Crown of Flames and Ash (Courts of Aetheria #2)

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

A elia

Reign’s shout awakened that energy trapped deep in the dark recesses of my soul. A radiant shield bloomed around me, the ethereal light so brilliant I was forced to close my eyes from the sheer intensity of it. The silver flames licked across the protective sphere and fiery heat filled the bubble.

The molten surge rushed my veins, lighting up my insides in pure agony. Intense pressure squeezed my skull, vibrating my temples. Oh, gods, I couldn’t hold the shield for a second longer. The torrent of flames continued, the steady onslaught cracking through my faltering rais .

This wasn’t working. I had to try something else or I would die. Searching my core, I summoned my dwindling rais and followed the faint glimmering filaments that connected me to my skyrider. I’d never attempted to channel Sol’s power, not even in the trials. I’d been too frightened by its sheer volume, but perhaps today was the day.

Aelia, are you all right ? Sol’s voice trickled through my subconscious the moment I gave those ethereal strings a pull.

Just fine, but I could use a little power boost.

Do you need me?

No, I believe I can handle him.

Him, who?

Sol, please, I’m a little busy here .

Cutting off our mental connection, I tapped into the well of power that was Solanthus, the Sun Chaser, calling all that energy into one hand. A heady surge zipped down my arm and rushed through my fingertips. Splaying my hand, I pointed to the sky, in the general direction of the gray dragon wielding those blistering flames. Gritting my teeth, I focused the energy, and a solar flare burst to life in my palm.

I launched the sphere of pure rais into the deluge of silver flames, and a spine-tingling roar ricocheted across the night sky. The sweltering blaze fell away instantly. I gulped in a breath, and the moment the flames vanished, my shield popped, my power having reached its apparent limit. I dropped to the ground, my knees hitting the earth with a thud, and the air remaining in my lungs fled.

Another roar echoed overhead, calling my attention to the smaller dark-winged form soaring toward the gray dragon and the rider I now saw on its back. Ruhl . It had to be.

Reign’s shadow wings propelled him into the sky, and his dark minions surged over the slate beast, inundating him in hissing, writhing tendrils. A moment later, the creature’s wings angled toward the earth, and the rider and his mount began their descent.

A prickle of unease descended along with them, and I thanked Raysa I never shed my breeches. Meeting the Shadow heir in nothing but my underthings would have been far from ideal.

A moment later, Reign coalesced beside me, my focus so fixed on the dragon coming from above, I barely noticed his shadows before they were upon me. At least he was back in his breeches once more, although his shirt hadn’t made a reappearance. “Are you all right?” The panic in his eyes was palpable. Forcing down the emotion threatening to clog my airway, I nodded quickly.

“What is Ruhl doing here?” I rasped out.

“I have no idea, but we are about to find out. I forced him to ground Mordrin.”

“The dragon?”

“Yes. Now please, princess, for the love of Noxus, play along with whatever I say, despite how unpleasant it may sound. Do you understand?”

“Fine,” I gritted out. “But don’t get used to it.”

Everything all right now ? Sol’s anxious voice invaded my thoughts. Or must I resort to contacting Phantom once more ?

No, I’m fine. Thanks for the power boost .

Keeping one eye on the descending dragon, I took a moment to assess the glut of power I’d siphoned from my skyrider. It felt different somehow. That wasn’t rais that I drew from you, was it ?

It was not. As I told you before, dragons are neither light nor dark. We possess a balance of all the gods’ powers.

So you wield rais and nox?

Yes, as well as the lesser known zar . You are familiar with the banished god, Zaroth ?

I’d heard the name at some point in my studies, but I’d barely learned anything about Raysa or Noxus, let alone Zaroth, throughout the subpar education I’d received as a Kin. Not really , I finally admitted.

As it seems as though you’re still otherwise engaged, I’ll have to postpone the history lesson for another day. Suffice it to say, our power is the perfect amalgamation of those of all the gods. Which is why dragons reign supreme .

I snorted on a laugh. Of course, Sol. It makes absolute sense .

Be safe, little Kin, and do not hesitate to call on me should the need arise . I’m nearby now .

Thanks, Sol . As our connection grew dim, I mulled over his cryptic words. From what little I recalled, Zaroth was the son of Noxus, and he was revered by the now-extinct third Fae realm, the Court of Infernal Night.

