Page 74 of Kingdom of Spirits

Good spot, friend.

Marius gave orders for the units to surround him. “Once he is contained, we escort him as quickly as possible back to the castle.”

“High Captain!” Titus waved a hand.

Tahlia was awake, upright, and her mouth was moving, but the wind and Katk’s roars tried to cloak her words.

Titus took over for her and shouted, “She’s saying there’s no way our dragons’ fire will last long enough to return to Dragon Tail, to the castle! She wants us to fly back and grab Ophelia.”

“Absolutely not,” Marius said. “You’re sick, Lady Tahlia.” A thought haunted him, far more frightening than any ghost or shadowling—she was not merely ill. She was dying. “Not possible!”

“I will murder you if you let her do this,” Fara said, a promise in her voice that worried Marius even though she was but a squire.

“I wouldn’t blame you,” he said.

Then there was no more time for discussion because they were within Katk’s extended reach. The dragons encircled Katk.

This had to work or all of them were dead and the order would be no more.

“Unit one blast!” Marius called out.

Chapter 31

Marius

Marius had Ragewing fall back to protect their cargo—Lija, who was roaring in frustration. Fire spilled from the rest of the unit one dragons: blue, orange, purple, and gold. Katk shrieked and batted at the riders and their mounts. The monster’s forefinger clipped Titus’s Spikeback. Ptol spun and his riders jerked harshly upward, Titus dropping his bow and grasping Tahlia, whose eyes were wide open.

Marius’s heart thudded at the back of his throat. With every fiber of his being, he longed to be the one protecting his intended mate.

Katk surged toward them as Ptol tried to right himself.

“Unit two!” Marius ordered. “Don’t expend all your fire though. Watch your levels!” They had to reserve enough to prod this monster toward home. Such a mad plan!

Taking turns, including unit three as well, they had Katk panting and lumbering in the right direction after another hour of fitful fighting. The journey would be arduous, to say the least.

“I have an idea!” Tahlia called out. She sounded stronger and her color had mostly returned. Gods, this curse was taunting them, fading and returning over and over again.

Marius could hardly hear her above the noise of fire and monster and wind.

Her energy is stronger. Her body is fighting the curse,Ragewing said.The blooms that Lady Fara administered have helped indeed.

Marius whispered a prayer of gratitude.I didn’t realize you could sense the energy and health of another being.

There is much Fae do not know about dragons.

I look forward to learning from you. If you choose to share.

A deep chuckle rumbled through Marius’s mind.Some things, I will share. Some are not for Fae to know.

I won’t be like my ancestors, harsh and cruel to those around them. If you decide on secrecy, I will honor that.

And that’s another reason you’re my rider.

Katk groaned and stalked through the countryside, his movements prodded by the dragons’ flames. He whirled and swatted at Maiwenn and her Seabreak, Donan. Katk’s fist hit Donan’s side, and the dragon screeched. Lija shrieked with him. Maiwenn’s eyes went wide. She dropped from the saddle and fell toward the ground.

Donan let out a spine-rattling sound of agony and dove for his rider.

Go!Marius called to Ragewing, who immediately plunged.