Page 98 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Pyralis rose above us, and his talons reached toward us. I lifted my sword, ready to fight him, when Eiric screamed, “Don’t.” She flew in front of the blade.

Fear coiled in my chest. I could fight and protect myself, but then he’d have Eiric to use against me... to punish me. The whole point of this mission was to save her and prevent the dragons from attacking Aetherglen.

With my left hand, I shoved Eiric out of the way and swung my sword once more.

She grabbed my wrist and jerked me back, causing my weapon to fall short. Before I could try again, his talons wrapped around my body tightly, crushing my wings and squeezing the breath out of me. He jerked me to him, and the sword slipped from my hand and fell into the water.

A sob built in my chest, and I twisted around to tell Eiric to get away just in time to watch her fly willingly into his free talon.

Tavish, Pyralis caught us,I linked, knowing I had to inform him.

Immediately, our bond changed from pure rage to pure terror, adding to the tension in my lungs.

Where are you?

Wind scraped at my face as Pyralis flew to the right of the fighting. He continued to move past the other dragons, but he let out a strange series of growls like he was somehow communicating.

We’re behind all the fighting, northeast of the island.I couldn’t help but glance at the chaos. The battle seemed to be even—the fae were holding their own, but the dragons refused to disengage. So much blood splattered everywhere, and there were bodies of both fae and dragons floating facedown in the water. My stomach churned, and I realized this would all be in vain if I didn’t free myself from Pyralis.

Knowing my options were limited, I did the only thing I could think of—I called my water magic, hoping it would force him to release us. It was hard to control it without the use of my hands, but I could manage.

Pyralis flew strong and steady, his attention held firm straight ahead of him while I concentrated and directed water to splash all over him.

He huffed and shook his head, but the water didn’t cause him to falterat all.

Water was supposed to be the dragons’ weakness, and I’d seen that for myself when I’d attacked the dragons who’d issued the warning about Eiric’s future if I didn’t hand myself over, but Pyralis didn’t seem bothered.

“Lira, what are you doing?” Eiric screamed. “He’s taking us to safety like I told you he would. Why are you trying to dissuade him?”

The careful and methodical person I knew was gone. Eiric never would’ve said something so ridiculous before.

A bitter laugh built in my chest. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m trying not to be forced to marry someone I don’t love and have his babies. Remember that?”

Eiric recoiled, and her face twisted in agony, but she didn’t say anything.

Good. At least she hadn’t lost all reason.

Suddenly, Pyralis loosened his grip on me, and I could move and breathe a little more easily. He banked toward the mountains, and the sound of fighting ebbed on our right side but grew louder on the left.

I leaned forward and spotted another battle occurring over one of the other villages.

How had the dragons known we were coming?

I linked with Tavish, giving him an update.

Blighted abyss, sprite.His rage bled through his fear, and I breathed a little more easily. He continued,I’m on my way. Keep me apprised of the situation until I can locate you.

I hated feeling helpless. There had to be a way out of this; I merely had to figure outsomething.

When I glanced over, Eiric had paled even more and was nibbling on her bottom lip. Now, she was nervous. Maybe she should’ve thought of that before. There was no doubt she’d be in trouble if we didn’t get out of this.

Then it hit me. There was something I could try.

I leaned forward and bit into Pyralis’s top talon. My teeth hit what felt like a cement wall back home, and he barely flinched. Still, he tilted his head down and glared at me, a wisp of smoke leaving his nose.

At least I’d bothered him. Wanting to capitalize on his distraction, I splashed water into his face. This time, his eyes widened, and he lifted his head and made a choking noise.

I squirmed, trying to get free of his grasp, which caused him to tighten his hold once more. Now we were flying over land with sparse trees down below, barreling toward the mountains. He coughed some more, so I called more water and shoved it in his face like I’d done before.

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