Page 29 of Enchanted Queen

Though I could use my magic to slide me places, or shoot myself into the air, I soon found flying was an entirely different sort of rush.

The queen’s huge wings beat in front of us as she took off, heading in the direction we needed to go. And Malachi, though smaller in size than the dragon but by no means a little horse, could keep up just fine.

My legs actually fit around Malachi like they were supposed to. With more than half of the horses in Wylan, my legs were too long to properly ride. It looked like I could wrap my legs and tuck them in around the horse’s bellies. Malachi was the first horse I had ridden in which my legs fit right, down at his belly, not past his belly. But who was I kidding, I was not truly riding Malachi. I was just holding on for the ride. His huge black wings beat to a rhythm with his breathing, moving us faster and faster. This winged horse beneath me exuded nothing but power.

Spotting Amory and Emric in the queen’s talons, I hoped Emric wasn’t going to vomit on the dragon, knowing how he hated the ship, but I was also enjoying my own ride too much to care. The wind was hitting my face, as was the sun, and we were barreling toward a destination I could not even see. It made me realize how much I had missed wave riding these past two weeks.

I took a deep breath and focused. One of their people was in danger. This was not a fun outing, nor did they really trust us. They simply took us with because we were there.

Though if they had taken us to the castle this way when we got here, it would have taken only an hour? My back was angry just thinking about all that time spent in that carriage.

The terrain beneath us soon changed from rolling grasslands to a forest, back to a grassland. Based on the land beneath me and how long we had been in flight, I figured we were about halfway to the shore when the queen let out a roar which caused a chill to travel down my spine.

She got word from another of the land dragons,Malachi managed to tell me even while he picked up speed.We are almost out of time.

I heard and felt his despair.

As we neared the shore, I noted this was not something my father would have ever done as king. Even if it was another of Wylan’s Enchanted, he never would have rushed down the mountain to help. He would have just let it all play out from his perch. Queen Estalena and my father could not be more different in the way they ruled.

Finally, we landed on a cliffside of sorts, facing the sea. The dragon landed and again let out another roar. Dozens of winged creatures were landing beside us. She’d either called for help, or they’d heard her and come.

Emric didn’t appear to be too sick but gave me a look. Fortunately, we were nowhere near where our ship was supposed to be waiting. Or else they’d likely blame us for this.

“He’s trapped in a huge rope netting of sorts,” Amory stated out loud, to let us know what was going on. “The land dragon who found him is trying to chew him out, but we are almost out of time. The other two land dragons are en route, but they’re not going to get here in time.”

The queen again let out a roar, this one sounding like she was the one in physical pain.

An idea struck me. If they couldn’t chew the netting off fast enough, could they just burn it off?

“Malachi,” I urged, fortunate I hadn’t dismounted him yet. “I am sure you are exhausted from the flight, but can you fly me over the spot?” I chucked my crown to Emric, then quickly took off my jacket and threw it to the ground, my vest shortly following.

“Keir,” Emric warned.

I didn’t know you had gills, Prince,Malachi responded.

I didn’t, but I had used a bubble of air around me when I went wave riding on occasion. I could do that and try to burn the ropes off with my magic. I didn’t have time to unbutton every button of my shirt, so I did three and lifted it over my head.

“We are almost out of time,” Amory snapped. “Just do what he says.”

Malachi so abruptly took to the air that I barely managed to grab his mane in time to keep from falling off.

Soon enough Malachi was circling over an area not all that far from shore. I could still see Emric, Amory, and of course the massive black dragon on the cliffs in the distance.

It should be somewhat shallow here,Malachi told me as he slowed and lowered us down.

“Can you speak to them? Tell them that I am going to use my blue magic to try to burn the ropes off? And ask him to please hold still so that I do not burn him.”

Got it,Malachi responded.

A moment later, there was a splash and a roar as the free land dragon came up out of the water. It looked similar to the way Queen Esta did, just without the wings. Quite honestly, considering this creature was amphibious and could swim, it might be even more terrifying in this form than the winged.

If you hurt him, prince, you will never see the shore again.

“I can burn the netting off him,” I responded, looking the fearsome creature in the eyes. “Please let me help.” The voice had been so threatening and full of worry I had a hard time determining if it was a female or male dragon.

I jumped off Malachi at the same time I sent my magic in a thin bubble around me. The bubble would only last under the pressure of the water for a short while, but I needed all the help I could get.

I hit the water and took a deep breath, making sure that the pocket of air around me was working. I hadn’t ever tried to use my magic at the same time as I had myself in a pocket of air, but there was a first time for everything.

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