Page 202 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

“Hem them in and attack from two sides.”

“Lyndel and Eldred Wood, I presume? That allows for the most protection.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

Atticus nods and turns to King Cheral. “Send word to break camp. We are moving within the hour.”

I half expect the king to remind Atticus who rules, but he snaps a finger and yells something in Kierish, and a soldier gallops up the hill on his horse.

“You will return at nightfall for updates, yes?” Atticus asks Zander.

“We have much to do, but … you will hear from us before battle.” Zander’s jaw clenches. He must have so much to say, but now is not the time. “Tell the men not to piss themselves when they see us flying in.”

“I cannot make any promises.” Atticus’s attention lands on the dragons, a curious look in his eyes. “What of Annika? She was in Cirilea when I left for the east.”

“We were told she escaped the rebellion.”

He sighs heavily. “That is good news.”

“I am not so sure about that. She was seen fleeing by ship, held at knifepoint by a dark-haired lord, according to witnesses.”

Atticus’s face screws up. “Dark-haired lord? Who would that be? Who would …” His words drift with a curse.

“What is it?” Unease laces Zander’s voice.

“Tyree was being held in one of the rooms. The same one Romeria stayed in.” Atticus pinches the bridge of his nose. “What are the chances he escaped and took her as a hostage to get out of Islor?”

“With our luck? I would presume quite good.” Zander inhales sharply. “That is who it is, I know it. They likely sailed to Northmost. We were heading there to check on her when we got your letter. But we will go today. Now. We will find them.”

I nod, though no one’s asking me. Of course, that’s where we’ll go. I know how much Annika means to him.

“The last thing we need is that fucking Ybarisan prince running loose in Islor again.” A crooked smile curls Atticus’s lips. “Though, if he has our sister with him, I’m sure he is not having an easy time of it.”

Zander chuckles. “Likely not.” He hesitates. “We retrieved Kazimir. He is healing, but I am sure he will find his way to your side for the battle.”

“Thank the fates.” Atticus regards the dragons again. “These are quite the beasts you wield.”

Caindra snarls, drawing his attention to her.

His eyes pop. “She understands me?”

“Yes.” An impish impulse drives me. “Would you like to meet her?” I back up, sparing a glance toward Tuella, who watches with interest.

“It depends. Is this where I die?”

“I guess we’ll see. What’s wrong, are you afraid?”

“When you taunt me like that …” Atticus eyes Jarek who shadows my side, his hand on the pommel of his blade, before moving closer.

“She usually doesn’t eat people unless they’re running from her.”

Zander shakes his head, but there’s a twinkle in his eye.

Atticus tips his head back to regard her. “What did you do to convince her to take orders from you?”

“I earned her trust. Caindra is my ally.” I smile up into violet irises. “And a friend.”

Caindra bows, her massive snout inches from him. She sniffs.

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