Page 11 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
I did my best to grip a scale through the bag. “Do it.”
“That’s my girl. Thaleia,fly.”
My stomach fell to my toes when Thaleia moved. The bag shifted and moved, but surprisingly, I was bound so tight that I was barely jostled.It’s not bad. I’m just playing human cargo.
Of course, that’s when Thaleia jumped into the air. I thought I panicked before, but it had nothing on that takeoff. I bit back a scream.This is it. This is how I get murdered. By dumbass naivete. And the worst part is I asked for it.
The powerful beats of Thaleia’s wings echoed around the cave, and the wind rattled the leather material. Her scales dug into my side, but I was too terrified to care. I couldn’t process whatever the fuck Nimue said, too busy shoving down the urge not to claw my way out of this damn bag.The Mother protect me.
My teeth chattered, and my eyes burned. How did Nimue stand this? How did anyone enjoy this? How insane did you have to be to want to ride a dragon?Were they not scared of falling to their death?
It felt like an eternity before Thaleia landed, and the descent was somehow even more terrifying. It was a relief when Nimue opened the bag and loosened the straps enough for me to wiggle out.
“Glad you didn’t throw up. That would’ve been awful for the both of us.” Nimue slid down Thaleia’s back and offered me a hand. Grudgingly, I took it, but only because my legs felt like a fawn’s.
Nimue reached into the side satchel attached to the saddle and tossed a cloak at me. “We don’t need people recognizing you. Keep your hood up. And remember, if you try to run, Thaleia will torch you.” She also put on a cloak, making sure to hide her pointed ears.
Thaleia made a point to huff smoke in my face. I almost shit myself then and there. “Understood.” I squared my shoulders once I flipped the hood over my face. I couldn’t allow myself to forget—this woman wasn’t my friend. First and foremost, she was loyal to the king.
Nimue led us to a more familiar area of town—right in the heart of the underbelly. No one spared either of us a glance. I blinked in surprise when we stood in front of one of the many brothels. Though surprisingly, the lantern outside was off—meaning that it was closed for the night. This was where the king was keeping my sister? In a godsdamn brothel of all places.
An older woman opened the door, clearly the madame of the establishment. Her eyes widened when Nimue pulled back her hood. “Come inside,” shesaid in a flat tone.
Nimue reached into her boot, pulled out a coin purse and offered the purse to her. “We’re here to see Wes.”
I scanned the empty room, completely devoid of life.So, it’s true.My heart pounded.She’s here.
The madame daintily grabbed the purse. “He’s upstairs. Last door to the right. Don’t cause a scene.”
Nimue hummed in agreement, and then we crept up the stairs. It took everything I had not to run down the hall. When we reached the door, Nimue knocked once, then three times in rapid succession, and then one more knock.
The door flung open. A man in his late twenties or early thirties opened the door. A soldier, that much was obvious from his shorn black hair, thick frame, dark skin, and serious brown eyes. His jaw flexed when he saw me. “What the hell is she doing here? Are you trying to get us all killed?”
Nimue folded her arms. “Don’t be so dramatic. She's here to say goodbye.”
“King Luther sent a raven that she’s not to see her sister until she’s proven herself.” He didn’t spare me another glance.
“Come on, Wes. Don’t be an asshole. You know she’s gonna fight with us. This’ll give her extra motivation.”
“Or deter it.”
My anger sparked. “It won’t. But if I find out the king’s just using me, then the leverage won’t work. Let me see her. Afterward, if you want me to kneel before the king or whatever, I will. But I need to see her first. Ineed to know she’s okay.”
Nimue cocked a brow. “See? Are you telling me you’re willing to be the reason an innocent girl doesn’t get to say goodbye to her big sister? We both know there’s no guarantees for that first flight.”
I fought to control the muscles on my face. The urge to questionthattidbit of information rose to the surface, but I stamped it down. Clara took priority.
Wes studied my face before exhaling. “As long as her hands are bound.”
“We’re on thesecondfloor,” Nimue protested. “And I’m betting you picked a room with a small window.”
“I’m not taking any chances. She gets the cuffs, or she doesn’t see her sister today.” He looked at me. “Does that work for you?”
It sure as fuck doesn’t.“Not my hands.”
He huffed a laugh. “You’re not in a position to negotiate.”
I squared my shoulders. “Binding my legs is better for you anyways. I can still run with my hands tied. And if my hands are bound, I can’t say goodbye properly. Please.” I forced the last word out.
