Page 88 of The Broken Prince

He held his silence.

“I’d rather embrace all aspects of life, the good and the bad, rather than tolerate a dull and watered-down version, even if it’s less painful. So Aurelias will join me on Pyre because I’m not going to wait a week for him to join us with the army.”

He said nothing—the only acceptance I would ever get.

* * *

I entered the cottage without knocking, seeing his two bags by the door because he’d already packed. He stood in the kitchen, finishing off the last of his glass before he left it on the counter, probably never to be seen again. His serpent-crested armor fit him so well, hugged his muscular arms and narrow waist. His sword hung at his side, also engraved with the powerful serpent. He walked to me, eyes locked on mine with their usual intensity, and then stopped directly before me. “I’ll see you soon.”

“I asked my father if you could accompany us by dragon. He agreed.”

His stare remained hard.

“And Pyre also agreed.”

“Pyre is…?”

“Our dragon.”

He gave a slight nod. “I don’t mind traveling with the army on horseback. I’ve ridden horses my entire life, on treks far longer than the one we’re about to take. And you know the cold doesn’t bother me.”

“But the separation bothers me.”

A hint of emotion moved into his gaze, sheathed by his restraint.

“So, you’re riding a dragon with me. Unless you’re scared?”

A small smile crept on to his lips. “Find it thrilling, actually.”

“That’s a yes, then?”

He paused, staring into my face. “Yes.”

I smiled. “Then grab your bags, and let’s go.”

* * *

We approached the field where our dragons waited for us. Bags were secured to the saddles, and Aurelias added his to the ropes. He traveled light like my father, only having a few things he couldn’t live without.

My parents were there, saying goodbye to my brother.

My father embraced my brother in a long hug, gripping him tightly like a boy, even though they were the same height. When Father let go, my mother moved in next, squeezing him tightly like she didn’t want to let go.

It was hard to accept the fact that it could be the last time I ever saw him. That any moment could be the last time I saw any member of my family. That my brother could die in an attack before he reached HeartHolme.

Atticus turned to me, strong and healthy like he hadn’t been cut down in the battle that had almost claimed our lives. He was handsome again, a smile on his face, like this departure wasn’t a goodbye. He looked at me, and just like Father, he tried to make me feel better when he was the one about to be alone. “I’ll be there before you know it.”

“This is such an undertaking…”

“But you know me. I get shit done.”

I chuckled but only slightly, because his joke wasn’t enough to erase my unease completely. “Be safe, okay?”

“Always.” He pulled me in and hugged me, his chin resting on my head.

We hardly ever hugged. It had only happened once or twice in our lifetimes. But now that times had changed, we hugged more than we ever had.

He was the first to pull away. He looked at Aurelias, and a moment passed because he didn’t know how to regard him.