“Fuck.” Lorien shook his head. “No.”
“From Auren’s back. There were… dragons everywhere.” My brow creased. “Fire and lightning and acid?—”
“Where, brother?”
Kael stood before me, the command in his voice forcing my mind to quiet. I swallowed hard, feeling the rise of a salty bile in my throat.
“In the bay. Kael, I saw her fall and drown.”
As if to mark that confession, the sounds of dragons bugling filled the air. The scrape of claws, the shift of massive bodies as they made their way out of the den.
“Then we need to do our level best that does not happen.” Kael slapped my shoulder. “Have Argent communicate thevision to our beasts. We’ll coordinate how we mean to stop this from happening while we’re in the air.”
This is why we were bound together. By myself, I’d have gotten lost in the possibilities, unable to make a move to alter the course of fate, but as a wing? I clambered onto Argent’s back, something settling inside me as I gripped the saddle horn.
We’ll ensure your mate survives this day,my dragon told me.This and every other day. She belongs to us.
Gods, I felt that to the depths of me in a way none of them would understand. They were in the first throes of their infatuation with Fern, but I….? I’d been in love with her since childhood.
Those were the visions I saw as we took to the skies. Of a toddling child, then a pretty little girl, one who loved books and art and collecting ‘treasures’. A child that met the wrath of that horrible mother of hers with a kind of equanimity I frankly envied.
This and every other day, brother,I agreed.
It was my destiny to see these visions. Now I needed to do whatever it took to ensure this one did not come to pass.
Chapter 25
Fern
Ready?I asked as Auren back winged, only to land next to me seconds later.
I’d been given some flying leathers which meant my skirts didn’t swirl around me disgracefully as they had before. Tugging the helmet on, it kept my hair smoothed back and protected, then I slid the goggles over my eyes.
Of course.
There was something tight about her tone, but she stuck her neck and foreleg out obediently. Right as I went to climb up, hands landed on my waist. With a yelp, I looked back to see Lance standing there. He shot me a smile, then helped set me on Auren’s spine, nodding when my hands wrapped around her spire.
“Looks like one of the lads set your queen up with a saddle.” His hands moved swiftly, unbuckling two long pockets on the side. “When you first start riding, these are a big help. You shove your boots in there.”
Touching a lady’s leg would be considered the height ofimpropriety at home, but this was the keep. Morals were considerably more lax, something I needed to remind myself. I did as I was instructed and instantly felt my calves begin to relax.
“Supports your legs, keeps you safe until you’ve built up your rider muscles.”
Lance shot me a bright smile as he stepped backwards.
“If I develop rider muscles,” I corrected.
You will. Auren’s voice sounded dark inside my head.We must be strong, you and I.
I’ll try, I replied,but none are stronger than you.
Hmm…
Without another word, she started forward, leaving Lance to jump free. He scrambled into Viridian’s saddle, the green dragon taking wing not long after we did.
Did something happen this morning, my queen?I asked, my mind brushing against the dragon’s hesitantly because I couldn’t think of anything that would trouble such a magnificent beast. Auren’s power, her assuredness, was like a beacon, showing me where I needed to go.
Many things. A wing of dragons flew off in front of us with a familiar gold dragon leading the way.Lumina says we are going to train above the bay.I dared a look over the side of the dragon and instantly regretted it, holding on tighter to the horn of the saddle, glad for the support now.I will tell you more after this exercise is over, Auren amended,because there is much to share.
