Page 123 of Draekora

The woman’s gaze was firm on hers when she said, “I can’t stress the importance of this enough, Alexandra. Right now, there is no place safer for you than at the academy and within close proximity to the Library. Not to mention, you’ll need easy access to the doorways so you can visit the other races inhabiting Meya. All the while, naturally, keeping on top of your studies.”

With her last words, Zain lost his morose composure and snorted. Kyia also managed a slight curl of her lips. Alex, while pleased to see them lighten even if just a little, still couldn’t believe Lady Mystique thought that after everything that had happened, she should go back to her classes. Yes, she desperately longed for the comfort Akarnae provided and she couldn’t wait to see her friends and family again, but with what lay ahead…

“Have no fear, child, for all shall work out just as it should.”

Alex’s gaze shot back to Lady Mystique when she reverted to the melodic language of her people, repeating words she’d said just weeks ago—but really millennia ago.

The old woman gave a knowing wink to Alex before she nodded at Kyia and Zain, placed a gentle hand to Roka’s cheek, and, with a flash of light, promptly disappeared from sight.

Not even blinking at what Alex still considered a seriously weird but increasingly common happenstance, Zain sighed and looked over at her.

“It would take a stronger Meyarin than I to go against the wishes of the great Aes Daega,” he said, moving away from Roka’s side and gesturing for Alex to follow. “Come, little human. Let’s do as she said and get you back to Akarnae.”

With a nod of resigned agreement, Alex leaned down and pressed a kiss to Roka’s cheek, whispering a promise into his ear that she would find a way to wake him. She then turned and hugged Kyia tightly, the Meyarin trembling only slightly now, and Alex offered her the same whispered promise, feeling Kyia’s arms wrap even tighter in response. When they broke apart, Alex wiped away a single tear and followed Zain outside, stepping close as he activated theValispathto leave Draekora behind.

Regardless of his intent, Alex didn’t allow him to take her back to Akarnae. Not because she wasn’t planning on going there—she knew enough about the ‘great Aes Daega’ to realise she would be wise to follow Lady Mystique’s guidance—but because she didn’t want Roka to be left without Zain’s protection during their travel. TheValispathwas impossibly swift, but given how lost the Draekoran Meyarins currently were, she wasn’t willing to take the chance that Aven might capitalise on that in the time Zain was gone.

Thankfully, although he offered a weak argument, he quickly gave in to her demand that he drop her off at the much closer Raelia where she would open a doorway and be back within seconds.

When they reached the snow-covered clearing, Alex didn’t waste any time before calling forth the door, and it appeared in an instant before her.

“First order of business for you is to find if there’s a way you can step straight through to Draekora,” Zain said, reaching into his cloak and pulling out the belongings he’d kept safe for her during hervarrungard—her ComTCD, Shadow Ring and Myrox necklace. While handing them over, he cast alert eyes around the clearing, searching for any sign of a threat.

“I’ll get right on that,” Alex agreed, pocketing her items, amazed and grateful that he’d managed to keep hold of them even in the chaos that had developed. “I’m sure the Library will show me a door.”

When Zain moved to step away from her, she reached out to touch his arm. “Can I ask you something? Just quickly?” At his nod, she said, “How did you end up in theZeltora? Was it something you always wanted, to protect the people of Meya? Or…” She trailed off, not letting on how much she knew, but still burning with curiosity after having left him in the past as a criminal—albeit, one who had been fighting against theGarsethupon her last sight of him.

“No, little human, it was quite the opposite. I wasn’t much interested in helping our people at all,” Zain answered.

“What changed?” she asked, trying for an openly inquisitive expression.

“Mostly it was because Roka wouldn’t stop badgering me about it,” Zain said ruefully, and Alex had to cough to hide her laugh, knowing the prince had followed through on his promise to her. “But also because there came a time when I realised I wanted to fight for a purpose beyond my own. That there was more meaning in serving others than serving myself.”

Alex’s eyes were soft on him when she said, “That’s very honourable of you, Zain. I, for one, am pleased you came to that decision. As I’m sure is Roka.” Her curiosity sated, she clapped a hand to his chest. “Speaking of badgering princes, you better get back to him. But don’t worry—I’ll see you again soon and update you on Operation Mortal Army.”

The look he shot her said more than his words could when he instantly replied, “We are absolutely not calling it that.”

“Bye, Zain.” Alex hid her smile and gave him a shove. “Go keep our prince safe.”

With a telling eye roll, he took off on theValispath, and she stepped forward into the doorway. She only had one foot through when she heard her name called across the clearing, and she spun around, nearly falling to the ground at what she saw.

It was Niyx. And he wasn’t alone.

Because in his arms was the unconscious form of Jordan.

Thirty-Eight

“Niyx,” Alex gasped, lost for any otherwords.

“I don’t have long, Aeylia,” he said, striding towards her. “I have to get back to the palace before Aven notices my absence.”

His words jolted Alex back into her right mind enough that she began a swift retreat, prompting Niyx to pause mid-step and cock his head to the side. He sighed, carefully lowering Jordan to the snow-covered ground at his feet.

“Aeylia—”

“You killed him,” she breathed out. “They’re saying you killed the king.”

There was a loaded silence. “No,” he returned, his voice filled with grief, “I didn’t. But they have to think I did—Avenhas to think I did.”

---