Page 61 of To Fight and To Fold

She didn't know what to expect. The prince had left her in the dark, utterly dismissive when she’d approached that afternoon, and she did not like it. Did he expect the druids to scale the canyon? Drop in from the sky?

Aaryn frowned and leaned out the window, glancing up the length of the tower toward the darkening clouds.

She just wanted Carissa and Stormstrike to be safe. Her gaze trailed to them once again, in the center of the field. She prayed to the Great Dragon that no harm would come to them.

And what of the fighters? she asked herself. They were tucked away in the caves, in the arched walkway, ready to burst onto the field at any moment.

What of the druids?

Do you really want Evergale to capture someone? They'd be sent to the dungeons. Or hung for using magic so frivolously.

What if it was Thea?

Her heart seized at the idea of Thea in such a place, of such a fate becoming her.

Thea may have taken Starspark, but she cared for him too. Kept him fed. Even if her dreams were still filled with the ache of deep longing for her dragon companion, all because of Thea… she still did not relish the idea of her in the dungeons.

What did that say about Aaryn? What did that say about her loyalty to Evergale?

Aaryn frowned. Maybe Prince Jarrick knew her better than she knew herself. Had he somehow sensed the doubt she harbored? She’d kept her vision and Thea’s promise to herself, and now she watched from what she considered to be the best view of the dragon’s yard.

Maybe Aaryn was right where she was supposed to be.

What was she even waiting on? Why did she feel the urge to lean closer in anticipation?

Aaryn gasped as a single person materialized in the field, next to Tethered Carissa.

Magic.

The distant glimmer of it in the air was just as beautiful as it was last time. She pushed off the window sill, mouth agape. Positioned in secret around the caves were guards and knights. Shouts echoed out as ten more druids—no, twenty—thirty— appeared in the training field, surrounding Rolim and Carissa and her dragon in a barrier.

It happened so fast.

The knights spilled from the caves and charged the druids. The dragon remained calm, downright sleepy even with cloaked druids surrounding them.

It grew darker and the shadows merged with the cloaks, blurring them all into one dark conglomeration from this angle.

As the knights met the line of druids, shouts and cries and the clang of swords and booms of magic filled the air, thrumming with the pulse of battle. Aaryn's eyes widened at the colorful magic, wincing as knights were sent flying, then stood to charge the druids all over again.

"Entertaining, isn't it?" a smooth voice drawled behind her.

Aaryn would have yelped, except a slim hand slid around her face to cover her mouth. "Oh, calm down."

Aaryn swallowed, but her fear faded as she recognized the voice, the audacity of that tone. She rolled her eyes.

Thea gently pulled her away from the window, and then paused, hesitating. But Aaryn already knew she wouldn't be calling for her guard.

"You must be warming up to me," Thea mused, and removed her hand.

Aaryn spun to face her, and the world seemed to pause for just a moment. The battle outside was distant as Thea stood before her.

Here, in her rooms, Thea wore a dark cloak just like the druids on the field. It made her seem intimidating, especially with her cool expression and shorn hair and that slash in her brow. Braids no longer swung around her temples with each step. Instead, choppy, shaggy edges made up the shape of her hair, tickling her cheeks.

Just like in her visions.

"Maybe I just no longer see you as a threat." Aaryn tried to match Thea's energy. Unbothered. Cool-headed. Prepared.

But Aaryn always felt off kilter around Thea, unsure of her footing.