Page 44

Chapter Forty-Four

R eign

Lingering in the threshold of Aelia’s chamber, I watched the gradual rise and fall of her chest, the faint part of her lips, the way that lock of pure platinum hair glistened beneath the pale moonlight. Noxus, she was radiant, and fierce, stubborn to a fault, powerful and mine . For the first time in months, real hope swelled beneath my ribcage. She remembered something about us last night, something real and true, and without any input from me. We would find our way back to each other, I was certain of it. My heart swelled, the feeling of utter joy bloating my happily thrumming organ.

Now I simply couldn’t tear myself away from her. It had taken all my willpower to force myself out of that bed with her curled into my side. She’d allowed me to hold her all night, and I’d barely slept a wink, so thrilled by the honor. And frightened to all hells that if I closed my eyes for even a moment, she would disappear. Or that I would wake up, and it all would’ve been a dream. Drawing in a steadying breath, I reminded myself I had to do this. If Aelia was right, and she was possessing bodies without her knowledge, we had worse problems than I had imagined.

With one last glance at a still sleeping Aelia, I forced my legs through the threshold, despite the ache in my chest. If all went well at Arcanum, I could return before she awoke. Maybe I could even sneak back into bed with her. The idea had hints of heat surging below my belt. Spending the night with her in my arms had been a true testament of my restraint. With the wildly beating cuorem bond urging me to claim my mate, it was a wonder I’d gotten any sleep at all.

I’m here . Phantom’s voice sailed through our bond, tearing my thoughts away from the most important female in my life to the other.

Be right there . Quickening my steps, I hurried across the quiet corridors of the manor. Did you bring him ?

Yes, though he was surlier than usual.

Because of the request or the requester ?

A snort echoed through our mental connection. I’ll have you know, Solanthus and I have made our peace .

You have ? Good gods, how distracted had I been by Aelia that I hadn’t noticed? Care to elaborate ?

Not right now .

What I wouldn’t give to be privy to their past. Dragons were secretive creatures by nature, all the details of their reincarnations were largely kept hidden, even from us, their bonded skyriders. Still, I hoped that one day she would trust me enough to tell me the truth.

When I finally reached the courtyard, an errant breeze drifted across the cliffside, sending dark tendrils of hair across my eyes. Sweeping them away, I focused on the pair of dragons below. Solanthus’s gilded scales shimmered beneath the moonlight while Phantom’s sleek onyx absorbed every ounce of light. I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between Aelia and me and our skyriders.

Only now, Aelia wasn’t simply light, her powers extended across the entire spectrum to include night and shadow. Through Phantom, I’d gleaned the fact that Helroth claimed Aelia had no Light blood running through her veins. I didn’t believe a word of it. From the first moment I met her, the goddess’s rais shone from her very bones. Why would the Night King deny her true heritage? A heritage I’d been sworn to keep secret by her guardian… Perhaps it was time to seek the old Fae out, despite the dangers.

Solanthus would like to know if there is any specific threat he needs to look out for as he plays the role of sentinel . Phantom’s voice tore through my inner musings.

No, nothing expected. But I’m sure she would enjoy a visit from him. Aelia has mentioned he’s been blocking her out .

Phantom’s dark gaze swung to her former mate, a growl rumbling through her immense chest. A wave of irritation pummeled my insides a moment later, hers not mine. Perhaps she’d have better luck forcing some sense into Aelia’s skyrider. With everything going on, she could certainly use his guidance.

He will speak to her today .

Wonderful, thank you, old girl .

“I entrust you with her life,” I called up to the golden dragon. His eyes, smoldering like liquid ore, locked onto mine. Then another growl split the air, this one powerful enough to shake the ground beneath my feet.

He does not appreciate being told what to do . Aelia is his skyrider, and it is his sworn duty to protect her .

“Then maybe he should start acting like it.” I spoke the words aloud despite another snarl from the glaring beast.

Solanthus’s lip curled, flashing row upon row of jagged teeth. His neck twisted in that serpentine motion, similar to the one Phantom deploys right before an attack. But I held my ground all the same, staring the enormous creature in the eyes. There were some things worth saying despite the consequences.

When he made no further move to eat me or set me on fire, I offered a quick nod to Solanthus, then flew up to Phantom’s back. The moment I was seated, her massive wings pounded the air, and we shot up into the night sky.

* * *

Standing beneath the canopy of darkwoods at the edge of the Sombra Forest, I waited. Impatiently. A nervous energy pulsed through my veins, the cuorem thrumming a furious beat at the distance between Aelia and me. After the close proximity we’d enjoyed for the past week, it was angry. And I couldn’t blame it. The sooner I could return to Duskridge Manor, to ensure Aelia was once again within the safety of my arms, the better. Where was he?

