Page 48 of The Last Syphon

Inara’s gaze drifted upwards, and she thought of Fraener. Not a moment later, the Guardian roared. He tucked his wings together and dived. Inara could almost feel the rush of wind as if it were her in the sky. He rushed upon them fast—so fast Inara feared he wouldn’t be able to stop in time, but she should have known better.

At the last second, Fraener snapped his wings wide and halted his descent.

She braced. Kronan called a shield around the princess. Wind smacked them harshly. Felix hadn’t prepared himself, and he went flying back with a screech. Inara’s hand shot out, and she conjured a shield to cushion his fall. She liked catching Felix off guard like that, but she wasn’t so evil that she would see her best friend hurt.

Well…It depended on the occasion, actually.

Felix smashed against the shield and rolled over to the side, landing face-first in the dirt.

“You okay?” she called out over her shoulder.

He groaned, raising a thumb in the air.

Humour trickled through her. Inara realised she probably shouldn’t laugh at her best friend’s expense, but it was far too late for that.

They did shit like this all the time, and she hoped even if everything else changed, that would not.

Fraener took one step and was right there in her space. He nudged her with his head, almost knocking her over.

“I’ve got to go back inside,” she began, scratching under his massive chin. “Come with me?”

Although she’d already been inside, there was still a sliver of unease at being in such an unfamiliar place. She wanted the comfort of having Fraener close, his strength bleeding into hers.

Fraener nudged her again affectionately and changed form, swirling into the miniature version of himself.

Her smile widened. He looked so cute in that form. Not at all threatening. She stuck out her arm. Fraener landed on her hand and scuttled up until his small talons locked onto her shoulder.

Felix picked himself up and joined them, wiping the dirt from his clothes. His eyes were narrowed on the dragon in an accusatory glare. “That wasn’t cool.”

Fraener squawked. An image pushed its way into her mind, and Inara laughed.

“What?” Felix’s gaze whipped between her and the beast. “What did he say?”

“He didn’t say anything.”

“Guardians do not speak. They communicate in other ways,” Princess Phaedra added helpfully.

“Well, what did he communicate, then?”

“He showed me an image of him flying you up to the tallest tower in Arelia and leaving you there.”

Felix gasped. His finger whipped up and pointed at her. “Don’t you dare let him do that.”

Inara said nothing, letting the smirk curling on her face do all the talking for her.

“Give me more information. How can I do this?”

“I told you. You cannot.” Princess Phaedra cut into her meat delicately, with all the grace and manners bestowed upon her royal status. “The High Council will not permit a Chosen to participate in The Shielder Trials. It is far too dangerous for you.”

“Who says they have to know?” Felix’s words came out in a jumbled mess, his mouth overflowing with food. He was protectively hunched over his fourth plate of food, eating with his hands instead of the utensils that had been provided.

Princess Phaedra frowned, her delicate eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell ’em.” He shrugged. “They don’t have to know, right?”

Inara slapped a hand on his shoulder. “See? This is why you’re my best friend."

“Because I have the best ideas?”