“Do not worry, young princess. I will not let you fall,” Magnus’s voice said inside my mind.
“I’ve ridden Magnus countless times,” Zyacus said, looking into my worried eyes. “I would never put you in danger.”
I nodded. I trusted him. “Let’s do it.”
Ekarius smiled and patted Zyacus on the back. “Have her back by dark, eh?” Then he winked at me and vanished.
Wrapping his arms around me, Zyacus spelled us to the dragon’s back in an instant and a wave of anxiety hit me looking over at the tops of the trees. I gripped the saddle and took a deep breath. Wrapping his arms around my waist, the prince whispered in my ear, “Hold on.”
Massive wings spread and with a giant leap, we took to the sky. Wind whipped my hair and I giggled at the pure elation that filled my belly. I missed flying. I peeked over the side and watched the academy become small. The air grew colder the higher we rose. When I shivered, Zyacus whispered something and an invisible force blocked most of the harsh wind and warmed all around us. I closed my eyes, let go of the saddle, and held my arms out as if they were wings and I flew on my own.
Resting his chin on my shoulder, he said, “Having fun?”
I nodded. “I wish I had wings. Wouldn’t it be great to fly whenever we wanted?”
“You could, you know.” With his body pressed against mine, I felt his voice rumble when he spoke. His closeness made my insides dance as much as the flying. “Your mother has the spell for that.”
“I’ve tried it before,” I said. “I have yet to accomplish it.”
“One day you will.” He kissed my cheek. “And then you’ll have to teach me so we can fly together.”
“I’d like that.” As we soared between the academy and the town of Henalae, I found myself peering below, looking for signs of vampires. I didn’t want to ruin this moment but my memories slipped to the attack, to Freya screaming, to the blood drinker on me with savage teeth and inhuman strength. I shuddered and pushed that thought from my mind, but I couldn’t help wonder if there were more down there, waiting in the shadows. If my vision came to pass, they would come. I hoped sending Aric away changed that but I worried that it didn’t matter.
“Are you still cold?” Zyacus asked, holding me even tighter.
“No.” I placed my hands on his and squeezed them. I didn’t want to bring down the mood by talking of vampires and death so I asked, “Do you want a dragon of your own one day?” To claim one would mean venturing into the cave of wild dragons and hoping one would claim him in return. A human does not choose a dragon, the dragon chooses the human. Many have died in the attempt. I hadn’t decided if I wanted one myself. The risk—my life—might be more than I was willing to bargain for.
“Yes,” he answered. “One day I will get a dragon.”
“And a dragon will choose him,” Magnus said. “I sense great strength in you as well, little princess.”
“How do you know for sure the dragons won’t kill him?” I asked. Even if I knew Zyacus was powerful and fierce, he wasn’t magic-born and dragons loved magic and might.
“Because I would claim him,” Magnus answered. “And protect him from the others just as I did with his uncle Ekarius.”
If the Mighty Magnus would choose Zyacus, another was bound to someday. Enjoying the ride, we flew until the stars became visible in the evening twilight.
“I need a drink,” Magnus said and with a quick downturn we dipped toward the ground. My stomach flipped and I squealed at the speed of our descent. Zyacus laughed and held up his arms until we slowed and braced ourselves for landing.
After a few earth-shaking steps, Magnus lowered and lapped up river water. Zyacus slid onto the dragon’s arm then to the ground. I peeked around for danger, although I don’t know who or what would try to attack us with Magnus around, then glided down the smooth scales.
The rushing of the water created a peaceful environment. Zyacus stood at the river’s edge and put his hands on his hips. Looking up at the stars he asked, “If you could forfeit your crown, would you?”
I watched him, wondering why he would ask me that. I’d never thought about it before, being a princess was a part of me. Even if I hated the attention sometimes I liked my status. But from the question, did he like his? “I don’t know why I would.”
He turned to me. “For freedom.”
I understood what he meant. We weren’t truly free. A crown had chains connected to it. Every decision carried a weight. Days demanded schedules and tasks. Choices were not always our own. But much good could be done by an honorable and sensible ruler. It also came with privileges most would never see. “Would you?”
“There have been many days I wanted to run away.” Looking at the water, he said, “But I know I won’t. Porthos, one of my tutors, told me one day we’d have to fight against a terrible force and I’d have to stop it.” He shrugged. “Maybe the old man’s crazy.”
“You will be a good king whether you want to be a king or not.” I didn’t know what force his tutor could have meant but there were many terrible things in this world.
He took my hand, pulled me against him then wrapped me in his arms. “I hope so.” Squeezing me tighter, he lifted me up and nibbled on my earlobe.
I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck. He set me on my feet then tugged his shirt off. In the pale light of the moon and stars I could see his body’s perfection. As my eyes roamed over every curve of muscle, he laughed then splashed into the water and dove under. When he popped up through the surface, he wiped his face. “Damn this is cold.”
“What are you doing?” I called, going nowhere near that water myself.
He vanished and appeared beside me, dripping wet. “Fulfilling my end of our bet. I know it’s a little late and a river and not a lake but better than never.”
The sudden mischievous look in his eye had me backstepping. I pointed at him. “Don’t.”
“Oh come on, Princess I just want a hug.”
“You’re wet!” I squealed when he chased after me.
Magnus’s laugh rumbled the ground. I sprinted for the dragon but Zyacus caught my wrist from behind and spun me around. “Kiss me and I won’t hug you.”
“Fine.” Smiling but keeping my hand against his chest so he couldn’t hug me, I leaned forward, and pressed my lips to his. When he wrapped his arms around me and pressed his wet body against mine, icy-cold river water soaked into my clothes but I laughed. “Liar! You said no hug.”
“Oh, did I?” he said squeezing harder.
After a moment I realized I was pressed against a shirtless, dangerously sexy boy and pulled away. “Now that I’m soaked and it’s late, we should head back.” Ugh I couldn’t stop staring at him.
He glanced at the night sky. “Yes, if we’re lucky we’ll make it in time for curfew.” When he picked his shirt up and finally slipped it on, he said, “Don’t be too disappointed now. I know you like looking at all this bare skin.”
My cheeks burned. “Oh, hush up. Could your ego be any bigger?”
Smirking, he said, “I think it grew a little more when I noticed the Princess of Delhoon couldn’t keep her eyes off me.”