Chapter 32

32

" W here is she going to stay?" I ask as we climb the large chain onto Prophyria's back.

Jace slides into the saddle behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. A thrill shoots through me. "If we leave her out in a field, word is going to travel awfully fast to the other kingdoms."

"There are lodgings suited for a dragon near the castle. They're ancient, of course, but they'll do just fine for keeping her hidden and comfortable," he says against my ear before giving it a playful nip.

"Unless you want us both to go plummeting to our deaths, I suggest you not distract me like that," I warn fondly.

He gives a dark chuckle as I take up the reins and descend into the bond.

Fly, Prophyria.

She stirs to life at the touch of my hand on her scaled neck. Her head rears, and she opens her wings magnificently.

With a running start, we leap into the skies, and I realize this is a feeling I will never get used to or take for granted. The feeling of gratitude that I get to ride through the skies on this beautiful, terrifying creature. That she is mine and I am hers.

Jace grips me tighter around the waist, and I ride home to Aegar with my head in the clouds.

Literally.

Once we are flying over Aegar, Jace directs me toward the mountain range north of the castle. As we make our descent toward the largest one, I spot a slight opening in the massive formation. Jace urges us onward.

"You're sure this is it?" I shout over the high winds. He nods.

"That's the one."

My panic starts to rise as we near the mountain at a startling speed. I try slowing Prophyria by tugging on the chains, but she presses onward.

Down the bond, I feel a soft wave of calmness, telling me she has everything under control. That doesn't stop me from screaming my head off as we careen directly down into the mountain.

The opening is not nearly wide enough for her. We're not going to fit. We're going to collide head-on with the unforgiving mountain and end up splattered across its face.

The wind pulls my cheeks and skin back from my face as we plummet straight down into what will be certain death. Jace's arms brace me, his face pressed against my cheek. I suck in a sharp breath as we shoot like a spear through the tiny opening. We are instantly swallowed by darkness. My shrill screams echo off of the tunnel walls as Prophyria's spikes and talons scrape against them, giving off sparks.

Trust.

The word is spoken into my mind by a gentle voice. I count the seconds as they pass, and while it feels like centuries, only four go by before we burst through the tunnel into an expansive diamond cave. The uncut gems refract brilliantly, creating light where there is no outside source.

With enough space to expand her wings to full length, my dragon gently parachutes us onto the ground with a soft landing.

I burst into hysterical laughter. Jace eyes me, but I can't stop. Tears stream down my face as my body is wracked by the giggling fit.

"Are you…alright?" he asks.

I nod my head, high on the adrenaline rush.

"I'm fine," I croak, hoarse from screaming. "That was beyond anything I've ever felt in my entire life."

Jace slides down the dragon's smooth side and holds his arms up for me.

"This place has been here for thousands of years. The first Blackblood High Queen, Arden, housed and bred dragons here."

"It's gargantuan," I breathe as I slide down into his waiting hands. He grips my waist and eases me onto the crystal-encrusted floor. I take in the massive size, picturing this place overrun by dragons and their young.

"The caves here are amazing." He points toward one of the dim openings. "They lead far beneath the earth. The dragons had plenty of space to play here, to fly."

Prophyria settles into a seated position, her scaled chin resting atop her front talons. It's impossible to marry the docile creature before me with the one who almost burned us alive hours ago. Placing my hand beneath her bright green eye, I gently run my fingers over her cheek. Her scales look rough to the touch but are surprisingly smooth and slick—like the skin of a seal. Beneath the uncut diamonds, she is breathtaking— sparkling like an amethyst giant among the sea of gleaming crystals. She lets out an exhausted sigh, and I smile in response as her big cat-like eyes drift closed.

Content, s he speaks into my soul.

She feels content.

"Welcome home, Furi," I whisper. "Get some rest."

Smoothing her scales one last time, I turn to Jace, who stands watching me with pride in his eyes.

"She'll be safe here?"

He nods and motions for me to follow him. "Very safe," he assures me as I match my stride to his.

"I feel awful leaving her so soon."

"Dragons are very independent creatures. She hasn't flown in centuries. I'm betting she'll need a good night's rest and a big meal tomorrow."

