36. Tori

Jun clung to my back; his arms wrapped so tightly around my stomach that I could barely breathe. The wind whipped my hair into my eyes and mouth as I tried to shout at him, but I couldn't even hear myself as the sky flew past us. Instead, I gripped his hand in mine, squeezing tight. He had demanded to come with me, and I couldn't refuse. I wondered if he was regretting that now.

Undermy thighs, Abraxas' scales rolled as his wings beat the air. I flattened myself against his back, avoiding the spines. Every muscle in my body ached from clinging to him, but the cost of letting go was death.

I would catch you, Princess. Abraxas spoke to me without words. Whether it was our minds or souls that spoke, I wasn't sure.

Itis our minds. Long ago, dragons devised this method of communicating with the fae.

Stopthat! Can you always read my thoughts now?

Onlywhen you are letting them run rampant, as you are now.

So, knowing me, always.

Underneathme, a deep chuckle rumbled through Abraxas' chest. Jun let out a small squeak, and I squeezed his hand again. The laugh died quickly. I didn't have to hear his thoughts to know why.

Wewill get there in time.

Yes, and then what? My people will see a dragon descending on them, just as one did five hundred years ago. More fear, more death.

Thescales of his neck were warm as I stroked them. You saved Xyr then; you will save it now.

Isurrendered. That is no salvation.

Do you think the survivors of that day would agree with you? He didn't answer me. I lay my head down to hear the beating of his heart under the rush of the wind.

Thesurrounding clouds broke, and the warmth of the sun on my skin was blissful. My momentary relief was broken when I looked down at my city. Smoke billowed from every quarter. I couldn't hear it yet, but I could see our soldiers clashing with the enemy in the streets. Citizens fled in every direction.

Ifelt Abraxas' massive jaw clench. It's just like five hundred years ago. What will the beast inside me do when it finally smells all that blood?

Igripped down onto his neck with my hand. It will be different this time. This time, we fight together.

Heturned his head, his golden eye landing on me. Yes, we fight together.

He descended from the heavens like the god of old that he was. The great plaza of Xyr was filled with bodies running in every direction; shouting and screams filled the air. But as Abraxas broke through the clouds, an unnatural silence fell as every head turned towards the sky; swords and spears were held aloft but unmoving.

Time to be a bit dramatic, I heard Abraxas say.

Iclutched onto Jun's hand tighter. Abraxas tucked in his wings, and we dove from the sky; the wind was so fast that I felt it might rend the skin from my flesh. Then, in an instant, he spread his wings wide; they stretched nearly over the entire plaza. My legs shifted as he pulled in a great breath, and his heart glowed. A roar so deep it resounded in my whole body filled the plaza as dragonfire filled the sky.

Therewas only one place to land where our people wouldn't be crushed underneath him. The stone statue of the dragon at the center of the plaza I had once thought enormous was now nothing but a tiny, pale imitation of the real thing. AsAbraxas' claws gripped it to find purchase, it crumbled beneath him. Jun and I jolted as the statue gave way, but Abraxas was unphased as he finally landed on the stone floor.

Faceslooked up at us, both friend and foe. No one moved. No one dared. The wind swept up in a flurry, and a voice was carried to me on that harsh breeze.

"PrincessTori!" I saw the source; LadyBogata, accompanied by a group of DragonArmy soldiers and CommanderTalius. Her shout broke the spell on the plaza, and the soldiers of the GoldenArmy moved forward. My brother and I launched ourselves off Abraxas' back. I pushed him behind me and swung my sword to engage one of the soldiers fighting nearby. He looked at me for only a moment before he was crushed under a giant claw. I looked back at Abraxas.

Ican handle myself, you know.

Henodded. Get to LadyBogata.

Igripped Jun's hand to pull him after me as I fought my way through, but to my surprise, he stepped in front of me and shouted, "MOVE."

Thesoldiers in our way parted like a giant invisible hand had swept them to the side, and we dashed through. A few errant swords came at us, but I blocked them and quickly dispatched their wielders.

