Wings of Blood Page 15

  “Maybe. But you can’t order them to do anything,” I admonished, settling down on the bed with a heavy sigh. It was just as comfortable as it had looked. “Even if getting the aforementioned sticks out of their butts would be helpful.”

  He shrugged, stripping down to his boxers and getting in next to me, pulling the covers up over us both. “We’ll see,” he said vaguely, kissing my forehead and pulling me against his warm body. “Sleep. You need to rest so you can recover. We’ll worry about everything else later.”

  If I hadn’t been so tired, I might have fought that order so we could talk it out some more, but my body had its own agenda. I was already sinking into unconsciousness.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I took a deep breath as the final gate opened in front of us and the desert spread out in all its glory, the sun beating down on the stark landscape. It finally felt like this whole terrible chapter was truly over.

  I understood the need to stay in the city dome for another night—I had been in no shape to travel—but I was so glad to have it behind us now. I didn’t know if I’d ever think of a city dome in a positive light again. The congestion, the cage like feeling, the lack of sunlight…

  I suppressed a shudder. I’d take the open desert any day.

  “How are you doing?”

  I looked over at Sven. He’d pushed the accelerator down all the way, the stretch of nothingness in front of us perfect to open up the engine.

  “Fine,” I said with a smile. “Much better now that we’re out of that place,” I added ruefully.

  He gave me an incisive look before smiling. “Good.” He reached out to cover my hand with his.

  Gripping it, I raised it so I could kiss the back. I was so lucky that Sven was mine. He proved that fact to me over and over again.

  I turned to look back at Siro. She was staring out the window, a distant look on her face.

  “Siro?” I ventured.

  “Hmm?” she responded absently, still deep in her thoughts.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded, looking at me with a wan smile. “I’m fine.” Her smile faded. “I’m just worried about what Mom and Dad are going to say.”

  I shook my head. “They aren’t going to be mad at you. Don’t worry—I’m sure I’ll absorb all their anger,” I said with a wry smile.

  “I don’t want them to be mad at you either!” she said in exasperation, raising her hands and lowering them in a huff. “None of it was even your fault!”

  I sighed. She was both wrong and right. I had my share of responsibility in the mess.

  “I should have been an adult and sent you back when I first found you hiding behind the curtains. I should have walked you back home,” I said over her protests. “But, more importantly, I think you should give your parents a break when you see them. They deserve it. I’m sure they’ve been worried sick.”

  “They have been,” Sven confirmed, glancing at Siro in the rear view. “They love you very much.” He kept his personal opinion of the couple to himself and gave Siro a truth that even he could see.

  I squeezed his hand in thanks. He squeezed it back with a slight smile.

  Siro bit her lip, looking out the window again. “Yeah. Okay,” she muttered. “I’ll cut them some slack.”

  Figuring that was the best I was going to get, I let it slide.

  Our final destination was the capital, but we had to make a small detour to Ashur’s territory first to drop off the car. As we drew closer to the speck on the horizon, I leaned forward. I could feel Siro doing the same in the back. We watched in fascination as the ruins of an old city appeared in front of us.

  “Are you sure you’re good to fly the rest of the way?” Sven asked again, looking over at me with a concerned expression. “We can drive the rest of the way and I can send someone to drive the car back. Or we could—”

  “I’m fine,” I reassured Sven. “And I’d rather fly back from here than drive. The trip will be so much shorter and I want to stretch my wings anyway.”

  I wanted to be home.

  With a small start, I realized I’d actually started to think of the palace as home. Go figure.

  I never thought that would happen, never felt like that place could truly inspire those feelings in me, especially after all the not-so-great things I’d experienced there while in my position under Emberich.

  I looked over at Sven’s profile as we reached the edges of the ruins. This mental switch was all because of him.

  Home was wherever he was.

  “This place is really creepy,” Siro muttered quietly as she stared out the window.

  I looked outside as Sven continued driving and had to agree. The abandoned buildings were from an era long past, before the ozone layer had burned away so drastically, before the pollution had driven the humans into the domes that protected them. I felt a shiver run down my spine as a shadow flickered passed one of the broken windows we drove by.

  It was nothing. Probably.

  Whereas the warehouse district in the city dome had felt unsettling because the living were watching, here it felt as if the dead guarded the streets, shades of a time passed.

  Maybe I was completely spooking myself over nothing.

  “They built the city in the middle of the ruins for added protection,” Sven explained. “We’ll be there soon.”

  A large shadow swept over us as we continued driving. Siro gasped.

  I looked up through the sunroof Sven had opened and saw the impressive golden dragon fly away. They’d been hanging back, but keeping an eye on us since we passed into their territory. I was sure if we hadn’t been driving Ashur’s car, we would have been stopped at the boundary.

  As we continued driving from one street and the next, the city changed around us. Gone were the corroded, dilapidated buildings that looked like they were straight out of a horror film. The new section of the city was bustling, with wide streets and sandstone colored structures and buildings that actually sparkled under the sunlight.

  Everything was so clean, especially compared to the run-down parts of the city dome.

  “It’s gorgeous,” I said, craning my head to look around.

  Sven murmured his agreement. “Maybe we’ll come back under better circumstances,” he murmured, smiling at me. “Mia and Ashur have already extended an open invitation.”

