Page 149 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

The Galenite War had reignited.

And Kora Cadell would not be conquered this time.

65

Raiden

They landed outside the front of Windspire Castle, guards stumbling as Rayne’s wings beat, the force of their power spreading a wave of wind across the gardens. Nearby citizens sobbed, falling to their knees at the Pegasus. Rayne huffed, clearly enjoying the attention as Raiden slid off his back, patting his neck.

They were safe.

Barron hadn’t attacked yet.

They’d made it back in time. Thank the fucking gods.

Kora landed next, followed by Aryn, then Aerion, and bells rang from within the castle. Distant figures were running up the hill from Mistros City, waving at them, crying out. But not in fear, or agony.

A Pegasus hadn’t been seen for nearly three hundred years.

Raiden wouldn’t tell his people they weren’t real, that it was an illusion from the Devani god’s phantoms. His people needed a sign, they needed a symbol of hope. They needed to believe the Pegasi had returned.

“Praise be,” voices whispered as rows of civilians bowed, their foreheads pressed into the pebbled path.

Kora pulled back her hood, and gasps followed as she dismounted, taking Raiden’s hand. Aerion followed, taking Aryn’s hand as well, their union evident. Eyes ogled the four of them, wide, uncertain, hopeful.

“Kordelia!”

“She has returned!”

“Our saviour!”

Kora visibly grimaced at the name, her fear tinging the edges of Raiden’s fragile bubble. She was still afraid of Barron’s darkness in the back of her mind, of the fugue state wiping her completely.

“Why do they think I’m their saviour?”

“Because you did save them. Repeatedly. So much so my father made you a leader of the entire war strategy. You were their symbol, their hope. Your magic protected them, your connection to the waters was an island-wide defence.”

Some whispers wove through the crowd, of darkness and corruption. Kora’s hand tightened around his as the empire was mentioned—that she turned on them once before, and would do it again.

Yet, the crowd ushered forward, their hands turned out in prayer, tears filling their eyes. With the Pegasi, it painted the picture that Kora wasn’t evil. Raiden raised his hands in response, his power flaring gently, winding through the crowd. Wisps of wind blessed their foreheads, gentle touches, connecting him to every one of his people.

“Until it wasn’t,” she replied glumly.

“My people!” Raiden spoke and they paused, hanging onto his every word. “Haizea’s blessings have returned. The Pegasus, and your saviour’s presence, shows we have a chance. We will bring light back to this world. Galen will be free soon, and we will protect this world against the darkness!”

He tugged Kora to him, and she nervously glanced out at the crowd, her thumb and forefinger rubbing together with nervous energy.

“You may have known her as Kordelia once. But she has been through a trial, down a path of darkness, pain and reflection, and she has been reborn as Kora. You will always call her Kora.”

The castle doors flew open, the hinges creaking and snapping as steam wafted out. Zephyr followed, his stride wide as he marched towards them. Fuck. Aerion’s eyes flared, his brow furrowing as he glanced to Raiden, his question evident. When had he returned?

His father’s eyes blazed, rage encasing him in his preferred form of steam. His hair was pulled back tight, and he wore his royal attire, reminding everyone who was in control here. Raiden’s lips curled with a promise of a snarl as Skylar followed, her mouth gaping at the four Pegasus steeds. Aerion grabbed her elbow as soon as she was near, whispering into her ear.

Raiden paused for a moment, thanking the gods that Skylar was safe. That Windspire still stood. That they weren’t too late. Kora bristled beside him, and Raiden couldn’t help pushing her slightly behind him, his inner beast demanding protection. That his father was a threat.

“You have no right to address the people,” Zephyr snarled, his voice low. “Get inside. Now.”

Raiden lifted his chin. He’d had enough. He would no longer bow.