Auren!
My dragon strode over, thrusting her head through the window and into me. Her volcanic hot breath bathed over my skin, forcing away the terrible chill that had set in the minute I was shoved into this room.
I am here, she said.But we must be away.Her head jerked up at the sound of other dragons roaring in the distance.My brothers are mobilising.
“Milady.” Lorien was there, holding out a hand with a grin and when I took it, he lifted me over the window sill, setting me down on the ground outside. “Are you alright?” His hands skimmed over my arms, my shoulders.
“He didn’t touch you, did he, lass?” Kael growled as he dropped off Slate’s back.
“Wouldn’t have wanted to.”
Dain’s scowl was a familiar thing, but it had quite a different vibe now. Perhaps because his eyes twinkled when they met mine and he shot me a small smile.
“We need to get you and Auren out of the city.” Lance was all business, looking far too pale. “Viridian has let Hazel and Zafira know what’s going on, and they’ll get word to Hadrian and the wild dragons. For now, you and Auren need to head to Dragon Rest?—”
“There’s a box in the general’s office,” I said. “That’s where we need to go.”
“We are,” Kael corrected. “You are heading for safety.”
I stood taller then, and for some reason that had the man smiling.
“Are we a wing or not?” His grin widened. “If we are, we fly together.”
“Fern, no—” Lance went to say.
“She has a point,” Kael said. “Alright, get in the saddle, lass. Mine, if you like.”
I was pulling myself up and onto Auren’s back in seconds, gripping the saddle horn tight.
“We’re going to make the general think his precious keep is under attack,” Lorien explained. “Draw him and all of his riders out, while I sneak into his office and find out what the hell is in that cupboard of his.”
“I need to go to the palace.” Everyone turned to stare at Cora. “Not to report the lot of you, but…” Her lips pursed. “There’s been a lot of… concern about the general’s ability to lead the corp. My brother is king and he must be alerted of this development.”
“Fly slowly,” Kael suggested. “Then the king can come wandering into the keep once we’ve done what we need to.”
“Gods…” Sparrow hissed. “I wish I had a dragon. I’d fly with you. Putting the wind up the general sounds like such fun.”
“Well…” Lorien looked her up and down, then pulled off his jacket and helmet. The jacket was draped over her shoulders, the helmet on her head. “You can ride one today.”
“Lorien!” I said.
“Need someone to pose as me on ‘Fang’s back while I sneak into the general’s office.” He patted his dragon’s side. “You’ll look after Sparrow, won’t you, brother?”
My friend didn’t give him a chance to reply. She had the jacket on, the helmet chin strap tightened in seconds, then was up on ‘Fang’s back. Lorien climbed on behind Kael, ready to fly.
“Not what I meant when I offered to share my saddle,” Kael grumbled, but with a nod, he gestured forward. “The corp dragons are about to rise, so we need to get moving before them.”
“Get me as close to the general’s balcony as you can,” Lorien said. “It’s been some time since I’ve scaled the side of someone’s house and ‘let myself in.’”
“You got it, brother.”
At Kael’s response, our dragons moved as one. Sparrow letout a little whoop, then cleared her throat, trying to pitch it deeper, right before we took to the air.
‘Fang’s rider knows I will allow him this attempt to discover the contents of the cupboard in a more circumspect manner, my dragon said as her wings worked.But if he fails, I will ensure we succeed.
I leaned down low, feeling the rush of wind on my face.
With me by your side, I said, a wild grin spreading across my face.
