Page 30

Chapter Thirty

A elia

I squeezed my eyes closed before re-opening them once my head finally stopped spinning. Forcing down the nauseating effects of the vanishing pocket realm, I glanced across the clearing, an exact replica of the one we’d stood in only moments ago—well, that is except for the glaring absence of the ominous obsidian walls of Helspire Keep.

The persistent tightness that had settled in my chest relented, and for the first time in months, I drew in a full breath. A swirl of energy sparked deep within the hollow of my ribcage, tiny luminescent filaments reigniting, and a familiar presence awoke. I stretched out invisible fingers, but somehow, it still remained slightly out of reach. And yet, the distant presence was oddly comforting. Just knowing it was there. The impending doom that had been a constant finally dissipated as my gaze settled on my friends’ familiar faces: Rue, Symon, Devin—even Liora’s presence wasn’t quite as loathsome as before. And Ruhl…

After two never-ending months, we would finally be together and have a chance to complete the bond. And now, we were as good as betrothed. I waited for the giddy pulsing of the cuorem, but it remained silent as my gaze lingered on my Shadow Prince.

Kaelith stood by my side, the eternal frown carved into his jaw firmly in place. Clearly, no one had asked him if he wished to become my permanent personal trainer and new shadow. Where would he remain? It wasn't as if he could come back with me to the Conservatory. Could I even return now that my abilities had been unleashed? It would be impossible to keep my nox , and especially my zar undetected for long.

“Well, the Night King certainly was intense.” Symon ran his hand across his nape, clearly unsettled by the experience. “But we survived.” His brows furrowed as if that outcome had been completely unexpected.

I glanced around the foreign shore littered with jagged black boulders. “Where are we?”

“That’s what you’re going to start with?” Rue snapped. “You’ve been gone for two whole months, Aelia!”

“And you’re a Fae princess?” Devin interjected.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Devin with Rue, and despite the chaos, it brought the hint of a smile to my face. I hoped that meant they’d worked things out in my absence. “I know, there’s a lot I need to tell all of you.”

“We’re on the Eryndral Isle, the abandoned island just north of Aetheria.” I barely recognized Gideon, Reign’s Shadow Fae colleague from Arcanum. Why had he come?

My gaze drifted around the circle to my closest friends. And then latched onto my worst enemy.

Reign’s piercing midnight irises never left mine. I didn’t care what he said, I would never trust him. I’d seen the effects of a Fae vow firsthand, and even if he were reluctant to fulfill his end of the bargain, he would have no choice. Not when his father demanded my head.

“I suggest we take this party elsewhere to catch up. I’d prefer to be within the confines of court,” said Ruhl.

“We can’t just go back, can we?” I asked. “With my powers unbound, everyone will discover the truth.”

“I’ve already taken care of everything.” Reign kept his gaze averted as he explained. Smart man. “Your dormitory has been warded and sealed tight. No one will be able to get in or out or even detect our presence.”

“Good,” said Ruhl.

Reign’s head tipped back, and the familiar thunder of mighty wings filled the night sky.

I followed his gaze, tracing the silhouette of a trio of dragons. Sol . I drew in a sharp breath as the sensations swirling around my chest triggered an avalanche of memories: Sol as a tiny dragonlet, curled up at the foot of my bed; us soaring across the mountaintops, my most favorite surly companion. By the gods, how could I have nearly forgotten about him again?

Sol, can you hear me ?

Yes, little Kin, loud and clear now. And fates, it’s good to hear your voice again .

Hot tears burned my eyes, blurring my vision as the three enormous dragons landed in the clearing. Behind them, my friends’ smaller skyriders nimbly followed.

Sol’s golden irises seared into mine, the depth of emotion surging in that gaze filling me with enough warmth to heat Helspire Keep for a year. His serpentine neck swiveled as he scrutinized me, then his head lowered, almost reaching the ground.

I feared the worse, Aelia . His deep voice was a caress to my weary soul.

How could we have been so easily torn apart? Had Helroth broken our bond on purpose or had it simply been an unforeseen side effect of the pocket realm?

