Dragons Against Them (Kingdoms of Fire and Ice #2)(59)

“And you’re quite the charmer. Not.”

He took her hand and placed it upon his heart. “Let me care for you, my love, as you have cared for me. Feel the beat of my heart, strong once again because of you.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I…couldn’t stand to watch you hurt any longer.”

“And your selfless act shall save us all. Come, let us be on our way. Your strength will return in time.”

As he rose, Zayne threw Haelan a questioning look. The wizard tipped his chin in assurance, but it brought Zayne little comfort. Though if Haelan had tricked them and Addie remained in this weakened state, there would be nowhere in this world or the next that he would be safe from Zayne’s wrath.

“Are you strong enough to lead us in flight?” asked Tristan.

“Aye, though I have a better plan. One that will lessen the effects of the wards as we cross into Weston.”

“Oh?” asked Quinn. “And what is it?”

Zayne collected Addie in his arms and stood to meet each of their gazes one by one. “I shall not only lead, but provide transport for you all.”

“I require no such thing,” muttered Haelan, who disappeared with a scowl and a snap.

Addie looked up at him. “Wait, what?”

“How better to shield you from the wards than to carry you all upon my back? Besides,” he added with a wink, “someone shall need to hold you. Unless, that is, you would rather I carry you in my talons?”

She groaned as the others grumbled, but no one offered an alternative plan. He pressed a gentle kiss to his sweet Adelaide’s smooth forehead, then carefully handed her off to Brom and made for the door.

Oh, but he felt good. Better than good. More like, ready to conquer this realm.

Which might be exactly what they were about to do…



Flying had never been Addie’s favorite thing. Flying weak and nauseated barely even made the list of tolerable ones. And being crushed the whole trip in the mitts of a worried Brom—who apparently didn’t enjoy being a passenger nearly as much as a dragon—hadn’t helped any either. They’d barely gotten her to the ground before she retched up what felt like a month’s worth of meals.

She lay there for a moment, a safe distance from the mess with her face pressed to the cool, damp ground, and wished like crazy she was back in the States. A little Pepto-Bismol and she’d have been good as new. Instead, Haelan appeared in her line of sight with some nasty herb that smelled like stinky feet. Which, desperate to feel better, she ate.

Had Haelan not been there with root in hand, she might not have noticed his reappearance, the silent, sneaky bastard. Why he’d even come was beyond her. The whole enchantment on her and Zayne had been a huge no-no from what Tristan admitted. So why remain with the guilty parties, especially if her father and his whole bloody army were on their way?

“Are you feeling better now, my lady?”

Addie slowly sat up, decided the world wasn’t going to tip over on her again, and held a hand over her mouth to shield poor Zayne from her puke breath. “A little, thanks. Now if only I had a Tic Tac or something to freshen my breath.”

A hand was thrust before her once more. Haelan, with another herb. This one, strangely enough, smelled of mint. She took it from him with a scowl.

“You’re awfully helpful when you want to be.”

“Simply doing my duty, Your Highness.” He leaned closer, his dark blue eyes glimmering with a humor only he seemed to understand. “Besides, we need you well for the next part of our journey.”

“Great. Can’t wait. Now if only I could”—Addie managed to stand on her own. She took a step forward and was pleasantly surprised to still be upright—“walk.”

She took another step away from Zayne. Stretched her back, flexed her fingers. A burst of energy similar to that of a runner’s high was building within her, and she felt the uncanny urge to go for a good long run. Whatever weariness she’d felt before seemed to have left her body along with this morning’s breakfast.

Addie cast a wary look at what was left of the mint sprig in her hand, then one at Haelan. He just shrugged and started forward, gliding along the earthen path on silent feet. Healed me or not, I still think you’re one odd duck.

Zayne’s hand brushed along her hip, pulling her into his side. “You feel it now too.”

“Like a million bucks,” she said with a wink. “Now if only I could fly.”

“I am trained to heal,” called Haelan from ahead of them. “Not perform miracles.”

Addie rolled her eyes. The others started forward, following the wizard, but she held Zayne back. “Listen, there’s something I’ve got to tell you.”

“And you wish to discuss the matter now?” He looked to the others slowly being swallowed by the darkness as they moved onward. “Adelaide, time is—”

“Short. Yeah, yeah, I get it. But this will only take a minute. And I think it’s really important, so will you please hear me out?”

He cupped her cheek. “Speak what is on your mind, my love, but do so quickly.”

My love. She felt her cheeks warm, but logged this memory to revel in another time.

“Okay. So remember me asking you about The Legend of Fire and Ice? ‘Two kingdoms kept behind the veil, possess a magic for all to hale. One made of fire, the color of gold; one made of ice, its powers untold. Both kingdoms great, both kingdoms strong, the powers of each too much to bond. If ever…’ And then it just stopped, and I was bummed because this didn’t feel like a fairy tale to me.”