Page 79 of Hidden Fate

I, however, was a prime example of a hot mess. My hair was pulled into a low ponytail so it wouldn’t get in my face when fighting, and I wore no makeup. Why would I for a war?

None of that mattered; this was something we had to do. Otherwise, we’d be walking into a slaughter.

Ready?Thorn connected and looked at me.

I was sure our height difference was comical, with him having almost two feet on me, but I loved how my head fit right at his chest.As ready as I’ll ever be.

This was your idea.His chest shook. “All right, let’s do this.”

I inhaled to calm the stampede dancing on my heart. I’d been nervous going into battle, but notthisbadly, and I wasn’t sure what that said about me.

“Rolling,” Spike said as he pointed at us. All the others who’d followed us there moved back as if making sure they weren’t in the frame. Those already in dragon form stayed on the road, waiting for instructions.

Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my heart pounded in my ears. Even deep breathing wasn’t helping me.

Luckily, Thorn didn’t miss a beat. “Most of you probably don’t recognize me in my human form since my bro—” He stopped and connected,I can’t call him that.

You only need to refer to King Arman and Queen Mira as your parents,I assured him. It didn’t matter that he and Drake were related—it mattered that he was Arman and Mira’s firstborn son.And remind everyone that you’re older.

His unease ebbed. He cleared his throat. “Drake has played on repeat the time when I removed some of his warriors’ dragons while desperate to save myfated matefrom being forced to marryhim.” Anger roiled into our connection, and Thorn’s breathing turned ragged.

I nestled my head against his arm to show the world I did so without being forced. I stepped in while Thorn recovered. “The only reason Drake wanted tomarryme was that he knew Thorn and I were fated. He wanted Thorn to try to save me so he could capture and kill him. He wanted to put fear insideyouso you would be easier to control.”

Thorn found his voice again. “All of you thought I was dead. The truth is I went into hiding when I was six because of the fear that surrounded my powers. I stayed in hiding for the past twenty-one years, not bothering anyone until Drake had my adoptive parents kidnapped to force me to return.” Thorn paused, letting the meaning of what he’d said settle over everyone. “I believe he did that because he knows I’m older, stronger, and the rightful heir to the dragon throne. I threatened his position.”

A dragon roared miles away, from the direction of the château. The tension that had coiled in my stomach unraveled. Drake was watching. Now we had to get the warriors here.

“King Arman realized his error when he witnessed Thorn protecting a thunder that Drake was attacking,” I continued. Now that we had Drake’s attention, we needed to clinch it. “The king came to stop the attack and found us there. He realized Drake does not have the temperament to take over. He apologized to Thorn for allowing his fear to control him when it came to his own son, and he announced that Thorn was the rightful heir to the throne.” I paused. “Drake killed his father on the spot.”

More roars came from behind us, and the sound of wings flapping became louder.

The warriors were coming.

Thank gods. I hadn’t been sure it would work.

“That’s why mymateand I are here.” Thorn gestured to our surroundings. “We’re outside the royal dragon lands, ready to face my brother.” An icy feeling of disgust swirled through our bond at that word, but he continued without missing a beat. “I’m here to fight for Everly’s and my freedom, and for every single one of you. One of the last things my father said was for me to take the throne, and I will do everything in my power to respect that wish.”

Though my back was turned to the approaching dragons, I knew the moment they arrived. There was a shift in the people behind Spike, who tore their gazes away from us and into the sky.

Vlad lifted a dagger as the dragons on our side flapped their wings and ascended.

It was time to fight.

“No matter what happens tonight”—Thorn’s jaw clenched—“know that being different doesn’t make anyone inferior. Protect one another, stay loyal, and remember to love one another.”

Our dragons flew overhead, racing toward the oncoming warriors. Thorn and I turned to see what we were up against.

At least fifty dragons flew toward us. They hadn’t bothered to come in human form, which meant more of our people needed to shift. Our arrows and bullets wouldn’t severely injure them, although they would annoy them. We’d planned for this, knowing most of us would need to shift at some point.

Come on,Thorn connected to me, tugging me toward the woods.Let’s move.

I glanced over my shoulder, searching for Vlad, Saphira, Wyvern, and Theron. They were supposed to come with us. Everywhere I looked, I saw humans shifting into dragons, blocking my view.

I can’t find our team,I replied as I tried to keep up, despite glancing behind us.

Saphira and Vlad know where the rock is.Thorn kept pushing forward.They’ll be rushing there, the same as us.

That was one thing we’d agreed on. It was inevitable that the groups would split up, and we were to move forward as planned. I hated the thought of only a handful of us running together in case of an attack, but we needed to take advantage of the smaller warrior numbers.

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