Page 24 of The Lost Nation

“WHAT? We have to send aid! We have to help them—”

I shook my head. “This could be a trap, meant to lure us off the island. I don't like it.”

I kept my voice firm but steady, anticipating she'd react like this. Kieran frowned and tried to put a hand on her shoulder, but Wren was already working herself into a fury.“What was the point of setting wards if he can just attack us? Did the Elders sacrifice themselves fornothing?”

A jolt of guilt lanced through my heart, as it usually did anytime I thought of those who'd died to protect me and the rest of my people. I still struggled to accept any of it. “Thad isn’t affected. He can come and go as easily as he pleases due to his draken blood.” I persisted.

Wren rolled her eyes. “So his plan is to single-handedly take over the entire island when you leave then?”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I shot a glance at Kieran, but he only shook his head frantically, silently telling me not to argue.

Ronan however, was clearly on Wren's side.“She has a point," the younger draken began. "He can’t do much damage on his own with the other drakens here. And don't forget about the witches." He shot a look towards Astrid.

I glared at Ronan. What good was it having two other mates when they rarely (if ever) backed me up?

“And what would youlikeme to do?” I directed at Wren. If I kept guessing at a course of action, she’d continue to shoot me down. I was learning it was easier to just ask my female what she wanted me to do, instead of trying to figure it out on my own.

Males couldn’t win.

She huffed. “We need to go personally and ensure everything is alright.” She stated with conviction.

My eyes narrowed.“Wewill not.Iwill go, and Kieran and Ronan will stay here with you to ensure the island’s safety.”

Her eyes flared with anger, but it was tempered. Just as I was learning how to compromise with my siren, she was learning how to deal with my need to protect everyone under my care.

“Take Ronan and Kieran with you." She counteroffered. "Trust me to defend the island with the witches and my voice magicks.”

I tensed, wanting to immediately refuse but instead resisting it. My first instincts when it came to her were usually wrong. Her eyes narrowed, and I realized it was a test. There seemed to be more and more of those lately, ever since Kieran had confessed to her what the change in her wings meant.

I didn’t need her to tell me I wasn’t fit to be a father. I already knew that. “Fine. My queen can stay and guard the island.”

Her eyes lit with delight, and I smiled despite my dark mood—it was addicting to make her happy. Kieran caught my eye and smirked, and the moment was broken.

I straightened my shoulders. “Right. Grab the other drakens and get them in formation. Astrid, warn Vela and have your witches on standby.”

My mind started whirling with plans. “Actually, if you could fly ahead and warn the small draken legion on the continent, I will transport them to Aldur to assist.”

Astrid nodded, and flew off a moment later on her broom. We would have to make a pitstop in the woods between Aldur and Cantrada, grab the small company of drakens that were there, and then send Astrid back to Lyoness to assist. I sent a momentary prayer of thanks to the gods for my bloodline’s ability to shift.

“Give them five minutes to be in the village, ready to go. Let’s move!”

We all sprang into motion.

???

“Astrid wasn’t kidding.”

We stood at the edge of the woods, watching Aldur burn. Thick smoke wafted from the city, and the sounds of screams were heavy in the air. Black magick hung heavily over the entire area, and I frowned. That wasn't right.

“Let’s go.”I grunted.

Iflew up in the air and towards the city, my people behind me. Ronan had taken charge of the smaller company and was already inside the city. It had taken more out of me than I'd anticipated after shifting so many people, but I was confident I was ready. This was why I’d done countless magick focusing rituals, after all.

“This doesn’t make any sense. Why would he attack Aldur?”Kieran asked, his voice low.

It was on the tip of my tongue to make some derogatory remark about Thad, but I couldn’t follow through. Itdidn’tmake sense, because even though I hated Thad, Iknewhe wasn’t evil. His refusal to mate with Wren only further proved that point.That didn't mean I trusted him.

This would all be much easier if I could openly hate him.