Chapter two
Elianna
“This is a shittyplan, Lia,” Zaela hissed from beside me as we watched Nox soar out from between the mountain peaks, answering his summons from my high-pitched whistle.
“Well, it’s the only one we have on such short notice, and I won't risk anyone else. Feel free to stay behind if you’re so against it,” I snapped back at her. “My original plan was to go entirely alone with Nox, and if I were to fail, Jace would take you all and flee.”
Zaela let out a cackle. “As if he would ever agree to such nonsense.”
“No sense in not trying,” I said with a sigh.
Jace suppressed a laugh from my opposite side as Nox’s landing rumbled the ground beneath our feet.
“What is the exact plan again?” Gage asked as I made my way to my wyvern.
“Perhaps if you weren’t so enthralled by the princess’ eyes, you would’ve been paying better attention when we spoke of it, Gage,” Jace teased.
My lips betrayed me, and I smirked as I continued walking up to Nox.
“Have you seen her eyes? They’re like pools of honey that I’m just dying to take a swim in.”
“Okay, that’s enough out of you,” Zaela huffed at him.
“For once, I agree. Keep that for talk amongst the men, please. She’s my sister, after all,” I called over my shoulder and caught a quick glimpse of Jace playfully punching Gage in the arm for what he had said. The sound of their laughter echoed over to me.
Nox was staring at me as I stood directly below his snout, looking up at him. I covered my eyes from the sun that had finally decided to make an appearance.
“Nox,” I greeted him, my voice soft. “I’m truly so sorry about yesterday. Whether you ignored my call because of your fear of thunder or you couldn’t hear it over the storm, I will probably never know, but we could’ve used you out there. However, what matters is that we have you now.”
Yesterday felt more like a distant memory. As if it were a lifetime ago when we discovered Nox could scent Kai on Avery and Finnian…but not on me. Proving what Veli had guessed regarding Kai’s true sire being Callius instead of King Jameson. And without a true Valderre on the throne, the realm itself would come undone, for we were the only bloodline that stemmed from the Mother Goddess, Terra.
He lowered his enormous, horn-covered head to my eye level and then nuzzled his chin on my shoulder.
I blew out a breath of relief as I lifted my hand to scratch his chin. “Well, I’m glad all seems to be forgiven. Justdon’ttry to hurt them anymore, okay?”
He pulled his head back to look at me, and a glimmering golden eye met mine in understanding.
“Good. Now, do you think you can carry the four of us?” I smiled and pointed to the three behind me over my shoulder.
A growl crawled up his throat.
“Nox,” I said in a hushed tone. “Behave yourself, please. Now is not the time. Now tell me, is the desire for revenge against Kai stillburningwithin you?” My lips twisted into a grin.
Nox stood tall, raising his head high as he let out a deafening roar of agreement that forced us all to cover our ears. Even the birds flew out from the treetops in the distance.
“Well, I’m glad we all agree,” I said with a breathy laugh.
“What’s the verdict?” Jace asked, peering up at Nox as the three of them stepped up to my side.
I placed my hands on my hips as I stared them all down. “Hope none of you are afraid of heights.” My voice dripped with wicked anticipation.
“I hate every single one of you,” Zaela grumbled from his side, and I suppressed a laugh.
“Listen,” I started as I stared her down. “I’m not risking the soldiers. They’re exhausted, and many are already injured from last night. Plus, it will take us a day to get to the forest’s edge with an army, and they already have half a day’s head start. It will only take us a few hours by flight.”
“Four against an army. Brilliant idea,” Zaela huffed.
I raised a finger and tilted my head to the side, nostrils flaring. “Actually, no. Four plusa wyvern. He counts for at least a thousand soldiers,” I tried to convince her, reeling in my temper at her need to question me.
