Page 103 of Maleen

“The coast is clear, on our way,” Rav says.

We all let out a breath, but we won’t feel better until Nero is back in here and our mate is back in her own mind.

“Now,” she hisses and Killian opens the door for Nero, who lands promptly on his fae’s shoulder. Her eyes open and she takes a deep breath, looking grim. “The information we received was right. It looks like mostly first and second years here. The academy also seems to be running on a skeleton staff.”

We exchange glances just as we hear someone outside. Three knocks, just as we instructed—it must be Ashbluff. Talyn nods at Killlian who pulls his sword from his sheath, and Talyn summons flames. Kill pushes open the door to reveal just the male we were looking for.

Aemon grabs him by the tunic and pulls him in, and the door is shut behind him. “Do you have any intent to hurt us?”

“No, why would I want to hurt you?” he raises his brows, glancing around at us.

I laugh. “Oh just because the lords are basically using a shiny red stone to brainwash fae and make them do their bidding. Have you seen any shiny red stones lately?” I ask, tipping his chin up with the pointy side of my blade.

He shakes his head. “No, but that would make sense. Not long after you left, some of the cadets seemed to be acting differently. And some of the dragons weren’t behaving as they should. Is Lord Craven behind this, too?”

“All of them are behind this. Tonight it ends,” Killian growls. “How many cadets will fight against their peers if they have to?”

Ashbluff straightens. “Quite a few. Word has reached us that our Princess has returned,” he bows toward my mate. As he should. “I should have known the moment you flew out of the keep on that purple beast. It’s good to have you back. The lords have been losing their grip here. They’re desperate, but that’s why I’m confused that you’re here, not in Maleen…”

“Why is that? You asked for aid,” Rav queries, her voice leaking with venom.

He shakes his head. “It wasn’t me. I sent a pixie saying to prepare yourselves, that war is coming to your doorstep. Most of the school has vacated on Craven’s orders. They should reach Maleen in a few days’ time.”

“Fuck!” she snaps. “Okay. New plan. Kill Jesp’s and Kill’s fathers. You secure the academy and keep all the first years safe, then we need to get back to Maleen to warn everyone.”

“We will have time. It’s only a day’s ride to Maleen, and you, Aemon and Ember can get there in half a day to warn everyone if needed,” Talyn reminds her.

She shakes her head. “We will not split up. Not again. Let’s get this done.”

“Wait,” I state. “Why are all the cadets out of bed at this hour?”

Everyone turns to Ashbluff. “I have no idea. We just got the memo before your familiar showed up at my window, I was just about to head down there.”

“Wonderful. More surprises,” Killian snarks before opening the passageway door and storming out.

We quickly follow him and I keep a close eye on Ashbluff. I push against his mind and he lets me in with only a side glance. Everything seems boring and normal so I pull out. He hasn’t lied—someone must have intercepted the pixie he sent, which means someone is onto him. Which means…

“Wait. I think we are walking into a trap.” The others stop. “I normally would be the one running in, magick and knives blazing, but I think that’s what they want. His pixie was intercepted, which means they know we are here. Which would explain why they’ve pulled the cadets out of their rooms at this hour.”

Aemon curses. “You’re right. Fuck, how did I not piece that together right away?”

“I think we are all a bit worked up right now,” Ravina says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I say we go and greet them anyway. I’m done sneaking around.”

“Little Warrior. What if they’re planning on using the cadets against you?” Killian moves toward her, the sconces from the hall flicking like a ticking clock.

“Then we will deal with it. We will protect them. Call the dragons. It’s time they know we have arrived.” Her anger pulses through the bond and Fates, do I find her glorious.

Once we are all in agreement, I follow my mate to the training yard because Fates know I would follow her anywhere, even into the void.

THE AIR IS crisp and chilled as we walk out into the yard. The mountain breeze is like a shock to the system, wiping away any exhaustion that wants to settle into my bones. Vasari’s roar is echoed by the rest of our family’s wing, followed by countless other dragons.

My mate stands front and center of our crew, sword drawn in one hand and flames in the other as she fearlessly walks down the rows of cadets on either side of us. Nero puffs out his chest, staring straight ahead. I don’t care what anyone says—mostly because I’ll cut out their tongue because they are wrong—but Ravina is a goddess given a mortal body. She’s everything a queen can embody, and I can’t wait to see her in all her glory as she takes back what’s hers.

My father steps forward when he sees us, his face twisted in a sneer. “Jesper. What an unpleasant surprise,” he says, projecting his voice for all to hear. “My traitorous son has come to beg for my forgiveness, has he? Especially after everything I’ve given you.”

“You will not speak to my mate. You answer to me,” Ravina growls, stopping twenty feet away from where they’re standing. “If anyone is the traitor, it is the Lords of Allondë, Imperset and Skyrivene.”

Killian’s father says nothing, not even glancing at his son as he stares down my mate with wrath. I hope Killian saves his eyeballs for Nero.