“That is not for me to say, but Javier, when he is ready.”
I took in the way Teddy rubbed at the base of her neck, the way she kept her attention on the green grass at Sama’s feet. Had Elias not wrapped her in his arms, I would have.
The air thickened with the growing strain, and I bit my tongue, waiting for the right moment to cut through it.
“The Elder dragons need to return home with our riders to see how we can help,”Sama said, his tone final and sharp teeth on display.“I’d rather we leave tonight, but we can wait until all riders have their affairs in order.”
“No.” That single word came from Elias.
From her usual spot in the yard, Nalari snarled. Not intimidated by his grumpy dragon, Elias simply crossed his arms, setting his mouth in a stubborn, thin line.
“You say the dragons in your realm are in danger,” Elias said with a shake of his head. The violet of his eyes dimmed in color before they flared with an all-encompassing black. “A realm we didn’t know existed until a few beats ago. A realm we know nothing about. You may be an Elder, and you may haveonce ruled Niev, but you are not in command here. I am the king of Niev,”—he thumped an open palm over his chest—“and I am charged with her citizens. I do not permit you to endanger Javier’s, Brenton’s, or Everly’s lives without knowing more.”
The fire behind Javier’s eyes blazed so hot that all we were missing were sticks and some s’mores, one of my favorite treats from the human realm.
“I’m a citizen and warrior of Niev, but I am also a dragon rider,” Javier said with a lift of his chin. “I vow to protect all life, even in exchange for my own. A dragon is not a mount but a partner, and their well-being takes precedence. I serve with honor, integrity, and honesty. I practice compassion, courage, and self-control while also staying true to myself.Those are the codes I swore an oath to. You are Niev’s king, but I am not merely one of your warriors. I am a dragon rider. I go where my dragon tells me to go. If he says dragons from his realm are in danger, then that’s where I will serve.”
A deep sense of satisfaction wrapped around my mind through the mental connection Sama held open for all of us. It buzzed, warm and smug, feeding the grin I wrestled down. I leaned back, just enough to look relaxed, even if my pun was already flapping its wings, ready to escape.
“Do you have a plan in place?” I asked, letting the pause stretch before my grin took flight. “Or are you going towingit?”
Teddy snickered, and I shot her a wink she couldn’t see through her frail human eyes.
“Brent,” Elias warned, but I saw how the corners of his mouth ticked up slightly.
The restless coil under my skin slackened.What can I say? I have a gift.
But some moments called for more than well-timed jokes.
“I agree with Javier,” I told Elias, my tone losing its tease. “I understand your fears, but if Hoshiko wants me to go to hisrealm, then that’s where I’ll go too. Even if I’m annoyed with him at the moment.”
“There are things I cannot tell you without endangering the lives of others.”His words came out low, almost apologetic.
“Got it.”I gave a short nod, my jaw locking as I kept my voice even. The indifference I reached for slipped, but I held my ground. I wasn’t about to let him see how much he’d hurt me.
“Brenton—”
Elias nodded, letting his head droop before he held himself upright, cutting off whatever Hoshiko was about to tell me. “If the Elders want to take their riders with them, then Nalari and I will go as well. That is the only way you will have my approval.”
Teddy sucked in a sharp breath, and Elias tugged her closer to his side. I heard the way he reassured her and saw the way she yielded to him.
I expected Sama to argue with Elias, but was surprised when he agreed.
“Finley will also be going with us,”Sama said, a far greater shock than his easy agreement.
A rumbling growl emanated from Hoshiko’s throat. My own throat constricted, and I coughed to clear it.
Teddy’s eyes sharpened, locking on the Elder dragon like she was calculating how to tear him apart. My chest went warm and full because, with no hesitation, my sister would put herself between me and whatever this was.
I straightened, forcing my shoulders back even as Finley’s name hit like a blade through my heart. A year without seeing her. My tongue dragged across my dry lips, but my voice stayed even.
“Why do you want Finley to go?”
“She is not going with us,”Hoshiko said in my mind.
Teddy pointed at Hoshiko, whose growl grew deeper. “I agree with whatever he’s thinking.”
I smirked, not bothering to hide how good it felt to have them at my back. Still, I waited for Sama to reply.
