Page 275 of The Throne Seeker
Rose’s heart leapt.
Neera had answered her call.
The large creature’s elongated, scaly form slithered through the air as enormous water droplets fell from her body with the rain. Her slender wings unfurled wide, maneuvering with deadly accuracy. She screeched again, diving to the ground toward Tristan and the soldiers.
The soldiers scattered. Some fled to the castle, abandoning their posts, while others sprinted back to the woods for cover.
The beast circled back around, landing just in front of Rose.
Neera took a drawing breath through her nostrils, and in one deadly motion, she bared her teeth and opened her mouth to unleash a powerful current of water from the depths of her belly. The tidal wave washed the fleeing soldiers back into the woods, the forceful stream drowning out their screams and shouts.
Neera finished her spray as her large head snaked back to look at Rose. Her sapphire eyes sparkled at her happily.
You came,Rose said with relief.
Neera gave her a frightening smile.I told you I would.
Rose gave her the most appreciative look she could muster, but gratitude would have to wait.We need to get out of here. Can you help us?
Neera nodded, understanding.Get on,she said, lowering her large neck to the ground.
“Get on,” she relayed the order to Roman and Xavier.
The two exchanged hesitant side glances, but to their credit, they did as she commanded, Roman still cradling her mother in his arms as they all mounted Neera.
Onyx shook his large mane, spraying a flurry of droplets, his coal eyes stubbornly resistant.There is no way I’m letting that carry me with those claws. They eat things like me,Onyx said, backing up.
I won’t eat you,Neera said, practically rolling her eyes.
See?Rose said to Onyx. She promises not to eat you.
At least not today,Neera added with a cheeky tone.
Not a moment too soon, Neera leapt into the air. Rose clung on to a spike, careful not to let it impale her. She glanced back, checking that Roman was still keeping her mother safe on his lap. Xavier looked like he was going to be sick.
Neera dipped down and swept Onyx carefully into her grasp with her large, webbed talons. Her wings worked overtime to get them higher and higher into the sky.
The soldiers below reformed, launching arrows at them. Rose ducked behind Neera’s large spike to avoid their path.
Neera roared, sending another stream of water from her mouth, driving the soldiers back into the muddy ground.
Rose dared to peek down.
Almost immediately, she found Tristan’s distant figure glaring up at her.
Despite the distance, she felt his overwhelming betrayal, his complete devastation, his feral rage—it all collapsed around him like a dying star, forming a black hole powerful enough to warp time and space, swallowing all light, attempting to pull her into the void with it.
A raw, soul-piercing cry of agony erupted from his mouth, a sound that would haunt her peace forever.
She winced, unable to bear his pain, clinging to Neera’s large spike as they soared upward into the sky.
Where to?Neera asked.
To Highland Haven,Rose answered.
CHAPTER 92
Relief washed over Rose as the grand estate appeared, sheltered by the dark mountains. Neera’s excitement flooded through her fingertips at the sight of the crystal lake, not to mention Onyx’s relief to be back on solid ground.
