Two roars sounded outside, shaking the glasses on the table. The girls leaped from their carpet and ran to the terrace, jumping up and down with excited squeals. Ash wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and took my hand, leading me outside.
Moonlight shone through their wing membranes as Radnor and Isa hovered over us, blowing the hair off my neck while the heat radiating from their chests warmed my bones.
Triss tried to land on the terrace, but Isa latched on to her tail with her teeth and snatched her back.
You’re too heavy for this flimsy castle, Isa chided.
Flimsy is right. Radnor chuckled.I’m tempted to knock down another turret.
Helian laughed aloud while patting his dragon’s neck, while Triss let out a pitiful wail, flying circles around her mother’s head.
Aurora tugged on my skirt. “May I teleport to her, Mommy?”
“No!” Ash boomed.
Aurora folded her arms with a pout.
Ember looked up at Ash with watery eyes. “But she’s our dragon, Papa.”
Ash knelt beside the girls, grasping their shoulders. “You’re not experienced fliers yet, and now is not the time to learn.”
Ash swore when they answered with more pouting.
Isa let out a low chuckle while staring down at me with those penetrating, glowing eyes.How do you feel, Goddess?
“Tired.” I placed a hand on my abdomen. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to fly with you today.”
Do not be sorry. Get all the rest you can while you can.Her heavy jowls turned a frown.None of us will be resting when the demons return.
I nodded as Helian jumped off Radnor’s back, landing on the terrace with the dexterity of a cat. Drae scooped Shiri off Isa’s back, landing behind Helian on the terrace. Then the dragons flew off, roaring into the night sky and scattering Ravini mages who flew too close.
Shiri smoothed her hands through her windswept hair after Drae set her down. She had bright color in her cheeks and a smile etched into her face, and, yes, I was extremely jealous that she got to ride Isa, though I knew I was being churlish.
She came up to me, looping her arm through mine, leading me back into the sitting room. “I could’ve flown on Isa all night, except I know we must prepare for court.”
I cast a look over my shoulder as my mates and children followed us. “Don’t tell me we have to go.”
Unfortunately.She patted my arm while speaking through thought.We must make nice with Aunt Malvolia while we’re here.
I frowned as she led me into a large wardrobe where a handful of servants were waiting with shimmery gowns.
Ember tugged at my skirts, her thumb stuck in her mouth.
I scooped her into my arms, fitting her on my hip. “What is it, sprite?”
She pulled out her thumb, flashing tiny wolfish fangs. “May we go to our nursery?”
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Your aunt and I must get ready for court.”
Her bottom lip hung down as she clung to my neck. “But I need court gowns for my new Bethamys.”
Aurora clung to my leg, blinking up at me. “And I need my firemage toys to play with my dragons.”
How could I say no to them?
“I can take them,” Ash said.
I looked over my shoulder at him. “I will,” I said while swaying Ember in my arms. “It should only take a moment if Aurora teleports us.”