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The arrogance in her reply made me smile.

Could mate protect us?she added.

Possibly only the queens?—

If we safe, easier to protect flight and young.I like this plan.

So do I, but I can’t promise it’ll happen.

I trust.

She was putting a whole lot of trust in me already, and that in some ways was scary.

Not, came her reply.We kin.

I smiled.We are.

I reached back into my pack, grabbing some jerky to munch on while I watched Damon. His spelling was close to culmination now.

I think,Kaia said, after a few minutes,will allow.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what in the wind’s name she was talking about.

Saddle,she said.Can use. Ride atop, behind neck spines. Leave claws free.

My heart began to beat a whole lot faster—and while there was no denying some of it was based in fear, most of it was excitement. To soar high in the sky astride her would be… Well, it would be the realization of a long-held fantasy.

I cleared my throat and somehow kept my voice on an even keel.It also means I can more easily use my fire to protect us both.

Fire kill winged ones?

Don’t know yet.

Hope do.

So do I.I climbed to my feet and stretched my limbs—immediately regretting it when my shoulder protested and sent pain spearing down my left arm. Painkillers were immediately added to the must-get list.You should rest the night, Kaia, to give the patches time to work. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.

We fly? Check dead rider?

I hesitated and then nodded. My father might not be happy about the prospect, but he’d also realize that getting hold of their armor was a vital step forward in finding a means to get through it.

Kaia rumbled her satisfaction, then lowered her head for a final eye ridge scratch. I happily complied, then picked up my pack, walked over to grab Damon’s, and continued on over to Kele. She was perched on one of Gria’s outstretched claws, leaning back against the edge of one nostril, her expression a mix of delight and disbelief.

“You’re game, resting so close to a drakkling’s mouth.” I stopped and offered her my right hand. “If she dreamed about swooping down after capra and opened her mouth to capture one, you’d be dinner.”

She laughed, caught my hand, and bounced up. “No doubt, but hey, what a way to go.”

“Says the woman who fussed about a little knife stab.”

She laughed again and picked up her pack, trailing behind me while I walked around the sleeping Gria and across to Damon. He turned as I approached and smiled wearily. His face was pale and so drawn it was almost skeletal, and his eyes were sunken pools of faded blue and red. He didn’t say anything, he simply caught my hand, drew me into his arms, and held me. His weariness washed over me, a cloak so thick it was almost stifling.

“That was a lot harder than I thought it would be.” His voice was cracked and whisper soft. “It usually takes two of us to raise a shield of that magnitude.”

“For Túxn’s sake, Damon, you should have said?—”

“Perhaps.”

“There’s no perhaps about it, husband. Next time, mention it.”