Page 75 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

‘I am joking, princess.’ She did not look convinced. Kai extended his hand. ‘Give me your hand.’

Alina’s brows furrowed. ‘Why?’

‘Just trust me.’

A whisper of hesitation crossed her face, and Kai knew—he knew that she did not trust easily, if at all. And after witnessing what had transpired between her and that fool of a Red Guard, he understood why. He knew little about Alina Acheron, but the sharp edges of her were not without reason. She was not soft nor delicate.

She was fortified.

And yet—she placed her hand in his.

Forthe briefest moment, Kai’s wyverian heart stammered, betraying him. Her golden fingers, so warm against his own cool, pale ones, trembled slightly, but she did not pull away.

Nisha huffed, sniffing the princess in lazy curiosity, a plume of smoke escaping her nostrils as if she were unimpressed with this new acquaintance.

‘She likes you,’ Kai whispered.

Alina’s lips pressed into a skeptical line.

‘She does not seem that content at all.’

‘That’s just the way Nisha is. She likes to be grumpy.’ Kai moved towards the wyvern’s side, beckoning for Alina to follow. She did not. Instead, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

‘Oh, no. Do not even think it, prince. I am not riding a wyvern. The plan was to ride a dragon.’ Her realisation struck fast, the sharp gleam of her gaze pinning him in place. ‘You tricked me into taking a walk with you. You knew your wyvern would come if it heard us.’

Kai’s grin turned wolfish.‘And why would you not ride a wyvern, princess?’

Alina’s eyes burnt molten gold. ‘Because I am not even permitted to ride a dragon. Imagine if I rode a wyvern!’

Kai laughed, the sound rich and unrepentant. ‘Well, you would be the very first drakonian woman to do so. Imagine that.’

And gods, he wanted to see it.

The sight of Alina Acheron atop his wyvern, streaking through the sky, wild and untamed—he wanted it more than anything. He wanted to sit behind her, to feel her golden hair whip against his face as she laughed.

And she would laugh—he knew it.

Because despite the armour of ice she wore, there was fire within her.

And Kai wanted to set it loose.

Alina sighed, defeated.

‘Lift me up then.’ Kai did not hesitate. He guided her up the wyvern’s side, making sure her grip was secure before hoisting himself behind her. The moment he wrapped his arms around her waist, she froze.

‘I have nothing to hold onto, princess.’ Her entire body stiffened. But before she could reply, Nisha moved.

The wyvern shifted, her massive wings stretching wide, her icy blue gaze twinkling with amusement.

‘Is your beast mocking us?’Alina’s voice was accusatory.

Kai smirked. But before he could answer, Nisha leapt forward, her wings slicing through the air. The princess screamed—but not in fear. Kai could feel it, couldhear itin the way her voice rang out into the wind—she was laughing.

Laughing.

And Kai felt something in his chestpull.

‘Can she go faster?’ Alina’s voice was exhilarated, breathless. She leaned back, her head tilting towards him, her body pressing against his—and Kai froze. The scent of her perfume curled around him, warm, intoxicating.

---