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“Thank you.” Though my simple words of gratitude are too small to encompass the enormity of what transpired, the priestess nods and motions us to the door in a clear sign of dismissal.

Outside, bright daylight stabs at my eyes. I locate the veil I left outside and place it on my head.

Seemingly unfazed by the sun, Sterling holds my hand and guides me down the path away from the temple.

Once we reach the edge of the forest, the world rushes back with the urgency of running feet. I squint in an attempt to see who’s approaching.

Agnar, Blair, and Leesa barrel toward us, their panic infectious.

“What is it?” Sterling jerks my hand, tucking me behind him as if to protect me from whatever sent them searching for us.

“Drachen have been spotted!” Blair gasps out between breaths, his words slamming into me with the force of a physical blow.

They’re back…before we have the answers we need to stop them.

ChapterTwenty

Sweat slicks my palms. I wipe them on the fabric of my gown, smearing charcoal down my white funeral dress to dry my hands and ready them for my sword.

Blair’s words coil around us like a serpent.

Please let them be mistaken.

My heart races, recalling Nyc’s cryptic visitation.

Did she know? Did the priestess? Is this why she wanted us to leave the temple when we did? Is she still guiding my feet on the path she wants me to take?

Beside me, Sterling’s expression hardens, the lines of his face set in disbelief. “What did you just say?” His low growl is the rumble that precedes a storm.

“Drachen were sighted.” Agnar ties his coppery hair back with a leather cord. His grave tone cuts through fragrant garden air heavy with the scent of blooming roses, dragonflights, and jasmine. “We’re ready to fly out and fight as soon as you give the word.”

“They’re in a location we’ve used for drills before, which is how our scouts spotted them.” Blair jerks a thumb over his shoulder. “We’ll gather the troops and be in the air in minutes. They’re already assembled at the palace for training. We can?—”

“No.” Sterling’s silver-streaked wings unfurl with authority, casting shadows over the manicured lawns as we finish entering the courtyard proper. “Take us there now. I want to know how many we’re dealing with first.”

I don’t hesitate.

When I spread my wings to prepare for flight, Sterling opens his mouth as if to order me to stay. I raise an eyebrow at him, daring him to try it.

Out of all of us, I’m the only one who can call fire easily. While Leesa’s also a fire elemental, her magic is weak without eyril. And so far, only fire, which chased them back when they attacked the palace en masse, has proven effective against the drachen.

Sterling nods in concession. “Let’s go.”

Agnar swoops Leesa into his arms, her small frame secured against his broad chest. With a powerful leap, he takes to the sky. Blair follows suit, his movements fluid despite the tension that tautens every muscle in his body.

I have only a moment to wonder where Bastian is before mimicking Agnar’s impressive ascent. The palace gardens shrink beneath us, a tapestry of greens and florals stitched into the earth.

We rise above the trees with Agnar leading the charge. He angles southeast, away from danger’s nest where Dame’s eggs lie hidden, and my breath catches in relief.

The dragons are safe. For now.

After flying beyond the palace grounds and over a seemingly endless parade of trees, a lake comes into view. The sapphire waters interrupt the emerald foliage to reflect the sky’s brilliant blue.

Tension in the air ratchets up as we descend and land on the warm clay bank. The breeze caressing my face does little to cool the heat of worry burning inside me. Around us, the serene, sun-kissed day continues in blissful ignorance.

Leesa’s finger trembles as she points, and I trace the line of her distress to where the bodies lie. An alicorn family—male, female, and foal—sprawled on the grass, their once magnificent wings now still and stark against the vibrant life of the clearing.

My throat tightens. These majestic creatures didn’t deserve such a demise, and I can’t help but picture Zephyr, the spirited alicorn I rode at Flighthaven, in their place.