Where could they be?
I’m thinking over all the options when something catches my eye. I push off of the wall I was just leaning against and move closer to the stained-glass window marking the end of the corridor. There’s movement outside the palace, but I can’t make anything out through the images in the windowpane. I need to get a better view. I peek around the corner of the narrow corridor, making sure the coast is clear. Before I continue on, I remove Cylas’ crimson cloak. When it falls to the ground, there’s a slight feeling of freedom. No more pretending to be someone I’m not.
I take one last look around the wall before sprinting to the marble staircase just feet away. Once I reach the floor just below the Throne Room, I head down another hallway, hoping for a better view. Again, I’m met with a stained-glass window that I can’t see through. Frustration begins to boil, but I push it down and refocus.
I decide to try one of the nearby rooms. The one on the right side of the hallway is locked, so I go for the one on the left.
“Thank you,” I whisper to myself when the door opens up.
My heart jumps a little when I see the balcony leading outside. I rush over and push both doors. As they fly open, I’m hit with a gust of wind that takes my breath away.
The moment I step out onto the spacious balcony, my eyes lock on the waves of magic and shadows crashing in the distance. I immediately register that they’ve taken their fight to the field where the Festival of Nightfall was held.
Just as I turn back to the room, I notice a glimmer in the reflection of the balcony doors. I whirl around, unsheathing a dagger from my belt in the same motion. The wind whips my hair against my face, but even with an obstructed view I’m able to make out the beautiful beast heading my way.
My mouth curves at the corner as I watch the golden dragon soar through the sky. I shoot up a stream of fire, drawing his attention to me. As he nears the palace, I think he’s going to slam into the side of it, but he shifts at the last second, dropping onto the balcony beside me. When he stands up, he’s no longer the massive beast, but the man I’ve grown to consider a friend.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Kane quips with a cheeky grin that puts me at ease.
“After seeing that move, I can see why the king was impressed with you.”
“You’re not the only one who can do cool shit.” He playfully nudges me. “So, what did I miss?” His tone is now serious with an edge that brings back that uneasy feeling in my chest.
“Ryder and the king are down there.” I point to the open space between two mountains in the distance, and Kane follows my gaze.
He turns to me, and his grey eyes suddenly look black. “What do you say we give the king a taste of his own medicine?”
“You read my mind.”
“I take it you need a ride?” he says, tilting his head down at me.
“I would never ask—” I start to say, but he cuts me off.
“I know you wouldn’t, which is why I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure?” I ask hesitantly. I would never want to overstep.
He looks back at me as he stands on the stone balcony railing. “I’ll get as close as I can, but you’re going to have to jump,” he instructs just before stepping off the edge. I instinctively lunge forward, but quickly take a step back when the golden dragon shoots into the air. I watch him loop back around, slowing when he approaches the side of the palace.
“This is crazy,” I mumble to myself as I climb up onto the railing. My heart plummets when I look down and see how far of a fall it is. “Focus, Reign. Deep breath.”
Kane tilts his head down, and I know it’s his way of telling me to get ready. I shake out my hands at my sides and release one final breath before jumping off. With a hard come down, I land between his left wing and the side of his body. I instantly scramble to secure myself as he picks up speed. My heart feels like it’s in my stomach as my grip slowly starts to slip. Thankfully, Kane quickly levels out, keeping me from sliding off.
Eventually, once I’m able to get to my elbows, I begin to cautiously crawl up his rough scales, digging my fingers into them as if they were protruding edges of a mountainside. It takes every muscle of mine to make it to his spine, where I use his razor-sharp spikes to pull myself all the way to the middle.
Part of me thinks about trying to sit up like I had with Damien, but even thinking about making the move makes me nauseous. Instead, I maneuver myself into the best position I can manage and hold on for dear life.
When did I become this person who jumps off of a balcony onto a dragon?
Considering it’s only the second time riding a dragon, the flight is fairly smooth. Kane stays leveled out, and I’m able to secure myself with the help of his spikes. The landing, on the other hand, is what I’m concerned about. I can’t see past Kane’s gleaming scales, but I can tell by his slow descent we must be getting close to the field.
I tighten my grip as much as I can and brace myself for impact. Kane tries to keep his body horizontal, but as he prepares for the landing, my body starts to slip with gravity’s pull. I close my eyes, focusing on holding onto the spike. It’s just like the bar hanging from Orientation Day, I tell myself.
I try to envision it’s a metal bar a few feet off the ground that I’m hanging onto instead of the spine of a dragon. I take myself back to that first day of training, remembering how determined I was to hang on. With my eyes still closed, I send up a last-minute prayer to The Mother right before my body catches air. The impact of the ground beneath us sends my body slamming back into Kane’s spine. It takes everything in me to keep ahold of the spike and not let my hands slip from the forceful vibration.
Once I’m able to get my bearings, I quickly shimmy down his back leg.
At the same time my feet hit the ground, the ribbons of shadow withdraw from each royal Cimmerian, and they both turn to us.
