“Kaelith, no—” I started, but it was too late.
She lunged.
Remy barely managed to dive and roll out of the way, scrambling to his feet with a hand on his dagger, though he didn’t draw it. Not even he was foolish enough to try to fight her.
I darted between them, palms up. “Kaelith, stop! Don’t do this—to Katama, not to me.”
She growled, steam curling from her nostrils, but she didn’t strike again.
“He may be a jerk,” I added, stepping closer to her, “but he’s a powerful one. And we need him fighting with us.”
Remy stood, hands raised in surrender, breath ragged. “I’m not trying to hurt her,” he snapped. “But you are a target, Ashe, until Zander chooses someone else. And the realm knows it.”
Kaelith’s growl deepened, a low rumble that shook the stone under our feet. Then her voice curled into my mind like thunder wrapped in silk.
Tell the imbecile that if anyone touches you, the Unifier himself will burn this treaty to the ground. And every dragon will return to the lost continent—with or without their riders.
I turned on her, heart pounding.You can’t mean that.
I do.Her eyes locked onto mine.You and Zander would leave Warriath with us. Hein and I know this. But should this kingdom turn on you first…
I swallowed hard.We will… but the hatchlings. The Dragon Isle. The others?—
We have relocated before,she said simply.And we will again if needed.
Remy said nothing. He waited for me to explain what she said. When I did, he looked as if I had slapped him.
Kaelith stepped back, one massive wing folding protectively between me and him.
Warriath might not know it yet… but the dragons had already chosen. Their allegiance was not to the crown. It was to me and Zander.
The silence between us was taut and trembling.
Remy’s jaw clenched. “How can you do this?” he demanded. “How can you put your personal life above the protection of Warriath?”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
His voice cracked, not from weakness—but from fury barely held in check. “You talk about love and choice and rebellion like they’re virtues. But this isn’t a story, Ashe. This is a war. And your choices, they have consequences. You know what Zander’s role is, what your bond means. You’re choosing your feelings over the entire realm.”
I didn’t speak.
Because there was nothing to say to that. He was wrong. He had to be.
“You’re right,” he said, breath sharp. “I don’t know you anymore. The Ashlyn I knew… she wasn’t capable of this kind of selfishness.”
The words hit like a slap.
But I stood tall, chin high. “I guess you’re finally seeing me for me.”
My voice didn’t shake. Not even a little.
“But then… I see you, too. And honestly?” I let my gaze sweep over him, cold and cutting. “I’m not impressed.”
Remy’s face twisted, raw and furious. “You’ve changed,” he hissed. “And not for the better. You’ve let power twist you. You’ve let him twist you.”
I didn’t flinch. Not even when he added, “Maybe Theron was right. Maybe you’re the threat.”
That one hurt.
