Page 243 of Of Masks and Fury

Not really, though the plan was crazy.

Addie glanced toward the window. “It’ll be dark soon. I need to get ready to leave.” She was already pushing herself out of bed.

“We’ll leave within the hour,” Trew said. “That gives you time to eat and pack.”

Trew and I left her to prepare and walked through the castle corridors in silence. My mind raced with everything that needed to happen and every way this could go wrong.

“Talk to me, Minx,” Trew said quietly.

“Armies march, Skathes hunger, and the veil threatens to tear reality apart.”

“That’s only three things to take care of.”

My snort rang out.

“You’re the only certainty I have left,” he said. “And I’m holding onto that as tight as I can.”

Stopping him in the hall, I rose onto my toes, claiming his mouth in a kiss that poured every fear and hope into the contact between us. His arms banded around me, holding me close enough to feel his heartbeat.

We broke apart, both smiling. “When this is over and we’ve sealed the veil and ended the war and saved everyone, promise me again that we’ll have time for just us. No crises, no battles, and no world-ending threats.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “Knowing us, peace might only last a few days before we find new trouble.”

“I’ll take it.”

We continued toward his suite to get ready.

Dusk layered the sky in deep amber and violet as we mounted fresh dragons. Pherin settled on my shoulder, her energy renewed after a short rest and food. Gavelle would fly ahead, scouting the route south, though the two would take turns with the duty, resting with us in between.

Our friends’ companions rode or flew with us, Lexie’s Levar in dragon form with the others mounted on his back.

Addie rode Nim in dragon form. She looked stronger and more herself, though I caught the tremor in her hands as she gripped her companion’s neck spike.

“Stay close,” Trew called as we flew away from Syllavar Castle. “Do not hesitate to tell us if you need help.”

“Will do,” she said with a pert nod.

The dragon’s powerful wings carried us south. I looked back once, watching the castle shrink behind us, wondering when we’d see it again.

Trew’s arm tightened around my waist. “We’ll be home before you know it.”

“I cannot wait.”

We flew hard through the darkness, the rhythm of Wairen’s wingbeats marking time. Addie kept pace on her dragon, her determination clear in the set of her shoulders.

The night stretched endlessly around us, stars wheeling overhead in their ancient patterns. Trew’s breath warmed my neck as he leaned close.

“I’ve been thinking about what we talked about in the hall,” he said. “I want to take you to a place where no one can find us. One with a soft bed and good wine and absolutely no need for dragons.”

I smiled despite everything. “You’d miss Lakast within a day.”

“Possibly.” His lips brushed my ear. “But I’d have you to keep me occupied.”

Heat bloomed low in my belly, chasing away the cold fear. “Is that a promise, Your Majesty?”

“A vow, my queen.”

Somewhere in the wasteland ahead, our friends waited. Fenmark. And the veil that might tear our world apart.