Bastian stepped in. "We’ve left coin in the saddlebag."
Ori’s fists clenched at his sides. "I’ll keep you safe, Osa. You, too, Ina. I’ve been out of the palace grounds before. I know what I’m doing."
Valiant. Az just hoped it wouldn’t get them killed.
Nyx flitted forward. "I know my way around the trees. I can keep us safe, too."
"It’s a plan," said Tharen. "You leave now. We’ve wasted enough time here."
Nyx hovered before the mage, twirling around his white hair. "Thank you, Master Tharen. Keep Lu safe."
It was a short send-off. Ori promised to ensure the females’ safety, while Nyx swore to protect them, wings as swift as a hummingbird’s behind her.
Now alone, the rain just barely drowned out the softest mewl. Akira picked his head up with interest, but one look from Tharen quelled it.
"What was that?" Bastian looked around.
Tharen sighed heavily, holding open the front of his cloak and revealing the small black cat curled against his chest.
This close, Az realized it was more of a kitten than anything.
"Godsdammit, Tharen! I told you—no more lost creatures. And a cat? Felines are treacherous." The vampire hissed as the small kitten peered at him with great, big golden eyes, a small thing clinging to warmth.
Az couldn’t help it—she reminded him of Lu. The way she tucked into his side and shivered, blinking up at him withthose gorgeous pools of sunlight, before her glamor had been removed.
The kitten crawled from Tharen’s chest, hooking her claws in his shirt and curling around his neck like a scarf.
Az didn’t know when he started calling itshe, but the tiny, shivering thing was too much like Lu.
Gods, Az missed her. Heneededher. More than air.
"What if he doesn’t come back?" The demon’s words shattered the soft brevity found among the raging storm.
"He’ll come back," Graves said lowly. "He always does?—"
A piercing roar rattled through the stable roof.
They all shared a look.
It was time to leave.
Tharen whistled once, the sound sharp, and the three wolves came to his heel.
Echoing beats of wings grew closer, and the group left the safety of the stables, the rain immediately taking them in its icy embrace.
The onyx dragon lifted a talon, claws sinking into the mud and water. Green eyes narrowed as he spotted the small kitten curled around the Prima’s neck, and tendrils of smoke wafted from his snout.
The mage was unapologetic.
Graves touched a hand to the amulet around his neck, turning to a small raven in a blink. The bird hovered over the dragon’s talon, and the dragon unfurled its claws, allowing the raven to hop onto its palm. Tharen jerked his head, and at once, the three wolves trotted after the bird, jumping into the dragon’s talon like it was nothing.
Az stiffened. He could do this for Lu. He could be brave—be the male she needed.
While Az had been steeling himself, Bastian and Tharen had already mounted the dragon’s back. His wing was lying on the ground, and the end twitched as if in impatience.
The dragon was more mountain than beast, and they were going to ride him straight into a fucking storm.
Az huffed as he clambered on top of the wing, hands slick as they slid over the wet, silken scales. "You better not drop me, Vale," the demon warned.
