Chapter 26

26

" T wo weeks?"

Zadyn leans against the railing of the spiral staircase, arms crossed over his chest, watching as I grip the polished wooden ladder and push off the ground. I fly across the expansive tile floor, seamlessly gliding past a wall of floor-to-ceiling books.

"That's what the king said."

"Then you need to stop procrastinating," he calls, eyeing me disapprovingly as I zoom past.

"You're grouchy today." Sighing, I hop off the ladder and saunter over to him. "Cece not putting out?"

"Hah. You're deflecting." He runs his hand through his caramel waves, clearly vexed by my lack of seriousness.

"I just don't understand why no one will give me a break. I've got my magic, I'm kicking ass in combat—don't I deserve a little credit for all my hard work?" I slump into a chair, really milking it.

"You have been working hard, but accessing your magic and learning to fight was only half the battle. You still can't even ride a horse. How do you expect to ride a dragon?"

"Well, then maybe we should be focusing on riding lessons rather than being cooped up in this castle day in and day out. Not that I'm complaining." I gesture to the spectacular library before flopping my arms down in front of me.

Zadyn braces his hands on the edge of the table, the veins in his arms bulging. I lose my train of thought as his chiseled bicep reaches up to push his hair back again.

When does he find the time to work out?

I can't imagine anyone being that naturally blessed. That would just be unfair.

His gaze narrows suspiciously as a rogue lock of toffee-colored hair escapes and falls into his eyes. "You just want an excuse to go exploring."

The sound of his voice snaps me back to the present moment. I give him a noncommittal shrug, still oddly disarmed by that singular wave spilling over his forehead.

"Why not kill two birds with one stone?" I ask innocently.

Twenty minutes later, Zadyn leads me to a stall at the far end of the stables. Before us stands one of the dark, majestic creatures that traveled with Jace and the twins.

"This"—Zadyn grabs a saddle from the rack on the wall—"is a Stygian horse. They are the most expensive purebreds in all of Solterre."

"What makes them so special?" I ask, watching Zadyn dress the steed.

"Aside from the fact that they are slightly larger than your average horse, they ride five times as fast. They're fierce and rare. Made for battle. Only the highest-ranking generals in the Kingsguard and the richest noblemen have acquired them."

Stepping forward, I reach a hand toward the horse. It snaps at me, bearing a full set of razor-sharp fangs as I scream in horror.

" What the fuck?! "

"Careful," Zadyn warns lightly.

"What's up with their teeth?"

"Stygians have razor-sharp teeth to rip apart any threat to their rider."

"I don't think he wants me to ride him."

"It's a she. And if you think that's bad, wait until you meet Prophyria."

"Who?"

"Your dragon. Her name is Prophyria. Last of her kind."

"How do you know her name?"

"It's only been recorded in every history book for the last two thousand years."

"I'm going to ride a dragon ," I try out the words in my mouth. They sound ridiculous. "I've never even seen one in the flesh."

"No one has in a very long time."

"Yeah, but it's like saying you're going to ride a dinosaur. It sounds so fantastical. Impossible. What if I can't do it?" I plop down on a bale of hay and glance up at Zadyn. His hands still on the horse's side as he glances at me over his shoulder.

"The Blackbloods that came before you did it. You've just begun to tap into your power, but your strength has been there all along. You won't fail."

"She will if she's unprepared."

Jace's throaty voice makes me snap my head around. Clad in all black, he leans against the stall door with sensual grace. My heart rate ticks up .

"I thought you had business at the border," I say to him.

A muscle in his jaw tightens and then relaxes. "Finished early."

"Is that what you tell your many lovers?" I ask innocently, batting my eyelashes. He slides me a slow glare, but there is no malice in his eyes. I chuckle internally.

"She'll be prepared. It's best she starts with something low risk," Zadyn interrupts our banter, impatience lacing his voice.

