He and Braxton exchanged a glance, appreciation clear in their expressions. They had become true brothers during his time with us.
“I love you so much!” Harrison mocked from the back.
“I love you more, Brother!” Elijah added.
“No. I love you more!” They hugged, pretending they were going to cry.
“Kiss already!” Islay shouted, making my mate laugh.
Chuckles danced all around us while I slowly shook my head. They were so silly.
Their mocking stopped with Kingston’s harsh clearing of his throat, and even I straightened.
“Anyway…” Imogen faced the new warriors again. “We have selected you to be the prince’s guard. If you accept the title, of course.”
“We accept! It’s an honor,” the sweet girl replied instantly, almost jumping on her toes from excitement.
“Wait, the prince’s guard?” Aaron asked, and Braxton tensed next to me.
Imogen’s eyes began to widen at her slip.
“Of course,” the experienced-looking warrior girl replied, as though it was obvious. “He’s the Harbinger of Justice’s son. Braxton is practically royalty.”
“Oh, right,” Aaron agreed, and we all relaxed again.
For now, that explanation would have to do. The rest of my mate’s story was too complicated for their first day.
“Before you accept, there is something more you should know,” Braxton began, glancing at each of the guys and girls he’d first friended after arriving to Caelisium. “Standing by my side won’t be so easy. The Warlock King has set his sights on me, so being my guard will be as dangerous as being Evanna’s guard. Perhaps more… Are you willing to risk your lives and fight by my side?”
“We will fight with you,” the seasoned-looking warrior answered without hesitation.
“It will be an honor,” Aaron added, and the rest nodded, echoing their sentiment.
“Why does the Warlock want you?” the sweet girl asked. “Did he find out about who your father is?”
“No. And it needs to remain that way,” Kingston ordered.
“Then, why?”
“There is something you need to see,” Imogen added, turning to my mate.
His Dragon Eye instantly ignited, and he lifted one hand, calling to his magic. Just like it had done when he restored his father’s painting, his magic rose in golden vines that sprouted from his core, curving, and slithering down his arm, all the way to his hand. The magic flickered and swirled around his fingers.
“Oooh,” the others echoed in awe, and I was glad they hadn’t gasped.
“I have Dragon powers, and Raithian can sense the magic within me. He wants it for himself.”
“Dragon powers? How?”
Another guy who had been quiet until now asked, stepping forwards.
“I am part Dragon,” Braxton confessed, and the gasps burst out of them. “My father used Tharion’s blood to help him heal, and that blood became part of him, so when my mom got pregnant…”
“It became part of you too, giving you Dragon powers,” the guy finished for him.
“Exactly.”
“Wicked,” another added.
“Could you please introduce your new guard formally? I’m afraid I don’t know their names,” I interjected, feeling terrible because, well, I had no idea who was talking, and I couldn’t keep referring to them as guy and girl.
“We are so sorry,” the sweet girl was the one to answer. “I am Charlotte, and this is my brother Edward.” She pointed to the one who thought my mate’s powers were wicked.
“My name is Quinn, Princess. Honored to serve you both,” the seasoned-looking warrior informed, and I grinned, relieved to finally put a name to the face.
One by one, they all introduced themselves to me, completing the circle.
“Thank you for risking your life for us. We truly appreciate it, and we vow to protect you just the same.” I paused, glancing at Braxton. “Since you are Elevated Warriors now, you should know I have chosen him as my mate,” I explained, receiving another wave of gasps. Really? “It is the reason for our familiar behavior before.”
“Congratulations, Princess, Prince.” Quinn smiled at us, formally bowing her head.
“Thank you, but no need to bow or call me that. I’m still just Brax.”
“If Red Wing calls you the prince, then you are the prince,” Aaron added, nervously glancing at Imogen.
“Okay, Brax,” Charlotte answered nonchalantly, and my lips twitched.
3… 2… 1…
“There will be no calling him by his name,” Kingston protested. “You will address him as you do the princess, with the utmost—”
“There is no need for that, chief,” my mate rebutted.
“Of course there is. They must learn to respect you.”
“They already respect me. Besides, they are my guard. I decide what they call me. You can’t—”
Rolling my eyes, I let go of Braxton and turned to find my guard fighting chuckles while his tensely watched the quarrel. Willow snorted next to me just as Imogen and Asher walked towards us, leaving Brax and my guardian to argue while motioning to Aaron, Edward, Charlotte, Louis, Harvey, and Quinn to join our side.
“Asher Dawnsky will be your commander from now on,” she informed them while the bickering continued in the background. “He is the prince’s right hand, and I am his mentor. We will train you as Elevated Warriors, so any questions you have, you come to him or me. Not Braxton. Understood?”
“Yes, Red Wing,” they answered in unison.
“I have a question,” Charlotte admitted, receiving a nod from Imogen to proceed. “Well, my brother and I learned all about the Harbinger of Justice’s true legend after we got here, but why did they call you Red Wing?”
“It’s because she fought so seamlessly alongside the Harbinger that she became an extension of him. His wing. None of us have ever achieved what they did together…” Harrison was the one to answer, admiration and respect oozing from his every word while he held her gaze.
A slow, and sassy grin blossomed on Imogen’s lips, recognizing the reverence exuding from him—just like we all could.
“Why thank you, hon.” She winked at him, causing a handsome smirk to capture his lips.
“But why red?” Charlotte, asked again, seeming confused.
“I cannot help you there, darling. I haven’t the slightest idea.” Imogen’s hand brushed against her ruby red curls, causing them to bounce against her cheek, and we all chuckled.
“You will be fitted with Elevated Warriors’ armor later, and we will get you retractable spears,” Asher informed, returning to the matter at hand and igniting excitement in their expressions. “You will also need to learn how to sky ride.”
“Please don’t gasp,” Willow interrupted, and I repressed a laugh.
“The Dragons are Braxton’s weapon, so I won’t have land riders here,” Imogen declared. “He will need you all in the sky with him.”
“That is perfectly fine. We will master anything you need us to, Red Wing,” Quinn answered for all of them, effortlessly assuming the leader role. The others fervidly nodded.