Page 55 of The Lost Nation

Benedict

Today was the day. Ronan had returned earlier with his reports complete, and our allies ready.

This morning I’d woken up and tried to scent Wren, but she pushed me away, angry. She knew what Ronan returning meant.

“It isn’t right. Youknowit isn’t right. Thad isn’t evil.”She insisted.

It angered my draken that she continued to defend another male, and one who wasn’t part of our mateship. It made it hard for me to view her arguments rationally.

I was stubborn.“Thad has clearly chosen his side. He certainly made his own choice when hekidnappedthe children and one of my unmated females!”

Wren shrank in on herself, her hands going around her stomach. I wondered if she could be pregnant yet, then realized it didn't matter. She shouldn't be upset. I shouldn't shout at her.

“I'm sorry. Are you alright?” I asked, but she merely turned away.

I didn’t like how she was giving in, and not arguing back. Wren usually fought me tooth and nail over what she was passionate about, and that was what made her such a good queen. I needed to be questioned—I needed to be held accountable for my decisions.

But attacking Thad made sense. It's what I needed to do. Wasn’t it?

“Go then. You won't listen to me." She whispered, turning as Kieran and Ronan flew in from the balcony.

I bit back a sharp retort. How easy would it be if I were them? If I didn't have to make the decisions? To claim I'd no choice but to follow the orders of my king?

Wren gave them both passionate kisses, and my draken boiled in jealousy. I pushed him away, knowing it was just stupid instincts. Our mateship was in no danger. All couples fought, didn’t they?

Kieran continued to have his hands all over her, and my patience thinned.

“Have you realized it yet?” Kieran asked her, and my draken wanted to hiss at him to shut up.

“Realized what?” Wren asked, annoyed.

Kierannuzzled into her neck, practically purring.Tough it went against every instinct I had, I turned away from her.

“Let’s go.”I ordered them.

I heard her growl at me, her voiceferal with disappointment. Kieran gave me a look, and took Wren in his arms. At least he was keeping his promiseto stay and protect her.

I don’t know why, but it made my chest tighten.

Kieran must have explained the situation to Ronan, because the younger draken didn’t question his best friend staying behind as he flew out behind me over the valley, screaming out our rallying call to my men and the witches.

We flew.

The air witches took their sisters from the covens of earth, fire, water, and two blood witches who had wanted to fight. They joined our draken formation in the air. It was tempting to shift us all there and catch the demons by surprise, but it was too dangerous. Wren had rendered every single draken unconscious just by transporting the prisoners through the wards—it would likely be impossible I’d be able to shift the entire army anywhere.

As it was, we had to meet up with our other allies first.

We flew over the ocean, my eyes dazzled by the pureness of the blue and green hues. White caps drifted on top of the waves, and quickly gave way to pale, sandy beaches.

Yet we kept flying.

Over the trees, over more trees, and then finally landing heavily in a small clearing. They were already waiting for us, dressed in fighting leathers and carrying weapons. Ronan stepped forward and embraced one of them like a brother.

“Dareth. Thank you.”

The lykos nodded seriously, stepping back and bowing his head. “King Benedict, may I present to you King Conan.”

I struggled to keep my shock in check as a familiar black wolf strutted forward, only to transform back into a regal-looking man. As with most lykos he retained a few wolf characteristics while in this form—the black claws, the rugged hair that could be mistaken for fur, and the air of danger.

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