Alliance (8 page)

Selene and Jaken were in the storeroom when he arrived—Jaken busy checking over his harness, while Selene sat on the side chatting with him.

“Hey, Nykin.” She let out a soft laugh when he looked up and met her gaze. “Wow, why so grumpy?”

Nykin carefully placed Fimor’s harness and saddle on the floor directly under his allotted space. “Does Kalesh or Domor ever make inappropriate comments?” he asked as he lifted the saddle first, then positioned it on the two long bars sticking out from the wall.

“About sex, you mean?” He could hear the amusement in Selene’s voice, and when he turned around, she had a big grin on her face. Jaken on the other hand looked as though he’d rather be anywhere else than here, having this conversation. Nykin nodded, reaching back down for the harness. “All the time. She’s terrible, and very matter-of-fact about everything.”

She dropped down to the ground and helped Nykin secure his harness onto the hooks. “Earlier I was annoyed about not being picked to guard the patrols, so she suggested I use Lerran in ‘
a sexual manner
’ to get rid of my frustrations.” Nykin fumbled with his end of the harness, almost dropping it, and Selene laughed loudly. “Honestly, those were her exact words. And she actually huffed in disappointment when I informed her Lerran had gone with Nysad. Dragons either have no idea about boundaries, or they just don’t care.”

Well, at least it wasn’t just Fimor. Nykin immediately felt better, knowing the other riders got the same treatment. “What about you, Jaken? Does Domor talk to you like that?” Jaken had finished with his harness and was now studiously looking down at the floor. Nykin could easily see the pink tinge to his cheeks.

“Unfortunately, yes. He keeps asking why I’m not looking for ‘
someone to mate with
,’ because apparently that’s what all humans do.” Jaken looked up, and Nykin tried not to laugh at the pained expression on his face, but he couldn’t hold it in. Besides, it was a welcome respite from all the anxiety he’d been feeling about the evacuation. “That’s not the worst of it, though,” Jaken continued, the flush on his cheeks getting darker. “He keeps making suggestions of who I could choose to mate with. And they’re all riders, so I know he’s been talking to their dragons about it. I keep getting
looks
from them.”

Selene was wiping the tears from her eyes by this point, and she put her arm around Jaken’s waist, then pulled him in for a hug. “Don’t worry about it, Jaken. From what I hear of it, you’re not the only one whose dragon is trying to get them married off.”

“Dragons,” Jaken grumbled, but with a small smile this time. He hugged Selene back for a moment before extricating himself from her grasp.

Nykin looked at his friends—traces of laughter were still present on Selene’s face, and Jaken was looking relaxed and happy. He prayed they’d all get through the night unscathed. Not wanting to ruin the mood, he smiled and told them both he’d see them later, before heading back down to the palace to find Ryneq.

H
E
HEARD
voices as he approached his quarters, the door standing ajar a couple of inches. He opened it wider and walked in to find Peros sitting at the table near the balcony with Ryneq pacing in front of the large windows. He walked across the room to join them.

“They’re almost finished erecting the barrier.” Peros glanced back at Nykin, obviously hearing his footsteps. “Glaevahl says it’ll be finished well within the hour.”

Ryneq looked over and smiled at him before turning back to address Peros. “Good. Do we have a better idea how strong it’ll be? I know Glaevahl said it wouldn’t hold up against a sustained attack, but have we any idea how long it will give us?”

Peros hesitated, a noise over on the far side of the room catching his attention. When Nykin followed his gaze, he was a little surprised to see Kalis wheeling in a tray laden with food. He hadn’t heard her come in.

“Thank you, Kalis.” Ryneq smiled warmly at her as she reached the table. “Just leave it there. We’ll help ourselves to food in a moment.”

Peros waited for her to leave and close the door behind her before continuing. “The elves think the barrier will be stronger than they were expecting, something to do with having the dragons in close proximity, I didn’t really understand what they were saying. But if the witch uses the same magic as the one in Alel, then Glaevahl said it would probably withstand three attacks before it starts to degenerate. They can’t be certain without knowing the extent of her power.”

Ryneq let out a long sigh and glanced out the window, no doubt gauging the hours left before sunset. “Let’s just hope we can come up with something else before that happens.”

