It’s madness.
Unless she’s hoping I’ll follow her.
The thought slides into my mind like a blade between ribs. Is that her game? Lead me to the castle, let me be captured?
Is this her way of delivering me to Snow, after all?
The thought feels wrong the moment I think it. It doesn’t fit.
It makes no difference either way because I can’t follow her. I won’t. I have a mission of my own, one that can’t be ignored.
The dragons begin their descent, and to my right, I can just make out the green of the court.
Directly below us lie the deadlands. A bleak, gray expanse of rotting vegetation and twisted trees.
We land ten or twelve clicks from the Shadow Court. Close enough that Isla can make her way on foot. Far enough that we won’t be spotted by patrols.
The dragon beneath me touches down, squelching in the mud. I swing my leg over and drop to the ground, my boots sinking slightly into the soft earth.
The other dragons land around us. All six remain in their beast forms, their great bodies coiled and watchful. Their eyes track every movement. Their breath fogs in the cold air.
I make my way toward Isla.
She’s already dismounted. She stands with her back to me, adjusting something at her waist. A small pack with supplies for her journey.
Isla turns, the hood slipping from her head. She looks beautiful, and I hate that I notice. I hate that, even now, even after everything, the sight of her makes something squeeze inside me.
“So, this is goodbye.” She takes a step back, putting distance between us. Her voice is light, but there’s something underneath it. Something that doesn’t quite match the casual words. “Good luck in finding the kings. Maybe I’ll see you on the battlefield. I’ll look out for you.”
Everything in me goes taut. My hands want to reach for her. My voice wants to call her back. I fight it. I fight all of it.
“For the last time, don’t do this.” The words rasp, filled with emotion. “Have the dragons drop you off near a settlement. It isn’t too late to change your mind about all of this.”
“I’m going.” She shakes her head. “There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. I have to do this.” She licks her lips, looking like she’s thinking through what she has to say next. Her eyes meet mine. “We’ve always been destined to go our separate ways. Well, this is it, Sebastian.” She straightens her shoulders. “Goodbye.”
She starts to turn away.
I reach out and take her hand, pulling her back. Then I kiss her.
It’s not gentle. It’s desperate and fierce and full of everything I can’t say. Her lips are soft beneath mine, and for one endless moment, the world narrows down to just this. Just her. Just the warmth of her body against mine and the way she melts into me despite everything. She kisses me back, her hands gripping my biceps.
When I pull back, her eyes are wide. Her cheeks are flushed.
“Okay, then.” A small smile tugs at her mouth. It doesn’t reach her eyes. “I wasn’t expecting that. I guess we’re leaving as friends, after all.” She lets out a breath that sounds almost like a laugh. “Lucky me.”
“We’renotfriends, Isla.”
Her smile falters for just a moment before she rebuilds it. “Of course not.” She pulls her hand free. “Because friends actually trust friends. All the best.” She turns again.
“We’re not friends because I wouldn’t kiss my friend.”
She nods, starting to turn again.
“Wait…please.”
She stops but doesn’t turn back. “What?” There’s an edge of annoyance in her voice, reminding me of her grit, of how much I like her.
“If you insist on breaking in…” I force the words out. “Please be careful. Promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks.”
