The sudden change of direction is so abrupt that Lyra almost doesn’t manage to get out of the way in time. A torrent of ice flames streams past her only half a second later. Alistair throws a blast of fire magic at it, making steam explode through the air.
But the distraction is enough to give the other silver dragons a moment to reorganize their ranks.
I finally manage to break the connection to my magic right as the entire row of them surges towards us. Slamming another violet flame of pain into the closest chest, I try to force them back while Draven swerves around Bane’s attack. But it’s too late. Jessina accomplished her goal.
Lyra and Galen are about to get swarmed.
I scream in panic as the silver dragons reach them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Purple dragons slam into the silver ones. I let out a cry of pure relief as Diana, now flanked by ten of her own people, crash into the silver dragons before they can completely swarm Galen and Lyra. High-pitched screeches split the air as the purple dragons clamp teeth and claws into their enemies.
Pleasure flows through me as I keep increasing the pain in the silver dragon’s chest, but another one breaks away from the pack and speeds towards Draven instead.
My protectiveness over Draven overrides my addictive need for magic, and I immediately cut the connection to the other dragon and slam a flame of fear into the new attacker. Pleasure floods me again, chasing away the harsh coldness that I was hit with when it disconnected.
The dragon screeches in fear and flees, giving Draven time to dodge Bane’s next attack.
Again, again, again, my treacherous mind chants.
Releasing my magic, I shove it into another dragon. It drops halfway to the ground as I flare the violet flame of pain into a wildfire.
“The wards are down!” Hana suddenly screams from whereJessina is holding her and Severin in her claws. “The wards are down now!”
I snap my gaze towards the Unseelie Court.
My heart jerks when I can no longer see that slight shimmer in the air, like water moving over glass, that normally surrounds Orion’s court.
Jessina roars, and the silver dragons who were attacking Galen and Lyra and the Purple Clan start trying to disengage so that they can no doubt speed towards the Unseelie Court instead. My heart leaps into my throat as several of them manage to get past while Draven is still fighting Bane.
They speed towards the border.
“Orion!” I scream over the rushing winds and booming wings.
Orange dragons crash into the charging silver dragons.
A whoop rips from my lungs as Rin Tanaka and some of her soldiers, all in dragon form, hit the silver dragons before they can reach the border of the Unseelie Court.
Throwing his head back, Draven lets out a roar as well. Then he breaks away from Bane and shoots straight for Jessina.
She breathes ice flames at him and swoops upwards, still gripping Hana and Severin in her claws. Draven blocks the ice with real dragon fire and then slams storm winds and lightning straight at her. Behind him, Bane roars in fury and charges after him.
I grip the spikes before me hard, hair escaping my tight bun, as I desperately try to keep my seat. Disconnecting my magic, I try again to hit Bane and then Jessina. But it bounces straight off whatever shield Severin has created for them.
My stomach lurches as Draven rolls in the air to avoid Bane’s claws. While still shooting lightning at Jessina, he swerves his head around and breathes fire at Bane, barely managing to block the ice flames that streamed towards him.
Another white bolt of lightning splits the air. Jessina lets out ascreech as it almost hits her left front leg. The one that is holding Hana and Severin.
Bane roars in rage again and then plows forward in blind fury.
With a twist, Draven manages to evade him and speed back towards the Unseelie Court. Whipping my head around, I desperately search for the Icehearts. Jessina remains with the bulk of their forces, who are locked in a furious battle with Galen, Lyra, Alistair, Rin, Diana, and parts of the Orange Clan and Purple Clan. But Bane chases Draven with blind rage in his black eyes.
My pulse pounds in my ears as Draven shoots through the air. But Bane is massive, and he is gaining on us fast. I snap my gaze towards Orion.
Down on the grass, Orion’s mouth is moving. But over the beating of wings and rushing winds, and the pounding of my own heart, I can’t hear a single word.
Draven shoots past above him with Bane right on his heels.
