If only I could communicate with him, silently exchangingthoughts, as fae were once able to communicate with dragons before those beasts became extinct.
The Oracle has fallen silent, her eyes closed once more, so for now, I can only trust in my eagle’s instincts.
A moment later, we shoot into the dark night air, and the tunnel we passed through is quickly a blur behind us.
My eagle’s velocity at this point is faster than he’s ever flown before, the force of the air rushing past us threatening to rip me from his back and the Oracle with me.
He must sense it, but he doesn’t slow down, not for another full minute while my muscles scream and I pray I’m not depriving the Oracle of air.
She’s so fucking quiet beneath me now.
Finally, I make out the faintest hint of yellow light in the distance.
The Iron Kingdom is within our reach.
It will be mid-afternoon out there, and the sun will be just past its highest. We’ll be safe as soon as we exit from beneath the black clouds.
The light is close enough to give me hope.
But hope is dangerous. I’ve seen too many of my brethren killed when their guard was down because they thought they were finally safe.
Just as I feared, a final shadow appears in the air off to our right. A single vampyr floating in the night, his dark robes billowing around him.
He remains where he is, too far away, and our speed is too great for him to catch us. But I read his message in his posture. His head is high, and his gaze, malevolent.
My kingdom won’t be safe forever.
I remind myself I have the Oracle now. She’ll change everything. She has to.
A moment later, we sail into the sunlight.
Within seconds, the darkness and the bloodlands are far behind us, and the landscape changes below us.
When I became king, I ordered the creation of a wide strip of protected land all around the edges of my kingdom, building stone towers at close enough intervals that each one is visible to the next. I built up my army and my eagle flocks, ensuring we have as many as possible. My fighters are all properly trained. Each one is bonded to a strong bird.
After the slaughter my father sent the Iron Army into, I was forced to take up a defensive stance. It’s only been within the last year that I’ve contemplated taking any offensive action like the other kingdoms have been able to do.
Of course, I’ve also had the vampyrs in the bloodlands to contend with, but the other kingdoms face their own particular challenges within their borders.
Now, up ahead, the nearest three guard towers appear to be bustling with activity.
As we soar across the air above them, two eagles lift from each of their landing platforms.
I urge my bird to fly lower to meet them, and within minutes, all six birds flank our back and sides, forming a protective shield around us.
They’re always alert for aerial attacks, but the speed with which they lifted into the sky speaks to a level of preparedness I hope means my sister returned before I did.
I haven’t allowed myself to think about her safety since I left the village, pushing those fears away as hard as I can, remaining single-minded in securing the Oracle.
Without being prompted, one of the male riders urges his eagle closer to us. I recognize him as the officer in charge of the central tower.
He offers up a call across the wind. “Princess Cassia returned a few minutes ago. She wanted us to tell you.”
This news is a relief to me in more ways than one. If Cassia arrived sooner than we did, then it means she got away from our enemies quickly and easily, not to mention made it home safely.
“Good.” I acknowledge the rider’s message with a short nod. “I want the number of soldiers and eagles at every tower doubled.Everytower. The chances of a Frost or Ember attack are high. Ensure this message is passed between towers and acted upon immediately.”
“Yes, my king,” he cries. “It will be done.”
