Page 12 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

“Hetookher?” Dad’s voice cracked.

Father ran a hand down his face. “How did the dragon even know you were here?”

Good question. One that I hadn’t fully considered since we hadn’t had a moment to collect our thoughts.

“We didn’t inform the dragons you left for Unseelie territory.” Mother bit her bottom lip.

The moment stretched taut between us until Tavish’s emotions narrowed to one.

Rage.

It pulsed from him, increasing the temperature of my own blood in response.

“I believe I know how.” Tavish grimaced. “My blasted cousin. He spoke to the dragon like he was annoyed that he’d come here, but he didn’t seem surprised.”

His words were a kick in my gut. Eldrin had told Pyralis that he needed more time, and then the dragon prince had burned seven Unseelie guards to death just moments before he’d taken Eiric. “We should visit himnow.”

Tavish nodded. “I need to talk with Caelan anyway.”

“I want to speak with Eldrin as well.” Dad was seething.

A scream came from outside the castle. The sound was raw, full of anger, and followed by an explosion.

The walls shook as the floor rolled underneath our feet.

“No! Guards, to the prison.Immediately.” Tavish took flight, rushing off in the direction of the prison.He’d better not be attempting to escape again. Caelan is too injured to fight alone.

With my injured wings, I couldn’t keep up, but I took off at a steady run. Each step jolted my wings, but I pushed through the pain, desperate to fight alongside Tavish.

“Lira, stay here with us,” Father shouted. “Brenin and Hestia can go with them. The Unseelie could try to kill us at any time.”

“I’m going with Tavish.” I pumped my arms, moving as fast as I could, when Dad swooped down and picked me up.

“You don’t need to make your injuries worse,” he said, and I allowed him to carry me. “Besides, we need you to give us directions.”

I didn’t like feeling weak, but this would get me to Tavish more quickly and make sure Eldrin didn’t escape. I led them through the turns, and just as we flew by the night chambers, I sensed Tavish’s confusion as another explosion came from outside.

What’s going on?It didn’t feel as if someone was trying to get into the castle.

Eldrin is locked up and not at risk of escaping,Tavish replied.

I heard beating wings that had to be him and Struan coming back in this direction.

Dad passed by a window, and I said, “Wait.”

He obliged. Mom landed beside us, and the three of us looked outside.

Immediately, I wished the commotionhadbeen caused by Eldrin trying to escape. That would be far better than what I saw happening out there.

5

TAVISH

Despite the deep ache in my wings, I pushed myself to return to Lira as quickly as possible. When the first blast of the volcanic rock had shaken the castle, I’d been certain Eldrin’s loyalists were attempting to free him once again.

But when I arrived at his cell, I found Eldrin leaning against the wall with a frown. Given the absence of his usual arrogance, I’d understood that, whatever this was, he wasn’t behind it.

I had just left Caelan behind in the prison with a group of guards he trusted, making sure that we didn’t leave Eldrin unguarded when a second explosion happened.

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