Chapter Forty-Five

CHAPTER

FORTY-FIVE

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I 'M SO EXHAUSTED I COULD FALL OFF MY HORSE. WE HAVEN'T stopped riding, wanting to get out of enemy territory and back to our friends as soon as possible. Granted, the dragons would kill anyone who threatens us, and they'd make resting much easier, but every time I close my eyes, I think of all the possible dangers Finnian, Saskia, and Ryder could've run into.

The silver lining has been learning more about the dragons, such as their love for burying their heads in snowbanks and secretly dipping into ponds to scare me by popping out. They also love it when I stand beneath them. Sometimes they'll bend down to rest their chin on my head and hide me from the world with their wings.

News of the heist will have reached Vareveth by now, and I haven't thought about what I'll say to Ailliard when I see him. I understand his reluctance toward them considering they killed my mother, even if it was self-defense. A cornered animal can't be blamed for snapping, especially when they were so young. Anyone who deals in magic knows that the consequences can be deadly, and my father should've realized that before he tried to break my bond.

The horses propel us forward, and my heart pounds in my chest as I note the sounds of the Vareveth camp: chattering soldiers and clattering steel. We cut through the mountains, so we were able to cross the border without having to concern ourselves with Imirath soldiers. Tent peaks loom between the forest brush, and I urge my horse to quicken her pace.

The dragons dip down from the clouds in a perfect triangular formation led by Basilius, and their roars are the only things loud enough to overpower the cheering soldiers who sprint out of tents to get a look at them. We break into the crowd, slowing our horses so we don't trample anyone, and I immediately spy Saskia jumping and clapping with tears sliding down her face as she watches us.

Chants begin streaming down the border, all centering on Cayden, the dragons, and me. People tip their awe-filled eyes to the sky, unable to believe what they're seeing. Some have even fainted facedown in the dirt. Finnian exits a tent behind the crowd and makes a beeline toward me. The relief that overtakes me is enough to throw me from my horse.

Finnian's grin is contagious, and he scoops me into his arms, hoisting me in the air. His hollering is muffled by my chest, and I tilt my head back to cheer along with everyone else. As if they're trying to speak with me, the dragons join, and the laughter that spills out of me is pure happiness. Pain knocks against my ribs, but no amount of discomfort can overpower this moment.

I ruffle Finnian's curls as he sets me down, so immensely thankful that he's alive. He's a loss my soul can't bear. Saskia has her arms wrapped around Cayden's neck, and his lips are quirked in a way that leads me to believe he's saying something sarcastic. Which she confirms by smacking the back of his head as Ryder spills out of a tent, nearly falling on his face when Venatrix lands beside him.

Saskia rushes toward me with her arms outstretched, and I wrap myself around her once we meet in the middle. "I'm so happy to see you," I say.

"Gods, I missed you."

"I missed you, too, Sas."

She guides us to where Ryder has his arm wrapped around Cayden's shoulders with his fist in the air, cheering along to the dragon chant. The last knot of worry unties itself, and my knees almost buckle. All ten of us, we made it. I can't stop the onslaught of emotion when more tears pour from Saskia's eyes, and I lose myself in the bliss of this moment.

We enter the tent Finnian and Ryder came out of and throw ourselves around a dining table. It's clear they haven't slept either, but it appears they've been here long enough to wash up and change their clothes. "How did you know to come to the edge of the border?" I ask. I thought we wouldn't see them until we reached the section closer to the castle.

"We saw the dragons escape the castle when we were sailing down the canal. We knew you'd either be dead or forced to flee from the tower, and there was only one route you could've taken," Saskia says with a grim smile.

"But you'll be pleased to know that our generous King Eagor has planned a celebration dinner tomorrow evening," Ryder mutters.

Cayden groans and falls back against his chair, and I can't say I'm much happier than him. I'd prefer a night at the tavern, or a day of sleep. I slump in my chair but spring forward when my corset presses into a bruise.

"Do you want me to loosen the ties?" Cayden asks.

I nod, offering him my back and facing an all-too-invested Finnian, who drums his fingers against his lips. When the corset sits comfortably around me, Cayden pulls my chair closer to his and skims his hands along my sides.

