Behind him, Katama’s massive tail moved like a whip, curling around Remy’s waist, physically dragging him back two steps with unimpressed precision.
Remy stumbled slightly, glaring over his shoulder at his dragon. “Seriously?”
I arched a brow, lips curving into a smirk. “Dragon chaperones. Who would’ve thought?”
Kaelith huffed approvingly, eyes glowing with amusement.
Remy sighed, brushing ash from his coat and shooting Katama a long-suffering glare. “We should get back.”
I bit back a laugh and nodded, still holding the pouch close.
We had what we came for.
I mounted Kaelith as Remy settled atop of Katama.
The wind carried us back to the Ascension Grounds, the air cooler now, the light fading into the kind of gold that madeeverything look more forgiving than it really was. But as soon as Kaelith landed, I noticed the sharp edges waiting in the shadows.
Zander and Hein stood at the center of the field, both as still as statues, the tension between them coiled like a drawn bow. Hein’s wings were half-flared, tail twitching in that slow, predatory rhythm that said he knew something. And Zander—gods, Zander—his arms were crossed, his gaze locked onto Remy with the kind of precision usually reserved for enemies on a battlefield.
I slid down from Kaelith’s back just as Zander approached, his boots striking the stone with purposeful steps.
“Do you have all the ingredients?” he asked, his voice sharp and focused.
I nodded quickly. “I have the ash. Remy has the rest.”
Zander didn’t even look at me then. He turned to Remy, that death stare intensifying, jaw ticking. “Are you going to bring the ingredients to my father’s chamber, or do you plan to hit on my girlfriend some more?”
My heart leaped.
Girlfriend.
Zander had never called me that before. We’d danced around it, bled beside each other, held each other through battles and spent the night together—but we’d never said it.
And now he had.
Remy raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Both,” he said with a grunt. “But we should try to save King Emlem first.”
He shot me a sideways glance, grinning slowly and easily. “I’m confident Ashe isn’t going anywhere.”
Kaelith rumbled with amusement. Hein didn’t. He looked about one breath away from snapping someone in half.
But me?
I just stood there, a little stunned, a little breathless, because Remy was right. I wasn’t going anywhere.
Zander said nothing more as he turned, leading us with silent urgency through the castle’s winding corridors. The weight of the moment thickened with every step, the marble halls feeling more like tombs than royal chambers. Remy fell into step beside me, serious now, the satchel of precious ingredients clutched tight against his chest.
When we reached the king’s chambers, two guards stepped aside wordlessly at Zander’s approach. The door creaked open, and a wave of stillness rolled over us.
The air inside was too quiet.
King Emlem lay motionless in his ornate bed, the silk sheets nearly swallowing his frame. His breathing was faint—shallow and ragged—each inhale sounding like it was pulled from the edge of death.
My throat tightened.
Zander walked to the far side of the chamber, placing his hand against the window ledge, palm flat.Kaelith,he called silently across the bond.Drop it.
I felt the shift a heartbeat later. The magical barrier Kaelith had been holding around the king. The protection dissolved with a faint ripple, like warm mist fading in the morning sun.
