“Okay, you got this,” I mutter and press my thighs and engage my core?—
Before I can brace, Naita launches.
My stomach lurches right as my heart drops. Wind whips at me, threatening to throw me off. A scream lodges in my throat as I fight for my dear life and wrap my arms around her neck.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
PHOENIX
Naita soars through the skies, my heart soaring with her.
I’ve never felt so exhilarated before. I watch the streets of Jaakii stretch miles below as we head for the castle. Naita slows down a bit as she circles the castle grounds a few times, and with one powerful screech that echoes through the whole city, she lands right at the entrance.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I slide off her. The moment my feet hit the ground, Ezkai Bjorn and Ezkai Emil rush outside. The moment they notice the magnificent dragon next to me, their steps halt, eyes wide.
“General,” Emil mutters and both of them immediately kneel with their fists pressed to their hearts.
“Rise,” I say and wave at them. “This is Naita.”
I’m giddy with excitement.
“Where’s Jax and Vera?” I ask once they rise, still in awe at the dragon sitting behind me. “I need them to come see this.”
Ezkai Bjorn recovers first. “They’re in their rooms, General. The Taaslord is looking for you.”
“Great,” I say. “I want Noire to meet Naita, too.”
Right then, Noire walks out, his long black robes trailing behind him dramatically. His gaze snaps to Naita immediately, but he doesn’t look surprised.
“Look, Noire! Naita came back to find me,” I say, smiling from ear to ear.
Maybe not all is lost, yet.
Noire dips his chin in acknowledgment and says, “I never doubted that your intuition about the connection was correct, General.”
My smile only grows at his words. I did expect him to be a little more excited, though. He looks…oddly calm.
“Why were you looking for me?” I cock my head to the side.
He pauses for a beat before saying, “You have guests.”
“What guests?” I glance back at Naita. “Can it wait? I want Vera and Jax to meet Naita.”
“I think you’ll want to take this meeting,” he says. That gets my attention. “It’s Royal Commander Axel Dukas.”
His name on Noire’s lips is like a punch to my stomach. Cold seeps into my bones at the mention of the man who murdered my family in cold blood. Cold flames of rage simmer to the surface. Naita behind me growls lightly.
Noire’s gaze snaps to her over my shoulder before returning to me. “He’s not alone, General.”
“King Francis is here, too?”
“No. It’s…someone else.”
I glare at Noire for a heartbeat before giving him a sharp nod. With one last glance at Naita, I follow Noire inside.
He leads, our steps echoing in the stony corridors, as we make our way toward the war room. With each passing heartbeat, anxiety claws at my chest. But it’s losing a battle against the cold flames of rage that threaten to consume me.
I can’t lose my shit, despite it all. Not right now. Not ever.