"Oh, I agree." Jace straightens off the wall and comes to stand beside me, eyes fixed on Zadyn. "Learning to ride horseback is essential. But just to state the obvious, a Stygian horse has nothing on a dragon. The only similarity is that both have backs for her to ride on."

"How else can I prepare?" I look up at him as he angles his head slightly.

"No," Zadyn says flatly, apparently reading his mind. He takes the horse's reins and leads it from the stall as we follow behind.

"Oh, come on," Jace drawls lazily.

"What?" I ask.

"She needs to get airborne," he insists.

"Airborne?" I all but screech.

"She hasn't even attempted to fly," Zadyn tosses over his shoulder, stepping out into the blinding sunlight.

"Fly?" My voice lifts. "You want me to try to fly?"

"It's not what it sounds like," Zadyn explains through his exasperation. "It's more like hovering."

"Look, skilled witches can spell anything to fly, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. Nothing draws attention like a floating cow. But if you fall, hovering is your only other defense," Jace explains.

Zadyn says nothing as he motions for me to join him beside the massive horse .

"She needs to have every skill in her arsenal before attempting to bond the dragon. Too many things can go wrong. She should be prepared for every scenario. It's her best chance at survival," Jace calls to him. Zadyn shoots him a glare.

"He's right," I say. Zadyn slides his heated brown eyes to mine. "This will be the most dangerous thing I've ever done. I have to know how to save myself."

Zadyn holds my gaze, and as he does, the ice in it thaws. He swallows and nods once. Turning to Jace, he asks incredulously, "And how do you suppose you're going to teach her?"

"I have ways," he answers smugly.

I toss Zadyn a pleading look.

"Alright," he says, looking past my shoulder back to Jace. "But we do it safely."

"Safe is my middle name." Jace holds up his arms innocently, a dark smirk blooming on his full bottom lip. I fight the blush threatening to creep up my neck.

"We'll find you when we're done here," Zadyn tells him dismissively.

"Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world," Jace exaggerates with a dramatic sigh, planting his feet shoulder-width apart and crossing his arms. Zadyn and I simultaneously roll our eyes and turn back to the horse.

Riding a Stygian horse solo is…terrifying. It isn't helped by the fact that Hansel, the eighty-five-year-old mare, is a living terror.

From the moment I ease into the saddle, Hansel bucks and brays wildly, seeking to flatten me on the ground beneath her massive hooves. I place a hand on her silken neck to soothe her, and the wretch actually strains her head to snap at my fingers. I pull back with a sharp yelp.

"Steady." Zadyn tries to soothe her, his hands outstretched innocuously. He shifts his gaze to mine. "Tighten your grip. Lock your thighs. The more you squeeze, the more control you have. You have to show her who's leading."

I bring my thighs together as tight as I can until they strain, and Hansel simmers down slightly.

"Good. Hold that posture," Zadyn encourages.

"How do I get her to go?"

"Tug the reins. Gently," he directs.

The second I do, Hansel takes off like a bat out of hell toward the thicket of oak trees beyond the stables. A squeal bursts from me as I tighten my grip on the reins. Wind whips through my hair as we fly through the dense forest, my hips lifting from the saddle with every punishing gallop.

"Hansel!" I shout in command, locking my thighs together like Zadyn said. That at least keeps me from flying straight off the Stygian horse as she bounds toward a sizable body of water. There's no way we'll clear it, I think to myself. But the running jump we take sails us clean across the little lake, and we land with a thud on the other side. As soon as her feet touch the ground, she's off again, faster than any racehorse alive. Thunderous gallops sound from behind, and I turn back to see Zadyn and Jace, each on their own horses, barreling toward me.

"The reins!" Jace shouts.

"What?" I yell back, seeing the panic edging their brows.

"Pull the reins! Now!" Zadyn screams at me.