“How likely is that, Sire? Nysad said it’ll be at least a month before the elf magic can fully protect Torsere. I doubt we’ll be lucky enough to hold off Seran’s army until then.” Peros looked worried, and Nykin felt his own anxiety flood back.

He’d known at the back of his mind that Glaevahl’s barrier was only a temporary solution, but he’d not given much thought to anything beyond that. “Maybe she’ll exhaust her magic, like the witch did in Alel?” Nykin offered, taking the seat opposite Peros. “She collapsed right after trying to get through the barrier that first time. Maybe that will happen again, and then we can attack. Without the witch, the dragon riders only have the archers to worry about, and they are significantly less dangerous. We can do a lot of damage from the air.”

Ryneq’s eyes held a spark of hope, and he was instantly more alert. “That’s true, Nykin. The elders used a spell to drain the witch’s power before. I wonder if Glaevahl could do it again if we lure her close enough?”

Peros pushed his chair back and stood up. “Shall I arrange a meeting with him and the others when they’re done with the shield?”

“Yes.” Ryneq’s gaze shifted to Nykin, an unreadable expression on his face. “Give me a couple of hours to eat first, though.”

“Yes, Sire,” Peros replied, smirking at Nykin. He left the room and pulled the door shut behind him.

Ryneq closed the distance between them and pulled Nykin in for a kiss. He slipped his hands around Nykin’s waist, his fingers sneaking under the bottom of Nykin’s jacket. “All ready for tonight?” he asked, pulling back a little to meet Nykin’s gaze. He’d managed to untuck Nykin’s shirt, and he was now rubbing his thumbs back and forth across the skin of Nykin’s hipbones.

It sent a shiver down Nykin’s spine, and Fimor’s words slipped unbidden into his head. Maybe he
could
relieve a little of his tension. “Yes, Sire.” His voice was surprisingly low and rough, and Nykin smiled at the way Ryneq’s grip tightened, pulling him even closer. He couldn’t resist when Nykin called him
Sire
. “We leave at sundown. I’m riding with Eldin out to Miresh.” He rested his hands on Ryneq’s broad shoulders, the muscles firm under his hands.

Ryneq hummed, burying his face in the crook of Nykin’s neck. “Be careful, Nykin.” His words were muffled, but Nykin had no trouble understanding, and he didn’t miss the worry in Ryneq’s voice. “Nysad’s leading that patrol. I wish it could be me.”

“Your place is here. We both know that.”

Ryneq sighed heavily, his hot breath tickling Nykin’s neck. “It’s the only reason I won’t be out there with you.” He wrapped his arms fully around Nykin, his hands warm and heavy on Nykin’s back.

They stayed like that for a while longer, the tension slowly draining out of Nykin as the reassuring weight of Ryneq’s body grounded him. He wove his fingers into Ryneq’s thick hair, tugging his head up until he could capture Ryneq’s lips again, but much slower and deeper this time. They had at least a couple of hours according to Ryneq, and Nykin was determined not to waste them. Their fight the day before was long forgotten in light of what they now faced. “Come on,” he said, stepping back and taking hold of Ryneq’s hand, “let’s go to bed.”

T
HE
FOOD
was cold by the time they got around to eating it, but neither of them was overly bothered. Nykin hardly tasted it anyway. They’d done their best to block everything out for as long as possible, and Nykin had to admit that Fimor’s advice had worked well, not that he’d ever tell him. He’d felt a lot less tense after, but now as he climbed the Eyrie steps with the sun setting in the distance, the worry began to seep back in.

The weather had turned unseasonably cold for this time of year, and Nykin was thankful for the soft leather of his rider’s uniform. It blocked out most of the wind, but the cold blasts still whipped around his face, no doubt making his nose and cheeks a bright pink. He glanced at the sky, noting the lack of cloud cover; it wasn’t going to be pleasant at all up there tonight. He had his gloves, but maybe he should have worn his furs too.

Nykin ran up the last few steps, eager to get inside and out of the wind. Selene and Jaken were already there, as were most of the other riders. Selene had a thick scarf wrapped around her head, protecting her from the elements. She might not have been chosen to guard the patrols, but she would still be up in the air guarding the palace. He noticed Jaken holding a similar scarf in his hands, and Nykin suddenly wished he’d brought one too. The wool looked soft and warm, and he was more than a little envious.

