Page 75 of The Lost Princess

I would see Kaida one last time, and ensure her happiness once and for all. Then I would return here, and either exist among the shadows of the past, or embrace the nothingness and join my own people.

My purpose decided, I spread my wings far.

I jerked as a scream rippled across the continent. The same scream I’dthoughtI’d heard with the women at their manor, but had dismissed it. Panic and guilt bludgeoned me because alone up here, I finally recognized it: a distress call.

Kaida.

ChapterTwenty-Four

NASI

The moment I heard the scream, I knew what it was. Felt it in my soul even as my inner draken screeched and raged with fury. Logically I knew she was far away, but I heard it as though she was only just beyond the crest of the next hill.

A distress call.From Kaida.

Could that have been the cry I’d heard a few days before in the forest? My stomach filled with dread, and ice filled my veins.I hadn’t responded. I’d ignored her. The one thing I swore I’d never do.

I’d dismissed it. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought a distress call could carry so far. Perhaps it had something to do with our near mating—not once, but twice. It didn’t matter. I was an idiot, and left Kaida alone and undefended.

And now she was crying out to me—shehad beencrying out to me.

I was tired and exhausted, but adrenaline swirled in my veins and gave me strength. I didn’t think about how I should be ready to drop dead, my muscles burnt out and torn. Power swirled in my gut and chest, burning up my throat as it sustained me made me fly faster. Harder.

Magick.

I didn’t question it. I welcomed it, fed it, and gave it a home inside my breast. My skin tingled and rippled, small wounds opening all over my arms and chest. It should have concerned me, but I didn’t have time to worry about it.

And I didn’t care.

It had been foolish to leave her. I could admit now that my pride had been damaged when I saw her accommodations. It shouldn’t have even gotten that far. I should have begged her to stay, and held her in my arms until she was convinced. Guilt burned as hot as my anger as I realized I was at fault for pushing her away. I’d thought it was best. I didn’t want to trap her with me.

I should have fought harder.

What should have taken days of travel took minutes. It had to have been magick, coursing through my body as the landscape passed in a blur. The castle came quickly into view, and I ignored my own open wounds and bleeding. It had to be blood magick, but it was a sacrifice I was happy to give even if I didn’t understand it. I kept pushing it to its max, taking and taking, yet knowing I’d pay the consequences eventually.

I would deal with the wounds later. I could sleep when Kaida was safe in my arms and back at our cave. Along with the sleeping town, the castle came into view. My scales were covered in dirt, and my body screamed at me to stop and rest. I knew if I did, I likely wouldn’t get back up.

I ignored it all as Kaida’s scent filled my nose, reeking of fear and injury. My vision went red, and I bellowed my rage to anyone nearby. It was the only warning they would get.

Flying around the castle, I followed my nose, diving like a falcon as I spotted her outside on the balcony. Kaida was in a cage.

I roared again. They would all die.

I hit the closest guards hard, the claws on my feet piercing their chests as my claws turned their throats to ribbons. I dropped them and whirled toward the next one.

Blood splashed the marble pillars.

I turned toward the last guard, who stank with piss as I turned my anger on him.

“NO!” screamed Kaida, reaching one hand out to me through the bars. Hissing at being denied my vengeance, I grabbed the lock on her cage and crushed it in my fist. I kicked the door open. I thought she would shoot into my arms, or start crying.

Not my warrior. Not my princess.

She shot out of the cage like a possessed creature, her shriek of fury rattling the stained glass windows. The soldiers never even saw us coming.

She hit the last one hard, her claws punching straight through his chest. With a scream of victory, she withdrew her hand, which dripped red as she crushed a red organ tightly in her fist.

His still-beating heart.

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