Shadow Wings (The Darkest Drae Book 2)(8)

My legs folded as I returned to my spot on the ground.

“You are also Drae?” the prince said, aghast. “How is that possible?”

Tyrrik opened his mouth but darted a look at me and pressed his lips together, not answering.

The prince’s face firmed. “That is . . . unprecedented, but we must leave immediately. She’ll be safest with my people.”

The king turned to Dyter. “You must go with them, my friend, as my voice.”

Dyter bowed low. “I know it is best, but I don’t like leaving you now. Be careful, Caltevyn. You’re still vulnerable to attack.”

Caltevyn smiled, but his kind blue eyes hardened. “I have Lord Tyrrik’s Druman. I am not without protection, and through them, Tyrrik will be able to tell if any are slaughtered. The Zivost Forest is only five days on horseback from here”—his gaze slid to the Drae—“less as the Drae flies, I imagine.”

The king turned to the Phaetyn prince. “Kamoi, the time is soon coming when our kingdoms must unite. I believe it will be the only way to defeat the great evil.”

“The emperor?” The Phaetyn pursed his lips.

“It is our plan to unite the three kingdoms and the Phaetyn against him. To rid Draeconia of his vile presence once and for all. We have a Drae on our side, and,” he continued, dipping his head at me, “I hope we soon have two. Your people are equally powerful in their own right. I hope you will discuss this with your liege and your people.”

The Phaetyn prince crossed his arms and shifted his weight from foot to foot. He caught me watching and assembled his features, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I will take your proposal to my mother, King Caltevyn.”

“It is all I can ask,” the king replied. He clapped Dyter on the shoulder. “Lord Dyter is my chief advisor and truly my right-hand man. He will act in my stead and answer any questions you may have.”

The prince’s eyes shifted to Dyter, then to me again, then finally to Lord Tyrrik where they rested, but the Phaetyn did not speak again.





4





Dyter stepped forward on the grassy knoll, bowing to the king again. “We will take our leave, your majesty. I’ve horses and provisions readied for an immediate departure.”

“What about my provisions though?” I asked, my eyes narrowing. “You can’t have mine ready because you didn’t know if I’d come or not.”

With a sardonic laugh, Dyter jerked his thumb at Kamoi, and they went back through the castle gates. Tyrrik lingered just far enough away to give the appearance of privacy. The king remained, and I shifted, searching for a topic. Before I could come up with something, he spoke.

“I don’t blame you, you know?” he said with a kind smile. “For not wanting to enter the castle.”

I shrugged, feeling an obligation to explain. “It’s not you. I just . . .”

The sandy-haired king reached out to rest a hand on my shoulder but caught himself and withdrew the caring gesture. He tipped his head down to meet my eyes. “I know, Ryn. My father was awful; believe me, I know. You don’t need to explain.”

I reckon he probably did know. My disposition toward the king softened. “So . . . how’s it going?”

He chuckled. “Fairly well, all things considered.”

I thought of the pumpkins on my walk up to the castle. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ll keep everyone fed.”

He gave me a sad smile. “Thanks to you and what you learned about Phaetyn blood, I don’t believe we will need to worry about that. My father had vials of blood that Prince Kamoi has given permission for us to use to renew the land. It will likely last several decades. We’ll have plenty of food to fill the emperor’s quota, send the expected supply to the other two kingdoms, and have ample amounts to feed our own. My plan is to establish a ticket system people can use as a means to exchange for food from our royal market stands.”

“Like using coin.”

“Yes, but worthless for anything other than picking up food rations each week. The system will be based on need, not wealth or status.”

I smiled. “I like that idea.”

Dyter and the others approached with our steeds. I eyed the beasts nervously. Tyrrik separated from the others, leading two of the horses. As he approached, he passed me the strap of leather attached to my horse. It was like a looped leash.

The others mounted, and the king spoke to us, stepping to one side. “I wish you Drae’s speed on your journey, my friends. When the time comes to fight, I shall be beside you, an army at my back.”

After a mumbled goodbye, the others looked at me, still holding the strap attached to my horse. I tugged the leash but scooted away as the animal came toward me.

A low sigh alerted me to Tyrrik’s approach. I glanced up to see him stalking toward me.

How was it that the horses didn’t want to run away when he looked like that? He could eat them in one gulp in his Drae form. But my horse just stayed next to me, waiting.

“You don’t know how to ride,” he stated.

I blustered and stuttered, hating to admit that I was once again the weakest link.

Tyrrik raised a brow, and I deflated, saying, “No.”

“Sorry, Rynnie. I forgot,” Dyter said, tucking a case into his saddlebag with a nod to the king.