Jaken rolled his eyes and thrust a dark blue bundle at him. “I knew you’d probably forget yours.” Nykin took it from him, his fingers sinking into the wool, and he smiled sheepishly. “And don’t feel bad. Selene didn’t remember, either.”

“Thanks.” He unwrapped the scarf and looped it around his neck.

“No problem.” Jaken shifted from foot to foot. “It’s going to be pretty bad up there tonight. I was in one of the landing caves about an hour ago, and the wind has been getting worse. I’m thinking there might be a storm on the way.”

“Lovely,” Selene said, glancing outside. Nykin followed her gaze. Darkness was fast approaching, and Jaken was right—the wind had definitely picked up from earlier.

“All right,” Eldin shouted across the entranceway, silencing them all. “You all know what’s expected of you. For those of you leaving the palace, if your dragon senses the witch about to attack, then get out of the way fast. You can’t protect anyone if you’re captured or killed, and it will also draw her attention away from the villagers. Try to get back to your patrols as soon as you can safely do so. I expect to see each and every one of you back here safe and sound. Is that understood?”

A chorus of “Yes, Sir” echoed around them, and Nykin pushed away the feeling of dread threatening to overwhelm him.

“Good luck to us all. Now let’s get out there.” Eldin led the way down to the storeroom, and Nykin followed the other riders as they fell in step behind their leader.

Selene dragged them to one side as soon as Nykin and Jaken retrieved their harnesses and saddles. “I’ll see you both in the morning. Take care.” She quickly pulled them into a three-way hug. “May the Gods keep us safe,” Nykin whispered, and both Selene and Jaken repeated it back to him.

They left without another word, parting ways farther down the tunnels as they each searched for an empty landing cave.

“Fimor? Are you ready?”

Nykin’s tattoo tingled with the warmth of their connection, but Fimor took a moment or two to answer.
“Good evening, Nykin. And, yes, I’m ready. I’m in the air. Have you found a cave yet?”

With all the riders taking to the sky, Nykin had to go farther up the mountain to find an empty landing cave, but he finally found one and hurried inside.
“Yes, I’m on the upper level.”

“Ah, yes. I can sense you now. Almost there.”

Nykin waited back near the tunnel entrance, away from the cave mouth where the wind howled, cold and biting. He lowered the harness and saddle to the ground and began to wrap his scarf around his head. He made sure to cover his ears and mouth well, just leaving his eyes free.

A moment later, a flurry of wings announced Fimor’s entry, and he skidded to a halt just inside the cave.
“I believe the straps will be needed tonight. The wind is fierce.”

Nykin groaned. He hated the straps. But he also didn’t want to fall off either.
“Okay.”

“Make sure you fasten everything extra tight. If we have to evade the witch, it might get a little hairy at times.”

Nykin was unable to stop the smile breaking out as he hoisted the saddle up onto Fimor’s back.
“Hairy?”

“Yes, Nykin. Hairy. As in, fraught with difficulties. Hazardous.”

“I know what it means. I just… never mind.”
He fastened the last buckle on the harness and ran his hand down Fimor’s scales.

“Are you all right? Your heart rate is uncommonly fast.”

“That’s because I’m actually a little terrified,”
Nykin replied, climbing up onto Fimor’s back. He pulled each strap over his thigh, wincing a little as he buckled them tight. He immediately felt a warmth through their bond, filling him up from the inside out.

“That’s understandable. I would be concerned if you weren’t.”
Fimor turned his huge body until they were facing the night sky. The sun had set while they were getting ready, and soon the stars would start to appear.
“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Take us out, Fimor.”

With an easy grace, Fimor launched them out into the night sky, his huge wings spread wide and beating steadily. They glided through the darkness, climbing higher and higher, until Nykin could make out the other dragons flying around them. The wind turned out to be worse than Nykin expected. It pulled at him, buffeting his body as though trying to pluck him from his saddle. He now felt extremely grateful for the thick bands of leather securing him in place.

“Is everyone here?”
Nykin asked, unable to see enough to count them all.

“No, we’re just waiting on one more pair, according to Vashek.”
Vashek, as Eldin’s dragon, would relay all of Eldin’s commands and updates to the other riders through their dragons. Fimor made a surprised but pleased sound in Nykin’s head.