Facing forward, I notice that not ten feet away, the clearing comes to a steep drop met only with mountain sky. I yank the reins back with all of my strength and pray that's enough to stop us from careening over into the valley below. My heart thunders with every long stride we take. Hansel is slowing, but she hasn't stopped.

Oh, god.

"Stop!" I shout at her. " Hansel, stop !"

Four more gallops, and we'll be done for.

"Serena!" someone shouts from behind.

I grit my teeth against the horse's strength and power, pulling the leather so hard it skins my sweating palms. The battle cry I loose bounds off the waiting canyon below as I brace myself to go over the edge. At the last possible moment, Hansel skids to a stop mere inches before we run out of forest. Mud and debris crumble from the edge of the drop, cascading into the deep valley below.

My heart thunders in my ears as I tug Hansel once more, and she turns obediently toward the two males behind me.

Two sets of worry-stricken eyes stare at me as they simultaneously dismount.

Zadyn reaches me first, a horrified look on his face.

"So much for lower risk." Jace slows a few feet away from us, and I watch his gaze shift to Zadyn's hand on my leg. When his eyes find mine again, he says, "I swear, witch, you could turn a morning stroll through the gardens into a near-death experience."

I throw him a quick scowl.

"You're alright," Zadyn says, more to himself than to me. He takes the reins and leads us back the way we came.

"So clearly, the trade-off for Stygian size and speed is common sense." I grimace as the creature below me snarls as if understanding my insult. Zadyn and Jace remount their horses, and Hansel thankfully behaves on our way back.

When we reach the serene meadow and glittering pond Hansel and I crossed during her little tantrum, Jace pulls his horse to a sudden stop and slides off .

"What are you doing?" Zadyn asks him.

Jace answers by stripping off his shirt. My jaw drops unabashedly.

"We tried it your way—the safe way." He tosses his black tunic on the mossy ground and slides his eyes from Zadyn to me. "Now we try it my way."

I don't know what the hell he means, but before I even attempt to question it, my body is dismounting and sliding to the ground. An impressed look crosses his face as he cocks his head at me.

"That actually wasn't bad."

I watch, frozen, as he tugs his boots off.

"Come on," he says. "I want to see you fly."

He dives into the sparkling stream and comes up a breath later, water cascading down his skin.

"Close your mouth," Zadyn says with quiet irritation. I shoot him a dirty look to hide my embarrassment.

I strip off my boots, pull my tunic over my head, and unlace my leather pants, pulling free the tucked-in silk undershirt that falls just past my ass. Shimmying out of the pants, I straighten to find both males looking at me intently.

"Have neither of you seen a female's undergarments before?" I throw my head back to Zadyn as I head for the pool of water. "Close your mouth," I taunt.

A splatter of color blossoms up his neck. I've barely dipped my toes into the inviting water when Jace holds up a hand, halting me.

"This isn't an afternoon swim," he says chidingly. "You start back there." He points to the tree a few yards behind me.

I angle my head in confusion.

"This is just here to make your fall more comfortable." His hands glide through the water's glass-like surface. "You're going to need a running start, witch. "

Rolling my eyes, I trudge toward the tree. "So that's it? I just run and jump and think happy thoughts?" I flail my arms in the air.

"More or less." Jace chuckles, pushing the wet hair from his face to reveal that magnificent bone structure.

Letting my eyes drift closed, I focus on that soft purr of magic coating my veins with anticipatory keenness. I breathe deep, inhaling the earthen scents and crisp breeze as my toes curl around the soft soil. My eyes open and I break into a run.

I take one—two more strides and leap. For a split second, I am suspended in mid-air. Then without even time to suck in a breath, I flop face-first into the water from at least three feet above.

The surface slaps my entire front, stinging my face as a cold, dull ache blossoms deep in my gut. The air leaves me as I flap my arms and break through the surface, choking the inhaled water from my lungs.

Jace's laughter bounds off the clearing as I part my heavy mass of dark hair to glower at him.

"That fucking hurt." I splash him.

