Page 51 of Vathia
I walk into the Keep and Nero hops into the air to float in front of Vasari’s face. “Let me guess,” he drawls. “You’d roast their ass and then let them mount you as a reward.”
It takes everything in me to smother my laughter but with the daggers she shoots my way, I know she felt my amusement.
“You daft flying ferret. How you got chosen to be a Queen’s familiar is beyond me. No. I would challenge them to a fight and force them into submission. Once they know who’s in charge, they fall into line easier than hatchlings taking their first flight. Then once they’ve grovelled and filled your hoard with precious gems, then you may let them mount you.” She blows smoke into Nero’s face and squirms with joy as she listens to him complain about how he’ll never get the brimstone scent out of his feathers.
The amusement is evident in my voice as I respond back. “Challenge them and win. Got it.”
“Don’t forget the precious gems,” she nods seriously.
“Right.” I nod back, failing at suppressing my smile.
Suddenly Aemon blinks into the Keep, worry etched into his handsome face. “We have a problem. There’s been another shadow creature attack. It wiped out a small village near our border just over in the mountains in Imperset.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
JESPER, KILLIAN AND TALYN COME running into the Keep next, armed to the teeth, each of them dressed in black armor, looking every bit as dangerous as the dragons they ride. A warmth begins to unfurl in my lower stomach at the sight of them and their nostrils flare.
“Oh, Little Mouse. As delicious as you smell when you’re needy for your mates, we don’t have time. Unless you want to ride with me.” He winks, taking a step closer.
Talyn scowls. “We don’t have time for this—we need to fly fast and hard if we want to assess the damage before it’s tampered with. You can stay here with her. I don’t need you to be distracted on the mission.”
My arms cross across my chest. “Like fuck you’ll be leaving me here. As you said earlier, this is my realm. I wouldn’t want to get sores on my ass from sitting all day on my fancy throne, now would I?”
Nero and Vasari chuff with amusement.
“Aemon, if you don’t mind blinking me back to my room so I can quickly get dressed and grab some weapons, I’d appreciate it.”
“What, princess? Can’t you blink yourself?”
I ignore Talyn as Aemon takes my hand and his shadows wrap around us, just as I see Killian smack the asshole upside the head. It only takes a moment and light shines through, but we aren’t in my room.
“Since you’ve been here, I had the smith make you armor to match our wing. It arrived yesterday, but I haven’t had the chance to show you yet. Although I’m still working out the kinks on your sword…” His lip curls in annoyance and I want to ask why there’s kinks, but I can’t take my eyes off the gorgeous armor in front of me.
The entire suit is as dark as the endless night, absorbing all the light that touches it, with a deep purple trim along the edges of each piece of armor.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.
“Here, let me help you into it. It should fit over your leathers,” he informs me, grabbing the first piece.
I nod, letting him take the lead on this, and knowing I can learn how to put it on myself when we aren’t in a rush. He works quickly, placing and strapping each piece into place, his nimble fingers gliding with ease, like he’s done this hundreds of times before, which I suppose he has. Finally, he places the helm upon my head and smiles softly.
“There’s my beautiful, slightly stabby, Queen,” he chuckles.
My head shakes in laughter. “I haven’t stabbed you since that first day.”
He groans. “I know. It’s such a shame. I like it when you get violent. We best get moving. Oh, before I forget.” He moves over to one of the cupboards and pulls out a cage with a perch. “It’s not much but I figure Nero wouldn’t want to be left behind. It’ll strap onto your saddle and keep him safe during high speed flights.”
“Oh, he’s going to hate this,” I laugh, just picturing the fight he’s going to put up about being caged. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” he whispers, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
I gasp, taken by surprise as I’m still not used to the random displays of affection. I melt into him and when I open my eyes, we’re back in the Keep. Jesper whistles and winks, while Killian stares at me with longing before he turns and storms after Talyn.
“Come on, Little Dream. Let’s get you on Vasari. It might take a bit to adjust to the weight, but it’s the lightest, most durable metal I could find.”
“It’s not too bad. I’m surprised how well I’m able to move still, though. It’s only slightly restrictive.”
He shadows me onto Vasari’s back and takes Nero’s transport cage out of my hands and begins attaching it to the saddle. “Some of the best smiths live here in Vathia. I couldn’t let my mate have basic armor. I’m not a heathen.”