"I called it!" Ryder exclaims, pointing a finger at Saskia.

"Reward is sweet," Finnian says, performing a dance in his seat that makes him look like he has to relieve himself. Saskia leans forward, resting her elbows on the table while she rubs her temples.

Cayden sighs. "You know, I'd like to take a tonic to forget the things you do."

"Did—" I wave my hands between the three of them, working my way to a conclusion. "Did you three have a bet about us sleeping together?"

"You can't be mad considering it happened," Finnian reasons.

"Everybody wins," Ryder adds.

"You and I get money." Finnian gestures between himself and Ryder. "You two had sex." He gestures between Cayden and me before turning to Saskia again. "Well, you lose money, but you can relish the fact you won't have to watch them eye-fuck each other from across the room anymore."

"How eloquently put, Finnian," Cayden dryly states.

I narrow my eyes. "Perhaps he should consider becoming a poet."

"I'm too sleep-deprived to deal with you all at once," Saskia mutters, but the mirth in her eyes betrays her words.

I slip from the table in need of a bath as Finnian and Cayden announce they'll bring back food for us. The steaming water caresses my sore muscles, and hunger is the only thing that motivates me to move. If I could eat in this tub, I'd never leave. I smile to myself when I spy my favorite soaps and oils on the tray and lather myself until my skin turns pink. Cayden mentioned he has tents stationed down the border, and I suppose each is stocked with things to bring me comfort given they're unopened. After the room he designed for me in his usual tent, I shouldn't be surprised.

I don the emerald sweater and black cotton pants that I've come to favor over the past few weeks that Saskia must've grabbed before coming here. Cayden's clothes are too comfortable to resist. I scrunch the remaining water from my hair and am carried back to the table by the savory scent of herb-encrusted meats, seasoned vegetables, and buttery potatoes.

Cayden piles a plate high, sets it in front of me when I take the seat beside him, and rests his arm along my chair, occasionally rubbing my back. I've learned he can't keep his hands off me for too long.

"What happened in the dragon chamber?" Ryder asks. "I'm assuming it went well considering five beasts are currently circling this tent."

"Well . . . yes and no. The bruises on my torso and leg are from the dragons," I reply after taking a sip of cider. "But Sorin burned some soldiers for me. He's the green one."

"She's being modest," Cayden cuts in. "She decimated a battalion in seconds." I smile fondly at the memory and send a loving stroke down the bond to Sorin.

Ryder whistles. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Did they claw apart the castle once you got the chains off?" Finnian asks.

"Cayden blew it up," I answer.

Saskia groans. "You take far too much interest in explosives."

Cayden fists his pint, smirking. "I'm a firm believer in widening my skill set to be as lethal as possible."

A sea of laughter encompasses us, and I relax in the presence of friends. Each person in this tent has changed me in some way, welcomed me into their lives without question, and didn't merely open locked doors with me. They helped me decimate the doors and burn them to smithereens. We walked toward danger together and came back stronger.

I have my dragons and a place where I don't feel I need to dilute myself. Being around people who truly accept you feels like pure magic.

My eyelids grow heavy, and fatigue ends the day before I'm ready. We'll return to the castle tomorrow, but none of us are ready for the ride to Verendus. There are four additions to the main tent, one being a spare bedroom that Finnian now occupies, which leaves me with . . .

Cayden kisses my knuckles. "The room on the left, angel."

"Not so fast, sunshine." Ryder draws the attention of the room. "Thin." He points at me. "Walls." He points at Cayden.

"The next time you have a thought, let it ruminate in your head for ten seconds before speaking," Cayden says.

"Thin walls!" Ryder repeats.

"Jealousy isn't a good look on you, darling."

Ryder glares over his ale before shoving Cayden's shoulder. Gods, the two of them bicker like an old married couple. Yet all it takes is one look between them to know they'd do anything for each other.

Finnian stands from his chair and throws his arm around my shoulders to lead me toward Cayden's room. "I get her while you bathe, Veles. She's my girl first."

