Page 93 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

I whimpered, trying to sound helpless. The dragons underestimating me would be my greatest advantage now.

“Don’t worry. You won’t be mistreated.” Pyralis grimaced, and the heat of his arms made me even more uncomfortable than his touch. “I’ll make my parents understand why you’re reacting this way. I’ll make sure you’re safe here.”

The fact that he felt compelled to reassure me of such things proved that I wouldn’t be an equal here. This was just another prison sentence.

We’d gotten halfway up the stairs when the sound of swords clanging, roars, and screams echoed all around us. On top of that was the stench of fire and magic.

This was pure chaos.

I flapped my wings fast and hard, catching Pyralis off guard. I opened them wide, placed the tips of my wings around his face to block his view of everything…and then headbutted his forehead.

My ears rang once again, and the world seemed to tilt around me, but his arms loosened, allowing me to break free of his hold. I pumped my wings hard, flying high, when huge hands gripped my ankles.

“For Fate’s sake, Lira, why do the Seelie have to make things so complicated?” Pyralis growled. “I’m trying to get you away from the fighting so you’re safe.”

“I won’t be safe in there!” I kicked, trying to break free, but his hands were like a vise. “We know everything. My people aren’t going to give up as long as you keep me captive here.”

He didn’t respond, but his grip didn’t slacken.

I needed to reevaluate. This wasn’t working.

Acid crept up my throat. High in the night sky, I could see flames in the direction of one of the villages. They truly had prepared for us.

Between all the dragons, flames, and magic, I couldn’t make out where anyone was. The only thing that kept me sane was the fact that I could feel my connection with Tavish.

Where are you?he linked.

The castle stairs.I hated to tell him, knowing it might make him more desperate, but lying wouldn’t fix anything.

“We don’t have time to waste, Lira.” Pyralis huffed. He began climbing the steps once more, no longer bothering to try to pullme down to his arms again. “I need to get you inside so you can be guarded. You’ll be safe in there.”

Like hell I would be. I didn’t want to be the kind of safe arranged by blazing dragons. Deciding on a different tactic, I stilled my wings and dropped on him suddenly. I made sure to land on his head and then flapped my wings, forcing him to fall backward.

Even as he fell, he kept his grip on me. His body hit the stone as we tumbled together. A scream pierced my ears, and the sound brought a lump to my throat.

Eiric.

The double doors creaked open behind me, and heavy footsteps charged out.

“It’s the prince. He’s injured and with the Seelie princess,” a woman called.

This was getting worse and worse. I had to get out of here. I reached for Pyralis’s side, hoping he had a weapon, and grabbed a warm hilt that felt like the dragon sword Tavish had carried. I held on tight, but a woman fisted my hair, pulling me up.

Of course,nowPyralis let me go.

However, his eyes widened when he felt the sword leave his side with me.

Stunned, he said, “She’s got a—”

But I swung the sword across my body, stabbing the woman in the side. Her grip on me slackened, and I flew upward as Pyralis clambered to his feet. I pumped my wings, trying to get back to my people.

I needed to aid them in the fight.

I heard scuffling behind me, followed by the sound of dragon wings.

“Don’t hurt her,” Pyralis cried out, and I foolishly glanced over my shoulder to find the prince stumbling in my direction.

He just wouldn’t give up. What was up with these dragons?

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