Page 89 of Ashborne: Defiance

As I sat there, my dragon quietly crooning, the rain pattering in the leaves above, my heart pounded in my skull like a drum. I glanced aside, a sudden flare of panic until I made out the curve of her hip, swathed in the cloak, and hugged in the embrace of her dragon’s foreleg.

And then I could breathe.

‘Voski—’

I shook my head. ‘I can’t do it, Kham. Please stop asking. I can’t put her through that.’ Or myself.

Kham growled. ‘There’s nothing noble about resisting a gift from the Creator!’

I huffed and turned over to wedge myself back into the crook of his leg. ‘I am not being noble.’ I almost laughed at the thought. ‘I’m being honest.’

He didn’t accept that answer, but he also knew me enough to know when to push and when not to. I curled into his warmth, but lay there, staring at his wing over me, wide awake.

I couldn’t relax until he’d fallen back to sleep and I could be alone with my thoughts.

And my panic.

Because the dream was the same as it had always been. Every time. Since I was young.

Except that this time, every room I’d stepped into had smelled like vanilla and apples.

And it made my mouth water.

30. Welcome Home

SOUNDTRACK: Bleed by DEADLUVE

~ VOSKI ~

Kham lifted his head and screamed, his cry echoing across the mountains. Koa replied, and both of them flapped faster.

‘The Primarch lives and rules,’ Kham sent, his heart flooding with relief and pride.

‘Oh, thank God.’

“What’s going on?” Grace asked quickly. “Koa’s excited and struggling to find the words.”

“Donavyn made it to home safely—as did his dragon, Kgosi. They’re both safe,” I said quietly. My heart thudded in my ears, but I slumped with relief. I’d been waiting all morning for Kham to be close enough to reach the dragons at the Keep. And now, finally, we had confirmation.

“Is Bren there too?” she asked quickly.

‘Your mate honors her friend—’

‘Kham. Please.’

He sighed. ‘Reassure her. The commander and his mate are both safe—and have been upheld by the queen.’

I frowned. ‘The queen?’

‘The king met with a terrible accident and his heart gave out. Naturally, the queen has assumed the burden for the good of the people and stepped onto his throne,’ Kham sent dryly.

I hacked a humorless laugh. “Of course she did.”

“What’s happened?” Grace asked nervously. She was twisting to look at me, her eyes wide and no longer sparkling with excitement, but with fear.

I shook my head, amused.

But Grace’s eyes widened further. “What’s—”