Page 7 of Ink Sworn (Greatdrakes #3 | The Fae Universe #24)

T hey managed to make it to Taranis's chambers with minimal fuss. His knights flanked them, and whenever anyone got too close, they made it clear that the king was busy.

Valentine admired carvings and tapestries but didn't stop to stare at them. There would be time enough for that later.

When Owain shut the double doors leading into the king's chambers, they all took a collective breath of relief.

"I'm starting to see why you have been spending time in England," Valentine commented.

Taranis ran a hand over his face. "The city had me for centuries whenever they wanted, and it's been an adjustment for them to accept that I'm busy with my family for once. They will learn."

Quinn kissed him. "Maybe you need to tell them you're busy making an heir and see if that will shut them up."

"They will probably try to offer helpful hints," he grumbled, and when he saw Quinn's expression, he laughed. "Gods, don't ask them just to see what they will say. "

Emyr crossed her arms, making her biceps flex. "Enough flirting. What have you learned about Yelena and Avallach?"

"You're up, nephew," Taranis said and gestured to Valentine.

"I did some dream magic and tracked them," Valentine said and explained in the simplest terms possible how he had connected with Yelena's magic, and how he saw the ruined camp and the fortress they were being held at.

Emyr swore when he was done. "The best way to confirm what you saw is to head to their last known camp and see what we find. Not that I don't trust you or your power, but we need to make sure. Owain and I can fly out as soon as you have some leathers on."

"Do you know where they were camped?" Owain asked.

Emyr pointed to a map of the kingdom that hung on the wall. She pointed to a scrap of forest on the edge of the farthest border. "Somewhere here. Avallach had sent Vidar a message saying they had received reports of someone seeing a spy in these woods. He and Yelena were going to investigate."

"Do you know of the fortress I saw? It wasn't big, more like an outpost castle," Valentine said, moving beside them. Everything above the border was blank.

"I know of it, but I have never seen it. It was meant to have been abandoned two hundred years ago at least," Emyr said.

Valentine frowned. "It didn't look like it was in the best state of repair, but it was still solid, and there were at least a hundred warriors there."

"Seems odd that they wouldn't take prisoners back to Midir in his barrow," Owain commented.

"Which supports my point that they are trying to bait Taranis," Quinn said, gnawing on a lip.

"Or they were afraid that if their magic shackles failed, Yelena and Avallach would shift in the barrow and burn it from the inside out," Valentine murmured.

They all turned to look at him. "What? It's what I would do if I were in their position and I had the chance.

I still might if Midir or his men have hurt Yelena any more. "

"I love that idea, but it's easier said than done," Emyr replied. "The entries into Midir's barrow kingdom are constantly shifting. It's how he's stayed protected for so long. He's in charge of all the pathways and moves them at will."

"Does he now?" Valentine smiled. "I do enjoy a challenge."

"Get Yelena and Avallach first. Valentine? You can use that room over there to change," Taranis said, dismissing him.

Valentine was happy to be dismissed. He headed into the room and shut the door behind him.

They were probably going to talk a plan to death, and he didn't have time for it.

He pulled his flying leathers out of his large backpack and started putting them on.

Black leather lined with fur, high black boots, and a hood.

He caught his reflection in a mirror and paused.

His eyes were red with magic and beast. No one had said anything, but they all knew he was volatile.

"Doesn't matter," he whispered, pulling on his black gloves before securing his daggers in various sheaths on his chest and calves. As soon as Yelena was back, he could get help with managing the dragon, even if he had to get down on his knees and beg.

Foolish little sorcerer, you're never going to be able to manage me , the dragon taunted.

Valentine glared at his reflection. "We need to work together to get her back, so stop provoking me."

The dragon only grumbled out something that sounded like a laugh, but he didn't push him. His eyes didn't change back to gray, but he knew the beast’s silence didn't mean it would surrender the ground it had taken without a fight.

Valentine left his bag in the room and headed back out. Quinn wolf whistled at him.

"Look at you! Don't you look handsome," she said and waggled her brows at him.

"Stop flirting. No time," Emyr chided. She tugged at Valentine's jacket and harness of knives. "Everything seems secure. Let's go."

"Be careful, all of you," Taranis said and nodded at Valentine. "You especially. We'll walk you out. I need to make note of whoever sees you leave."

"Good luck with your traitor, Uncle," Valentine replied. "Better you find them before I do."

"Settle down, killer," Quinn said and kissed his cheek.

They walked through the halls and out to a different launching area that was closest to Taranis's private wing. They were passing a meeting room when a tall fae with straight brown hair came out. He was dressed in fancy-looking robes, and Valentine guessed he was a lord.

"Ah, my king, I heard you had returned to the city," he greeted with a short bow. He eyed Valentine. "And I see you have brought home another wild stray."

"My kingdom will always welcome dragons from anywhere, Lord Afon," Taranis replied in a bored tone. "My queen and I will be staying for a time. Please inform the household."

Afon nodded. "And your new...friend?"

Valentine smiled at him, all teeth. "Don't you worry about me."

"I always worry about wild dragons in the city. I thought one was bad enough, but at least she hasn't returned yet," Afon replied, his eyes cooling.

Valentine snarled wordlessly at him, and the lord took a step back in surprise.

"Too much magic and not enough manners," Afon sniffed. "That's what you get from taking in ferals. "

Valentine took a step forward, but Taranis gripped his shoulder and held him back.

"Perhaps you should be working on your own manners, Afon, dear," Quinn said brightly before she looked down her nose at him and walked off. The look of outrage on the lord's face at being dismissed had Valentine biting back a smile.

"As my queen says," Taranis told Afon and steered Valetine away from him. "And watch what you say about Yelena for your own safety."

They left the haughty lord red-faced and fuming. Valentine shook his head in disgust.

"You would think they would be used to Yelena's presence by now," he commented.

"They aren't all like that. Afon just thinks she'll go wild and turn on them at any moment," Emyr said. She grinned widely. "Yelena does nothing to reassure them that she's not going to. It keeps them on their toes."

Valentine understood that it was sometimes better to be feared than loved, and if they were scared of her, it meant they would stay out of her way. After meeting Afon for less than five minutes, he admired Yelena's restraint for not taking him down a notch.

The wind was cold when they reached the launching area. Owain disappeared into an adjoining storeroom and came out with a pack. "At least they have been keeping the supply rooms stocked in our absence."

"I made sure of it. I've been so bored, I've been reduced to checking weapons and stock supplies," Emyr complained. She moved away from the others and shifted effortlessly into a brilliant green dragon.

Taranis pulled Valentine into a hug and whispered in his ear, "Bring them back, and if you are pushed, release your dragon. Don't hesitate because if you do, Midir's men will kill you. "

"I won't hesitate," Valentine replied, letting him go."Make sure your shit lords don't upset my auntie."

"Ha. I can handle those snotty pricks," Quinn said, tossing her hair.

Taranis only held her closer.

Valentine moved over to Emyr, who lowered herself so he could climb up in between her wings. He pulled up the hood of his jacket and tapped Emyr on her scales to let her know he was ready. Owain had shifted again beside them and carried the large pack in his claws.

Valentine held on as Emyr walked to the end of the stone platform and dropped over it. Her wings shot out, catching an updraft of wind, and she soared out of the ravine.

Valentine shut his eyes and let the roar of the wind drown out every other noise around him.

He plunged down into his magic until he could see the silver thread of Yelena's power, still tied around his ankle.

He didn't know if the connection went both ways, or if she would feel anything in her icy shroud, but he did his best to send her reassurance.

We are coming, he whispered through it, and hoped that they would get there in time.