“I’m okay, Sol.” The words erupted aloud as I sprinted toward him. Raysa, did I miss you ! I threw my arms around his thick leg, careful to avoid the nubby spikes. I was vaguely aware of an intense gaze fixed in our direction, but ignoring the prickling sensation, I focused only on the gigantic creature in front of me. It was only now, in Sol’s presence, that I realized how much I’d missed him, how a part of my soul had been lost all this time.

Ruhl appeared beside me and placed a gentle hand on the small of my back. His subtle way of putting an end to my clinging to Sol’s leg. “As lovely as this little reunion is, I’m afraid it’s time to fly.”

I glanced around the clearing to find all my friends already seated on their mounts, with the exception of Kaelith, who eyed Sol with a narrowed glare. Reign, too, remained on the ground, dark glare locked in our direction.

How do you feel about a second passenger ? I shot the question to Sol through our newly reforged mental connection as I brought my gaze up to meet his.

I will not serve as transportation to a Night Fae warrior .

Oh, Kae’s not that bad. You’ll see .

No, I will not see because that male’s presence is completely unacceptable. Plumes of silver smoke drifted from his flared nostrils . I will see to it that he meets an unfortunate accident at the end of my fang if given the opportunity .

You can’t !

Gods, Aelia, are you truly defending him? A Night Fae who kept you against your will for months, cut off from everyone who loves you?

It wasn’t Kae’s fault. He was only following my grandfather’s orders. I barely bit back the part about him being the only soul I laid eyes upon for an entire month.

Do not call that evil demonic spawn your grandsire! He does not deserve the title. You may share a trickle of his cursed blood, but you are nothing like him .

“Everything all right, A?” Rue’s question tore me from the escalating internal argument with my stubborn dragon. She peered down at me from Windy’s back, the silver Pegasus pawing at the earth, appearing agitated at the Night Fae’s presence or perhaps my skyrider’s rising temper.

“Yes,” I hissed. “Sol is just being difficult.” I cast a quick glance in Kaelith’s direction, and I could feel Ruhl’s nod as if he already understood the dilemma. Reign too was still quietly observing, brooding—plotting my damned destruction, for all I knew.

“I’ll take him.” Ruhl slapped my former jailer on the back, the immense male barely flinching. “Anything to get moving. Now.”

“Thank you.” Rising to my tiptoes, I brushed a quick peck to his cheek, and he responded with a smile. Gods, I couldn’t wait to be alone with him and give him a proper kiss. Ruhl continued to watch me, something like awe or disbelief in his wary gaze when we parted.

A deep growl vibrated the clearing, the circle of trees bending and groaning at the unearthly tremor. My head snapped in Reign’s direction as his glare grew murderous. Shadows coiled around his form, hissing and spitting, and the field darkened right before my nose, as if someone had eclipsed the sliver of moon above.

My own powers blazed, bristling at the onslaught of nox . My nostrils flared, a second, more potent odor finding its way to my lungs. Zar ? Where in all the realms was that coming from?

Phantom’s massive form stepped in front of Reign, blocking me from his view. She crouched in front of me, flashing a row of jagged teeth and released a snarl. The heat from her breath licked across my face, puckering my skin. I stilled, my entire body tensing at her predatory posture, not understanding her response, as if I had something to do with her rider’s crazed emotions.

Get on. We’re leaving now. Sol’s command left no room for argument, and with Phantom’s hate-filled eyes locked on mine, for once, I had no desire to.

Grabbing hold of one of the many spiked protrusions along Sol’s leg, I climbed up the scaled surface, pleased to find I still remembered exactly how to mount my skyrider.

You mustn’t test Phantom .

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head as I settled into the spot between his wing bones that served as a saddle of sorts. Since when are you and Phantom even on speaking terms ?

Much has happened since your capture, little Kin. His powerful wings beat the air, and my stomach dropped to my toes as he launched into the pitch sky.

Clearly. Brushing the strands of errant hair whipping about behind my newly pointed ears , I somehow managed to keep my last meal within the confines of my belly as he leveled out . Last I remembered, you couldn’t stand to be in the same vicinity as her.

With your disappearance, I had no choice but to give in to her efforts.

Her efforts to comfort you?

Yes . He all but growled the final word, putting a clear end to that topic of conversation. Now, I’m not interested in regurgitating my activities for the past two months but rather insist upon hearing about yours .

Well then, I suppose it’s a good thing we have a long ride back to Aetheria because there is much to tell .