Page 24 of The Dragon King

She laughs against my chest. “I can tell that was hard for you to say. But thank you, Kem.” Silence stretches between us again until the soft blue blush of morning lightens the heavy clouds. “Are you heading back to the valley today?”

I try to hold back a growl at her words. You heading back, not we. I nod. “Yes. The sooner I take care of Inchel and his little insurrection, the sooner I can put all my focus on my Mate.”

I purr against her, and arousal spears through me at her shiver. She smirks up at me, her sharp teeth bright against the pull of her lips. “And running the kingdom, of course.”

“Yes, that too.”

She chuckles, sliding out from under my wing. I’m never physically cold, but without her pressed to my side, I feel an emptiness that has a chill to it.

We walk single-file down the path and back into the Mountain. Kogra greets us at the entrance, bowing to me. “Your Majesty, thank you again for making an exception for my father. I know it meant a great deal to him to be Elevated here.”

“Of course, Kogra. It was my honor.” I glance at Tatha with a smile. “After all, the North Lake is a tradition, not a law.” Kogra nods, and I continue, “I need to go back to the valley.”

Kogra frowns. “The Challenge.”

I turn to Tatha. “See to your people.”

I flick my gaze back to Kogra. “If you’re serious about standing with me in support, pick a few of your trusted guards to come with us.”

Stepping closer to Tatha, I breathe her in. For the first time in … since the caves under the Unseelie castle … I feel fear—real, sharp, knee-buckling, breath-stealing fear. Tatha leans back to look me in the eyes, and I brush my tail along her body. “If I lose”—She starts shaking her head, but I press on—“If I lose, Tatha, double your guards. Don’t let Inchel bully you or your clan. You are fierce, Heilsi. Stand your ground. Be strong for your people. Don’t?—”

“I’m going with you, Kem.” Her eyes sparkle with rage-tinged determination. “I will watch my Mate win. I will be there as you tear that slimy green dragon to pieces.” Her wings flap in fury. “I will be with you.”

Fuck, she’s glorious.

“Heilsi, you are beyond words.”

Kogra speaks, but I keep my eyes on Tatha. “Sister, go with your Mate in the knowledge I will watch over our clan. I know there is no possibility of Inchel getting through the King as well as my sister, but I will hold our Mountain if that impossibility happens.”

Slowly, Tatha peels her eyes from mine, smiling at her brother. “Thank you.”

I press a wing to her shoulder. “Are you sure, Tatha? You don’t have to co?—”

“I’m coming, Mate.”

I nod with a smile, turning with her to face the narrow path through the mountain range. “Then, there’s no time like the present.”

Kogra barks at the two guards flanking the cave entrance, “Go with them.”

“No.” Tatha turns to her brother. “You will need every dragon here … in case.” Kogra’s eyes darken. “Besides, I’ll be with him.” She jerks her head at me, and I nod at Kogra, giving him a silent promise. “And the King has many guards and allies. I’ll be fine, Kogra.”

With a swish of her wings, she grins at me over her shoulder. “Shall we?”

She leaps off the ledge, and my wings carry me after her.

I can’t lose. I won’t lose.

Banking over Tatha, I look back at my Mate. Her purple scales flash in brilliant contrast against the stone and snow of the steep mountains around us.

There’s too much on the line.

10

TATHA

Even though, just a few days ago I swore I wouldn’t return to the valley, it didn’t surprise me when I fought to return. In fact, saying those words released something in my chest that I wasn’t aware I was holding.

But the Challenge is a constant worry in my mind, and with each beat of my wings, another rock drops in the pit of my stomach. By the time Kem and I touch down in the valley, landing right in the royal gardens, my chest is tight again and my back is in knots. I roll my neck as I shift, my body becoming smaller, the world growing larger. The solid stone steps anchor me as we climb toward the castle doors, but Kem pauses, pressing his large warm hand to my lower back. He leans down, and I’m surrounded by his scent and his shadows. His lips hover over mine, his breath fanning over my heated face. “I’m going to meet with Syphe and a few of my guards to catch up on what I’ve missed while away. I also need to be updated on Inchel.”

---