Page 41 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Nyrri rolled over, her limbs spread out like a starfish across the grass
Graeson raised a brow as he carefully brought his hand close to the saddle. "You promise you won’t try to bite my hand off this time?"
Nyrri set her chin on the ground with a defeated huff.
Smiling in relief, Graeson snatched the saddle and hurried over before she changed her mind. To his relief, Nyrri didn’t back away, only sneered at the saddle, a sharp, yellow canine peeking beneath her top lip. She closed her eyes and sulked as Graeson strapped it on her.
The saddle was beautifully crafted, made of a similar black leather the Tetrians used for their sheaths and uniforms. Along the edges, the maker had sewn brilliant purple, green, and opaque crystals into the material—Medenia’s idea, of course. Graeson had to admire the craftsmanship, for in the sun, the crystals sparkled brilliantly, like stars in the night sky.
Snapping the last latch shut, Graeson patted Nyrri on the back. "See? That wasn’t so hard. Now was it?"
Nyrri wiggled as if she was trying to shake off the new accessory. When the saddle didn’t budge, her head fell. Disappointed, she huffed out a heavy exhale.
"It’s only temporary," he promised.
She blew smoke out her nose before reluctantly crouching and lowering her back for Graeson.
Once mounted, he shifted, grabbed the pommel, and leaned forward. He tapped Nyrri on her neck like he would Calamity. "Let’s go get our girl."
Nyrri released a roar as if in agreement, and Graeson barely had time to reestablish his grip before she sprinted across the open field. Her paws smacked the ground and kicked up plumes of dirt. When she spread her wings out parallel to the ground, Graeson flattened his body against her back. Then she jumped.
Nyrri flapped her wings, fiercely beating the air. As they soared up the side of the castle, Graeson could hear nothing but the racing wind roaring in his ears. The wind pushed his hair back. He squinted against the force of it, trying to maintain a visual on the path ahead.
He peered behind him, and he could have sworn the saddle shifted an inch.
Do you seek to kill us?the god roared, his fingers wrapping around the cage of his cell as he gritted his teeth.
This was your idea,he snapped back, gripping the pommel tighter.
The god exhaled a low rumble that hummed through his veins.
He supposed it didn’t matter whose idea it was, not as Nyrri scaled the castle and pivoted around the spire. He sank deeper into the saddle, his body pressing flat against the drakonis' back as she climbed higher and higher. Air zipped past his ears, a numbing drum.
Unable to help himself, Graeson peeked at the ground once more. Dozens of tiny individuals scattered across the property, stopping and pointing at them in horror.
You are an embarrassment,the god hissed.
I do not care,Graeson gritted back.
As he held onto the pommel, his knuckles blanched, the thin skin drained of its normal warmth. He did not care if he lookedlike a coward or an embarrassment. For Kalisandre, he would do anything.
He only hoped he would make it to her in one piece.
Chapter 17
MYRA
"Is that…?"Laurince’s words trailed off as he held his hand up to block the sun.
Beside Myra, Rian scoffed as he too stared at the drakonis scaling the castle. "It couldn’t be. He wouldn’t be that idiotic."
A small grin ticked at the corner of Myra’s mouth. "He most certainly would."
Graeson was no more than a blip on Nyrri’s back as he molded his form to hers to keep from falling off. His black hair and leather ensemble melted into the scales lining the drakonis’ spine.
When Myra had talked to Kallie last night, she had instantly suspected Kallie was up to something. Kallie always was. So when word spread that the princess was missing this morning, Myra knew it was only a matter of time before Graeson went after her. She sent a quick prayer to the gods. Graeson needed all the luck he could get.
"He’s a better man than I am," Rian said.
