Page 54 of Sky of Thorns

“One: who would save yer ass? Two: I’m a drake, nae a dragon. It’s different. Imagine how unicorns and horses are different–do you remember all of Sybil’s protesting that she nae knew how to ride a horse?” Nero chuckles at the memory. “If I were to fly us above, we might miss their tracks. Kela is a great huntress and has more than one trick up her sleeve. Come, ye impatient arse, and follow behind me.” He skirts around the tree and continues following the path. For being my best friend, he can sometimes be an asshole. I glance up at the sun as it rises further in the sky.

“Nero, you’re lucky tha–” Cold steel presses against my throat. My body tenses at the blade biting into my skin. A collection of blood wells from its shallow cut.

“I’d stop, if I were you,” a female voice growls in my ear. “And what is a princeling doing, gallivanting aboutmyforest in the middle of winter?”

I slowly move to grab the dagger sheathed at my waist, but I pause as another blade presses into my gut.

“Not one more move, pretty boy, or you’ll finally get to see that princes bleed out just like the rest of us.” I freeze as the blade presses deeper against my skin. “Now, I’m only going to repeat myself one more time. What areyoudoing out here?”

The female’s breath is warm against my cheek as I contemplate my options. Am I fast enough to detain her with my wind magic before she slices my throat open? If I tell her the truth, will she believe me?

“I–” Sweat perspires on my brow and palms despite the frigid winter air.

“Kela that’s enough now,” Nero chuckles as he turns around and sees my predicament. “Ye’ve had yer fun, lass. Let him go.” Pain radiates down the back of my leg as she kicks me, forcing me to my knees. The steel blade never waivers or leaves my throat.

“This is not funny. Howdare youbring one of them here, Nero Lockheed. Let alone their Prince.“ She spits at Nero. “I thought you were one of us!”

“Where is she?” I growl, ignoring the bite of ice and rocks beneath my knees. I have to find Sybil. I have to tell her I’m sorry.

“Shut up, you elemental trash!Sheis none of your concern now.“ The blade cuts deeper into my skin, pressing against my windpipe. My heart pounds in my chest but that familiar tug stops me and I cast my gaze through the trees begging for a glimpse of her.

“Aye Kela, I understand your protective nature for Sybil.” Nero cautiously steps between us, and this girl–Kela–tenses behind me.

“Let him go. He will nae harm her, as he—“

”—Nero, don’t you dare—“ I bark at him. That’s not his secret to tell.

“Don’t come any closer.” Kela interrupts us. “Tell me why you’ve brought thefucking Prince of Shadowvalewith you?“ Her voice cracks on the last syllable.

Pounding footsteps catch my attention, my eyes scanning the forest. Nero turns, crouching into a defensive position.

Sybil breaks through the tree line, her hair streaming behind as she races towards us. Her hazel eyes jump from Nero, then to Kela holding me in a kneeling position on the ground. She digs her heels into the ground coming to a stop, chest heaving.

“KELA! You’re ali–!” She exclaims but stops in her tracks as soon as her eyes settle on me, meeting my gaze. My pulse begins to race as I take in the way shifts of sunlight cut through the trees, illuminating her face. A glistening, twisted horn of white protrudes from the star at her forehead. I have the sudden desire to run my fingers up the side of her face and down its length.

“What’shedoing here?“ Sybil asks quietly, her cupid bow lips pursing in a grim line. She looks between Nero and Kela, but not back at me.Look at me, Sybil! Goddess knows, there is so much I want to say…

“That’s exactly what I was just trying to figure out.” Kela says.

“Kela, let him go. He’s nae here to harm Sybil or take her back to Shadowvale.” Nero sighs exasperatedly. He relaxes his position and sheaths his ax. “He’s her–”

“Nero, goddess-damnit.” I croak out.

Nero looks at me then back at Kela, silently pleading with her. “Here to help me.”

“Why should I believe you?” she snarls.

“When have I ever given you, nae, the rest of the pack, any reason not to believe in me?” He opens empty palms towards her and hesitantly takes a step towards us. “I will nae harm you, nae will the Prince.” Kela and Nero have a silent battle of wills, and after a moment of fierce debate I cannot decipher, she relents.

“Fine. One wrong move and next time I won’t hesitate.” Kela removes her blades and shoves me to the ground. I rub at my neck, blood smearing under my fingers as I push myself to stand. Sybil finally looks at me, and her eyes widen in surprise and she steps forward making my heart skip a beat.

“You’re hurt.” Sybils murmurs softly–just for the two of us. She raises a hand in my direction and briefly touches the wound, then turns to Kela, as if she just remembered something. “I thought you were behind me Kela. I thought I lost you, silly wolf!”

“And I thought I told you to run.” Kela sighs exaggeratedly. “How did you end up here anyways? I told you we were going east,” she adds, raising an eyebrow.

“I just followed… a feeling,” Sybil says sheepishly, her eyes turning back on mine. Did she sense the bond as I do?

Kela flips a dagger in the air before pointing it at Nero. “Meanwhile, I caught the scent of this one mingling with this one.” Her eyes narrow, the blue pupils glaring at me.

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