Page 21 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“What’s so shocking about that?” I asked, puzzled. “It’s a documented phobia. I’m not alone.”

Jaxus spluttered as if the concept was something he had never heard. “You’re a ryder, though.”

I rolled my eyes. “I never was before. I’m not going to magically change mindsets because I suddenly am now. I’m certain it doesn’t work that way.”

“B—but—” he stammered. “The Goddess doesn’t makemistakes.”

I hung my head. “Well, I think perhaps she has made her first because there’s no way I can fly.”

Silence hung between us for an unbearable moment while my statement sunk in.

When he didn’t speak, I sighed. “Let’s get some tea,” I suggested. I needed to sit and be in my place of comfort if we were going to have this conversation and tea, after all, fixes everything.

I turned when he said nothing, assuming he would follow me, and headed for my rooms.

We didn’t talk as we wound through the healer’s garden at the rear of the healing wing. But I felt him just a step behind me the whole way. I let us in through my private entrance and ushered him into my sitting room. A relaxed and slightly messy, eclectic room just off my official workroom, where I could work more privately or relax away from my duties.

“Sit,” I said, waving at the comfy couches as I headed to the stove to make the tea.

I used magic to heat the water up most of the way to save on time. But I lit the stove anyway to let it steep. I liked the ritual of making tea, as much as I liked to drink it.

Once made, I took our cups over and placed them on the low table, taking the other couch so I could have my own space.

Long moments stretched out between us. I’d brought us here knowing I’d have to tell my sorry story, but I didn’t know where to start.

“So you hate flying?” Jaxus blurted, saving me from figuring out how to open.

“I’ve never really tried it,” I admitted.

Jaxus opened and closed his mouth a couple of times.

“I’m from the Forest Kingdom. Did you know that?” I used its old name as I’d noticed how he seldom referred to the kingdoms by their number. Besides, I always hated how clinical thenumbers system sounded. It stripped the different kingdoms of their rich and diverse personalities. Something I was most passionate about.

He nodded, though how he’d known, I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to imagine him learning more about me in the hopes of creating a bond between us when I was going to disappoint him.

“The flyers that come from the Forest Kingdom are mostly pegasus. There are, of course, some dragons and even some griffins, but the terrain and dense tree covering of large parts of the kingdom make it not the ideal territory for the dragon population. Not enough places to land and far too much combustible material.” I smirked.

“So, did you only ride pegasus as a youngling? Is that it?”

“We split our time between here and home since my father’s work was here. So, I grew up surrounded by dragons, too. But I was not an adventurous youngling. I was bookish. As the daughter of the Healer on High? A healer was all I was ever going to be. I didn’t need to play stick swords and I never had the desire to take ill-advised flights with my inexperienced peers for fun and frolics.”

“I see,” said Jaxus. “So you’ve not had much experience. That doesn’t mean you can’t grow accustomed to flight.”

I shook my head. “The thought of getting off the ground even makes me lightheaded.”

“Why are you so afraid?”

I cringed, knowing I would need to share the memory but not wanting to relive it.

“Did something happen?” Jaxus urged. I was surprised by his intuition.

“When I was around eight years old, we were here at the palace and the children were playing in the courtyard. I was reading in the shade, watching Nyx and Kol tumbling around as usual. They were a little older than me and quite protective.Some of the older dragons, in particular, could be mean to small females who preferred books to swords. We were all taught together in a little private school set up by the King for his princes. So we all received the best education regardless of station. As there were only a few of us, I could never escape their notice.”

“There was one called Heren who picked on me endlessly. He was the biggest of all of them. Older and bigger than Nyx and Kol, though they were of the Asra line, so he always bowed to them regardless of size or seniority. You could tell it infuriated him, but it was the hierarchy and he had to adhere. He picked on everyone else enough to make up for it though, so I always stayed close to Nyx and Kol. Since I knew they’d protect me.

I got lost in my thoughts for a moment, envisaging what happened.

“Kiera?” Jaxus said softly, bringing me back.