Page 90 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

The dragon king lifted a hand and looked over my head at the dragon that had herded us in. “Get the prisoner and bring her here.”

Wings flapped behind us, and a dragon banked to the left side of the castle.

That’s the direction Pyralis went last night,Tavish informed me.He took food to someone.

My mouth dried. I hoped he’d taken care of Eiric. There was no telling what state she’d be in. I wanted to ask if she was well, but the dragons already knew she meant something to me. I didn’t need to reveal how much.

“I hate that things have gotten so hostile between our species of late.” King Ignathor pressed his lips together, though the concern didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m hoping we can move beyond that, especially since your daughter will now be living with us.”

I tensed, realizing that his dead expression reminded me of Eldrin.

Father smiled, sincerity thick in his warm voice. “Oh, I’m quite certain we will move on from this.”

They were goading each other, and my stomach knotted even more. I wanted this entire night to be over.

The sound of returning wings had me glancing up to see Eiric on the back of the dragon. Her long, curly hair looked frizzy, like she hadn’t bathed since Gleann Solas and her bronze skin was coated in thick patches of ash that could be seen from here. When her huge emerald eyes locked on me, they widened, and she shook her head.

My heart leapt in my chest. She might be dirty, but she didn’t appear to be injured. Still, it was clear that she hadn’t expected to see me here.

Mom and Dad sighed softly, no doubt taking note of the same thing I had.

I see her,I linked, needing Tavish to be ready and to know that the end was truly in sight for this horrid situation.

Within seconds, the dragon landed and lay on the ground. Pyralis hurried over and helped Eiric off its back. She turned her attention to him, and I noticed that his face twisted in what could only be perceived as agony.

What was going on?

Once Eiric was settled on her feet, he removed a key from his pocket and unlocked the chains on her wrists and wings.

The same chains we used in Aetherglen.

He held her wrists tight as his gaze bored into me.

“There’s another decision that my husband and I made moments before you five arrived.” Queen Sintara stepped forward, regarding her son. “Something that we haven’t gotten a chance to tell Pyralis, though he’ll bethrilledto know what we’ve decided.”

Pyralis’s forehead wrinkled, and his jaw clenched.

His concern had my mouth drying.

“And what might that be?” Father said through gritted teeth.

“We understand that our agreement was for the two of them to wed when she turns twenty-five, but we hadn’t settled on when they could have children.” The queen laid her head on the king’s shoulder and said, “Once the exchange is made and all of this is settled, Pyralis and the princess will consummate their relationship and produce heirs as soon as possible.”

I burst out laughing. “That’s absurd. We don’t even know each other, and you expect me to just—”

Donotfinish that sentence, or I won’t be able to control myself any longer. Make the exchange so I can kill the ashbreath now.

“Lira,” Father said sternly, placing his hand on my arm. “There’s no reason to argue over this.”

My head snapped toward him, but then I understood the look in his eyes. None of this mattered. I wouldn’t be staying. Fighting them would only make the situation more volatile and drag this out longer.

“Yes, My King.” I lowered my head, though it was the last thing I wanted to do. I wanted to hold my middle fingers high, but they wouldn’t understand what the gesture meant.

“Ah, firebreath,” King Ignathor cooed, kissing his wife on the forehead. “She does understand respect. That will make training her easier.”

His condescending attitude had my own ire boiling.I want to stab the king before you kill him.

Then you shall get your wish, sprite. But Pyralis is mine.

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