Page 10

Chapter Ten

R eign

The rush of chilly air nipped at my nose, but the breeze from the oncoming winter in the Court of Ethereal Light was nothing compared to that of my homeland. There the winter bite was savage, much like the Shadow Fae themselves. Still, the cool wind iced my temper and calmed my raging shadows after the confrontation with Draven.

If only he’d been more amenable, I wouldn’t have been forced to take such extreme measures. I only hoped my nox hadn’t left any permanent damage. After forcing the headmaster to send word to King Elian about my impending arrival, I’d infiltrated his mind and erased all evidence of my visit. With those blasted shackles finally removed, the excision of memories should prove permanent.

Almost there . Phantom’s words sailed through my jumbled thoughts.

Good . Despite having run through a dozen different scenarios, I still had no idea how this visit with the king would end. One entirely possible scenario was with me back in manacles, spending the rest of my days in the dungeon of the Ethereal Castle.

But, no, I couldn’t allow that to become my reality. I must succeed today, for Aelia. I massaged the void in my chest, the spot just below my collarbone. Today, the bond was oddly quiet, as if appeased by the onslaught of rage I’d unleashed upon Draven.

Damned bloodthirsty cuorem.

As we soared across the verdant lands, growing ever closer to King Elian’s home, a swirl of dread worked its way through my core. I attempted to focus on the steady pounding of Phantom’s wings to slow the manic pace of my pulse. Breathing deeply, I sought to tether my heart’s mad thrumming to the consistent beats of her measured flaps.

All will go as it should . Phantom’s grim voice did little to quell the panic.

I’m surprised how calm you are considering how much is at stake. It isn’t only my secret I may be forced to divulge today.

It is not for Fae, royal or otherwise, to decide to whom a dragon bonds. You are mine as I am yours. A king cannot change that . A chuff of annoyance punctuated the end of her thoughts, and I found my heart swelling. Coming from my dragon, that was quite a warm sentiment.

It was not warm. It is merely a statement of fact .

An unexpected chuckle eased the tension in my chest. Well, I appreciate it all the same .

At that moment, the clouds parted, revealing the Castle of Ethereal Light ahead. The gleaming structure rose from a sheer cliff of shimmering white stone, its base entwined with cascading waterfalls that spilled into a radiant lake below, their waters glowing faintly with golden luminescence. The soaring spires and turrets reached toward the heavens, their golden tips catching and refracting Raysa’s endless light in prismatic hues.

The central dome of the castle sparkled like a massive jewel, its surface a mosaic of stained glass. And surrounding the castle was a series of bridges, arcing gracefully over mist-laden chasms. The bridges, too, glowed faintly, as though woven from strands of pure light, connecting the castle to smaller floating terraces across the falls.

It had been years since I’d experienced its radiant beauty, its aura of serenity and power. No wonder Father avoided it like the plague. It was too pure, too glorious, a true testament to all that was Raysa and her luminous splendor.

It was a pity that King Elian held nothing of that splendor. Or had everything I’d heard about the Light King only been malicious slander from my father? Either was possible from what I’d learned over the years at the Conservatory.

At the Umbral Court, rumors abounded that it had been Elian himself who’d ensured the former king, his brother, Alaric, was killed so that he could finally sit the throne. As the only heir to the Court of Ethereal Light, he was the only one in line for the title. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

My own father had his siblings murdered in their sleep the night before his coronation. It was a wonder he didn’t do the same to Ruhl or Dom. I almost understood why he’d allowed me to live. As a bastard, I was hardly a threat.

Incoming . Phantom’s frenzied pitch sent my head spinning over my shoulder.

Gods, how could I be so easily distracted?

Instead of the troop of Royal Guardians I’d expected, an enormous slate dragon appeared through the clouds. Muttering a curse, I urged Phantom to loop around.

Why is your brother following us ?

That is a very good question, old girl. One I plan to get the answer to immediately, before Ruhl ruins everything . Can you manage to keep your temper in check ?

If I must …

Mordrin soared closer, the wide expanse of his wings sending a bluster of wind in our direction. Irritated, I pushed back the wild strands of my hair before splaying my fingers and sending my own welcoming committee of dark minions.

“Get out of here, Ruhl, before you utterly ruin my plan.” I threw my voice through my shadows, the pinch of my brother’s expression confirming the delivery of my message.