"That was magnificent," he cackles. I lunge for him, but he grips both my wrists instinctively. My belly flop is momentarily forgotten as his gaze travels down my long hair, plastered to the front of my now see-through camisole. His eyes are sober when they flicker back to mine. I wrench my wrists free.

"That was not funny." I tread away from him.

"That was only your first try." He nods toward the tree. "Off you go."

I pull myself up onto the soft grass. Goosebumps coat my bare skin as I make my way back toward the tree.

"Any other words of advice?" I call to them.

"Yeah, don't just run and then flop this time," Jace says, his words choked off by a laugh .

"Not helpful. Zadyn, you're awfully quiet over there." I look toward him, sitting on the mossy edge of the pool.

"I don't know enough about flying," he mumbles.

"Envision yourself with wings," Jace calls from the water. "See them in your mind as an extension of yourself. The goal is to stay suspended, even if only for a few seconds."

I steady myself once more, take a running start, and once again fall flat on my face.

I groan as I come up for air. Jace lounges lazily, elbows resting above the water's edge as the sun's brilliant beams reflect off his golden eyes.

"That was worse than the first time." His voice is cocky.

I flip him off.

"This is ridiculous," I say, dragging myself from the water once more.

"Giving up so soon?" he feigns surprise, swimming toward me. I ignore him, bending for my pants.

"How about this—I'll break your fall this time."

I dare a glance back at him. "How."

"Don't you trust me?" he asks.

No, I do not trust that smirk, that face—the saintly portrait of innocence.

That elicits a scoff from Zadyn as he strips off his jacket and rolls up his cream-colored sleeves to his forearms, leaning back on the cushy blanket of grass.

I shake my head and return to home base. This time, as I sprint and leap into the air, I manage to hover there for two seconds before the wind rushes out of my lungs and I plummet. I steel myself for the cruel slap of the water, but instead, strong hands grip me by the waist and slowly ease me down into the pool. I brace my hands on Jace's shoulders as he lowers me. My body slides against his, our chests pressed together, rising and falling unevenly .

The rustle of clothing pulls my attention to Zadyn, who is heading toward his horse.

"Hey, where are you going?" I call, extricating myself from Jace's intimate grip.

"I just remembered I'm having lunch with the king today. It completely slipped my mind." He doesn't meet my gaze.

Lunch with the king?

"Zadyn, are you okay?" I lean over the plushy grass, searching his face.

"I'm fine." He shrugs, stepping into the stirrups and throwing a long leg over his horse.

"I'll see you later," he tosses carelessly over his shoulder and disappears through the trees.

"Did he seem?—"

"Jealous?" Jace sidles up to me.

"No," I say reflexively. "Yeah."

Something tightens in me. Sadness? Guilt? Over what? Some mild flirtations with Jace? Didn't he top that tenfold when he slept with Cece with only a wall separating us?

Jace shrugs in answer, idly treading water. "He's your familiar. He's just being protective."

"Territorial, you mean."

He gives me an incredulous look. "No more territorial than you."

I open my mouth in protest. "That is not true."

"You took a hissy fit when you found him and Cece in matching bed sheets." Golden eyes assess me incredulously, one brow torqued.

"Because she's not good enough for him." I pluck at the vibrant green grass lining the water.

"Will anyone ever be?" He pushes off the side and butterflies away from me on his back. His eyes link with mine. "Other than you, of course. "

"That's ridiculous." I turn to him, crossing my arms over my soaked chest.

"Is it?" Jace once again swims toward me, his lips skimming the water's surface. "Bonds like yours can be tricky. Familiars don't tend to have lasting relationships."

"Why not?" I ask curiously.

"How can they, when their significant other will always be second to their bonded? There is a mutual sense of ownership that accompanies ties like that. It's easy to mistake those feelings for attraction." He looms closer, sharklike, as I retreat into the edge of the pool.

