Leaning toward him, I cast a daring smile that exuded judgement. ‘That they can’t do it all that well.’
Before he could respond, I claimed victory and walked away toward my dragon, who lowered herself for us on the ground.
Laughing, River joined me, and we quickly seated ourselves on her back.
‘Hold on to these spikes here,’ I said, placing his hands on my sides and pointing to exactly where they needed to remain to ensure his safety. ‘Or if it’s too difficult, just hold on to me. I’m used to the wind. You might find it abrasive.’
‘You know I am a trained soldier, right?’ he said in a grudging tone. I thought I might have offended his masculinity.
Questioning physical capabilities never failed to rile fae males up. It was almost funny.
‘But you’ve never flown on a dragon before, right?’ And to test my theory, I pushed against his arm to check his grip.
Hand slipping, the king flustered before murmuring a hushed reply laced with uncertainty, ‘I’ll give you that one, Princess.’
Ultimately, with a unanimous decision, he flew with arms gripping me like a child on a horse ride with their parent. It did wonders for my pride, especially since not so long ago he claimed I wasn’t physically coordinated.
Karma is a bitch.
The dragon’s wings unfurled, the rush of wind sweeping through my hair before I even realised we’d left the ground.
With the skies clear of any obstructions and the weather providing mild warmth, we spent hours flying above forests, villages, fields, and even a secluded cottage on the peak of a tall mountain.
Though his arms tightening around my waist made the flight less comfortable, I found humour in how the king tensed every time Anya dipped or soared higher. Eventually, as he held on to me even tighter, I couldn’t hold the laugh in any longer.
River chuckled behind me too. ‘I am glad you find it funny, little witch.’
‘I always thought that the big, bad King of Fogoya was fearless.’
At my taunt, he pushed out a wave of flames, sending my powers into a frenzy. I held on to the spikes tighter, making my bonded growl in warning.
Hovering over my ear and sending shivers down my spine as his breath tickled my skin, he whispered, ‘All I’m hearing is that you always thought of me. Am I everything you dreamed of?’
Forcing my mind to ignore the passionate purr of his voice, I derided, ‘Talkabout warping reality…’
River’s large arms tightened around my waist, making my mind cloud to the point my beast roared in my head, urging me to “snap out of it.”
‘Let’s warp this reality and land there,’ he said, pointing towards a medium-sized town surrounded by mountains. It was but a speck from our height.
‘Why there?’ I asked as Anya angled downward.
‘I like it there,’ he said, and something in his tone told me there was more to it than that.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Avari
The wind still hummed in my ears long after we landed. Walking through the cobbled street, it felt like I had gone back in time. The architecture, stuck in another era, had a charm the new builds lacked. Though slanted and imperfect, the burnt bricks and chipping paint called to my soul. The faint scent of woodsmoke and baked bread lingered in the air, mingling with the warmth of the sun.
‘What is this place?’ I asked, breathing in the village as if its essence might answer back. It smelled fresh and like freedom.
Shoulders relaxed and a smile taking over his face, River said, ‘Where I wanted to move before I became king. I built a house and everything.’
I didn’t think the scenery fit his persona. ‘You wanted a quiet life?’
‘Why do you seem surprised? I enjoy privacy and simplicity,’ he winked, making me wonder whether he was being serious.
‘You just seem so complex and outgoing,’ I said, laughing. ‘I would’ve assumed you’d live in a city that never slept.’