I'm too tired to add anything so I laugh softly and lean farther into Finnian's body. I'll always be his girl. I dive onto the bed and cocoon myself in comfort as Finnian stretches out beside me above the blankets. We lie on our sides to face each other, and I can't count how many times we fell asleep like this when our nightmares woke us. We were two tortured children and the only shelter we had from the world was each other.

"You okay?" I whisper.

"Just soaking it in." A knot forms between his brows. "I was terrified I'd never see you again."

"I know the feeling." I lace my fingers through his, so utterly grateful he's unscathed. "And yet you weren't scared enough to resist gambling over my activities. "

He smiles wide, laughing softly. "I'll buy you a treat with my earnings."

"I want another one of those raspberry pastries I had in Imirath."

"Fine."

"You very well could have lost money," I grumble.

"Oh, Ellie." He sighs like he's about to tell me the fairies that leave presents for us on the winter solstice are a myth. "That man can't keep his eyes off you and looks for you even when you're not in a room. But when he does find you . . . it's like he's always seeing you for the first time."

My heart flips in my chest. "You've become quite perceptive."

"I'm in charge of looking out for your best interests."

I laugh, snuggling deeper into the blankets. "Well, no one will ever be good enough for you, Finny. So when you find someone you're interested in, he better be man enough to withstand me. I'll make good on my inevitable threats if he hurts you."

"Likewise, and I'd expect nothing less from you." He leans over to kiss my forehead. "Good night, darling."

"I love you," I mumble before fully losing my battle with sleep.

I'm welcomed into the magic of the night as my dreams vividly perform behind my eyelids. My dragons are here, almost like they refuse to lose me to anything, even sleep, now that we're reunited. I soar with them and swirl around the clouds, hopping between their backs to fly on each. But a gentle pressure on my forehead wakes me before I can touch a star.

"Go back to sleep, angel. It's just me," Cayden whispers, placing another kiss to my forehead.

I dig my palms into my eyes and blink a few times to get my bearings. My sweater rests just below my breasts, and Cayden rubs white cotton bandages between his hands. He sits beside me with wet hair and pants hanging low on his hips, and it makes my toes curl beneath the covers. Even more so when he begins wrapping the bandages around my torso, his fingers skimming the underside of my breasts as he arches my back for me.

A sigh leaves my lips when the bandages heat up. "Gods, this is magical." My spine goes rigid in an instant. "Are these truly magical?"

He smirks at me as he ties them off and leans down to kiss above the waistband on my pants. I press my lips together to stifle a moan, and he hooks his fingers to slide them down my legs and toss them to the ground. He takes a second roll and bends my leg to wrap it around my thigh.

"This isn't fair. I want to know where all the magic is hidden." His smirk turns into a grin. "I'll stab you if you say something vulgar."

"Princess Elowen, your mind is far too depraved." He lies down and wraps his arms around me. "I was merely recalling the moment you said you'd never get in bed with a criminal."

"I do it for the thrill, I suppose. The world won't believe the Commander of Vareveth has a soft side."

"People will write ballads about the irony. The commander has a soft spot for the queen who held a knife to his neck." He kisses the spot between my brows that creases once my smile fades and props himself on his elbow. "What's wrong?"

I swallow my nerves and take a deep breath. "Will Eagor be a problem . . . for us?"

He slides his hand up my torso to rest it on my cheek, dragging his thumb over my cheekbone. "I will not let him, or anyone, keep me from you."

He lowers his head to give me a slow and sweet kiss, filled with comfort and reassurance. I don't want to relinquish my hold on him but know I should. It makes me want to bundle up in blankets and only do this for a whole day. I slide my fingers through his hair to pull him closer, and sigh into his mouth.

"Thin walls!" Ryder shouts from the room beside us. Cayden groans and drops his head to my neck.

"How did you even hear that?" Finnian's voice joins the swarm.

"I. Hear. Everything."

"Stop talking," Saskia hisses.

"If we were fucking, you would all know," Cayden says, and I punch him in the arm. "I didn't specify you're the reason."

I huff and turn away from him, so he doesn't see my blush, but he kisses my cheek before settling behind me and pulling me close. Darkness reclaims me again, as do dreams of dragons.