Page 9 of Fallen Nocturne
Theo studies me for a long moment. “And if we choose to leave? If we decide sanctuary isn’t worth the risk of becoming enemies to our own people?”
Landon answers before I can speak. His voice is cold, commanding. “Then you leave. You’re not prisoners here.”
He turns to face his warriors fully. “No one will be forced to fight. But nor will anyone undermine the sanctuary we’ve been given.”
His eyes find Alys. “Is that understood?”
She meets his gaze with something heated and challenging. For a moment I think she might argue. Then she smiles.
“Of course, Commander.” Her voice is light, almost playful. “I’ll be the perfect guest. Quiet as a mouse, harmless as a flower.”
No one believes her.
“I welcome you to Völundr,” I say firmly, trying to reclaim some authority. “And I thank you all for your honesty.”
The warriors incline their heads, some with respect, others out of simple courtesy. But tension remains, as palpable as the shifting breeze whispering through the valley.
As we walk among the wyverns, Landon tells me their names and histories. His voice carries a love for these creatures that I haven’t heard when he speaks of anything else. I find myself watching his face more than listening to his words.
“You love them,” I say.
He pauses. “They are my responsibility.”
His gaze meets mine, and something passes between us through the bond. Maybe it is understanding, or the beginning of it.
Landon’s hand brushes briefly against mine. “You did well. Better than most could.”
But the weight on my chest remains sharp-edged and uncertain. I’ve met his warriors. I’ve seen their power and their reluctance. I’ve made no enemies today, but I’ve made no true allies either.
I wonder how long my sanctuary can truly shelter them. I don’t even know if my kingdom can survive what’s coming.
Coral nuzzles into my palm when I reach for her. She blinks slowly at me, her trust absolute. She may not breathe fire, but she’s mine.
Movement catches my eye. One of the younger wyverns, darker gray with lighter striations along its wings, approaches Coral cautiously. It’s still massive compared to her but smaller than the others.
“That’s Shadowfyre,” Landon says quietly. “His rider, Flynn, died in the betrayal.”
The sadness in his voice makes me want to comfort him. I reach for his hand and he doesn’t pull away.
“Shadowfyre is lucky they hadn’t bonded strongly yet,” Landon continues. “Otherwise he would have died too.”
The thought makes my chest tighten with fear for Coral. “He seems to like her.”
“Shadowfyre is young and less intimidating than the others.” Landon watches them together. “Perhaps they’ll be good for each other.”
I watch Shadowfyre lower his great head toward Coral and my stomach drops. Even young, he is much larger than she is. One careless swipe of his tail could send her tumbling across the field.
“Is that safe?” I ask. “He might hurt her without meaning to.”
Landon shakes his head slowly. “Wyverns have their own way of communicating through body posture, breath patterns and the angle of their wings. It’s not so different from how wolves read a pack.” He pauses, watching them. “Shadowfyre knows she’s smaller. He’ll adjust.”
“But Coral doesn’t know any of that.” I can’t keep the worry from my voice. I cannot remember how my wyvern came to me without pain splitting through my head, but I know she never had a clutch to teach her.
Landon is quiet for a moment. He tilts his head, something shifting in his expression. “That may prove to be a challenge.”
Shadowfyre drops into a low crouch and pushes off the ground in a short, sharp burst, his wings half-spread. Coral watches him before attempting the same movement. They play together in the field, and I realize Shadowfyre is teaching her something. Coral is clumsy at first but eager.
For a moment, watching them, I let myself believe that maybe this can work. Maybe it doesn’t have to end in blood. But Alys’s ruby eyes follow me as we leave, and I know it won’t be that simple.
