Page 131 of Feralheart

“You should stay toward the center. The mist rises from the edges first.”

His eyebrow lifted. “Giving me advice now?”

“Keeping you alive. Someone has to.”

The almost-smile became real, crooked and brief and completely devastating. “Then I guess we’re even.”

We weren’t. We never would be. He’d killed for me, given me supplies, and defended my registration in front of his mother.

But I’d just walked across sand to make sure he knew I’d noticed.

“I saw what you did. You let Aristus choose.”

Warmth flickered in his eyes. “You sound like you approve.”

“I do.” Acknowledging that an elite had done something right cost me something, but this was also another price I was willing to pay. “He flies better without the control.”

“So does Selira with you.” His throat worked. “I’ve been watching as well.”

Heat crawled up my neck.

“Aristus used to move that way with me, before…” His jaw tightened. “Before I forgot what trust felt like.”

The admission hung between us. He’d just given me something he probably hadn’t even admitted to himself.

An ache settled in my chest.

“Keep Aristus close. Don’t…” I swallowed. “Don’t lose him.”

I knew what it would do to Fenian if he did. I’d seen it in his face every time he looked at his dragon.

“I won’t.” His voice went rough. “Thanks to you.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You showed me what I couldn’t see.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice, and turned to go.

“Eradin.”

I looked back.

“Fly well,” he said. “Fly like no one’s watching.”

“Everyone’s watching.”

“Then give them something to see.”

I walked back to Selira, my hands trembling, my heart throbbing in a complicated, painful way.

This wasn’t just about survival anymore.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ERADIN

The rest period lasted exactly as long as it took to realize we couldn’t rest.