Page 135 of Wrath of the Dragons
Everyone slowly filters away from the table to take to their individual tasks, and the dragons screech overhead. Their sharp eyes must be able to see the enemy already. I turn to Finnian first, now that only five of us remain. His throat bobs as he looks down at me and reaches forward to wrap me in his arms. He presses one hand to the back of my head and the other around my waist, hunching over a bit to accommodate our height difference as I stand on the tips of my boots.
“We survive together,” he says. “Today is no different.”
I hug him tighter. “Against the world, Finny. You and me.”
He presses his forehead to mine, squeezing my hands as he blinks his teary eyes. “No other words. No goodbyes.”
I press my palm to his cheek, letting the love in my eyes speak the words neither of us can manage to get out. I don’t think there’s a proper way to thank someone for loving you when you felt unlovable, becoming your family when you had no one, and morphing into a home when you didn’t know what to look for in one.
“I promise to let you drag me to every tavern in sight when the battle is over.”
His brows knot as he laughs, and we leave it at that. I won’t be able to mount a dragon if I even contemplate a world without Finnian. We exist through what and who we love; it fills the cracks hatred chisels within us and gives us a reason to trudge through our worst moments. Even when you can’t find the strength to live for yourself, you can for someone else.
Ryder and Cayden are the least emotional, and perhaps it’s because they fight beside each other every battle, or maybe it’s due to their experience. But Saskia has had to say goodbye to them an equal amount, and it’s clear she’s having a hard time reining in her feelings.
“I’m with you,” Ryder says.
“I’ll be on your left,” Cayden responds, reaching forward so he and Ryder can clasp each other’s forearms. “To battle, brother.”
Ryder turns to Finnian, offering him the same goodbye gesture he gave to Cayden. “You’ll be manning the archers atop this cliff?”
“Until the lines get too mixed, then I’ll join the battle.”
“Good. You’ve got the best aim out of anyone so at least I have a slightly lower chance of being hit with a rogue arrow.” He sighs, stopping in front of me while pointing skyward. “You give those bastards hell and keep a wyvern from mangling my pretty face.”
“You have my word you’ll be just as pretty when the battle is over.”
“Something to live for.” His smile widens, but twitches when he turns to face Saskia, staring up at him with misty eyes. “None of that.”
She blinks faster, her dark lashes glistening with the tears she’s desperately trying to suppress as she flings her arms around his neck. Ryder tightens his hold around her waist, kissing the top of her head before he lets go. I throw my arms around Saskia next, breathing in her jasmine scent before taking one last look at a group of people who have come to mean more to me than I ever imagined.
“I’ll see you soon,” I say as Cayden threads his fingers through mine and leads me from the tent. Soldiers have already begun forming their ranks, and a mixture of House Veles, House Ilaria, and inverted House Liluria banners flap in the wind. They patiently wait for their leaders to escort them to the battlefield, prepared to fight, prepared to die.
I’m not one for speeches, but I release Cayden’s hand and step forward knowing this will be my final chance to address the army before I take to the skies.
“Soldiers of Vareveth,” I begin, raising my voice enough to ensure they can all hear me. “You are of the dragon kingdom, and you must fight as if the very fire that resides within the winged beasts lives with you. A dragon does not cower in the presence of steel, and nor shall you.” They slam their swords into their shields twice. “I was born to House Atarah, one of the oldest ruling houses of Ravaryn, but at the end of this battle it will be House Veles banners adorning this city. It will be ours!” The soldiers slam their steel together again, raising theirvoices in a cheer as I persist. “To our allies who have come here to join our fight, the loyalty of a dragon is not a fickle thing. You stand with us today, and we will not forget your bravery. In being here, you help free the people of Imirath—my people by blood—from the grip of the tyrant Garrick Atarah. When the sun sets on this day, you will stand as the victors of a new world anointed in his blood!”
The cheers are deafening as I look back at Cayden, and he takes hold of my hand again to escort me through the lines. Soldiers look to us with respect and adoration. My heart pounds in time with the war drums vibrating the earth as the battalions call out for vengeance, for retribution, for the death of their enemies.
I hope my father can hear them from where he cowers in his castle.
I hope he’s looking to the skies with fear, waiting for me to descend.
I have come for my throne, and I will not cease until the Imirath crown is ripped away from him.
We step through the tree line, and anxiety tightens my throat. I can put on a brave face for the soldiers but not for Cayden. He’s going to be down there on the field leading the charge, and our enemies will be pointing their blades at him. I know he’s strong. I know he’s survived countless battles. But all it takes is one second for your life to change and tragedy to strike.
“Please don’t,” I whisper in a thick voice, looking down at his boots when we stop beside Venatrix. “We said everything we needed to last night.” I don’t care that he doesn’t know what our future looks like because I want to live it. I won’t let Garrick take away someone else I love.I can’t.
“I’ll only say this once.” He frames my face with his hands to keep my gaze locked on his. “None of this is worth it if you don’t walk off that field. I have no intention of dying, but I need you to know that if I meet my end today, no grave will ever claim me and my soul will never find rest until it’s with yours again. I will always find a way to get back to you, even in death.”
I don’t know who moves first, but in the next second my arms arearound his neck and his are around my waist, and our lips collide. He kisses me like he’ll never see me again, like he wants to pour every ounce of his love and protection inside of me to keep me safe.
I’m breathless when he pulls back, and he leans in to give me another quick kiss as if he can’t help himself. “If you don’t get on her in the next thirty seconds, I don’t trust myself not to tie you to a tree again.”
A half smile weighed down by far too many emotions stretches across my lips, and letting him go is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It feels like something is severed between us when I break the contact, pulling away from him sooner than I’m ready.
“Show them why you’ve been named the demon of Ravaryn,” I say, looking over my shoulder with one boot on Venatrix’s wing. “Be every bit as bloodthirsty as the whispers claim you to be; do whatever you must to survive and come home to me.”