The mighty whoosh of dragon wings tore me free of my musings and turned my attention toward the enormous beast alighting only a few yards away. As his talons hit the ground, my knees shook from the tremor that ran beneath the soft earth. Reign reached for me, but I batted his hand away. The last thing I needed was for his brother to think me weak.

As the younger Shadow prince leapt off his mount, my fingers twitched for the daggers Reign refused to allow me to wield.

“Well, isn’t this a fortuitous coincidence?” Ruhl flashed a cocky smile as he strode toward us, the grin reminding me so much of Reign’s it was unnerving. “I apologize for that unfortunate mishap with the fire. Mordrin thought he’d found himself a Light Fae snack. I never would have allowed it if I’d known it was you, Miss Ravenwood.”

At the sound of my surname on his lips, an errant thought zipped through my subconscious. What was my true last name? If I was born Light Fae, I was certainly not a -wood like all the other Kin.

“Now that you know it is Aelia, you can be on your merry way then, brother.” Reign’s deep growl forced my thoughts back to our present predicament. A tendon beneath his scruffy cheek feathered, the tension rolling off his stiff form in waves.

Ruhl waved a dismissive hand. “And miss the opportunity to spend a little quality time with my favorite brother and his new girl?”

The elder prince narrowed his eyes. “If it wasn’t apparent, that was exactly what Aelia and I were attempting to do. Spend some time alone together.” His arm roped around my waist as he tucked me into his side.

Oh, gods, no. This was what he wanted me to agree to?

“Ah, a lovers’ escape?”

“Yes,” he gritted out.

“Difficult to bed your student on campus, then, brother?” Ruhl’s dark eyes glittered with mischief beneath the moonlight.

A snarl worked its way up my throat, but Reign’s arm tightened around my middle, an unspoken reminder of my promise to go along with this farce.

“Don’t be an ass,” Reign barked.

“Apologies, my lady.” The Shadow heir dipped into an exaggerated bow. “You know, Reign, if I didn’t know any better, I would think the lovely Aelia barely tolerates your presence.” He inched closer, dark shadows buzzing around his form. “As it is, her aura is an inky black. Hardly what I’d expect from a pair of lovers out on a moonlit stroll.”

“In case you forgot, your dragon attacked me only moments ago,” I bit out. “An incident like that does nothing for my mood.”

Ruhl chuckled, the sound sharper than the warmth carried in Reign’s laughter. “Fair enough, Miss Ravenwood.” He waved a hand in our direction. “But I would still feel more convinced of this pairing if I could witness a demonstration.”

“Enough,” Reign growled, his body surging forward. If it wasn’t for the hold around my waist, I was certain he would have launched himself at his brother. “You will not speak to her like that.”

“So protective over your paramour, brother.”

I could feel every muscle in Reign’s body coiled to strike, and I knew a battle between the two Shadow princes could be deadly for us all, especially with Mordrin looming nearby. Steeling my resolve, I gritted out, “I suppose it’s true what they say about us Kin.” Batting my lashes, I attempted my most seductive pose as I leaned into Reign more fully. “Once you bed a Kin, none other will do.” I ran my fingers up his still bare chest, and his shadows swirled in delight. They weaved between my fingers, sending icy chills across my skin.

Ruhl barked out a laugh as he watched us. “I suppose I’ll have to experience it for myself one day, then.” He stepped closer still and offered a hand. “Perhaps, you’d be willing to share, brother?”

Reign was nothing more than a blur as he launched himself at his brother, his shadows morphing into those enormous wings, and his hand curled around his throat. “I. Do. Not. Share.” He punctuated each word with the tightening of his fist. Ruhl choked out a breath, his cheeks darkening beneath the brilliant moon. “You would do well to remember that, little brother, if you value your life. Aelia is mine , and if you believe that I would ever let you touch her, you’re more deluded than I thought.”

“And if you,” his brother rasped out, “are deluded enough to believe I don’t know that there is something more going on here between the two of you, you are the fool.” Reign’s fingers tightened, his white knuckles gleaming as he lifted Ruhl off the ground. “Now, release the future heir or suffer Mordrin’s wrath.” The dragon perked up, its smoldering silver eyes intent on Reign. A low growl permeated the thick air, and I prayed Phantom was close by. “And don’t think for a moment I won’t share this new development with Father.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that, Ruhl. That’s what you always do, isn’t it? Run to Father when you cannot win your own fight.” He slowly released his hold, dropping his brother back to the ground. “Tell Father what you will about the female I’m bedding. I’m sure he’ll find it incredibly interesting that you risked my position at the Conservatory by spilling our secrets.”

