Page 238 of Lady of Starfire

They stood on the same ledge they’d been on a few weeks ago overlooking Solembra. She wasn’t trying to figure out a stealthy way in this time. No, this time they would walk right through the front gate.

Niara had finally cleared both of them, and they’d ventured down from his cave. She’d never admit it to Razik, but the cave was growing on her. She was a particular fan of the hot springs, although when he had taken her down to the treasure room, she’d become a fan of that room too. Probably something to do with the promised fucking atop the gold.

He hadn’t been exaggerating about the gold and treasure, and all she’d been able to do was laugh as she stared at it. He’d had shelves carved into one wall, and she’d run her fingers along the spines of the books lining them. She hadn’t needed to ask if they were from other worlds. She already knew they were.

But she had asked, “Do you wish to go back someday? To Nordrir, I mean?”

“I was so young, I do not remember it,” he’d answered, leaning against the wall and watching her. “Besides, it is no longer what it once was. I told you, it is not even called Nordrir anymore. It is known as The Requiem.”

“Why?”

“I do not know the history, and Tybalt does not speak of it.”

“Does Saylah know?”

“Saylah and I are not on the best of terms, but even if that were not the case, I don’t think she knows either. She is young for a god.”

That had been odd to think about. The idea of a god being considered young.

Razik shifted beside her, his arm brushing against hers. “I still think we should fly in.”

“Not all of us have wings, Razik,” she muttered.

“We already discussed this. I can—”

“No.”

“It will be easier to evade any wards if—”

“No.”

“Eliza,” he rumbled. “Do you think I would ever drop you or let you fall?”

“Of course not. Because I will never be in the godsdamn air. Travel us like a normal Avonleyan,” she retorted.

“As you wish, Milady,” he said, extending his hand with an exaggerated flourish.

She resisted the urge to flip him off as she placed her fingers in his palm, but then he yanked her forward, his arm curling around her waist. “I will convince you to fly with me someday,” he murmured into her ear.

“Absolutely not.”

He made a low humming sound of contemplation, his lips brushing her temple. Then he asked, “Are you ready,mai dragocen?”

Eliza took in a deep breath, counting down from five before she exhaled. She met his gaze when she said, “I don’t need you defending my honor or any of that shit in there.”

His brows knitted together. “Why would I do that? You are more than capable of defending your own honor.”

Gods. She could kiss him for that one statement.

Could, but she wouldn’t. Not when they were about to unleash themselves in her own home.

“I simply want to remind you to check your possessive-dragon nature.”

“Eliza, you threatened to cut off body parts, set them on fire, and shove them down a male’s throat at the merethoughtthat he would touch me. I do not think I am the only possessive one here.”

“Whatever,” she grumbled. “Let’s go.”

They appeared right outside the Fiera Palace gates, and she immediately dropped Razik’s hand. Palming a dagger, she threw it directly at one of the Fae on guard duty before he’d had a moment to comprehend they were here.

---