Page 12 of Clash of Kingdoms

I pictured his face, those intense eyes that rivaled the violence of a hurricane. “He would.”

Her eyes softened before she pulled her hand away and grabbed her glass again. “Then enjoy every moment while you can…and toughen your heart for the end.”

No matter how tough my heart was, I would never be prepared for that agony. To release his hand and watch him walk out of my life forever. It would be unbearable. It would be unbearable for him too, but I knew he would handle it much better.

The door to the pub opened, and Aurelias appeared, scanning the crowd in search of me.

It took me a second to understand it was him, because I’d never told him where I was going. “Speaking of which…”

Her eyes followed mine to the door before they jerked back to me. “That’s him?”

I nodded.

“Oh my mama…”

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t even know how to talk right now.”

Aurelias locked eyes with me then approached our table.

“Please tell me he has a brother,” she said quickly before he arrived.

“I’ve seen two, but they’re both married.”

“Ugh…”

Aurelias ignored Lila and only stared at me. “Dragons have been sighted from the east.”

I stilled at that revelation, picturing my father on Nightshade. “Have you seen my father?”

“It’s too dark to tell. But all the dragons are accounted for, so I’d say that’s a good sign.”

Lila got to her feet. “Let’s go.”

I got to my feet too, forgetting about the tab. “Lila, this is Aurelias?—”

“I’ll meet your hot boyfriend later.” She was the first one out the door. “Let’s hurry.”

We reached the field where the dragons would land, and dusk had settled into a deeper shade of night. Dragons could see in the dark, but torches lit the kingdom and the field to make it easier for them to spot their landing place.

My mother was already there when I arrived, stone-faced and silent, holding her breath in anticipation of my father’s return. Aunt Avice was also there, and Lila immediately went to her mother’s side.

Aurelias stood beside me, close enough that his arm touched mine, but he didn’t offer me any substantial affection. If we were alone, his chest would be pressed to my back with his arms crossed over my body, keeping me warm and making me feel safe.

Nightshade was hard to see because he was as dark as the night, but I heard him land hard on the ground and reflect the flames with his brilliant scales.

I couldn’t see who was in the saddle. “Father?”

“Huntley?” Mother moved forward, anxious to see, her voice breaking in desperation.

His deep voice reassured us all. “I’m here, baby.”

I gasped when I heard his strong voice, the voice of the man who brought me so much protection during my greatest insecurities.

One of the guards approached with a torch, bringing light to the darkness.

And that was when I saw my mother and father making out right in front of everyone.