The young prince paled and staggered back a step.

So he hadn’t told the king any of it. Interesting… At least my secret would be safe for now. If I truly was this child of twilight, which I still refused to believe.

Ruhl cleared his throat, straightening the collar of his rumpled tunic. He wagged a finger at his brother. “You know what? You’re right. Father does not need to know everything … Surely, he would care little about the female you’ve invited into your bed. Just be careful she doesn’t bear you little bastards.” A wicked grin curled the corners of his lips. Then he pivoted that dark gaze to me. “When he bores of you, as he inevitably will, Miss Ravenwood, I would be more than happy to introduce you to the true pleasures of life. I assure you I am a far more skilled lover than my brother. He’s much too tense, too restrained.”

A chill skirted up my spine at the sinful sparkle in those bottomless orbs. But even still, I couldn’t let him have the last word.

“Funny, I wouldn’t say he’s too anything in that regard.”

His brows rose in surprise for a moment before he dipped into another bow, those eyes pinned to mine. “I look forward to our next encounter, in the Umbral Trials.”

An unexpected flare of heat settled low in my belly. Raysa, what was it with these Shadow males, and why was my body such a traitorous little thing?

Ruhl spun on his heel, then darted up Mordrin’s leg, and the two were airborne seconds later. I blew out a breath of relief the moment the dragon’s wingbeats pounded the night sky.

Reign pivoted toward me, those ominous shadows stretched out around his imposing form. “I swear to the gods I’m going to murder him.”

“You can’t,” I hissed.

“It’s only a matter of time until he learns the truth, Aelia. And when he does?—”

“What truth? We don’t even know if I am this child of twilight!” Frustration puckered my brow. “It’s been months, and we are no closer to discovering the truth.”

“I know that!” he roared, the tendrils of darkness whipping into a fury around him. “You don’t think I suffer with that failure every day?” The shadows grew thicker, more dense, swallowing me up in their icy embrace. “If only there was a way to determine, undeniably, if the prophecy referred to you, I wouldn’t live in this constant state of agony, with the fear that you could be taken from me. That I could be forced by my father?—”

A prickle of awareness drew my gaze overhead, and my feet moved of their own accord, my arms curling around Reign’s neck as the darkness enveloped us. My mouth captured his, lips crashing with such force, our teeth clashed. Fiery heat surged through my blood, the onslaught more powerful than Mordrin’s dragonfire. He snagged my bottom lip between his teeth, nibbling on the pillowy flesh until I was certain he’d draw blood. And still, I couldn’t force myself away. His hands slid down my back, cradling my behind and pressing me flush against the hard planes of his body. Good gods, this was not supposed to happen. He staggered forward, a male drunk on lust, walking me back and pinning me against a rough bark, devouring every inch of me.

Beneath the thick canopy of leaves and the whirling tornado of Reign’s shadows, I was certain we were now concealed from watchful eyes, and yet, I continued to give into the moment, unable to tear my body away from his. As his kisses grew more desperate, and my own body ached for release, my traitorous hips arched toward his growing arousal.

“Mmm, princess,” he whispered against my lips. “You have no idea what you do to me…” He paused to lean back just enough to trap me in that hypnotic gaze. “What I wouldn’t give to claim every inch of you beneath the starlit sky.”

My breath hitched, a gasp escaping my swollen lips. We weren’t supposed to be doing any of this. It was only meant to be a distraction. “Mordrin was flying overhead,” I managed to get out.

His dark brows furrowed, those piercing irises finally releasing me to scan the sky above. A long minute later, his eyes met mine once more. “That was why you kissed me? It was all part of the ruse?”

“You told me to follow your lead…”

He staggered back, his shadows disappearing back into his skin. He huffed out a rueful chuckle, shaking his head. “I should have known.”

“I’m sorry if you thought?—”

“No, don’t apologize. What did I tell you about apologizing the first day we met?”

“It makes one look weak.”

He nodded. “And you, Aelia Ravenwood, are anything but weak. But you are damned obstinate.” He dragged a hand through his disheveled midnight locks, the ones my fingers longed to run through again. “You will never forgive me, will you?”

I swallowed hard, my mouth, still burning from his heated kisses, puckering. Before, I believed perhaps I could, but he was right, I wasn’t weak anymore. I was Aelia, carved of stone, and our fate was a cursed one. “I don’t know that I can,” I finally murmured, my heart shattering as I forced out each word.