Page 53 of Exquisite Monster (Dragons of Viria #2)

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

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ZOVAI

T here .

I spotted the first peak on the southwestern side of the bowl. Where our party would split, half to Trutis and half to Denao.

The days we’d flown had been fraught and quiet. Instead of flying through the center of the bowl and over Evrítha, we flew south along the coast past Skalisméra. None of us wanted to run into the Craisian army—or any army—yet. It also took us away from Doro Eche.

But we still looked for unfriendly eyes and took pains not to be obvious. A group of dragons like the one Idroal led wouldn’t raise suspicion. But our colors?

Being sighted even casually could be disastrous.

We will meet you in Zastea , Idroal said. May the stars favor you .

They angled north, and others followed suit. Sotai, Karadi, Erryn, Ravi, and Prince Arris traveled with them. Our group was headed for Denao and the stones hidden there.

There was no question that the three of us and Lena would stay together. Either split the group like this, or everyone would go to both capitals. We would not be separated. No matter what.

The Princess of Denao and the Prince of Zastea rode on Belleo and Mesene while Lena was tucked between my shoulders. I loved carrying her on my back far more than carrying her in my claws.

She dozed now, bond faded and content. The fact that she felt utterly safe on my back made me smile. Or would, if I could smile in this form.

Our first and only plan was to fix the sheyten . After that…

Do you think Andaros is foolish enough to march on Doro Eche?

Endre scoffed. I have no doubt that he is. But I don’t believe he will get that far. They will see the humans coming long before they get there.

He’s going to walk them straight through the barrier and give them everything they want. I growled and quieted myself when Lena stirred.

Yes . Sirrus said.

I rolled it all through my thoughts. And where do we play into it? In an ideal world, the sheyten were restored before armies left their cities.

Endre sighed. If Gleym’s plan works, we can use the distraction to do what needs to be done. It will be easy enough to stop the fight on the dragons’ side after that. With my power returned, the three of us should be able to push the human lines back. Or at the very least protect from scalefire.

But the truth is , Sirrus flew beneath me and rose up on my other side. We will not know what can be done until we see the damage. This comes first .

Andaros dies . I said. The Elders die. Those are the only lives I refuse to spare.

Endre chuckled. For Andaros, do you think Lena will want the killing blow?

We should ask. I’ll happily hold him while she slits his throat. She might want to help with the Elders as well.

Sirrus’s growl ripped through the air. No.

I said she might want to help, not that she will .

She won’t want to , Endre said. Despite not being a dragon, she took a vow never to intentionally harm one. I believe she will want to keep it.

Warmth spread through my chest. My tenderhearted mate. Had she not touched me that day, would I have burned her alive? Would I have felt the loss?

Never before had I been so glad of my ignorance about something.

The sun was just cresting overhead. The mountains passed quickly, but our plan required darkness, and if we did not arrive before the night was over, we would have to spend a day we did not have in hiding. We needed to go faster.

I directed my thoughts to all the dragons. Belleo. Mesene .

Yes, Your Highness?

How fast can you both fly? Now that the group had split and the slowest of our party had departed, time was of the essence.

Belleo’s laughter was high and musical. Faster than we are going.

Sirrus caught my line of thinking immediately. If you fear you are falling behind, tell us.

We will , Mesene said.

Lena stirred once more, and I felt her wake. You still have more time to rest .

Her voice was barely an echo of swept-away wind. “How much longer?”

If all goes well, we will be there by full dark. I still believe we should be going with you.

“You will be exactly where you are needed,” she said.

I still didn’t like it. But strange men walking around with the Princess of Denao would raise more suspicion than we could afford. The only thing which would solve the anxiety burning in my chest was this plan being complete.

Hold on, I said. We’re speeding up .

As one, we pushed harder and faster, until the clouds stung our skin, difficult as it was. Until we had to fly so high, it was nearly too cold for the humans.

The sun sank, and there it was. A sprawling metropolis at the base of a mountain, the palace itself carved into it. Beautiful. The structures reminded me of Doro Eche and the few other dragon cities. Like this one had been built before we were enemies.

Maybe it could be that way once more.

First, we had to succeed.

We tucked our wings and dove.