Sprinkling dreams throughout the night,
Whispering tales of lands unseen,
Where joy and wonder reign supreme.
Sleep now, child, in dreams so sweet,
In the world where magic and your soul meet,
Rest your head and close your eyes,
As stars sing you their soft lullabies.
Junsmiled at me, and it reached his eyes in a wayIhadn’t seen in so long.Helaced his fingers through my own, andIwas about to lean into his shoulder when the earth beneath us shook.Asonorous roar rolled like thunder over the beach, and everyone scrambled to their feet.Thetop of the island no longer shone bright green; it was lit by a low, pulsing red glow of embers.Evenfrom that dim illumination, we all saw the massive shadow that streaked toward the sky.Thesurrounding soldiers grabbed their weapons and scrambled to formation as the hulking monster circled in the air above us, just out of sight.
Greenflames shattered the darkness, and everyone froze as the dragon descended from the sky.JunandIclung to each other as the wind from his massive wings nearly knockedus off our feet.Embersflew from the fires as the flames were almost extinguished.Tentstoppled, and the earth shook as his feet collided with the earth.Afew soldiers readied their weapons while others pushed them down.Hisgolden eyes burned bright against the darkness of the night, and the whole world held its breath.
Slowly,Avlynwalked forward toward that face that was larger than them.Thedragon tracked their movement, his forked tongue lashing out and tasting the air around the commander.Theystood with unnerving stillness until their hand flew to their weapon.Isaw the streak of movement that had alarmed them as the princess, completely nude, flung herself down from the back of the dragon’s neck, sword in hand.Shewalked forward and placed her hand on the dragon’s snout.Heleaned into her, his eyes closing in contentment before he began to shrink.Dragonfirewrapped around them both.Itsgreen light was so bright in the depth of the nightIhad to look away.Istill felt it.Thegreat rush of magic made my skin tingle and my eyes water.Itwas primordial and powerful, rivaling whatIhad felt fromHadeon.WhenIlooked back, the beast was gone, and only the man remained, smiling at the princess as if no one else in the world existed but her.
Avlyn’sfist crashed into the armor on their chest. “Allhail,DragonKingAbraxasandPrincessTori.”Amighty roar went through the crowd as shields and armor were smacked together.JunandIapproached;Junflung his arms around his sister before offering her his coat.Sheembraced him tightly in return.
Abraxassaid toAvlyn, “Youmiss me,Commander?”
“Oneof these days,I’mjust going to kill you myself, asshole.”
Withboth theking and princess clothed, we huddled around the fire.Theirhands were intertwined, and they couldn’t keep their eyes off one another.Itwas insufferable, but something about it caused a smile to twist at the corner of my mouth.Junsaw my distaste, andIcould read the amusement on his face, but he squeezed my hand gently.Ididn’t fight it.
Torifinally pulled her gaze fromAbraxasand askedAvlyn, “So, what happened out here?Luxos’ troops?”
Theyshook their head. “Nothing.Quieterthan the inside ofKaleos’ head out here.”
Thebrute made a rude gesture at the commander, butTorifrowned, her gaze falling on me.
“Hemade his threats.Didhe lie?”
“Tori,I’mnot some walking crystal ball;Idon’t—”Shekept her gaze fixed on me, unwavering. “No, he didn’t lie.”
Herhead turned to scan the ocean beyond our small refuge.Thedawn was beginning to break and though the mist was thick, no ships could be seen.Herbody stiffened.
Abraxaslooked at her. “Mylove?”
“It’snot here he planned to attack.HeknewAvlyn, andIwould be gone, distracted.Ourforces divided.”
BothAvlynandAbraxasjumped up. “Xyr,” the commander whispered. “Itwill take us at least a day to return.Ifhe was smart, the attack is already underway.”
“Heis smart,”Isaid, trying to ignore the hurt look inAvlyn’seye.
AbraxasandTorilocked eyes. “Lookslike it’s time to fly, my love.”
Chapter 36
Tori
Junclung to my back; his arms wrapped so tightly around my stomach thatIcould barely breathe.Thewind whipped my hair into my eyes and mouth asItried to shout at him, butIcouldn’t even hear myself as the sky flew past us.Instead,Igripped his hand in mine, squeezing tight.Hehad demanded to come with me, andIcouldn’t refuse.Iwondered if he was regretting that now.
Undermy thighs,Abraxas’ scales rolled as his wings beat the air.Iflattened myself against his back, avoiding the spines.Everymuscle in my body ached from clinging to him, but the cost of letting go was death.
Iwould catch you,Princess.Abraxasspoke to me without words.Whetherit was our minds or souls that spoke,Iwasn’t sure.
