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The gryphon clicked its beak, cooing at her touch, his head already well above her own as he grew second by second, little by little.

His presence relaxed Vahly and helped her accept the atrocities as a horror that could not be avoided.

Here was one creature Vahly would never con and never wanted to.

Vahly gasped as the gryphon opened his mind to her and showed images of her battling the rogues, her face fierce and determination like a brand on her features.

Somehow, through the bond, she could feel his respect for her.

His dedication hummed like a song, haunting her heart with a love that was new but felt ancient.

The gryphon’s name bloomed inside Vahly’s head. The urge to speak it pinched at her throat.

The gryphon nudged Vahly, then he stood on all four lion paws, gaze piercing her.

“The gryphon’s name is Kyril.”

Nix hoisted herself up and roared in approval.

Giving Kyril a playful smile, Arc bowed. “A pleasure to know you.”

Kyril flashed an image of the sky through Vahly’s head, then he bent low, at her feet, edging his wing out of the way.

Nix bumped Vahly’s back. Is this another show of submission?

Vahly blinked and flexed her hands. He wants me to fly with him.

Arc stepped closer, rubbing his hands together. “Well, go on!” he said aloud, his excitement apparently making him forget to use telepathy. “And test your magic with him while you’re aloft. Perhaps you’ll discover a new way to fight the sea folk.”

“Easy for you to say, elf. You aren’t the one who’ll be dragged through the heavens. I have to think about this.”

Nix snorted and pawed the ground. Get on the gryphon, Vahly. Nix’s lemon eyes examined Kyril. He’s your soul mate or whatever. He isn’t going to drop you. That’s insulting to a flyer, honestly. Don’t even bring it up.

“My familiar.”

Nix growled.

“All right. Fine. I’ll go up. But you’re coming along and taking Arc with you.”

Arc’s eyes widened. He stilled his hands and looked from Vahly to Nix, tentative hope tugging at his features. Dragons did not allow anything to “ride” them.

Vahly snorted. “After all we’ve been through, surely you don’t care about the old conventions, do you, Nix?”

We would have an edge in the air. I realize that, Nix said. But how is he supposed to sit on my back with all these spikes?

“If I may,” Arc said, leaning closer to Nix at her nod. He studied the space behind her neck and between her wings. “I do think I would find a seat just there.” His hand indicated a narrow spot behind one of the mid-sized spines and a row of lesser spikes.

Well, I once dressed as a male to get into a competing smuggler’s hoard inside the city of thieves. This can’t be much worse than that degradation.

You really hate trousers, don’t you? Vahly said.

I don’t mind the type we wear under dresses, with the fine lace and the silken details.

Do not judge me, darling. I’m a female, and I love being a female.

I’m a proud dragon, and I love being a proud dragon.

I must weigh the costs of straying from who I am.

The vertical slits inside her eyes opened wide, then narrowed, evaluating Arc and most likely imagining how it would feel to fly with a burden between her wings.

Then she lowered her head and shifted her wing.

Arc put a foot on her bent foreleg, then did what Vahly was beginning to think of as an elf-leap. He landed exactly on the spot he’d chosen.

Skin rippling, Nix shook. Arc grasped the spike in front of him to hold on, his hair loose around his face. When Nix settled, Arc beamed at Vahly. The youngling he had been stared out of his ancient eyes.

“Are we ready?” Vahly pressed a hand against Kyril’s pelt. Warmth and magic sparked down her arm, sweet and comforting.

She climbed on and straddled Kyril’s back.

His wings spread wide, fanning into a glorious show of feathers alternately tipped in black and white.

Rearing, he nearly threw Vahly off, but she managed to clutch the mane-like fur beneath his neck feathers.

Her pulse throbbed, and her hands sweated so much that it was difficult to hang on.

She really hoped this wasn’t the worst idea they’d had yet.

Jumping at the sky, Kyril lifted off, his wings beating the air as the ground dropped farther and farther away.

Both cool air and warm drafts slid across Vahly’s cheeks, tangled her hair, and tugged at her clothing.

Her smile was so intense that it actually hurt her lips, but of course, she didn’t care.

“This is even better than taking all against Aitor!”

Nix flapped her azure wings and rolled one big eye. You might have a problem, my dear. We will discuss your gambling addiction once you save the world, all right?

Vahly leaned close to Kyril’s head, his feathers tickling her chin and nose. “Can you outfly that obnoxious dragon over there?”

Would he understand her? What if he only—

Kyril ripped Vahly’s ponderings right out of her head as he sped up, then dove toward the mottled patches of scrub and grapevines growing along the sloping mountains.

Vahly let out a triumphant shout as he veered left, taking a sharp turn toward a cliff face beyond the limits of where Vahly had traveled, farther into Jade territory.

Show off! Nix shouted. I suppose he doesn’t need my lessons.

A natural flier! Her laugh flavored the tone of her voice.

I like him, Queenie! But you tell him the only reason he has the best of me today is because I’m still healing.

I’ll annihilate him in speed and maneuvering when I’m at my best again.

Arc’s head was turned toward Vahly, and she knew he was analyzing Kyril’s every move for later discussion.

The cliff face raced at them.

Kyril? Vahly thought to him. We might have a chance against the sea folk. Let’s not end our lives this quickly, if you don’t mind.

Every crevice came into focus. Closer. Closer. Vahly’s heart slammed against her ribs.

“Kyril!”