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"That's my sister."

"I'm aware."

"Clearly too aware."

Rhyven turns so quickly I almost walk into him. "Not now." His voice drops. Dangerous again. But now I see everything underneath it. Gods. How did I miss this? No. That's unfair. He barely knew. Maybe. Fuck.

I run both hands over my face. Think.

Eirea. Varethia. Missing first-year. Hollowborn back.

This is bigger than whatever fresh nightmare my best friend just dropped into my life. Deal with one disaster at a time.

"Fine." Rhyven turns away immediately. "But you're not going alone."

He keeps walking. "See you there."

I stop. "What?" He doesn't. "Rhyven." Nothing. "RHYVEN." The bastard is already halfway across the landing field.

I swear. Loudly. Several soldiers look. "Fuck off." They look away. Good.

I turn back toward command. Need field authority. Need transfer. Need someone to cover ground response. Need Dax. Need Maelis. Need horses.

Need— A shadow passes over me.

I look up. Vyrael. No. Not yet. Rhyven reaches him.

The ancient dragon lowers immediately. Whatever argument they've been having through their bond is apparently continuing because Vyrael's tail lashes once hard enough to send dust across the landing ground. Rhyven doesn't care. He grabs the harness. Mounts.

I start walking faster. "Corvell!" No response. Of course.

"Is he authorized?" Someone near me asks.

"No."

"Should we stop him?"

I look at the largest dragon I have ever seen. Then at Rhyven. "No." I'm not sure anyone could.

Vyrael spreads his wings. The entire landing field clears instinctively. Rhyven looks toward me once. From above.

I point at him. "You are a fucking asshole."

His answer doesn't reach me. Maybe there isn't one.

Vyrael launches. Wind slams into the field. I brace. Look up. Black wings. Dark sky. Then distance.

Rhyven doesn't circle. Doesn't wait for formation. Doesn't wait for anyone. He turns Vyrael north. Toward Varethia. Toward Eirea.

Five minutes ago, I thought I knew my best friend.

Now I know one more thing. Something I genuinely wish I didn't. Rhyven Corvell is in love with my sister. He hasn't said it. He doesn't need to. And apparently the idiot has decided the appropriate response is to fly four hours into the night before I can punch him about it. Fine. Later.

If everyone survives tonight— I'm going to kill him myself. I watch Vyrael disappear into the dark.

Then turn toward command.

"Get me transport."