Dragon's Storm (Legion Of Angels #4)(68)

Arms locked around me, catching my fall. I looked up into the face of an angel.

“Nero,” I said, my heart racing, my body shaking. I’d nearly fallen to my death.

“It’s ok. I’ve got you.”

I dropped my head to his chest, trying to steady my ragged breathing. “Yes.” I sighed in relief. “You do.”

A bolt of lightning slammed against us. We fell, twirling out of control toward the ground.





20





Dragon's Storm





I must have blacked out for a few seconds because I couldn’t remember hitting the ground. Black and yellow spots danced in front of my eyes, flickering in time to my pulse. I rose slowly, looking around. I was just outside the castle gate. All around me, smoke rose from the castle, masking most of its structure—assuming there was anything left of its structure. I shook out my limbs, surprised to find that nothing was broken—and that I was alive. Nero must have broken my fall.

Nero! Dozens of Legion soldiers had clustered in front of the gate. Nero wasn’t one of them. No, wait. A body lay facedown amongst broken bricks and other debris, his black leather uniform torn, his short blond hair streaked with crimson. At the sight of all the blood, I hurried toward him, swaying with each step. Dropping to my knees, I grabbed his shoulder and flipped him over.

It wasn’t Nero. It was the Sky Dragon. His lifeless eyes stared off into nothingness.

“Leda.”

I jumped in surprise at the sound of Nero’s voice. I looked back to find him standing over me.

“You thought I’d crashed?” His eyes shone with smug amusement.

I just stared at him like an idiot.

“Leda?”

I jumped up and threw my arms around him. “Of course you didn’t crash. An angel always lands on his feet.” Hysterical laughter shook my chest.

His brows drew together, perplexed. “Are you all right?”

“No.”

“You have another head injury.” He brushed his fingers through my hair, looking for a wound.

He wouldn’t find one. I wasn’t suffering from a concussion. I was suffering from an overdose of Venom—and a case of total euphoria. I was still alive. Nero was alive.

Something high above crashed down. It sounded like rocks hitting harder rocks. I looked past the clearing smoke. The sight was very sobering. Larger parts of the castle’s structure had collapsed.

“Did everyone get out?” I asked.

“Yes,” Colonel Starborn said, walking up to us. “Except the corrupted Dragons.” She glanced down at the Sky Dragon’s body.

Captain Somerset was beside her. “Together the Lightning Spear and Storm Castle absorbed the storm.” She patted me on the back. “Your plan worked.”

“But at great cost.” I gave the castle a mournful look. “There’s nothing left of it.”

“I think you’ll find my castle’s tougher than you think,” replied Colonel Starborn.

“I’m going to take a look.” Nero set his hand on my cheek. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“Where exactly would I go?”

He favored me with a hard smile. “I’m sure you could find some calamity to dive headfirst into.”

“I’ll try to contain myself,” I said drily.

“Good.”

He launched into the air, flying over the castle. The glossy feathers of his black, blue, and green wings shone against the dissipating storm clouds.

Colonel Starborn and Captain Somerset left me to check on the wounded. They looked pretty wounded themselves, but they weren’t letting that bother them.

“I’m glad he survived,” Harker said, stopping next to me. His eyes tracked Nero’s flight. “He is my best friend, like a brother to me. Even after all that’s happened.”

His voice rang with sincerity. Colonel Starborn was right about him. He really was a good person. He wanted to do the right thing, but sometimes his ambition got in the way.

Nero landed in front of us. “The castle is salvageable. The main structure and two of the four towers are still stable. The rest can be rebuilt, though it will take some time to weave the magic back into the stones. Time and the care of four Dragons.”

“So it’s decided,” Captain Somerset declared.

We all looked at her.

“We’re having a party in the throne room tonight.” She wrapped one arm around Harker and the other around Nero, leading them toward the open gates. “We narrowly averted the end of human civilization. It’s time to celebrate life.”

Inside, the throne room looked—well, awful, but it was still standing. And Nero seemed to think it wouldn’t fall on our heads.

“I’ll have this place ready in a couple of hours,” Colonel Starborn said, plopping onto her throne. It looked like her quick-fix healing solution was finally wearing off.

“This place looks like a war zone, and she is barely conscious,” I whispered to Nero as Colonel Starborn groggily waved the castle’s soldiers over to her. “How is she going to make it ready for a party by tonight?”

“Never underestimate the stubbornness of angels.”

I smirked at him. “Don’t worry. There’s no danger of that, Colonel.”