“You want to know if I am leading you to your deaths.”
Heads nodded, though no one moved to run or strike her as she admitted, “I cannot tell you, not with certainty. I will do everything in my power to convince the generals to side with me against the threat that may be coming for us if Vane and Soren do not succeed. Is that a good enough answer for you?”
The girl glanced at Jona, and he nodded. “It is enough. You are a rider now, my queen. You’ll learn we tend to stick to protecting our own.”
As if in response, Valhamnor roared, crawling up the side of the mountain.
We should return to your camp, princess.
Cion’s lips parted.You’re finally speaking to me?
You made the right choice, trusting the godling and her demi-god consort. And besides, as ‘queen’, you’re going to need me.
Cion shut her eyes briefly as the dragon’s shadow fell over her. When she opened them, all ten of the riders who had followed her to what could be their deaths were kneeling on the stony ground, head bowed.
Something was coming for this world. Whether it was destruction from the hand of a god king or a great changebrought on by the return of magic, she would have the heavy duty of keeping Aren from falling in the wake of it.
“Rise and call on your dragons, riders,” she said quietly. “It’s time to face what lies ahead.”
Chapter 34
Air whistledpast Soren’s ears as Thessa soared into the cloud line. Ahead, where a dip in the mountains lay, there was a shimmer and a pull. Energy surrounded the veil between their realms, the place where Soren had been born of two gods and called home in her first lifetime.
Arcadia.
Vane and Heles soared above her, leaving a shadow in their wake as they pushed ahead. Soren sighed sharply. “Vane!”
He glanced back.What is it, my love?
Let me go first. Just in case.
The connection went quiet, and she shouted his name down it as he and Heles sped towards the barrier at breakneck speed. Thessa didn’t even try to catch them as they hurtled into the space where the veil lay.
“Vane!” Soren screamed shrilly, but it was too late. He was already disappearing behind the shimmer, hazy clouds hiding what lay beyond.
Thessa.
The dragon caught a north wind, letting it carry them swiftly towards the barrier.They’re alive, but Heles tells me we must hurry.
Why can’t I hear them?
The veil was rapidly approaching, but Soren hardly cared, fear for Vane and Heles clouding all other senses or worries.
We’re almost there. Brace yourself.
Soren ducked her head against Thessa’s back as they passed through the veil. For a few seconds, the air felt sticky, vibrating heavily with strong currents of power. They were suspended, somewhere between here and there, until air that smelled like honeytwine trees hit her square in the face. She blinked rapidly against the wind as Thessa hurtled towards the ground and then banked.
Relief swept through her when she saw Vane kneeling atop Heles just ahead. They were on the top of a hillside covered in grass and wildflowers that looked down over a sweeping valley. The air was warmer than it had been moments before, the sun shining through the parting clouds to reveal a blue sky.
For a few breaths, everything felt calm.
But then, Heles roared, the sound echoing off the peaks around them. Fear was cold as it consumed her, but she tamped down the panic, instead sharpening terror into a blade. She still couldn’t see beyond Heles, but something made her feel threatened. Someone was there, waiting for them.
She swung her legs over the saddle, intending to slide to the ground. Thessa rumbled, the low growl vibrating up Soren’s body. She ignored the dragon and dismounted, her feet hitting the ground with a thud.
“Soren,” Vane warned, his eyes just beyond Heles. “Wait.”
She ignored him, ducking under Heles’ wing. But when she saw what lay before them, just beyond sight of the top of the hill, she froze.