No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than the telltale crackle of leaves reached my ears. Then the murmur of hushed voices. I tensed for an instant before the two familiar forms emerged through the dense woods.

“Gideon…” His name tumbled out on an exhale.

Yawning, Ruhl threw his thumb over his shoulder signaling to my old friend. “After your shadow messenger woke me with its urgent demands, I thought perhaps Gideon would have more insight into your question, seeing as I’ve been up to my eyeballs in the Infernal Trials.”

“Yes, happy to help in whatever way I can, Reign.” Gideon ran his hand through his disheveled hair. “But perhaps next time you can wait until morning?”

“It’s too important,” I hissed.

Ruhl’s eyes narrowed, the spark of fear in his sleepy gaze a familiar one. “What’s happened?”

My first impulse was to hide the truth from my brother. It had been my default mode for all our lives, but as much as it pained me to admit, Ruhl cared for Aelia, and I needed his help. “Aelia’s powers of astral possession have emerged.”

Gideon let out a low whistle. “That’s impressive at such a young age.”

Ruhl remained silent, gaze intent on mine, clearly sensing there was more.

“It is, but she has little control over them.” My lips pursed as I debated spilling this rather vital piece of information. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Ruhl or Gideon, it was only that sharing this would make it real. Would bring us one step closer to fulfilling the warnings of the prophecy. “Aelia has been having nightmares. Very vivid ones in which she’s on a battlefield.”

Gideon’s dark brows drew together. “Malakar claims the borders are unstable. He’s been calling more fourth years to the front lines. I thought it was simply a scare tactic.”

“I’m afraid it might be more than that.”

“Are you saying you believe Aelia’s nightmares are real ?” Gideon barely restrained a gasp.

“It’s possible she could be astral possessing bodies in her sleep. It has already happened twice…”

“What? When?” Ruhl’s eyes widened into twin saucers of pure night.

“Last week with the housemaid, and again when Rue visited a few days ago.” I paused, worrying my lip between my teeth. There was no need to go into details about the possessions. As jealous as I’d been over my brother’s feelings for Aelia, I did not wish to rub his nose in our mending relationship. “What I need from you is to discover if these battles are real or simply nightmares. Does Malakar still hold tactical briefings for third and fourth years?”

Ruhl nodded.

“If such a battle did exist, there must be record of it.” I paced a quick circle, anxiety eating at my insides, making it impossible to stand still any longer. “You must check for one last night, against Light and Shadow Fae, and another two nights before. Aelia believes they’re occurring along the border of the Wilds, but she cannot be sure.”

“I can do it,” Gideon interjected. “Let Ruhl finish out the trials. It’ll be simple for me to sneak into Professor Blackstone’s office and find the briefs.”

“Are you sure, Gid?”

“Yes, it’s not a problem at all.” He shrugged. “Besides, once I have the information, it will give me an excuse to go visit you in Shadowmere.”

“I appreciate it.” I turned my gaze onto my brother. “Were you able to speak to Father about Helroth?”

“No, like I said before, Malakar has had us on a three-day field mission as part of the trials. Today is our first morning off, so I’m meeting Father in a few hours.” A mischievous grin twitched at his lips. “Why don’t you join us for breakfast?”

“I would rather gouge my eyes out with a dull spoon but thank you for asking.”

A chuckle squeezed through Gideon’s lips. “Very well, then, we have our assignments. Let us see to them.”

Both males turned to leave, but I called out for Ruhl at the last moment. “Be careful what you say to Father.”

“I’m not a complete fool, brother, despite what you believe.”

Gideon’s eyes met mine and with a quick dip, he continued onward through the gnarl of trees. Heaving in a breath, I closed the distance between my brother and me. “Ruhl?—”

“What?” His eyes sharpened, something unreadable in the dark depths.

“I don’t think you’re a fool.”

His lips twisted.

“I’m only fucking terrified at the possibility of losing Aelia again.”

He released a rushed, resigned breath of air. “I know.”

“I appreciate that this must be difficult for you, and if you preferred that I no longer asked for your help?—”

“No,” he snapped, a cloud of shadows curling around his form. “I need to help. I need to do something , Reign. Throwing myself into these trials is the only thing I can do right now to keep sane.”

My head slowly dipped. “You’re still feeling the effects of the bond then?”

“I don’t know what I’m feeling. I only know that I want it to stop,” he growled, tension radiating from his aura. “I take it you and Aelia have reconciled? Will you be completing the bond soon?” His uncharacteristically frenzied state sent a blast of unease through my system.

“We’re working on it,” I muttered.

“Work faster.” He spun on his heel, a whirl of shadows spinning in his wake, and disappeared.