Page 67 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
Chapter 30
They flew at breakneck speed over the dense pine forest and landed behind the trees, where Kilian and Allan were already waiting on their dragons. Draco landed between the two, and Ava didn't hesitate for a second. "The mages have kidnapped Lilly. We need to go to the old castle where they held me captive."
Kilian's face was barely discernible in the darkness, yet he was clearly tense. "Are you sure they took her there?"
She didn't understand why this was still under discussion—if they didn't take off soon, she would go crazy. Her thoughts threatened to run wild, and her fear for Lilly fueled her panic. "Where else?"
The dragon leader's voice, however, sounded calm. "The mages have numerous hideouts, and we only know of a handful of them. Moreover, they attacked Talus in the afternoon. Countless were injured."
Allan shifted forward on his dragon to better join the conversation. "That's why I'm repeating, Kilian, that you absolutely need to fly there. I'll help Ava rescue the girl."
"No, I won't risk her life!" He didn't look at Ava, so she didn't know if he meant her or Lilly. "You need to fly to Talus for me and take over the high command."
Overwhelmed, Allan shook his head. "But that was normally Rob's job. I'm a legendary tracker, but in the position of strategist? The king will ask questions."
What had happened to Rob? Since he wasn't taking over the high command, he was probably sitting in a dark cell. Ava immediately pushed the thought of him aside as Kilian refused to hear any of Allan's objections.
"I'll deal with King Eldric as soon as we're back."
"Kilian, you know he's grown suspicious. Someone has talked!" Allan glanced at Ava too casually for it to be coincidental. But she understood.
"That wasn't a question, it was an order!"
Allan snorted loudly but nodded. When Kilian then looked at Ava, his expression was impenetrable. But she was unfazed.
"Don't ask me how, but I'm sure Lilly is in the castle. Elora has her by her side to lure me to her because, after all, she wants to kill me." If the mage knew what Lilly was capable of, she might not harm her at all. Nevertheless, Ava had to get the child back as quickly as possible. "Tell me how to get to the castle, and then fly to Talus to do your job. I'm the last person who wants the dragons to die. So I'll get Lilly with Magg's help and disappear."
The last word hung between them, and its echo reverberated with the addition: "We won't see each other again."
Kilian shook his head. "I won't let you fly to the mages alone. I don't care what the king says, that's not important to me!"
"But the dragons..." Allan chimed in once more. "Our entire realm..." He took a deep breath and his shoulders sagged. The guilt was written all over his face, and the mischief disappeared from his eyes. "I think it's terrible, the responsibility you have tobear, buddy, and I would take it off your hands in a heartbeat, but unfortunately, that's not possible."
Magg snorted, causing everyone to look at her. "Can't you sort this out later? A little girl is in danger!"
Kilian ran his hand through his hair, every muscle tense. When he looked up, wild determination was etched on his face. "You fly to Talus, Allan, and take over the high command. I'll come to you as soon as we've freed Lilly. I'll deal with the king afterward." His dragon shot straight up into the air like lightning, Draco following immediately, and Allan was left behind alone. In the darkness, he quickly merged with the forest, yet Ava thought she saw him shaking his head once more.
She tore her gaze away from him, leaned forward to counter the sharp headwind, and patted Magg on the thigh. "Thank you."
"Don't think I approve of your affair."
"We don't have an affair."
"But you will soon if you're not careful. And then you'll stand forever in his shadow, because his sense of duty is more pronounced than any other dragon fighter's. He will marry the princess, no matter what he feels for you."
Lynn had used similar words. Ava wanted to push the warning aside; she wouldn't start a relationship with Kilian anyway, but the flight was long and Magg was silent, so she was constantly bombarded with thoughts.
The mages were getting stronger, the king suspected something, and everyone seemed to know. Shame brought a flush to her cheeks as she stared straight ahead. Draco followed Thalara, who was flying at a slight curve. His muscles worked under Ava's legs, making her acutely aware of his presence. She was endangering his existence as well as that of his kind, putting her happiness above his life—how selfish could she be? She clamped her thighs tightly against his scales and rubbed her face, which was burning hot.
Magg nudged Ava's foot with her own. "Don't judge yourself, after all, he's damned hot and has been constantly making eyes at you."
A smile involuntarily crossed her lips, but the feeling of having taken on a heavy burden didn't go away. She gratefully accepted the distraction, however. "How come I suddenly have you as a friend?"
"We've allied for a higher cause."
Ava nodded. "Mission Save Lilly."
"She's a great girl, and I can't stand it when someone drags children into wars!" There was a bitterness in her voice that made Ava prick up her ears.
