“You should disband the Dragon guard and send them back to the mountain,” Imogen suggested, glancing at my mate. “We need to return to the castle.”
“Of course.” Turning to the Dragons behind us, Braxton called Tharion, Spartan, Athina, Alkor, Fulgur, Spike, and Star to us, the rest taking to the skies and returning to the mountain. “Let’s go.”
“Lady Willow, will you do me the honor of letting me give you a ride home?” Kingston’s voice called our attention, and we turned to see him standing before my best friend, his hand extended towards her.
Brax and I exchanged an astonished glance while Willow seemed frozen in place. Her shocked gaze focused on my guardian’s outstretched hand, waiting for hers to take it. “A ride? As in, on a Dragon?”
An endearing smile tilted Kingston’s lips, one he only reserved for her. “Yes, I would love to take you home on Spartan… If you will allow me, of course.”
Oh, my heart.
“Holy shit,” Braxton whispered next to me, and I elbowed him when he diverted Willow’s attention to him.
She blinked. “Me, on a Dragon…?”
“She’d love to,” I answered for Willow while my mate and I glared at her to accept.
Swallowing, she returned her attention to his offered hand, slowly sliding her hand into his. Instant tears glistened in her eyes at the feel of his soft skin. “I’d love to, Kingston.”
“Thank you,” he breathed, as though his soul had finally returned to his body with her acceptance. His fingers curled around hers fervently, holding her tightly before he began to guide her away.
Spartan lowered his wing onto the stage for them, and Kingston carried Willow against his broad chest, climbing to his Dragon’s back one step at a time, not to startle her. While his strong hands held her to him, she clung fiercely to his neck, her gaze never leaving him.
Placing a kiss on my temple, Braxton smiled triumphantly, like he’d just accomplished a goal he’d set a long time ago… Bring Kingston and Willow together. “Let’s go.”
Imogen and Midnight headed the convoy back to our mountains while Quinn and the rest of Braxton’s guard shared a ride with mine—their new companions were assisting in returning our people to safety. Jumping onto Tharion and Star, we headed towards our mountain too, watching the first Dragons already entering the Hidden Kingdom.
As we flew back, I noticed Braxton’s body abruptly become rigid on Tharion’s neck, and his head snapped to the right. When I followed his gaze, every inch of my body contracted too.
“It’s Azazel!” Braxton shouted. “Get everyone back, now!”
“Brax, don’t—”
“Go!”
His urgency swallowed my protest, and I knew I had to make sure our kin made it into the mountain. This was what it meant for us to rule together. No matter how hard it was to leave his side, I had to trust my mate to fight his own battles, and I knew he could handle himself around Dragons. Even Azazel.
Star shot forwards with my silent request, and the guard and I flanked the few rides left to enter while Braxton and Tharion flew towards the four-headed beast. Asher flanked him on Athina.
Having guided everyone inside, Star and I hovered over the entrance to our Hidden Kingdom, and I watched with bated breath as Braxton stood on Tharion’s head, facing off with Azazel. The beast didn’t move; he didn’t charge. His four heads just rose and fell slowly as he observed him. Several sun-seconds passed, but Azazel just stared at them.
No. Not at them. At my mate.
Unlike past encounters, Raithian was not with the beast, and from what I could see, he didn’t seem to have any intention of attacking. He was surveilling him again. Braxton had confessed to Azazel following him on a few occasions after Raithian’s attack, but experiencing it today shook me to my core. The way the beast watched him…
This could only mean one thing. It was a warning from the Warlock King. A reminder that he was lurking in the shadows, and he could destroy us all if we didn’t give him what he wanted, now…
Braxton.
* * *
“I’m done with his threats,” Braxton growled when we entered our quarters, removing the cloak from his back.
“Thankfully, no one noticed,” I added, glancing to the window that overlooked the courtyard and market. Music filtered through it, reminding us that the party was still going strong even though night had arrived.
“I know. I’m grateful too, but it doesn’t matter, Evie—”
“Of course, it matters,” I assured, walking to his side, and cradling his cheeks. My gaze held his meaningfully. “Today was a good day, Braxton. It was a wonderful day that they will soon not forget. Neither will I.” I reached for the tiny gold wing on my neck. “And this is all thanks to you.”
