We crept through the woods, trying to keep our footsteps light, but sticks kept snapping beneath our boots. I was sure whoever worked at the aerie would hear us coming from cliks away.
At the edge of the woods, we stopped, milling around, studying the moonlit open area we’d have to cross to reach the entrance of the enormous stone aerie. The dragon nest had been built on thecrest of the cliffs so that dragons could fly out of their stalls and into the valley beyond. The mountains loomed darkly around us, and a brisk gust of wind from the valley nearly knocked me off my feet.
Moonlight painted everything silver-soft, the kind of light that made ordinary moments feel like magic.
“Have any of you ever ridden a dragon?” Kerralyn asked softly.
“It’s like riding a horse, only with wings, right?” Derren asked, frowning at Lexie.
She nodded. “That’s right. A big horse with scales and wings. They’re placid creatures, right, Isi?”
I shrugged. My father didn’t keep dragons, and neither did other courts in my part of the realm. I’d heard of them, of course, and even seen one or two fly overhead, but I’d never been near one myself.
“Other than in the southwestern part of the court, does anyone know where Greenhaven is?” I asked softly.
Maybe this was a foolish mission on my part, but I couldn’t placidly go to bed without making sure Trew was alright. It wasn’t about his magical tongue or fingers. It was about him as a person.
I really was falling…
“I know where it is,” Kerralyn said. “And I’ve also ridden on a dragon—with my friend. So follow my lead.”
We nodded, relief touching all of our faces.
As we slipped inside the dark aerie, the low rumble of restless dragons housed in stalls on the right side of the long hall made my pulse spike. Their growls vibrated through my bones, a bass note that harmonized with the wild beating of my heart.
“Saddles are in here,” Kerralyn whispered, pointing to a large room on our left full of tack.
I’d just stepped inside when a voice like silk laced with steel stopped me cold.
“Going somewhere?” Kira stood in the stable entryway, her arms folded on her chest, torchlight painting sharp lines across her face. Her eyes shot to my leathers, then to my friends flanking me.
“We were going to take a few dragons for a late-night ride,” I said carefully.
“Warriors can’t ride without the king’s permission.” Kira’s voice came out reasonably enough for her. “Surely you know that.” Every syllable carried authority, the kind that made you feel simultaneously admonished and protected.
Lexie’s lip curled up at one corner. “And yet, here we are.”
“And back to the castle you’ll go, or I’ll make you.” Flint gleamed in Kira’s eyes.
Kerralyn met my gaze, as serene as ever. “I’m sure she means well.”
I didn’t believe that for one instant.
Derren’s glare shifted between us and Kira, and I could tell he was caught between loyalty to me and the fear of what might happen if we forced this.
“Alright, you caught us.” I made my voice sound even. “We want to follow Trew?—”
“King Trewyn, if you please,” she clipped out.
She said his name like a caress, as if she had the right to taste it on her tongue.
A feral beast rose in my chest, and it hungered.
“Hedecides that, not you,” I said. “A village is under attack.”
Color flamed in her face. “The king’s handling the situation.” She strode forward, stepping into my space. “Your role is to remain here. Train. When you’re ready, and only your instructors can indicate that, then you’ll be sent to the front where you’ll be able to battle all the Skathes you please.”
Her gaze slid over my leathers, lingering long enough to make the heat rise in my cheeks. “Until then,” a subtle sneer came through in her words, “you’re just another untested warrior playing dress-up in armor you haven’t earned.”
