Page 43 of A Court of Darkness and Dragons

Zander’s voice rose. “Fight for your dragons. Fight for your brothers and sisters. Fight for Warriath, and do not stop until our enemies are driven back into the shadows they crawled from.”

The cheer that followed was deafening.

“Call for your dragons. The enemy is at our feet, and war is inevitable.”

We called for our dragons in unison; the bond pulling at my chest as Kaelith’s answering roar split the air. Wings beat the wind into a frenzy as she descended, her massive form blotting out the sun for a heartbeat.

I ran a hand down her scales as I mounted, feeling her magic hum beneath my palms. Around me, the others swung into their saddles, banners snapping in the wind.

Zander gave a single nod, and with a thunder of wings, we rose together—an arrow of fire and fury aimed at the horizon.

Chapter

Fifteen

The wind rushed in my ears as the aerial squads spread into formation, banners streaming from the lead riders. Zander’s presence slid into my mind as smoothly as a familiar touch, steady and warm against the bracing chill of altitude. His magic brushed mine, grounding me even as the adrenaline thrummed through my veins.

Siergen’s great crimson form circled above us, his shadow rippling over the mountains before he abruptly turned back toward Warriath.

What is he doing? I asked Zander through the bond, keeping my gaze locked on the dragon’s retreating silhouette.

He is guarding Warriath, Zander replied, his mental voice calm, sure. There are more unbonded dragons now—especially with those from the Lost Continent. While they lack our magic, they have the numbers, and the wards will aid them.

A small swell of relief loosened my chest. I’m glad we have Siergen.

There was a pause before Zander answered softly, As am I.

A new voice cut in a moment later—deep, sharp-edged, and threaded with dry humor. If you don’t stop thinking about the king, I will throw you off. I am your dragon.

I almost laughed aloud. Hein’s sarcasm was enough to pull the corners of Zander’s mouth into the slightest smile. I am very thankful you chose me, Hein. I’m just surprised that Siergen…

…treated you as if you were his own, Hein finished for him without hesitation.

Yes, Zander admitted. Especially since I wasn’t his rider.

I held my breath, grateful to be included in the conversation. I suspected Kaelith’s sharp curiosity had something to do with that—her attention was fully fixed on every word, and Hein clearly didn’t mind.

Siergen has done many things the horde hasn’t understood at the time, Hein went on, including taking a shunned prince under his wing. But he saw something in you that I admit… I didn’t. Not until that fae tried to assassinate you and you used Dark Fire to kill him—before you were bonded to me.

What? I blurted, my shock carrying through the link like a flare.

Zander’s voice came through the bond quieter now, as if the memory pulled at something deeper. I was feeling… left out. Emlem was always training my older brothers, but never included me. I started sneaking out of the castle to find my own adventures.

I shifted slightly in Kaelith’s saddle, tightening my grip on the reins. What happened?

I shouldn’t have been surprised that Siergen was watching me, Zander continued. But I was near the Hollow, and he believed me safe—even though I was outside the wards.

A chill worked its way down my spine. A fae attacked you?

Yes. Keep in mind—I was fifteen years old, and no fae had been seen this close to Warriath since the last war. But the Blood Fae was looking for something in the Hollow and spotted me. He assumed I’d be an easy kill and thought no one would ever know a Blood Fae had killed me if he used a sword.

I felt my stomach turn. He told you that?

Oh, he told me everything he planned to do to me. He used an immobilization spell first so I couldn’t move, then taunted me. Cut me.

That’s horrible.

It was, he admitted. But when he was about to run me through, Siergen screamed in my mind. Power flared through me, and my Dark Fire exploded out of me.