A Crown of Cursed Hearts (Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #3)

23. Tempest

23

TEMPEST

A s the sun started to set, we landed our dragons in a small meadow surrounded by forest and quickly built a camp. No inn for us tonight. After what happened with Prager, I could only feel relief. I’d fallen for someone’s trick, and I hoped we’d left that danger behind.

We made plans to sleep on the ground near the fire.

“I smell woodsmoke.” Brodine’s gaze dragged across the woods to our right.

“There’s a small village down that trail.” Vexxion nudged his head that way, and only then did I see the gap in the woods leading away from the meadow.

“How many people live there?” Brodine asked.

Vexxion frowned. “Twenty. Thirty. I’m not sure. Why?”

“I could go barter for provisions,” Brodine said. “I know you bought supplies at the inn, but if I can collect a few things here, the rest will last longer. ”

We hadn’t seen any hint we were followed, but we’d be foolish to think Ivenrail hadn’t sent others to hunt us, especially after what happened with Prager. Was Prager one of the king’s many minions?

“Alright,” Vexxion said.

Brodine left with a small bag of coins, returning a short time later hefting a decent-sized sack. “Meat pies. Fruit tarts. And a few bottles of ale. We’ll eat heartily tonight,” he said with a grin.

I took it from him and released the tie at the top. “Thank you.”

“I told them I was traveling with a lord and his lady.” Brodine slid his fingertip across his throat. “Believe me, they took note. I assured them I was a dutiful, collared Nullen.” His wry smile rose. “They were happy to sell me enough food for dinner and breakfast.”

“Good going, Bro,” Reyla said, slapping his shoulder. “I wasn’t looking forward to dried meat stew for dinner, followed by fried dried meat for breakfast.”

We settled around the fire, Brodine and Reyla at my sides and the rest of the group clustered opposite us. I tugged each item out, handing large portions around to each. We poured watered-down ale in cups and dug in; our bellies ravenous after flying all day.

As the night sky swept away the sun and stars burst through the inky darkness left behind, we sat by the fire, speaking in low voices about pretty much nothing. We didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, let alone the day after that, and we were all tired of speculation .

Zayde and Layla went to bed not long after we finished eating, taking a blanket and settling in the deep grass partway across the meadow. Reyla did the same, leaving Vexxion and Airia sitting across from me and Brodine.

I fed the fire more wood, and it licked greedily at the dry bark, snapping and cackling with glee.

Vexxion silently watched me, and I’d give almost anything to be able to read his expression, to know what he was feeling in his heart. He didn’t hate me, but the love I needed no longer stretched out its wings to touch me.

Her eyes sparkling in the firelight, Airia watched Bro. If she liked him, I wished her well. He was a good guy, and he deserved to find someone who’d care for him above all others. Could that person be Airia?

It might be foolish to think of any of us winding up with someone to love. A war was coming, and we’d lead the charge. The odds of us surviving were slim.

Still, with my heart a lump of pain bruising itself against my ribs, and no hope in sight for me and Vexxion, it was nice to think that someone might come through this with a happy ending.

Brodine emptied the last of the ale into our cups, though Vexxion and I passed on having more.

Airia started to lift her mug to sip, but a crack rang out in the woods behind her. Her hand jostled as she twisted to face that direction, and her mug went flying, spilling the last of her drink.

Vexxion flitted from view, returning a short time later, dropping down to face us across the fire again. “It was nothing but a few deer passing nearby. I’ve laid wards.”

Only then did my posture loosen.

Airia retrieved her cup and after rinsing it with a slosh of water from the big jug we’d filled in a nearby stream, she placed it inside her pack for tomorrow. “I’m going to bed.” She grabbed a blanket and dropped down into the grass a short distance away.

The dragons resting on the edge of the meadow shifted and sighed before returning to slumber.

I braced my palms on the ground behind me, staring into the flames. I should go to bed myself.

“I can set up a place for you to sleep tonight,” Brodine offered softly. “Lay a blanket for you on a soft part of the ground, I mean,” he hastily added. “Nothing else. I . . .” His shoulders curled forward, and his voice dropped to a vulnerable whisper. “I was out of my head before we came here. Not thinking right.” His spine stiffened with resolve. “But I’m thinking better now, and, well, I miss us. What you and I had . . . before. You and Reyla are the only family I have, and I don’t want to lose that.”

I leaned against his strong arm. “Thanks for telling me, Bro. I miss us too.”

Vexxion blinked hard, his brow stabbing inward. “ I’ll prepare a bed for Tempest.”

Funny how he couldn’t find his way back to loving me, but he could latch onto his possessive streak quite easily.

“Oh, yeah, sure,” Bro said quickly, easing away from me. Standing, he sent me a look of sympathy, one that only showed friendliness. “I’ll head to bed, then. See you two in the morning.” After jerking out a nod toward Vexxion, he tugged the blanket from his pack and strode across the meadow, settling near the dragons.

