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My gaze shifted to where Evie stood, seeking her approval. She offered me a slight bow of her head, no emotion to be found in her expression and turned around, making her way back to the castle. Willow followed silently, but not before offering me a large grin.
Sadness sank my chest, but I promised myself to go to her after all of this, and make things right between us.
“I am proud of you, Braxton,” Kingston confessed with a smile, and holy shit, was I shocked.
“Thank you, Chief,” I answered, grinning like an idiot.
Regarding the rare sight of his smile, I quickly realized how much of a father figure he had become to me—even though I still feared that he might kill me in my sleep if I messed up again. Hearing him say that meant a lot to me after the rocky relationship we started with, but more importantly, I was proud of myself, and that was a far greater achievement.
“I never thought I’d say this, Chief. But I miss the scowl,” I mumbled and everyone around me laughed.
Kingston glowered at me again, shaking his head, but humor and pride remained in his eyes. He waved Asher to come to our side, and it was then that I realized my commander had left the circle, and now walked towards us with an elegant box in his hands. The one Skylar had given him.
I hadn’t paid much attention to the box when I first saw it, but now that it was placed before me, the first thing I noticed was the gold Dragon symbol on the top. It was the same one I’d seen on my father’s stuff.
“Well, aren’t you going to open it?” Asher complained, and I glanced at Kingston to receive his nod of approval.
Tension grew while everyone waited for me to do it, and I swallowed, turning the lock and lifting the lid.
A retractable spear, just like that of the Elevated Warriors lay inside, nestled in a bed of velvet. Like theirs, it was beautifully crafted of smooth black steel, its large, curved blade showing the delicate swirl detail. Unlike theirs, this one had the Dragon symbol engraved on the top of the handle in gold, and gold lines etched the blade as well as the bottom of the spear’s body.
My breath kind of halted when Kingston took it out of the box.
“I had expected this moment to occur differently,” he confessed, “but it has arrived, nonetheless.” He presented the weapon to me. “Receive your spear, Braxton. Elevated Warrior of the Skyborne Legion.”
My heart raced when I accepted the weapon, looking up at my chief.
“The heart of a true warrior recognizes when he must kill, and when he must let live. This week, as hard as it was for you to endure, you showed me you have that heart.” Kingston stepped back, offering me a bow of his head in respect, but I pulled him to me and hugged him.
Laughter and applause erupted around us when he hugged me back—for a split second—and then glowered at me again.
“Do something about those,” he growled, and I turned to see the Dragons still hovering in the air behind us.
Grinning at Tharion, I lifted my spear in the air. “Aghu. Aghu!”
“Aghu. Aghu!” the Elevated Warriors shouted with me, and Tharion’s roar resounded through the hidden kingdom. The other Dragons joined him.
* * *
The occasion turned into a celebration that engulfed the entire city. A rainbow of paper lanterns hung from strings, connecting the market stalls peppered along the sides. Music flared in the air, coming from native drums, guitars, tambourines, and even something that sounded like a saxophone but looked like a giant seashell.
Wine sloshed out of cups as people drank and danced, tables with exotic food were placed along the streets, dishes handed merrily to anyone who wanted a taste. It all reminded me of a merry and very lively block party.
Maybe they were all glad I was officially an Elevated Warrior. Maybe they celebrated like that whenever something they considered a victory happened—like the rescuing of the over two hundred people we have brought home. Or maybe, it was just an excuse to drink and dance, but I didn’t care. It was amazing, and I was honored to be part of it all.
The only thing missing to make this day perfect, was having Evie by my side.
My gaze lifted to the castle to see light spilling from her window. She had spent all day tending to kingdom matters, visiting the houses that now sheltered our new arrivals and confirming their needs were met. She also made sure those who had been injured, too weak, or unconscious when we got them out of the Crimson Fortress, were now healing and felt safe. The rest of her day was spent in a meeting with Kingston, and although he had finally joined the event, she hadn’t come with him.
After a quick search, I found the chief eating a roasted leg of something that probably belonged in the Flintstones. Asher and Skylar danced near him, enjoying themselves while the love they felt for each other burst from their every pore. I secretly wondered if it was true that they hadn’t married because she was making him wait, or if there was another reason. The rest of the warriors were scattered all along the party, with Harper and Elijah chatting and laughing by my side.
“I’ll be right back,” I told them, and tried to slip out of there unnoticed by anyone else, just to bump into a twirling-happy Willow.
“Braxton Skyburrito! Elevated Warrior of the Skyborne Legion,” she cheered, lifting her wine goblet, and taking a sip when others cheered too. Willow began to dance around me, clearly on her “one too many” glasses of wine. “You know, I like you, Brax. You are a good guy.” Her hand patted my chest appreciatively, and she squeezed my pec. “I approve,” she mumbled.
Twirling again, her back bumped into Harper, and we all reached for her so she wouldn’t keel over.
“I’m fine. I’m fine!” Willow waved us away, but Kingston noticed, instantly coming to her rescue.