"This might be an obvious question, but what does she eat?" I ask.

Jace looks down at me as he takes my hands and pulls me toward the entrance of a dark tunnel. He reaches up and cracks off a diamond icicle hanging above us, holding it out before him. It illuminates the space enough to see a few feet ahead.

"I'm sure she would prefer people, but a steady animal diet will keep her strong."

"Animals?"

"Deer, wolves, goats," he muses. "Good thing I taught you how to fire a bow and arrow." He winks at me.

"This is crazy." I shake my head. "I'm not even a dog person, and somehow, I end up with a dragon."

"The last of her kind." He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. "Just like you."

The dark tunnel leads us to a door at the base of the mountain, and we step out into bright starlight.

"This door is keyed to your blood," he says. I tilt my head .

"What do you mean?"

"High Queen Arden spelled it to only grant entry to Blackbloods. You're the only one who can open it," he explains, turning to me. "Do you want to do the honors?"

"I barely have enough strength to stand. My legs are shaking so badly from gripping the saddle." I wince, stretching my hips until my bones give a satisfying crack.

"If you can do it when you're on the verge of collapse, you can do it whenever. Try."

He pulls me into his arms, and I close my eyes. I lean my head against his chest, inhaling his smoky scent. As I envision our destination, the edges around us start to fray, and we are enveloped in dark smoke. It curls around our legs, gobbling them up greedily as it spreads up and over our backs in a slow, sensual tornado. Furious winds envelop us as we are swallowed by a black hole and spit out the other side. Familiar walls materialize around us, and I open my eyes to the sanctuary of my room.

"Well done, Dragon Rider," Jace says against my hair. I lean into him, tilting my head up. Just as he lowers his face to mine and our lips begin to touch, the door flies open.

Mal and Max stand there, their twin faces wearing matching expressions of surprise. I feel the blush creep over my cheeks as I drop my hands from Jace's side. He tenses but makes no attempt to distance himself from me.

"Well, well, well," Max regales, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "She lives to tell the tale."

"Captain. My lady." Mal's cool, low voice rings out as he dips his head respectfully. It's maybe the second time I've ever heard him speak. His eyes link with mine. "The king wanted us to alert him the moment you arrived back."

" If you arrived back," Max mutters. Mal shoots him a sharp look. "I meant no offense! It was a dangerous mission, is all. "

"Serena made it look like child's play," Jace says, glancing down at me. He doesn't bother to mask the affection brimming in his eyes. He must really trust these two males.

"The king is waiting on our word. He wants a meeting in the interior throne room," Mal says, his sharp eyes roaming over me.

His demeanor is drastically different from his jovial twin's. Where Max is all boisterous swagger and sloppy smiles, Mal is unnervingly quiet and abnormally still.

I nod and we follow them from the room. Max escorts us to the interior throne room—a modest space in comparison to the exterior throne room in the diamond cave. Our footsteps echo off the tan-colored marble tiles as we enter. Two tall alabaster pillars curtain the small dais and resplendent velvet lined thrones. We stand off to the side, the entrance clear for the king.

Moments later, I feel a swell of power reverberate through the hall—a sure sign of his approach. He comes into view, looking somewhat less formal than usual—a dark, fitted jacket and black leathers tucked into knee-high boots.

To my surprise, the queen enters behind him with Mal at her side. She is cold and regal in a simple cream-colored gown and floor-length overcoat of the deepest crimson. The king starts when he sees us, sees me.

A look of disbelief crosses his features as he approaches.

"I must admit, I wondered if you would make it out with your life." He stops before me. The queen stands behind him, silent and removed, hands folded elegantly in front of her. Her steely eyes are the only indication of interest as they gloss over me curiously.

"Well?" the king asks. "Is it done?"

"I bonded the dragon, Your Grace," I say, meeting his hopeful gaze. "She is safe in Aegar. "

His whole face relaxes as he blinks.

"I sorely underestimated your abilities."

I bow my head in gratitude. He shakes his head and claps his hands together. To my utter shock, he pulls me forward and kisses me on both cheeks.