Wemade it across the plaza quickly, and Talius and his men parted to let us enter their circle of protection.

"That was quite an entrance, YourHighness. I assume that is our king behind you?" LadyBogata's face held the shadow of a smile, but it was lost amongst the dirt and exhaustion.

"Yes. But for now, I need a battle report." Talius had shifted himself inside the circle to talk with me.

"YourMajesty, the enemy was spotted early due to our patrols. But their numbers overwhelmed us, and they were able to enter the city. They have been using it to their advantage, engaging civilians to divide our forces." LadyBogata's mouth twitched at the honorific he gave me but said nothing.

Angerroiled in my chest until I could feel the dragonfire licking at my fingertips. "Which districts have been taken, and which are still safe?"

"The market and gardens district have been overrun. We are evacuating the seaside district up to the mist district and the castle."

"I've had every noble in the mist district open their homes to those fleeing inward. But we can't keep our gates open much longer," LadyBogata inserted. I felt Jun shift with surprise next to me.

"What's your next move, Commander?" I asked.

"Clear the sea district and secure the perimeter of the mist district before launching our attempt to push the enemy out."

"What do you need for that?"

"To gather our scattered cohorts to the mist district's three bridges, and maybe a miracle." He turned to look back at the plaza where Abraxas spun wildly, launching multiple soldiers into the air at once. "Luckily, it looks like you brought one." Under his helmet, I saw his teeth flash. "Your orders, YourMajesty?"

Notime to hesitate now. "I'll head to the garden district and get as many out as I can. Commander, you head to the market district and do the same. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. Gather troops and retreat towards the bridges. LadyBogata, you head to the main bridge and keep the mist district open as long as possible; save as many as you can."

Shenodded, and I noticed the broken piece of wood she held like a club. Blood coated the tip.

"Jun you—"

"I will go with LadyBogata to hold the bridge." I didn't want him out of my sight, not again, not with so many enemies around us.

"Jun…"

"Go save who you can, Tori." He looked over at LadyBogata. "Maybe they aren't all bad after all." Something passed between the two, and she nodded.

"I would say I would protect him with my life, Princess, but seeing what you can do, my Prince, I doubt you need me."

Jun'sface was still stern, but he nodded again, and they headed out with half of the soldiers following behind.

Taliuseyed the remaining troops. "I can send a dozen with you, YourMajesty. You can't go alone."

"Oh, I won't be alone." We all turned towards Abraxas.

Theplaza was now almost completely cleared of enemy soldiers; many were lying dead or dying on the ground, covered in blood and burns.

Onemore lay trapped under Abraxas' claw, screaming and trying to free himself. Abraxas slowly lowered his jaws before snapping the man's neck; the screaming abruptly stopped.

How'd that taste? I inquired, half joking.

Delicious. He snaked his long tongue over his teeth and lips, licking up the remaining blood. A very primal fear gripped its fist around my stomach as he stalked forward. He was too big and powerful. Compared to him, I was tiny.

Hiseyes glowed with so much rage as blood dripped from his fangs. I felt the soldiers shaking, their armor rattled as they looked up at the monstrosity straight from nightmares. I was afraid, but I was also his mate, and he would yield to me.

Changeback.

What?

That's an order. I placed my hand on his snout and let the mana flow through me. The wind kicked up to a gale again, and slowly, his scales receded, and he shrunk until only the fae stood before me. His eyes still shimmered that deep, violent gold.

Thesurrounding soldiers stood straighter, but I could still sense their hesitation. Talius stepped forward, passing Abraxas his sword. "Y-your Maje-sty." Abraxas gripped the weapon, and the soldiers all took a step back as he swung it violently before him, as if remembering how to move. He was still the beast. I could see it. He wouldn't care who ended up on the other side of that blade like this, lost to the violence and rage inside of himself.

Istepped closer and whispered in his ear, "Let's go save our people." I saw the beast hesitate. His face softened, but his grip on the sword was still harsh, and those eyes remained.

"Stay with me, Abraxas?" The green returned to his eyes. I reached my hand out to cup his cheek.

"Until the sky burns, Tori."