Page 149 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“He’s good at that,” Faolan muttered.

“Watch yourself. Had he not caused a scene and returned to them with the vessel, we might have been pursued harder.” A growl rumbling through Jaxus chest.

“We will never know,” Faolan said, and it was the most he’d admit to, but there was more he wasn’t saying.

We sailed the rest of the way in silence. No one met us when we came aground. The black sand of the volcanic shore was too dangerous to inhabit even for the bravest fae of the kingdom.

“Will we fly?” I asked, shouldering my pack.

“If everyone is up for it? Maybe we should rest.” Jaxus looked at Faolan.

He shook his head. “Not with her smoking like that. We need to get away.”

“Where then? An outpost?” I asked knowing I wouldn’t make the flight all the way to the First Kingdom.”

“What do you think?” Jaxus asked Faolan.

“Oh, I’m not coming with you. I’m not getting my first taste of freedom only to bend a knee to a King I owe no allegiance.” Faolan grinned. “This is where we say goodbye.”

FIFTY-SEVEN

JAXUS

It sat wrong with me, letting Faolan just fly off into the wilds, with no plan, no experience of this realm and no coin. But if any fae could make it work and come out on top, it was him. I had no doubt he would be fine and he deserved his freedom. He knew how to find us and I had a feeling we would be seeing him again.

We had agreed to take Emrys with us back to the capital and present him as a healer who travelled with us from the Forest Kingdom to work in the palace. Kiera knew a spell that would disguise his dragon scent from the rest of us shifting fae, and no one would question more healers being sent when they were so short. It would give him purpose and help him adjust, too, which was important to me. I knew how critical that was to his integration.

Emrys had been quiet since we parted ways. Having left therest of his family behind, I believed he had been clinging on to having Faolan still with him. But I would ensure he would never be alone.

I flew with Kiera and Emrys mounted on my back as we had decided that we couldn’t risk two dragons being seen arriving in the First Kingdom. We couldn’t do anything to arouse suspicion at this point, having been gone for weeks. We would rely on the story that Kiera’s condition had taken this long to heal and we just had to hope that it was believed.

As we flew in over the city a patrol flight met us, checking the identity of an incoming dragon, but quickly let us pass once they identified us. By the time we reached the palace, it was dusk and the skyline looked beautiful. I hadn’t realized how in my months here I had come to feel so at home, but as much as I was happy to see Amaya again, this felt like a homecoming too.

We set down on the landing of the healer’s wing, eager to stash Emrys in Kiera’s quarters before anyone could identify what he was.

“Go straight to my rooms, and I’ll go see my father and let him know I’m home safe and well. Then we won’t be disturbed,” Kiera instructed, heading for his offices.

Emrys walked side by side with me and when we reached Kiera’s rooms, I welcomed him inside and closed the door.

He looked around, setting down his bags and taking in Kiera’s space with a charmed smile. “This place is like nothing I expected,” he finally spoke.

I smiled. “It’s a lot to get used to,” I agreed. “This is where Kiera lives, but I think you’ll be staying here for tonight at least,” I told him.

“I don’t want Kiera to have to sleep elsewhere, I’ll sleep anywhere.” He argued.

“Nonsense, old friend. You are with us now, and when I first arrived here, I was made welcome and provided for, the same will be done for you. Besides, when we left, Kiera and I were notin the place we are now. We were living apart. I’m not about to settle for returning to that state. She will be staying with me. Where that is, I do not care, but we will no longer need two residences. And I can’t exactly put you in my room in the barracks, surrounded by dragons, and hope your disguised smell holds, can I?”

Emrys nodded, “That makes sense. In that case, I appreciate it.”

“I’m happy to have you here. You will be invaluable to the coming struggles. I have no doubt. But more than that, I missed you when I left before.”

Emrys clasped my shoulder. “You’ll miss Drystan, won’t you?”

“I’ll miss them all, but I knew what I was leaving behind, and Drystan knew what he was doing by staying.”

“I’ll miss them too, but I had given all I could to Kerani. It’s time to find a place where I have something fresh to offer.”

The door opened, and Kiera stepped in, locking it behind her.