Page 153 of Ashborne Forged

Kham stretched, desperate to stay connected to me, and to reach his mate. His agitation increased my own. We’d landed while the sun was still up. Yet, instead of merely arranging a hurried meal and continuing our flight, the servants on the neighboring dragon began to unload our bags.

I stared, fighting the urge to curse the men, then turned and stalked after my mother, who’d started toward the estate house.

Long strides ate the distance between us until I caught her elbow and tugged her close enough to snarl in her ear.

“What are you doing? We have hours of daylight left in which to travel!”

She stopped walking and stared calmly at my grip on her elbow until I released her, then she tipped her chin up.

“We remain here for the night, then will fly to the castle tomorrow to join the festivities.” She started walking again, but I caught her arm once more, and the glare she shot me reminded me why my squad-brothers said my dark looks chilled them.

I’d learned from the best.

“We are almost there,” I hissed through my teeth. “Why would you wait another day?”

“Because we cannot appear too eager, and you and I have final strategies to refine, Vane.”

I opened my mouth, frantic to argue before the men had unharnessed the two dragons—a process which took them much longer, because of the extensive harnessing to provide safe, separate seats for three humans, rather than only one.

I wanted to scream. I could feel Grace. In hours I’d be able to speak in her mind.

“Mother,” I growled.

She turned to face me, sliding her arm out of my grip once more and warning me with a look not to take hold of her again. “Listen carefully, Vane. I have been invited to attend the celebrations, culminating in a wedding, of Lord Breckon and his fiancée. The first official event is the gathering tomorrow night. To arrive in the castle before luncheon tomorrow would appear very common.”

“Gathering? What kind of gathering?”

“A feast to celebrate the coming wedding.”

“With the bride and groom?”

She raised both brows. “Of course—and the royals. And many others of high esteem. I am very honored to be invited,” she said flatly.

I didn’t let anything show on my face—glared down at her, in fact, as if she’d displeased me. But my heart sang.

I would see Grace tomorrow.

A shiver of need and love rippled down my spine.

She was there. So close.

I needed my mother to interfere in this marriage contract. But I couldn’t wait. Kham wavered in and out of contact, flickers of images—Koa, the sound of her happy screams, rushes of love and reassurance.

It all balled in my chest, crackling with energy and anticipation. I couldn’t just sit here for the better part of a day when she was so close!

But I also couldn’t let my mother know about Kham.

“Fine,” I snapped.

She nodded once, then turned toward the estate house again, walking with her chin up. “Come, have a meal. You’ll feel better after you’ve eaten. We can meet to discuss our best plan this evening.”

I had to keep her convinced that my need for her was greater than anything else. So, with a muttered curse, I followed in her wake, keeping my expression blank and eyes on the estate, rather than her.

But it was a true effort to remain aloof. ‘Go,’ I urged Kham. ‘Get closer. Talk to her. Find out precisely where they are. Then come back for me. We’ll fly at dark.’ Thank God the sun went down early this time of year.

When Kham screamed his joy and flew on, soon reaching the limit of our ability to speak, I smiled grimly.

And I think my mother noticed. But I didn’t speak. Didn’t give her the satisfaction.