Page 52 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Too close,I snarl back at him.

My mood has deteriorated these last few days, thanks to a grueling schedule and little time with Paige. She’s gone nearly as long as I am each day, rising early and hurrying off alone to wander the grounds. At night, when we both return to bed, exhaustion is etched into her beautiful face. She won’t offer details of her activities, and I’ve resisted the urge to pry. At least, the guilt and sorrow have lifted. In its place is an unyieldingdetermination. A strength that’s bone-deep and unmoving in the face of this war.

It's that strength I cling to now, especially as I note how much progress the horde has made into our lands.

They’ll be in Misthaven by end of week,Leo says grimly.

I don’t answer, but we both know what that means. The front lines we thought would hold them back have failed.

We fly onward, and soon enough, my fears are confirmed. The evidence of a bloody battle lies scattered in the small valley below. Even from way up here, I can see there are no survivors.

My stomach churns, and my dragon’s belly burns with rage for the lives lost here today. I turn sharply, doubling back for the horde’s camp.

Whoa, brother, what are you doing?Leo calls from behind me.

Soaring within range of the orc camp, I scan the ground for any scouts who might have spotted us already. But no one calls out as the rest of the camp sleeps.

It’s time to fight with fire,I tell him.

He doesn’t argue or even ask what I mean. We both know it’s time to let them see what Astronia’s royal dragons can do.

We torch six of their transport carts before they rally and begin firing back at us, screaming their outrage into the night.

They rally quickly.

Gunpowder laces the air as bullets whizz past dangerously close to our wings. Leo’s close on my heels as we retreat, and I breathe a sigh once I know he’s escaped unharmed. The damage we caused the orcs tonight isn’t nearly enough to stop them, but hopefully, it’ll slow them down.

We’re out of time to train and prepare.

The enemy is nearly on our doorstep, and if we don’t go out to meet it, we’ll only delay the inevitable. Ready or not, the Astronian army must fight.

The next morning,I call a meeting in the council’s chambers. My captains arrive first. Then Blossom and Mag. Leo escorts Paige and my mother from where they apparently had breakfast together. Bingo trails behind them all.

Paige comes up beside me, squeezing my hand.

I haven’t told her about what happened last night. Partly out of a wish to spare her but mostly because there hasn’t been time. I spent the night sending the appropriate requests to the council for permission to march with the army. Their approval has yet to arrive, but there’s no time to waste while they play their stupid power games.

I’m moving forward with or without their response.

“Hey, you okay?” Paige asks quietly while everyone takes their seats.

“I’m fine,” I assure her though the words are empty and we both know it.

She doesn’t press for more, though, and I’m about to call the meeting to order when two more guests arrive. Myantha and Thorne pause in the doorway as every eye turns toward them. I tense as the two council members scan the faces present until they land on me.

“This is a closed meeting for the army,” I tell them. “We’re simply using the space.”

“As is your right as general,” Thorne says, managing to sound both deferential and dickish as he comes forward.

“And we’re sitting in to observe,” Myantha adds, pulling out a chair at the far end of the table. “As is our right as council.”

My mother and Leo exchange a glance. Neither of them protests the intrusion though I know they want to.

“Does this mean you’ve made your decision?” I ask, hating the fact that those words must leave my mouth at all.

“The army is yours to command,” Thorne says, irritation flashing in his eyes. “The decision to march lies with you.”

His words are gracious enough on the surface, but I know better than to relax just yet. They wouldn’t have come without an agenda.

---