Page 73 of Maleen

Her long neck arches up as she stares down at me. “It was necessary for us to be as strong as possible. Plus you enjoyed it, and you and your males are finally working as a unit. You should be thanking me.” She snorts and a plume of smoke puffs from her nostrils.

I chuckle and shake my head, a smile pulling at my lips. “Yes, thank you Vasari.”

She was right about it bringing us closer. Before all the bonds between us felt separate, yet entangled; and now? It is as if we all merged together. I can sense her dragon mates easily if I wanted, and my mind and heart feel full with all my mates. One would think it would be overwhelming, but it’s not. It feels right, like they’ve always been there.

Nero sighs, “Alright, lock me away.” He does his best version of a pout, glaring at his traveling contraption.

“Actually,” Aemon starts, clearing his throat. “I had the leatherworker make this.” He holds up what looks like a small harness and a leash. “You attach it to your saddle and it would let him glide and not have to worry about falling behind with our speed.”

My eyes prick with tears at the thoughtfulness of my mate.

Suddenly, Nero flies at Aemon, landing on his shoulder as he aggressively nuzzles his cheek. “This one is now my favorite. He may get one free Nero pass and keep his eyeballs if he pisses me off,” he declares.

Aemon laughs and pulls out some trail mix, giving him some before turning his attention to me. “We should get going. According to the intel we received, the other dragons are far off, high in the Gratandi Mountains. It’s going to take a few days to get there.”

I dip my head. “Then it’s best we get going now.”

Roz runs into the Keep next with bed-head. “Sorry I’m late. I wasn’t sure what leathers to pack, so I decided to bring most of them.” He gestures to his over-stuffed pack.

“Do you think he needs so many because Ember helps him make a mess of them?” Nero ribs, cawing in laughter.

Aemon smirks. “Better hurry and saddle Thornwing—we leave in five, or Vasari might eat you.”

His eyes widen before he grabs Ember’s hand and rushes towards his dragon, but he is smart enough to wait for her to mount the dual saddle on her own, getting everything else ready in a flash before climbing up to perch proudly in front of her.

“Wait, where’s Lennox?” I ask, peeking out of the Keep to see if I can spot him.

Ember turns and smirks with a twinkle in her eye. “He’s staying behind because he doesn’t want his gryphon eaten by a bunch of wild dragons. But I think it’s because I heard a rumor that Cynder invited him to dinner tonight with the Raiders.”

I raise my brow in Roz’s direction and he shrugs. “What can I say—like me, he knows what he wants.” He kisses Ember’s head and goes back to getting Thornwing ready.

I’m hoping he’s not staying behind for other less-positive reasons, but maybe he needs a bit of space. I don’t want to be overbearing, but I do worry for our friend. I sigh, climbing onto Vasari. Hopefully this trip will give us the answers we need, because I will do anything to keep my loved ones safe. And I do mean anything.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

THERE'S NOTHING BUT SNOW-LADEN MOUNTAINS for as far as the eye can see. The air is crisp, but with Vasari’s body heat underneath me, I’m more than comfortable in the frigid air.

Nero soars above me, enjoying the fast-flying freedom granted by Aemon’s gift, and I can’t stop myself from glancing up and smiling at him from time to time.

“We just passed the clearing where the first traces of the dragons were found,” Aemon states. “I think we should continue flying north; keep your eyes open.”

I peer over Vasari’s large purple form, squinting below. “Will do, sir,” I say, not realizing my choice of words until a primal possessiveness shoots down the bond, making me squirm in my saddle.

“Please try to control yourself; I’m not your species. You can wait to rub yourself on your male,” Vasari states dryly.

Saliva gets caught in my throat and I choke. “Sorry,” I mutter as heat blooms across my face.

Vasari tenses beneath me and shock zips down the bond before she veers right, taking off towards a large mountain peak in the distance.

“What’s happening?” I ask, tightening my grip on the saddle.

“I feel them.” The awe in her voice is tangible, her mind full of cautious hope. “It’s like they’re calling me home…”

I reach out toward my mates. “Did you—”

“Tisur feels them through Vasari! We found them!” Jesper bellows with excitement.

“Just keep your wits about you; we have no idea what we’re walking into,” Aemon reminds us as Evisdor catches up to Vasari, leaving the others following behind us.