Page 118 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Kora replied quietly. “I know my fate, Aryn, and it’s not bright.” He frowned at her response. “Stay here. Protect Erick. Make amends with Aerion. I need some space right now.”

Kora wrenched open the door, and yelped at the three Windward siblings stood on the other side, Skylar’s hand frozen mid-air about to knock.

Raiden’s fury was palpable as he glared at Aryn, his crystal eyes practically firing daggers through the air. Skylar was positively stunned, her cheeks round as she held a breath, her eyebrows flying high.

But Aerion. Silver brimmed his dark eyes, hurt clear on his face as his stare only held space for Aryn.

“This is how I find out?” Aerion choked out as Aryn rubbed his neck, his face burning so red it matched Scarlet Bay.

“Aerion, I-I can explain!” Aryn rushed forward.

“No!” Aerion raised a hand, his magic creating a barrier Aryn couldn’t cross. He bounced back, his stare incredulous. “I’ve waited for those words for decades, Aryn. I waited for you in the Mist. I had no idea if you’d died on the other side, whether we would reunite again. I waited for you when Skylar and Cassidy saw you, fighting your own people. I waited for you when you returned here, hatching plans with Raiden to save Kora.”

“I know, I—” Aerion waved his hand sharply, cutting Aryn off.

“You don’t know. You could never possibly know what we,” he gestured to his siblings, “endured. And now I hear you value Kora’s life over mine when we . . .” Aerion’s breath hitched, his princely demeanour crumbling.

“Should we leave?” Kora awkwardly glanced at Raiden.

“Maybe one more minute.” Raiden’s eyes glinted at Aryn’s uncomfortable state. He was enjoying this.

Aryn stilled at Aerion’s final words. “Aerion, can we talk privately?”

They both glanced at everyone in the room. “Okay, we can take a hint,” Skylar replied, dragging Raiden and Kora with her from the chambers.

“It’s my room!” she moaned.

“And now it’s our new couples counselling room,” Skylar snarked.

Kora huffed as they stumbled into the hallway. Heads popped out down the hallway, Circe’s tawny stare blending in with the same ember-toned walls. Skylar waved her down, and as she slammed her door shut, Conan slipped through.

Smiling gently, Kora knelt to brush his gossamer black fur, his dual tails repeatedly hitting Raiden’s legs as his drool coated her hands.

“Good boy,” Kora crooned as Raiden muttered.

“You better be back in a couple weeks,” Skylar demanded, rolling her eyes as Kora continued to fuss the pooch. “This plan is stupid, but Kora being powerless is stupider. Leto sent Mara back to us already with a note. Barron’s forces are advancing. Ships are increasing along Talmon’s south coast. He must be moving to attack.”

Anxiety flooded Kora’s system at her words. Skylar never sugar-coated anything. Conan whined softly, his muzzle resting on Kora’s knees as his red eyes stared up at her. The familiar scent of stale ale and ash caused her heart to flutter. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend Finlay was beside her.

“It’s two days flying, at a push,” Raiden replied. “We can make it back before Barron advances. Father isn’t set to return for another week at least. You need to distract him from our absence if he does.”

“He won’t realise you’re missing,” Skylar muttered to Raiden. His face darkened, and something surged within Kora at the clear hurt on his face.

“And keep him away from Erick,” Kora added. “Barron’s head won’t be the only one rolling if Erick dies.”

“Nice,” Skylar grimaced. “Your company is always a pleasure.”

“Keep an eye on the lovers,” Raiden sighed. “Last thing we need is Aryn’s power unleashing on everyone because he’s having a bad day with Aerion.”

Skylar snorted. “Like we even know what it is still. That boy is riddled with secrets.”

For once, Kora agreed with Skylar. Aryn was elusive, and her blood boiled at the bond she’d been blindly trapped into. Aryn wasn’t her enemy, but the idea of being forced into a mating bond terrified her. She’d escaped Blake, and as much as she tried to deny it, something about Raiden called to her.

And it could all be destroyed on fate’s whim before she could explore it.

Please Thanos, don’t let it be.

The door swung open, and Aryn’s head bowed in the centre of Kora’s chambers as Aerion filled the doorway. Kora glanced away, her fingers shakily threading through Conan’s fur, unable to meet Aerion’s harsh stare as his slender frame vibrated with tension.