Page 11 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

“This looks delicious,” Paige says.

“Definitely better than microwave dinners,” Blossom adds.

“What’s a microwave?” Leo asks.

Blossom merely shakes her head.

“A magical oven that zaps food to make it hot,” Mag explains. Leo looks intrigued before Mag adds, “and zaps the flavor too.”

“Ah.”

“Please, eat your fill,” my mother says.

It is only after we have started to eat with the others murmuring how delicious the fare is that my mother fixes me with a look.

“What is it?” I ask when she doesn’t say anything.

She hesitates, glancing at the others. “Nothing. We’ll talk later.”

“Whatever you have to say, you can do so in front of them,” I tell her. “They have saved my life more than once. I trust them implicitly.”

“In that case,” she says softly despite the sternness in her expression, “you should be made aware of all that has gone on in the months you were gone.”

I choke on my ale. “Wait. Months?” I echo.

“It’s been almost three moon cycles,” Leo supplies, his brows knitting.

“You didn’t tell me that,” I say, replaying my conversation with him from earlier. But now it makes sense. The horde couldn’t have organized in mere days. They’ve had months to plan, prepare, and finally, to act.

Still… it feels impossible.

I’ve only been gone a few weeks, according to the Athenaeum’s time.

“I don’t understand. Was it not the same amount of time where you were?” my mother asks, frowning.

“It seems not,” I say tightly. My mother starts to respond. “That’s a story for another time,” I add. “Let’s focus on the horde for now.”

“All right,” she says slowly.

Paige reaches beneath the table to squeeze my knee. I place my hand on top of hers, doing my best to keep my emotions even.

“So, Leo has told you of the attacks on the villages along the border,” my mother continues.

“Yes,” I say, suddenly no longer hungry.

A quick glance reveals Mag and Blossom also abandoning their food as they listen intently.

“Is that why the castle is so crowded?” Paige asks.

My mother nods. “The horde attacked without warning. None of our scouts or soldiers saw it coming. One day, theywere unorganized, unprepared, and the next—” She breaks off and changes direction. “When the villages along the border fell so swiftly, our soldiers scrambled to drive the enemy back again. The horde used our distraction to attack Havenford itself a fortnight ago. We brought all survivors inside the castle walls.” Her expression becomes strained. “Though I’m not sure how long we can sustain such a population.”

“The horde were never strong enough for this,” I say, my hand curling into a fist where it rests on the table. “They shouldn’t be this strong now.”

“Our strength has always come from two ruling mates. The horde senses our weakness,” my mother says.

“Does having a mated king on the throne really make the kingdom so much stronger?” Paige asks.

“Astronia has lasted eons because of the magic of the dragon line that rules it,” my mother tells her. “When the goddess created this world, she entrusted it to the Nemos dragon line, promising to imbue it with her magic and her strength so long as they dedicated their lives to protect it from those who would hurt and destroy.

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