeling a shocking amount of affection for the ebony mare. Affection and the occasional odd inclination that I knew what she wanted.
Thantrel and Caelo claimed that my bond with Arava would continue to grow the longer we knew one another. While I’d never speak to Arava like those with elven blood could with other animals, it would be the next best thing.
Behind me, Vale shifted in the extended saddle. Probably to get a better view.
Arava allowed him to ride behind me, just as Thyra’s white pegasus, Lasvin, allowed Thantrel to ride with her. Really, Thyra had taken more convincing on that score, but we had a lot of people going south and only so many flying creatures so my twin gave in.
“Stunning, isn’t it?” Vale squeezed my middle.
“So beautiful. Not that I’d expect anything less from House Balik.”
“Wait until you see Ramshold up close.”
The Golden House.If a name ever fit, that one suited House Balik.
The pointed tops of every tower gleamed golden in the lazy sunrise, and the stonework was a creamy pale gray—the rocks likely from the Ice Teeth range framing the city. From this distance, Ramshold seemed as large and as lovely as Frostveil Castle in Avaldenn.
“Should we send the signal?” Thyra called out from my left.
On the other side of Thyra were Prince Thordur and Princess Bavirra while Saga and Caelo soared to my right. The others trailed behind. With only eight flying creatures, Thyra and I could not bring the three fae in our Valkyrja, but if everything had gone to plan the vampires would be lurking in the woods below.
“Now is the time.” I waved to Caelo and gave a nod.
The knight placed a hand on his gryphon and said something that was lost to the wind. A second later, the beast began shrieking. The others followed suit, creating a ruckus. If the vampires made it in time, they’d know what to do.
“By the dead gods, what a sound!” a voice called out from behind.
A scowl hardened my lips as I placed the voice. Lord Riis.
I’d been inclined to leave the deceitful High Lord at Valrun, but Vale implored me to see sense. It would be easier to sway House Balik to our side if we’d already secured a great house.
Leyv’s inclusion was politics, plain and simple. And while I didn’t like having to play the game, I would. For my family, my own safety, and a better kingdom. I may never forgive Lord Riis, but I needed his help all the same.
As for Vale, he was experiencing complicated emotions. Not only had his biological father kept such a dire secret, but his mother had been involved in killing my family.
Tears pricked my eyes, but I wiped them away before they fell. With only my mate as witness, I had cried silently as we flew. Vale had comforted me, nearly to the point of forsaking his own kin, though I’d stopped him there. As someone who had precious few family members, I couldn’t allow Vale to disown those who loved him.
“The banner!” Thyra commanded.
The sounds of rapid snapping filled the air as the cloth unfurled and streamed behind us. Anna and Arie rode together, and he held a banner of peace for those at the gate to see. Not a moment too soon, either.
“Breathe,” Vale whispered into my ear as we began our descent, my twin and I in the forefront. “You’re tense.”
“What if they don’t let us into the city?”
