"Perhaps. But I won't pretend." There's a ferocity in his eyes I haven't seen since he slayed his grandfather. "She was given that name by those who stole her away in the night. Remaining Ilaria Shaye Kitarni will only hold her back."
"If you believe that, then you don't know her. It's just a name -"
"There is no such thing as just a name. Names bear power. They harness lineage. Ilaria Shaye Kitarni is a relic of a tormented past. Aurelia Basilius-Sol is who she is – who she was always meant to be. She doesn't feel worthy enough to claim it. One day, she will."
I smirk, willing to risk his ire. "Then I suppose it will be really tough for you to address her as Lady Harland."
"With all due respect, I will never address her as such." There's a joviality in his tone that purges the tension in my shoulders.
"Can't say I'm surprised," I laugh.
Thrane starts to walk down the hill. "Don't forget to give Aurelia my message."
Seven
Shaye
As requested, Nyx and I make our way to Fendruil to meet with Thrane. Drexel has not been himself since Armas' death. He's become destructive, irritable, and hasn't been eating much if at all. At first, Sylvane believed he was distraught over the broken bond, but instead of Drexel flying north to take solace like some riderless dragons do, he stayed and has been wreaking havoc since. He won't permit anyone close to him and he has been growling like a mangy dog.
It hurts to see him act like this. I don't know Drexel well, but if asked to describe him, I'd say he was calm, poised, and strong. But he's not like that anymore. If I'm worried, my mother and even Thrane are ten times more concerned.
When Nyx and I come around the corner, we find Drexel's pen is in complete shambles. We overhear the stableboys explaining to my mother and cousin how the alpha dragon slammed his head against the wooden beams and stomped so ferociously he cracked the floor. No longer in the heat of frustration, Drexelnow paces despite the back of his pen being open for him to take flight. He's apparently refused flight time in addition to going on a hunger strike.
"What are we going to do?" I fold my arms across my chest, tearing my eyes from the pitiful sight. "We can't leave him like this, can we?"
Thrane rubs a hand down the expanse of his chiseled jaw, gaze zoned in on the mighty beast. "Drexel will be cared for as best as he will allow. We cannot delay because he is grieving."
"Is that what he's doing?" I ask. "Grieving Armas?"
"I've seen dragons grieve and it doesn't resemble this." My mother's cool and even-tempered voice wavers. "This… this is something else."
Worry floods me. "Is he… dying?" I whisper.
"I'm afraid I do not know," she admits. "I've only seen dragons fall in battle or fly north once their rider passes."
A lump forms in my throat and I force myself to look upon Drexel again. He continues pacing, his eyes are distant, as if he's caught in a trance and shows no interest in returning to the real world. Armas and Drexel hadn't seen one another in years from my understanding. Why he would grieve for him – why he would give up the will to live – for such a wicked man, is beyond my comprehension.
"We leave in a few days," I mutter. "We have to do something to help him."
"Wait," Nyx's brows arch in confusion. "What do you mean you're leaving in a few days? The ship sets sail tomorrow. What's going on?"
I bite my bottom lip. There was a reason I'd avoided telling Nyx about our plans. He wouldn't be on board and I didn't feel like arguing. But I suppose the secrets out, might as well brace for battle.
"We are flying later," I confess. "It won't take us as long to arrive in Tronovia and we are planning to make a detour."
"Detour?" He frowns. "What kind of detour?"
"We will be flying north on an excursion per Sylvane's request," Thrane says matter-of-fact, as if that will end the conversation. Clearly, he underestimates Nyx.
"Without protection?" Nyx shakes his head, eyeing me like I've betrayed his trust. "Not a chance."
"Last I checked," Thrane coos, taking a step between me and Nyx, "you are not ranked high enough to have an opinion on the matter."
"I was assigned to protect Shaye - "
"By your king," Thrane interrupts, his icy eyes narrow. "Aurelia's protection is no longer your concern. I'm not quite sure why you're even here when this dragon matter is family business and has nothing to do with you."
Nyx doesn't hesitate to stomp forward, only stopping when I slip between the two men and place my palms against their chests. "Nyx, don't."
