“Thank you.” I drank deeply. “Crossing a jungle is much easier when done from above.”
“I didn't take your wings into account.” He sat down beside me.
“I'll be all right. I just need to rest a bit and eat.”
He rummaged in his satchel and pulled out a couple of cloth-wrapped parcels. Inside them were traditional Tabaa flatbread, cheese, and dried meat. “I'm sorry, it's only travel rations. We can't make a fire this close to the fortress.”
“This is perfect.” I took some cheese and nibbled on it while Raven removed some thin pallets from his bag and unrolled them.
Raven went to lay out pallets in the middle of the clearing and then returned to eat with me. His men followed his lead, setting out their pallets around ours before sitting down in groups to eat. Two of the knights took up guard positions on opposite sides of the clearing. By then, the sun started to set.
A few of the knights brought out little camp lanterns with enchanted light spheres. The light was minimal enough that itwouldn't give away our location, but bright enough for us to be comfortable. Still, it wasn't like there was much to do in the semi-dark jungle. Raven and I retired to our pallets fully dressed. There were no blankets, but the jungle was warm, and so was my mate. We lay facing each other, Raven's arms around me and my wing tucked over us both.
“Tomorrow this will be over,” Raven whispered.
“We still have to find the rest of Bara's customers and free any captives they've taken.”
“Yes, but Nahel will be dealt with. And there aren't many more of Bara's customers left. We'll be finished with this by the time my dread arrives for your presentation.”
I nodded and snuggled closer to the King, the sounds of his knights settling onto their pallets sifting through my feathers. My presentation to his dread seemed years away. I couldn't see past Nahel yet. Once he was in chains and his experiments destroyed, maybe my future with the Dragon King would feel more real. Until then, I was on the hunt, and that took precedence.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The next morning arrived, misty and warm. We made a fire and had a hot meal before we packed up. Raventar forged the path this time, and his lava-glass blade cut back the growth enough for me to move unhindered. I worried about him using so much energy on this, but we weren't far from the volcano, and it took less than half an hour to break through the jungle.
Coming out of the humid plant-embrace was a relief, but it was short-lived. Mist clung to the black expanse of lava rock before us, softening the razor-sharp edges of the glossy stone. This would be the most difficult crossing yet. Not just because of the vicious rock, but also because there was little cover to be had. If Nahel saw us, we'd be easy targets. And a field of lava rock did not make the best fighting terrain. You had to keep to established paths, where the rock had been crushed. The smooth, untouched surfaces sometimes hid air pockets or were simply fragile and gave way to sharp threads. One slip or a misplaced step, and you could end up shredded.
“Foxren,” the Dragon King called, his stare on the black border between us and the volcano.
“Sire?” The Dragon knight appeared beside his king in a second.
“Scout ahead. Find us the best path and locate the entrance.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Sir Foxren pulled on a pair of black gloves, donned a black cloak, and pulled the hood over his head.
He stepped into the mist and vanished. I knew where he was, and still, I couldn't see him.
“Do you have a cloak for me?” I asked my mate.
Raven shook his head. “But I have a bottle of coal dust. We'll coat your wings, and they should be enough to conceal you.” He went to a patch of grass and motioned for me to join him.
As I sat down, the other knights found perches as well. The King sat beside me and took my hand. We all stared forward, watching as the sun rose to burn away the ground mist. Even when the mist was gone, I couldn't see Sir Foxren.
The sun and my mate's solid presence lulled me back to sleep. I woke up in Raven's arms, his hand on my face.
“There you are,” Raven murmured. “It's time to go, Mate. We have our path.”
Blinking and squinting against the sun, I sat up. Sir Foxren was back, talking with the other knights. The Dragon King stood and helped me to my feet.
Steadying me, he asked, “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I just need to wake up.” I yawned as I watched the knights get into their cloaks and gloves. “Oh, the coal?”
The King pulled a bottle out of his pack. “Turn around.”
I turned, and he sprinkled coal dust over my white wings. I frowned as they quickly turned dark gray. It would be trouble to get them clean again, but it would be worth it if I made it across the lava rock without being spotted. I'd hate to be the reason Nahel noticed us.
With my wings as dark as they could get, Raven handed me a pair of black leather gloves. “Stay close to me and as low as you can.”