"Desire." Rivulets of water drip down his chin and snag on his stubble as he stands, rising to his full towering height. He braces his hands on the grass on either side of me and leans in close to my ear.

"Lust."

I shiver, and he chuckles, backing away.

"That isn't what Zadyn and I feel for each other," I say with false bravado. "He's been with me my whole life. He's more like a brother to me. A—a cousin." I shrug.

" Distant cousin." Jace smiles in wicked amusement, and the sight is breathtaking. I make a disgusted sound and splash at him.

"Come on. Go again." He waves his hands, shooing me away as I mutter a string of complaints. "You'll thank me one day."

I repeat the same steps as before, envisioning a pair of wings sprouting from my back, carrying me on the wind. The effort is exhausting. Jace catches me each time as I plank and fall into him. His strong arms steady me, and I marvel at how he can hold me above his shoulders without buckling or breaking a sweat. For a second, we're Johnny Castle and Baby, and I feel like I can check that fantasy off of my list.

"Tell me about your magic," I say, hoisting myself up to sit at the edge of the pool, still submerged from the knees down. Jace swims to the ledge, his chiseled arms flexing as he folds them over the grass. I have to drag my eyes away reluctantly.

"My affinity?" he asks, pushing his slick hair from his face. "I can manipulate air, wind."

"So you can levitate things?"

"That's part of it. A lot of fae from Aegar have mild telekinetic abilities."

"What's the other part?" I gather up my heavy hair and wring it out beside me.

"I can touch you without ever really touching you."

My hands still.

I fumble for words."That sounds…dangerous."

He chuckles, one of his rare million-dollar smiles flashing.

"It's convenient," he says casually. His eyes close as he tips his head back to the sun. I bite my lip, engrossed by his glorious form. The water sparkles around him, its reflection brightening his tan complexion. After a moment of unrestrained admiration, I speak.

"Show me."

His eyes slowly open. Wordlessly, he propels himself backward, retreating from me without ever breaking eye contact. I feel a cool breeze trickle up my arm, starting at my wrist and working its way up to my neck. I would swear that phantom touch belonged to a hand, except as I gaze down in wonder, there is nothing there. The touch spreads, dusting featherlight across my clavicle, causing my chest to pebble. My teeth clamp down on my lip to suppress the shudder threatening to rack me. Another touch joins the fray, lightly grazing up my knee, wrapping around my hips, and sliding into my hair. My head tips back as the ghost fingers dance up my neck and lips. I feel everything as if it were really happening. The wind traces small circles on my inner thighs, and a tiny whimper escapes my lips .

Then the wind disappears from every place it connected with my body. I instantly want it back to finish what it started. My eyes open as I lift my head.

Jace stares at me like a predator, his eyes dark and lustful, as I'm sure mine are. The silence in the air between us is palpable.

"We should head back," he finally says, his voice low and rough. I nod, unable to trust myself to open my mouth and pull my trembling legs from the water.

Jace gets out silently as I gather my clothes in my arms and shove my feet into my boots. Dripping wet, I don't bother to redress. I mount the horse in my underwear, ignoring Jace's eye roll.

When we reach the clearing behind the stables, we dismount and begin walking the horses back to their stalls. We both stop dead in our tracks as Sorscha emerges from the stable, holding the reins of a lithe Stygian in her gloved hands.

She starts when she sees us, a hand flying to her chest in surprise. She glances between us, over our dripping hair, our soaked clothes, my bare legs. I can see the suspicion and confusion growing in her wide brown eyes.

"Oh, hello," she says in her silky voice. Jace bows gallantly, and I dip into a small curtsy.

"Princess." Jace approaches her. "Going out for a ride?"

She warily shifts her gaze from me to him. "Yes, it's such a beautiful day. I thought I would take advantage. Explore the trails. It seems you two have fallen into a bit of fun yourself." She smiles politely, and I can see the effort behind it.

I approach her, dry clothes bundled in hand.

