Thank you. I couldn’t dream of having a better companion.I let him feel my emotions as I delighted in this shared experience. I’d ridden dragons before, but flying with Cinared was a completely new experience. First, our mind link removed all my worries. Second, he was warm. My excursion with Vahin left me as cold as an icicle. Now, I thoroughly savoured the ride, and even the harsh wind currents couldn’t dispel the heat radiating from the dragon’s scales.
Why is it so different?I asked, sending him a mental image of my recent flight.
My brother belongs to the storms; I am fire incarnate. Mischief flashed in his mind, and suddenly, the edges of his wings burst into flames, trailing a plume of fire and smoke in the clouds.
‘Are you out of your mind?’ I coughed, grasping the crest harder.
My instincts recoiled in terror when smoke engulfed us. I could only hope no one watched from below because the burning silhouette of the dragon would spark panic in the bravest of souls.
Haven’t you learned that the fire will never hurt you? The same aether I arose from is now woven into your blood. You’ll reign over the flames with me, the fire and the skies.His voicebrimmed with ancient power, but despite his reassurance, I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking.
Cut it out, the people below have enough on their plates without worrying about eldritch horrors flying over their heads.
Oh, but where’s the fun in that?he said, pure joy filling his soul, and mine. The fire died down, but the lingering power still shimmered over his scales, as crimson as blood, the ridges now gleaming with gold.
The grey walls of Truso appeared on the horizon, growing larger with each passing moment. He was faster than any dragon I knew, and even with his prickly demeanour, I couldn’t deny this feeling was worth dealing with his occasional reproach.
Reproach? I was holding back. The amusement in his thoughts made me smile, but it soon faded, returning to the wistfulness I’d felt before.I was angry when your pain reached me through the clouds. But the power that awakened your Wild Magic, the one that bonded us, was stronger than time and space. Now, my insolent human, I think that maybe… just maybe, you’ve always been my fate all along.
Chapter 29
Roksana
The weather changed the further south we travelled. The blizzards and freezing winds gave way to a rain that soaked through every piece of clothing, no matter how thick. We’d already travelled for over a week, slowly traversing the hidden paths to Tivalaran’s borders. It didn’t help that the night fell early, forcing us to make frequent stops wherever we found shelter.
Irsha, whilst as close to me as a brother, was not someone I wanted to share a damp blanket with. Fires were few and far between, not even my magic managing to light the soggy wood. Which meant I spent far too long in Irsha’s arms, and my temper had frayed to its last thread.
‘Why are you so worked up?’ the assassin asked when I urged the horse into a trot again. ‘No need to punish the animals for our pace. Besides, we’ll be in Tivalaran by tonight.’
‘We should have crossed the border yesterday, not still be trudging–’ I paused, taking a deep, calming breath, then pressing a hand to my forehead, checking for illness.I shouldn’t be this angry, and this weakness… There’s no fever, and myskin is clammy.With a sigh, I tried to recall if anything matched my symptoms, but my memory didn’t supply an answer.
‘Sana, what’s wrong?’ Irsha leaned over, placing a hand on my shoulder. His expression was so full of concern that I clamped down on my irritation.
‘Nothing, really. I’m just tired and fed up with this rain. My panties are so wet my c– myarseis chafed raw,’ I said, forcing a smile. Irsha reached for my hood, pulling it further over my face before spreading my cloak over the horse’s back.
‘There’s a town just over the border with a decent inn.’ His words were like the crackling of fire to my frozen bones, warming me with the promise of a cooked meal. That is, until he added: ‘But we need to slow or the horses will collapse before we reach the town.’
‘Irsha, we have a job to do. You know I love you, but I’ll kill you if we don’t get there soon,’ I said, sighing at his expression.
‘I promise we’ll take a room and a hot meal tonight.’ Irsha shook his head with a dramatic eye roll that looked so ridiculous, I couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘I’m glad I pushed you into Reynard’s arms.’ He pulled away, grinning. ‘Your bossiness isn’t as annoying with this needy streak you’ve developed.’
‘Oh, you smug bastard. I’m needy? Who was it rubbing his bare chest over Lily’s pillow?’ It was good to laugh, even a little, and I held on to the cheerfulness and banter to keep going.
The rain mercifully stopped, leaving the next few hours of travel bearable. As the sun slowly descended below the horizon, the sky glowed until the light faded and the stars began their nighttime dance. It was a beautiful evening, but I couldn’t help the sense of dread.
‘Irsha, do you feel any different?’ I asked, trying to keep my voice casual, catching the reins sliding from my trembling fingers.
‘Different how?’ he asked.
I was grasping the pommel of my saddle with every ounce of my rapidly fading strength. The sensation was worse than my menses. Scrap that, it was worse than a cold, menses, and the worst hangover combined.
‘I think we might need to stop earlier than we planned.’ My voice shook when I answered. I hated to call for a stop after pressing on him to rush to the borders, but my body refused to listen as I slowly slid off the horse.
‘We’re too close to stop now… and where? In a forest full of wolves?’ His voice made me grind my teeth, his figure blurring before my eyes.
Either Irsha’s as strong as an ox, or I’m the only one affected,I thought as a cold sweat pooled under my collar, while my heart beat like a caged bird. ‘You can do it, Sana,’ I muttered, reaching into my jacket. My fingers closed over a small vial containing a powerful stimulant. I had a decision to make. This cocktail would give a six-foot warrior inhuman strength for hours, only to leave him unable to even lift a finger after the effect faded.
I hope this isn’t a mistake,I thought, popping the cork and tipping the sweet, sticky contents down my throat. The reaction was faster than expected. My heart picked up its pace, the fog blanketing my mind disappeared, and my eyesight returned to normal as the mixture of herbs and magic gave me energy I didn’t know existed.
