When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. His breath shuddered out. “We did it.”
“We did,” I whispered.
He smiled, a small, weary, devastating grin. “I’ll never stop thanking the fates for you.”
The words undid me. My throat burned, my eyes stung. I wanted to say everything that filled my chest, but instead, I kissed him, gentler, slower, a promise instead of a victory cry.
Around us, the air began to stir again. The groans of the wounded carried across the field, followed by cheers from all.
Trew slid his hand down to mine, linking our fingers.
We walked together through the wreckage, helping those in need, calling for healers. Trew directed his staff to start cataloguing what they’d need to rebuild. Our boots crunched over the ash-strewn earth. Pherin fluttered from a broken fencepost to my shoulder, her tiny talons digging in, trilling once. Gavelle soared above us, his sharp gaze surveying the area for threats.
As we passed, a few people clapped. Others joined in, until the sound grew, cheers rising through the air like a second sunrise.
“Blessings on you, King Trewyn,” a woman cried.
“And on the warrior who fought beside him,” another shouted. “She brought back-up just when we needed them.”
Heat rushed up my neck, but Trew’s hand tightened around mine. He inclined his head to the crowd, and when I tried to lower mine, he tugged my chin up. “You’ve earned this.”
I stood straight beside him as we walked through the ruined streets. A few warriors from Trew’s regiment saluted as we passed, nodding not just to their king but to me. For the first time, I felt like part of something bigger than my own fight.
Lakast waited in the field beyond the village, a mountain of scales and molten eyes, his wings folded tight against his sides. The dragon lowered his head as we approached, his low rumble of acknowledgement vibrating the ground.
Trew looked at me, exhaustion and pride warring across his face. “Home?”
I nodded. “Home.”
The dragon nudged Trew’s shoulder before dropping to the ground. Trew helped me climb to the top and settled behind me, his arm snugging around my waist. I nestled against his chest, my head tucked beneath his chin.
“Ride or fly,” he called out to our companions.
They landed on Lakast’s spine behind Trew, settling together as closely as I did with this man I loved like no other.
Seeing Kerralyn, I called out. “Take Kyreth back to the aerie?”
She saluted me with her crossbow.
A quick glance around showed that most of those who’d ridden with us were mounting, my friends among them. Each loss sliced into my bones.
The flight back to the castle was a silent dream. The world fell away below us, a blur of forest and plains painted in the colors of twilight. The only sounds were the steady, powerful beat of Lakast’s wings and the thud of Trew’s heart. My eyes drifted shut, the bone-deep ache in my body soothed by his gentle touch.
Dusk had crept across the sky by the time we landed in the aerie. Trew slid off the dragon’s back, helping me down.
Gavelle and Pherin soared out through the open gate, aiming for the castle. They’d sleep well tonight.
“See to Lakast, please,” Trew called out to the stable hands who rushed toward us.
They bowed and nodded, telling us all the dragons would receive the best of care after their battle.
Outside the stable, I staggered, quickly righting myself. Trew caught my hand and tugged me close. He gently lifted me into his arms and started striding toward the path leading to the castle.
“I can walk, you know,” I said.
“You’re a fierce warrior. Seeing you battle…You’re amazing. You carried the kingdom today. Let me carry you this one time.”
The battlefield still clung to his clothing, but he held me like I was the only war he’d ever surrender to.