Vexxion walked around the fire to loom over me.

“I’m going to bed.” I rose and put a step between us. “I know where my blanket is.”

“Yes, you do. I’ll lay nearby so you can rest.”

If only his voice didn’t come out clipped.

If only it held a hint of the softness I craved.

If only . . .

We flew for two more days, camping at night. Brodine continued to barter with whoever lived nearby for food, plus wine or ale.

Late afternoon, our dragons flew toward the shore. We’d continue across the channel to Lydel Island soon.

I continued to pester Madrood for information, though he was reluctant to share much.

Tell me how I’m supposed to kill the king, I said. Something I can’t wait to do, now that the wretched collar has been ripped from Vexxion’s throat. There was nothing holding me back. All I needed was to sneak up behind him and drive a dagger into his chest. Rip it across his heart and end this.

I cannot tell you , Madrood said .

Won’t .

Telling you won’t make it easier. It’s best if you discover this one clue at a time.

I leaped on that. What’s the first thing I need to discover?

Find the Blade of Alessa and you’ll know.

Tell me more about the blade, then. Prager mentioned it.

I’m sure she did.

She didn’t tell me where it is.

His pause went on for a long time, only the swoosh of his wings breaking through the silence. You’ll find it when you need it most.

Yeah. If only I’d read more of that chapter in Ember’s Shadow . I released a sigh. All I know is that it’s something from the fae past that’s been missing for a long time.

When the time is right, you’ll wield it, Madrood said proudly. I’ll watch and cheer you on while you do it.

The blade must hold special power that would slice through any wards the king encased around his body.

This is our only hope of restoring balance. He dipped his head forward and soared lower, twitching his wings in various directions to maintain a steady pace with the buffeting of the wind. The sea stretched away to our south, and I only caught a wink of what must be Lydel off in the distance.

Balance, I said. The powerless Nullens—the dregs, that is—are supposed to maintain the balance.

Where did you learn that the dregs are powerless Nullens?

The Lieges too, I bet.

Where? he growled.

A friend overheard Ivenrail and the high advisor talking about it.

They’re fools to speak of such a thing where someone might overhear. His gaze sought the other dragons. Which friend?

Reyla.

She has a kind heart.

She’s amazing. She’s the reason I’m in faerie. I explained about Kinart.

You also have a kind heart, though it’s equally strong. And the will to do what you must.

I’m not sure about my will. And if I were a stronger person, I would’ve killed Ivenrail even if that meant Vexxion died.

You’re stronger because you didn’t kill him. Leaving the shore behind, he flew out over the channel, the other dragons soaring alongside us.

“You need to leave him alone while he’s flying over the sea,” Vexxion said. “You shouldn’t distract him.”

Is that true? I asked Madrood.

He scoffed. I’m not afraid of sea beasts.

Beasts?

Pesky things, he snarled.

A glance down showed nothing but deep blue water dressed in white caps from the wind. What’s waiting for me at Lydel?

I believe it’s best if you see it rather than have me tell you.

Bone coins, I said, as one last parting shot. I want to know more about them too.

It’s not my place to discuss them.

Alright. I’ll stop quizzing you.

He gave a long sigh. Finally. But I could tell by the way he huffed out sparks, that he wasn’t irritated with me for asking questions .

A shimmering blue creature longer than my body and with a mouth full of jagged teeth as long as my fingers shot up from the ocean below. If Glim hadn’t darted to the side, the creature’s teeth would’ve raked across the dragon’s belly. It snapped out, snarling as it fell back toward the sea, landing with a big splash.

My friends bellowed and scrambled for weapons as their dragons shifted and darted to avoid the swarm of creatures attacking from below.

Higher, I called to Madrood, and he led the charge, shooting up toward the clouds with the other two dragons flapping their wings in a furious pace to keep up.

A whirring sound sent me spinning to the right barely in time to deflect a cluster of big blue and gold birds with my arm. Drask squawked and smacked my head with his wings while I swiped out with the side of my blade, knocking the vicious creatures in all directions.

Darting and twisting, the dragons flew as fast as they could toward the island, shooting flames at the sea creatures spearing up from below, though their fire deflected off the scaly hides.

We hung on, defending ourselves as well as we could. If we fell, a sure death awaited us in the churning ocean below.

Horror surged through me as a bird’s claws raked across the exposed skin on my arm, sending shards of agony through me. While Vexxion’s threads swarmed around us, snatching sea beasts from the air and flinging them back toward the water and smacking away birds, I snapped out with my magic, lifting walls between us and both beasts alike. The snarling creatures smacked into the clear structures and plunged toward the ground .

Some of the birds slipped through our barriers, and they pecked at our hair and clothing, dive bombing the dragons’ faces. Our guttural cries filled the air, and I worried we wouldn’t last much longer.

The island still appeared quite a distance ahead.

