Page 28 of Blood of Two Crowns

“It’s ok. This is one of our many obligations as rulers, visiting other neighboring and distant kingdoms and realms. If what he says is true, this problem is just as much ours as it is his.”

Nakoa’s expression became stricken as he shook his head vehemently. “Then I will go in your stead.”

I shook my head as Azrael spoke up. “I’m afraid that’s not an option,Your Majesty.”

Azrael extended a long, elegant hand that coaxed Nakoa’s growl.“Touch her, and you’ll be missing a fucking hand.”

That little, malnourished blossom of love Nakoa had planted in the depths of my heart flourished under his protectiveness.

He would never grant me permission, and I wouldn’t allow him to come to harm so long as I was alive to prevent it. My gaze flicked to Azrael, who held my gaze knowingly as he spoke to Nakoa. “Do tell your friend that Ifoldedhis horse to Zurie’s stableboy.”

Azrael’s eyes turned the color of flames roaring to life as Ifoldedin front of him and took his hand. Nakoa’s roar echoed in my mind as darkness coupled with gravity so powerful it knocked the air from my lungs and drove the contents of my stomach towards my oesophagus. In the next moment, my feet hit a marble floor so hard the impact reverberated through my bones and into my teeth. Azrael gripped me by my shoulders to steady me as guilt sank to the pit of my stomach.

Swallowing back bile, I shifted to take in my surroundings. My lips parted as my neck craned upwards to reach the height of the towering buildings whose spires and peaks were hidden by clouds high above. Ships and other…things… flew through the air in front of us. My breath caught on a gasp as theunmistakable form of an enormousdrakonatisoared above us, blotting out the sun and casting us in its shadow. Its body was at least the length of a dozen men, with a wingspan of more than double that.

“I sometimes forget what a beautiful and inspiring place Ouranissa is until I get to witness a newcomer’s expression.”

I gaped in awe as I watched its red, cream, and gold scales, all in varying shades, glitter and shine beneath the sun as if made of metal, though it undulated across currents of air like fluid defying gravity.

“They’re still alive…”

“Oh yes, we have many of them. Though it’s probably best you avoid getting near them.”

My eyes finally slid back to his as the drakonati disappeared around one of the towering spires. “Why is that?”

Azrael’s brows pinched as though I’d just ask a question with a very obvious answer until something like realization settled on his face, and he endowed me with a smug grin. “They can be rather… possessive.”

He turned on his heel and disappeared through a set of peculiar, glass balcony doors that slid open parallel to the exterior wall. “Come… Let me show you Ouranissa.”

Chapter

Fourteen

MALEKAI

The sound of distorted voices drew me from a sleep so deep not even dreams could enter. My body felt like an anchor sinking to the deepest trench of the sea. And it felt…good.Peaceful. In this darkness, without thought, only being, there was nothing to fear or fight.Finally.

Distant, angry voices trickled into my consciousness, further stirring my wakefulness. At the rough growl of Nakoa’s voice, memories returned, and reality settled in, giving way to some deep inner knowing that something had gone horribly wrong.

“Where is she?” I growled.

The silence I was met with had icy fear further spiking my veins. I turned to find Nakoa standing beside who I could only assume was his father. The male’s magic was inquisitive and gentle as it introduced itself to mine. It reminded me of the way of my kind. Introductions were made not merely with brief, verbal greetings but with scents and magical touches. His eyes held mine with a certain knowing that told me he knew what I was.

Nakoa’s words were a clipped growl as he explained to me what occurred during my lapse in consciousness. The male looked like he was barely restraining himself from tearing myhead off. Not that I could blame him. I’d want to murder me too if I were in his shoes.

Though at the moment, we both recognized everything outside of getting Mareina back, had to take a back seat.

“She went willingly? With…Azrael?”

Nakoa’s features tighten with what I can only assume his guilt and shame. I huffed a mirthless laugh, shaking my head as I gave him my most disgusted look.

“I will never understand how you treat her so carelessly. Constantly throwing her in harm’s way. You have no idea what she’s been through. She needs to be…Protectedfor once in her fucking life.”

Nakoa looked as though he wished to tear my head off, and my anger burned so brightly that I fuckingwishedhe would try. Instead, his guilt was belied by the slight hunching of his shoulders.

“I accept accountability for the error of my ways.”

His admission deflated much of my anger. My fingers found their way to Mareina’s gift, the little box of teeth in the interior pocket of my jacket as if it would soothe me. Relieved to find it still there, Iwilledit safely away.

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