"I wouldn't call it fun," I say honestly. "The captain has been training me."

Better to be honest than to have a suspicious princess on our hands.

Well, partially honest .

Jace's eyes snap to me. I avoid his gaze, concentrating only on Sorscha. Her pouty pink lips form an "o" as I rush to explain.

"My father was a fierce warrior, or so I'm told. I never knew him, but I always wanted to learn to fight, to defend myself. The captain agreed to train me. I asked him not to tell anyone. I suppose I was embarrassed." It frightens me how easily the lie slides off my tongue.

Sorscha's eyes light up genuinely, her long lashes fluttering in relief. She breaks into a beatific smile and clasps my hand tightly.

"Cousin," she says affectionately, "why be embarrassed about such a thing? I think it's wonderful you want to honor your father that way."

"Thank you," I say. "Today's lesson ended with me falling into a stream. I'm not much of a swimmer. The captain jumped in to pull me out."

More lies. Easy, sleazy lies.

"Oh my." Sorscha's giggle is like a peal of bells. She nods to the clothes in my hands."You should put those on before you enter the castle. Else, you'll have every servant and nobleman ogling you."

I voice a soft laugh and curtsy, pulling Hansel past Sorscha's full riding skirt. My ears pick up the conversation behind me.

"I would escort you on your ride, but I fear I've been absent most of the day. I need to check in with the king. I'll send someone to go with you. Max or Warryn," Jace says apologetically.

"It's no trouble, really. It's rare I ever get any solitude," she protests gently.

"I worry about you." The words tumble from his mouth, coming out ungracefully. "You're a princess. You should never go anywhere unaccompanied. Anything can happen." His concern seems to appease her .

"Very well," she says. "I will wait here. Captain." She tips her head to him demurely. He lifts her hand to his lips.

"Enjoy your ride, Princess."

He stalks forward to catch up to me, and we stay silent as we return the horses to their respective stalls. Closing the doors behind them, Jace turns to me.

"Well, that was awkward," I huff.

He shakes his head. "Why would you tell her we've been training?"

"What was I supposed to say? Do you have any idea what that must have looked like to her? Coming back dripping wet, half-dressed?" I point out.

"I know how it must have looked," he growls, and we both go silent for a moment.

"It's better than sneaking around pretending we hardly know each other when we've spent every morning together for months. It looks worse for us to lie about it and then get caught like we just did."

"You weren't exactly forthcoming in your truths just now." He leans against the stall and looks at me.

"I was thinking on my toes. You and the king want to keep this Dragon Rider thing a secret? Well, this is the trade-off. I'd rather not spark any more suspicion than necessary. Especially when it comes to the princess." I turn and head toward the door.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He catches up to me in one long stride.

"It means"—I sigh, not bothering to look at him—"I see the way she looks at you."

"And?"

"Oh, good, you're aware of it, too."

"Serena." The sound of my name on his lips stops me in my tracks. He never uses my name .

"My hands are tied here." His expression burns with the words. I can read in his face how torn he is between his loyalty, his honor, and his passion. He wants me. Just as badly as I want him. But neither of us is free to do as we like.

"If the king told you to propose tomorrow," I pose, "what would you do?"

His gaze falls to the stable floor with a sigh.

"I don't know."

"Yes, you do."

"What choice do I have? I am the king's man. I owe my life, my station, to him. He's been like a father to me. Don't you understand that?" His golden eyes are tormented as his hands knot in his damp hair.

"I do," I whisper, my voice full of regret. I swallow as I place my hand over his chest.

"I do understand. Which is why, if he asks, you have to say yes."

Jace stares at me, astonished. "You want me to propose."

"No, of course, I don't want you to propose. But I recognize your position. Just like I'm beginning to recognize my own." I offer him a sad smile and lean in to kiss him on the cheek.

"I understand," is all I say as I push through the door, leaving him alone, staring after me.