Madrood and the other dragons’ roars mixed with my friends’ sharp cries of pain. My heart hammered as it tried to beat through my ribs, each pulse shaking me from the inside out. Nausea churned in my belly while cold sweat slicked my skin, sending shivers racing down my back.

The dragons spiraled, twisting and flinging themselves through the air, their wings whipping as they flew furiously toward the island.

It seemed to take forever to reach it, and when we got closer, I tried not to let dismay take hold. The entire landmass was covered with a thick mesh of thorns. No place to land. No sanctuary in sight. Where could we escape the attacking birds?

If we couldn’t get away from them, they’d peck us to death. It was a wonder the dragons could keep going with the brutal creatures flinging themselves at the dragon’s faces.

“I can flit us to the manor,” I yelled. The vision of me playing with toys in our living area was as clear in my mind as when I watched it through Aunt Vera’s eyes. “I’ll take Vexxion and come back for the rest of you.”

Don’t, Madrood boomed in my mind. The curse could kill them if you try.

What can we do? I released a guttural cry and swiped out as another flock of birds dove in, smacking against me, Vexxion, and Madrood’s right side. They raked us, and our blood flew .

Drask huddled against my neck, rhythmically squawking in my ear.

Every breath came out in a desperate gasp that barely deflated my lungs.

I’ll fly into the thorns, Madrood said. Slam through them.

They’re cursed. The impact could kill you.

I’m out of other ideas. He dodged to the left, barely evading another enormous flock swarming toward him with their claws extended and rage blazing in their eyes. His burst of flames hit them, but they were sly and flung themselves to the side before darting in again to peck and claw.

Alright, let’s try. I flung more power at an incoming flock.

Vexxion’s threads snapped and snaked around all of us, and I could tell he was trying to slice them between us and the attackers, but there were too many. They’d overrun us soon.

Suffocating fear coiled around me. I wasn’t worried about myself, but I couldn’t stand to see my friends hurt. The taste of bile lingered on my tongue, mixed with an acrid tang of the adrenaline roaring through my veins.

“Get ready,” I shouted to the others. “We’re going to drive our dragons into the thorns.” Pray to the fates we broke through.

Zayde stared at me with wild eyes but nodded.

Brodine, his face grim, sent me a feral grin and hefted his knives. “Just like fighting dregs, right?”

Almost.

As our dragons dove toward the thick thorny mesh encasing the island, birds continued to smack into us. Blue creatures erupted from the water near the island’s shore, soaring toward us to slice at whatever they could reach before flipping around to plunge back toward the sea. With each approach, they raked their teeth across the dragons’ hides, others snapping at our feet, determined to bite through.

One latched onto my left calf, and I squawked, shaking my leg to dislodge it while plunging my dagger into its scaly hide. Vexxion snaked his threads around its torso. It swiped out with its tail, impaling the spiked tip into my left thigh.

My hoarse bellow of pain jerked up my throat.

Vexxion kicked it off me, and it tumbled toward the thick thorny mesh below.

In a mad whirl, his threads flung out in all directions, knocking away birds and blue creatures alike, clearing a path for us to charge through. With a hiss, he tightened his arm around me, his threads impaling anything that came near. Another blue creature flung itself at us, and he roared. The heat of his magic seared across my skin and when it hit the creature, the beast burst into flames and dropped toward the thorns, trailing smoke.

He laid his palm on my leg, and the pain receded. When he lifted his hand, I could see he’d closed the wound with his magic.

As the dragons smacked their wings, taking us farther above the island, we left the sea creatures behind. The birds still dove at us, but their numbers grew smaller, and it was easier to fight off one threat than two.

Drask left my shoulder and soared ahead of us, striking through a flock, sending them scattering .

As Madrood’s silver flames turned a swarm of birds to ashes, Drask shot down toward the thick mesh below.

“It looks thinner there,” Zayde cried out from the lead, pointing to where Drask flew toward a section off to the right, closer to that shore.

“Go,” I shouted, leaning forward as if that would give Madrood more speed. His wings swarmed through the air, and he kept blasting fire at whatever flock came near. The birds kept swooping up or to the side before diving back down, aiming for his eyes.

We barreled toward the area that looked thinner.

“Close your eyes,” Vexxion snarled in my ear. He leaned over me, shielding me with his body and threads, and it was all I could do not to shout that I loved him, that I would forever. I wasn’t going to die. I didn’t dare.

No, I wouldn’t allow it to happen until I was old. But none of us knew what might come next.

Madrood took the lead, spiraling toward the thorny canopy enmeshing the entire island. An instant before he made impact, he lifted up to take the brunt of the blow with his chest. If anyone could batter their way through, it was this amazing dragon.

The other dragons flew feverishly behind us.

Madrood hit the thick mesh hard, and I groaned along with him.

With a yelp, I tumbled forward, slipping from Vexxion’s arms and threads.

As I shot over Madrood’s head and slammed into the network of thorns, Vexxion bellowed my name.