Iclimbed onto the dragon’s back, settling between the ridges of his spine. With a powerful surge, we launched into the night, soaring so high the stars felt within reach. The ring of snowy mountains sprawled beneath us. Tyson’s vast wings beat against the wind that tasted of winter and night-blooming flowers.
Why does mate carry sadness?Tyson asked.
I wish we could stay here forever,I confessed, the thought a sharp ache.
We stay,he declared.This is our territory. Mate is safe in my realm.
We’ll have to return,Killian said, his tone grimly practical.Ruin has only retreated. The war is far from over.
Let worlds burn,the dragon countered, fierce and single-minded.Only mate matters. I guard what is mine.
Killian fell quiet. Perhaps he was thinking the same. I knew with chilling certainty that neither the man nor the dragonwould ever choose the world over me. It fell to me to be the sane one, the one who remembered our duty.
We’ll return after the ride,I whispered, pressing my face against the sapphire scales.But we’ll always have this.
No sadness. No fear. I protect.Tyson vowed with the absolute certainty only a dragon could possess.We’ll stand between you and the evil god. He returns, and we burn him!
His fierce promise lodged in my throat like a shard of ice. Soon, I would have to break their hearts. For I had made a silent vow of my own: I would stand between my father and them, no matter the cost.
After our flight, Tyson returned me to Killian, and he brought me a blanket and a steaming mug of tea, bundling me until I was swaddled against the chill. He knew my power, yet he would always be overbearing and overprotective; it was in his blood. And I let him spoil me.
I didn’t need to be argumentative to show how strong I was. I wasn’t Sy. In fact, I never bothered to display my strength, beauty, or charm. As long as I had a roof above me, my shiny treasures in my shoebox, all the food I could eat, and Killian to ride, I was happy.
I snuggled against Killian, listening to him complimenting me and encouraging him to say more. He was never a liar; what he promised, he delivered. Who would have thought the realm’s most ruthless and coldhearted heir had such a deep well of tender words?
I nestled closer, resting my head on his chest until his steady, powerful heartbeat synced with my own. His arm wrapped around me, holding me as if he could trap me there forever.
But you couldn’t trap time.
And then, it was time to return.
“I love you both,” I murmured, just as he opened the portal back to Shades Academy. “So much.”
He smiled. “Show me how much tonight.”
Love you, mate,Tyson said proudly, his voice a contented rumble in my soul. “Just so you know,” I added, “everything I did, I did out of love.”
Then we stepped through the portal into his penthouse, our hands still linked.
The heirs jumped at our sudden appearance. They were already gathered in the sitting room, surrounded by maps and half-empty glasses, deep in a strategy debate.
“What took you so long to come back?” Silas complained.
“We had to start the meeting without you, Killian,” Louis added.
“Next time, bring us with you,” Cade chimed in. “We need to be able to reach you. War waits for no one.”
Before I could find my footing, Sy rushed over and pulled me into a fierce hug.
“What’s that for?” I asked.
“I have so much to tell you about me and sugar,” she began in a rush.
“Sex can wait,” I said, extracting myself. “Gossip can wait even longer.”
“How was it?” she pressed, her golden eyes bright. “I wasn’t there to watch this time. Was the make-up sex good? Tell me everything.”
I’d just told her no gossip! Yet, even with so much Icouldn’tshare, the urge to confide in Sy was a physical ache. But more words would only risk my secret and hinder my move.