"Well done, my dear. Well done." He glances from me to Jace. "You as well, Captain. You promised a Dragon Rider. And you delivered." He claps him on the shoulder affectionately. Jace offers a small smile in return, bowing his head.

"Come," the king commands, motioning for us to follow him. "You two must be starved. I want to hear all about your adventures over supper."

The three of us dine in an intimate room with navy blue wallpaper, ornately carved cherry wood furniture, and soft candlelight. The feast before me sets my stomach rumbling as we each sink into our seats. A large roast serves as the centerpiece, with cooked vegetables and hot, roasted potatoes.

We tell the king all that happened on the island, sparing no detail as per request. I realize that he isn't asking from a political standpoint. He's simply intrigued—amused by our stories. He leans in and listens between bites as we recount our misadventures with the Naiads.

Jace recalls, more expressive than I've ever seen him, "It had me by the collar, and what did you say?" He turns to me.

"I said, ‘Hey bitch, come and get me,' and I stuck a dagger in her arm." I shrug, taking a sip of my wine.

The king stares at me for a beat, then erupts into laughter, slapping his hands down on the table. I start to giggle along with Jace, and before I know it, the three of us are seized by that contagious, can't get out a sound kind of silent laughter that racks through your entire body.

It feels like a privilege to laugh with him. Maybe it's because being near him makes me feel close to my dad in a way that I've desperately missed. To see him smile at me—because of me—makes my heart swell.

I've never seen this side of the king. I always found him hard to read. Benevolent but severe. Level-headed but not soft. Formidable but not cruel or self-interested.

I understand now. In public, the king portrays the cold, hard war hero; the stern authority figure to Jace's grave and obedient captain. He is tough on Jace in public. But behind closed doors, he is the loving father, and Jace, the devoted son. I can see the love between them.

We sip wine, and for a moment, all titles fall away. He is no longer king, Jace no longer captain, and I no longer Dragon Rider. We are three friends for a moment. I feel Jace's hand discreetly reach for mine under the table, giving mine a gentle squeeze.

The king shares stories about Prophyria that have been passed down through generations. It comes as no surprise that she is known for being strong-willed, brave, and, at times, reckless.

A true free spirit.

"She was bred beneath that mountain, you know." The king sips his wine. His cheeks are pink, and his face is animated as he talks about her. "Her mother was High Queen Arden's dragon, Hyraxia. You have given her a reason to live again. In addition to bringing her home to Aegar."

He sits back in his chair, assessing both of us carefully.

"I cannot express," he starts, "how truly proud I am of you. Both of you." His gaze shifts to me.

"I know this was not what you had planned for your young life." He gently lays a hand on top of my own, resting on the tablecloth. "Your sacrifices will not go unrecognized or taken for granted. Not by me, and not by this kingdom. You have my sincere gratitude. "

"It's been my pleasure," I answer honestly. It's been a pleasure and a gift to see my dad's face again. To hear his voice. To get to know this strange, alternate version of him. I squeeze the king's hand with my own as tears fill my eyes. He lets go far too soon.

I blink back the tears, straightening.

"Now that we have Prophyria here, what will we do?" I ask him. He seems to ponder a moment.

"Nothing until we have to. Continue to train with the captain, hone your magic, and get comfortable with your dragon."

"We won't be doing any attacking anytime soon? No battles?" I glance between them.

"I will never throw the first stone. Lives are too precious to be lost if it can be avoided. The dragon will be a secret weapon—reserved only for when we need her most. You must learn to work with her power. You alone will serve as a conduit for her magic. You must control it. Else, it will cause great destruction."

"So, I'll act as a filter for her magic."

"Essentially," Jace says in affirmation.

"Serena—" The king leans forward. "I would like for you to be a member of my small council. If you would be willing."

My mouth drops open. I glance from Jace back to the king.

"Yes," I sputter without a second thought. "Yes. I would be honored."

Derek breaks into a warm smile and claps his hands together once. He rises from his seat and the majesty of his power curls around me, like I am suddenly part of his team. Like I am protected.

"Wonderful. Rest. Both of you. You deserve it," he says and swiftly exits the room.