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

68. Vexxion

68

VEXXION

F ury was gone. I couldn’t reach her in my mind, and it wasn’t because she’d erected a wall to keep me out.

She was no longer . . . here.

After flitting to the king’s sitting area, not finding her near the Wraithweave board, I returned to the battlefield, desperately peering around.

My fury had tricked me. So clever.

“Where are you?” I hissed.

I wanted to attack Ivenrail and finally, finally end this. I’d craved watching the life leave his eyes from the time I was five. I owed this to my fury and to my mother. To myself.

But Fury had asked me to trust her, and for once, I would not storm or thrash around, venting my rage.

As always, I would act for the good of others.

“Who wants to go on a dangerous mission?” I cried out .

Shouts echoed as many of the fae bristling with weapons stomped closer, gathering around me in a furious, determined mass.

“Take a handful of bone coins from Reyla and wait for instructions. This way.” They streamed behind me as I hurried toward the dragons.

I stopped in front of my sister, noting the bags lumped by her feet. Scooping one up, I handed it to her. “Fly with Madrood. He’s cranky and in some ways, inferior as far as dragons go, but I imagine he’s capable of carrying you above the dregs while we complete this task.”

I heard that, Madrood snarled in my mind.

I didn’t think you understood speech.

He said nothing.

Selective, eh?

I’m special.

I just rolled my eyes. Are you with us or are you only with Tempest?

A long pause followed before his eyes blazed with unspent wrath. She left us.

The stark desolation in his voice pierced through me, reminding me all over again that I couldn’t reach her. I mirrored the feelings back at him. She went for the Blade of Alessa, but she asked us to do something for her while she was gone. I’m going to follow through with or without your help.

The true blade?

Yes.

Then I will allow your sister to ride on my back, he grumbled. And I will chastise Tempest when she returns .

No one chastises my fury but me.

He snorted. So, you believe. She has no master.

She’s a force all on her own. Beyond even my command, and I didn’t want her any other way. My belief in her had strengthened me from the moment I met her. No matter what happened between us, it had never wavered. I’d be a fool to allow it to falter now.

Reyla shot the silver dragon a sharp look and brandished the sword in her hand. “If that fiend of a dragon tries to burn me, I’ll gut him.”

I heard that as well, Madrood drawled. Why in the world would I bother?

“He told me he’ll be delighted to carry you wherever you wish to go,” I said with a smirk that faded too fast. I trusted Tempest, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried.

“Yeah, sure.” Reyla slid her sword into the sheath running down her spine and hefted the bag. “Are we sure this is the right thing to do?”

“I know it is.”

“Then we’ll do it with all our hearts.”

“Hey.” I snagged her arm before she could stalk toward Madrood, holding her back. “Don’t do anything dangerous.”

Her eyebrows lifted, and I was struck all over again by how much she resembled our mother. Grief bites deeply, but the numbness that follows soothes the pain. I gave my sister a real smile. It might come out crooked, but I wasn’t used to showing my happiness to anyone other than Fury.

“Jeez, Vexxion,” she said. “What’s happening to your face? ”

“I, um . . . sister.” When was the last time I’d lost the connection between my brain and my tongue?

Her arm flipped toward the teeming world around us. “How in the world do you expect me to avoid danger here? We’re battling for our lives.” Her scowl deepened. “In case I wasn’t clear earlier, I’ll reiterate it now. Don’t ever try to tell me what to do. I accept we’re related. I might even allow myself to care for you. But don’t push it.”

My laugh burst out, making Madrood jump and those waiting nearby startle. The Beast’s hide had slid to the side, exposing a part of me no one but Fury had seen for too long.

“Be careful,” I barked. “I, um . . .”

Her face softened, and she dropped the sack of bone coins and lunged into me, wrapping her arms around me. “You too. Don’t let anyone impale you, or I’ll have to add them to my kill list.”

“I’ll do my best.”

My sister was going to be alright. I didn’t know what marriage to the Evergorne King might bring her, but I hoped it let her find joy. She deserved it after losing someone she loved.

I, of course, would send word ahead that she was to be treated with respect or the entire continent would feel my wrath. What good was my reputation if I couldn’t use it to protect those I loved?

And I already adored my younger sister.

She backed away and sent me a sweet smile, before she scooped up the bag and jogged toward Madrood.

“Each of you,” I told those waiting around me. “Take a handful of bone coins from the bags and select a dragon. They’ll cooperate.” I shot Madrood a glare.

Yes, yes, he said. I already spread the word. Do you think I’m useless?

I did not reply.

“Fly over the dregs, getting as close to them as you dare,” I said. “And drop bone coins onto them.”

“That’ll make them worse, won’t it?” someone called out.

“It won’t.” I said with conviction. “Trust me.” I pressed for another smile, and it must be a hideous, gruesome thing, because riders reeled away from me and diverted their eyes to the ground.

But every one of them grabbed bone coins and raced toward dragons.

I scooped up my own and sought Glim.

Mounted, we took to the skies.