A responding swirl of shadows shot across the pale blue divide. “What in Noxus’s name do you think you’re doing, brother? Have you lost your damned mind?”

“You have no idea what is going on in my mind right now.”

“How could I when you’ve been nothing but a sullen, taciturn, moody bastard for weeks!”

My fingers twitched, digging them into Phantom’s warm scales the only thing keeping me from lashing out. I wanted to ring his damned neck. “Bring us down,” I hissed at Phantom. “I need to speak to my brother in person before I lose all control and impale him against a wall of shadows.”

Would that be so bad ?

“Phantom…” I growled.

No response this time, only the angling of her wings as we began to descend. Ruhl followed suit, the immense gray beast dipping his head toward the lush fields below. As we glided farther away from the sprawling confines of the castle, a golden glint caught my eye, circling in the west.

Good gods, not another dragon.

Is that Solanthus ? I shot the question through our mental link and Phantom’s wing flaps only grew more agitated. Well, is it ?

No response.

Phantom !

I can only carry on one mental conversation at a time. Her growl vibrated across my skull. Give me a moment.

With one last leisurely flap, Phantom’s talons hit the earth, the rumble echoing through the treetops of the surrounding woods.

“Well?” I blurted aloud.

Yes, it was Solanthus.

What is he doing here?

Following us .

Muttering a curse, I slid down her enormous leg and hit the ground . Did you tell him why we came?

I did not. I told him I would inform him of the situation if we succeeded .

And he accepted that as an answer?

He didn’t have a choice .

Before I could continue this exasperating conversation with my skyrider, Mordrin landed a dozen yards away. My brother leapt off his dragon and all thoughts of Phantom were replaced by the frustration of Ruhl’s presence.

“Why are you here?” I snarled as I marched toward him, my shadows hissing and coiling across my arms and shoulders. “For years, I saw nothing of you, and now, you’re a constant thorn in my side.”

“What can I say? I’m trying to make up for lost time.” That idiotic smirk had my fingers twitching to wrap around his throat once more.

“I will only ask once more before I allow Phantom to have her way with you.” A deep rumble vibrated from behind me and a chuff of warm air skated across my nape.

Ruhl’s dark eyes lifted over my head to meet those of my snarling dragon and Mordrin moved closer, flanking his rider. With a dramatic sigh, my brother dug his hands into the pockets of his leathers. “Mordrin and I were on Aelia-scouting duty, and we saw you two zip across the sky.” He shrugged. “I was bored so I decided to follow.” He inched closer, eyes pinned to my own. “And it was a damned good thing I did, because I am certain nothing good could possibly come of you visiting King Elian.”

“On the contrary, it’s the first good thing I’ve done since Aelia was taken.”

That smug expression faltered for an instant, and instead of the joy it should have brought, it only exacerbated my irritation. Noxus, he actually cares for her .

“And what is it exactly that you’re planning to do?” he barked, seemingly unable to slip on that usual mask of indifference.

“Whatever it takes! I must discover everything I can about King Helroth and the Night Fae.”

“Including betraying Father?”

“Yes,” I hissed.

“And what if the great Light King knows nothing?”

“Then I will erase every shred of the conversation, and the only thing I will have lost is more time.”

A bitter laugh dribbled out. “You truly believe you’re strong enough?”

“There’s not a doubt in my mind.”

“I see the delusions have begun.” An annoying smirk curled the corners of his lips. Apparently, my little brother was still capable of being his usual pain in the ass after all.

“Taunt me all you want, brother, but you will not stop me.”

“Fine, then I will go with you.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. “I am visiting the king as an envoy for the academy, what will your excuse be?”

“An envoy from the Court of Umbral Shadows. I am the future king after all.” His shoulders lifted nonchalantly.

“Your presence will only fluster the king, muddle my efforts and further implicate Father in all of this. Why can’t you simply let me do this alone?”

The line between his brows furrowed, and he took a step closer, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Because I cannot trust you not to botch it up, and this is too important, Reign.”

Of course he meant Aelia. He didn’t have to say her name—I saw it etched in the tightness of his jaw, the careful way he avoided my eyes. And damn him, he wasn’t wrong. She was too important. But that didn’t make the sting any less brutal.