Page 4 of A Court of Darkness and Dragons

Chapter

Two

The wind shifted.

Kaelith snarled beneath me, and in the same breath, I saw him gliding low through the clouds, a streak of obsidian wings and curved silver blades. A Blood Fae rider, his dragon sleek and predatory, its black scales flickering like oil over flame. Shadows clung to the beast’s underbelly as if the night refused to let it go.

Incoming, I snapped through the bond.

Zander wheeled Hein around in an instant. “Form up!” he called aloud, voice slicing through the air. Ferrula drew her spear. Naia shifted her stance. Tae cursed and tightened his rope.

But Zander didn’t wait for the squad to act.

Hein launched forward, wings folding briefly to gain speed, then flaring open with such precision it stole my breath. The dark dragon surged to meet them, jaws open, magic pulsing black and sickly around its throat.

And then⁠—

Steel met flesh in the sky.

Hein spun midair, claws raking the enemy’s flank while Zander rose from his saddle just enough to bring his blade across the Blood Fae’s chest. The enemy screamed as blood arced through the air like a comet’s tail. The black dragon shrieked, twisting away, but Hein followed like vengeance given form, his tail whipping up and catching the beast under the chin.

They vanished into the clouds in a tumbling fury of fire and wings.

Seconds later, Hein emerged alone, blood on his talons, Zander’s jaw clenched, eyes sweeping the skies.

“Return to Warriath,” he commanded. “Now.”

We didn’t argue. Kaelith pivoted, her body coiling with tension as we banked hard toward Warriath. The rest of the squad followed, streaks of silver, green, and blue slashing through the darkening sky.

I reached for Zander through the bond. How are we going to beat them? The Blood Fae…

We find the traitor in the castle; he replied instantly, his voice a low burn. They’re feeding the enemy our movements. That’s how they keep ahead of us. That’s how they got to Lady Belana. And it’s how they’ll win if we don’t stop them.

And save your father, I added quietly.

A pause.

And Dorian, he said. If possible.

I glanced sideways as we soared through the cloud bank. Zander rode Hein as if he were born to it, one hand loose on the rope, the other resting on his hip where his blade waited. Hein flew like a storm god, every motion fluid, dangerous, and impossibly precise. Zander didn’t grip tightly. He didn’t need to. The dragon knew his rider.

They moved as one.

I know you won’t like this, I said, but we need to speak with Cade.

A heartbeat of hesitation.

Agreed, Zander said, voice grim.

Below us, Warriath’s towers crept into view, the city cloaked in torchlight and tension.

Let’s hope he’s not a traitor.

We landed hard, hooves and talons striking the stone with finality that echoed through the Ascension Grounds. The guards scattered as Kaelith skidded into her place beside Hein, wings still partially unfurled, her gold eyes scanning the darkened skies as if she hadn’t yet decided if the fight were truly over.

I swung down from her saddle, my legs sore and trembling from the long flight, and unfastened the straps with practiced hands. Beside me, Jax was already helping Ferrula down from Narvea, while Tae swayed in his.

“Hold still,” Naia muttered as she untied his rope. “You’re gonna face-plant.”