  I nodded, watching the impressive buildings, the slight shimmer that seemed to emanate from the road and the structures alike. I would love to come back and explore.

  I’d never been in a dragon city before. They were probably just as variable as phoenix cities.

  Still, this was the only one I’d be comfortable visiting, at least for now.

  Sven stopped the car in front a particularly large building with open double doors. Mia and Ashur walked out to meet us. Their sentries must have let them know we were here.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay,” Mia said, hugging me. Then she pulled back to take a look at me. “You are okay, right?” she asked in concern.

  I nodded, reassuring her. “Thanks for recommending Jacob. And lending Sven the car,” I said.

  She waved that away. “It really was nothing. I’m just glad Jacob could help—I knew he was the right guy for the job.” She stared at me a little longer and I knew she was taking in the pallor to my skin and the dark circles under my eyes that hadn’t completely faded. “Did you catch the assholes who did this?” she asked, then glanced at Siro. “Excuse my language.”

  Siro grinned. “Don’t mind me. I’ve heard it all.”

  Mia smiled back. “I’m sure you have,” she agreed. “Doesn’t mean you need to hear it around me. And I don’t have an excuse—I have a six year old I can’t swear around, so I should have practice.” She turned her attention back on me. “So? Did you get them?”

  “Sven and Jacob got some, but Eli got away,” I said grimly.

  “There aren’t many places for him to hide,” Sven interjected, sliding an arm around my waist. “We�
��ll find him.” The determined look on his face showed he meant to keep going until that task was accomplished.

  “Good. Let us know if you need anything,” Ashur said, nodding at me as well. “People like that need to be stopped.”

  “We will. Thank you again.” Sven looked over at us. “Can we head to the top of the place? We need to get going.”

  “Are you sure you can’t stay for a while?” Mia asked, leading us into the lobby of the building.

  It was just as impressive on the inside as it was on the outside, like a really fancy hotel that somehow was also a home. The cathedral ceiling, the marble floors, and the large chandelier made it feel especially luxurious.

  “Siro’s parents are waiting for her,” I explained as we followed her. “They’ve been worried sick.”

  “Oh, of course,” Mia said immediately. “I couldn’t imagine if Omari…” she murmured, shaking her head.

  They led us to the elevator and then right up to the roof. We didn’t waste time changing. The urge to finish this journey was strong.

  “Have a safe flight,” Ashur called out as he and Mia watched us launch into the air.

  We tipped our wings in goodbye. Then we were off on the last leg of our journey.

  It was exhilarating to be flying up in that endless blue sky on my own steam. The freedom of the wind under my wings and the warmth of the sun on my feathers were things I would never take for granted again.

  I looped my way around Sven in a playful gesture and his eyes smiled at me.

  The complicated somersault move he made in response was impressive and dangerous. I would have to ask him how he did it some time so I could recreate it.

  Siro joined in as well, happily zooming in and out between us, her sleek body letting her cut through the air swiftly. She was good, and she’d only improve with age.

  Our playful attitude slowly died the closer we crept to the capital. River and Jamine were going to meet us there, as it was the quickest way to reunite with them. The thought of seeing them was not a pleasant one.

  Halfway back to the capital, a contingent of phoenixes appeared on the horizon. I hesitated, not recognizing them yet, but Sven made a reassuring gesture. As they drew closer, I realized it was Igna with a contingent of guards.

  Guards that included Reelin and Amna.

  I sincerely doubted any of our guards were happy with either Sven or me. We’d both ditched them, not letting them do their job, which was to keep us safe. We had good reason, but I was sure it still hadn’t gone over well with them. They were professionals.

  When they reached us, the guards arranged themselves to our sides and backs. It felt as though the weight of reality descended on us with their arrival. Time to get back to our lives.

  The familiar sight of the capital came into view eventually, bringing a confusing mix of feelings: excitement at being home, relief at the journey being over, and anxiety at the thought of facing Reelin and Jamine, as well as dealing with the aftermath of everything that had happened.

  That would come after that first initial meeting with Siro’s parents.

  We aimed for the launching pad near the palace after flying over the familiar city. A group was already waiting for us there, no doubt having gotten word from the sentries on duty. We landed efficiently and changed, dressing quickly in the light weight clothes we’d brought with us from the city dome.

  “Siro!”

  I heard the familiar cry and turned to see Siro engulfed in a hug, first by Jamine and then by River, who simply wrapped his arms around both of them.

  Sven came up next to me, taking my hand in his in silent support.

  I could have left then, while they were too wrapped up in their reunion to even really notice me, but that felt too cowardly. So I waited until first River and then Jamine focused on me after making sure Siro was all right.

  Predictably, they did not look thrilled.

  Siro noticed where there glares were aimed and tried to interrupt before they did anything. “Mom, Dad—”

  “Don’t Mom and Dad us,” Jamine said in a tight voice. “We’ll deal with you later, young lady.”

  “We told you we didn’t want you in our daughter’s life,” River said, his jaw clenched. “You have shown no respect for our boundaries.”

  “I’m sorry this happened,” I said quietly, feeling a heavy weight in my stomach. There was no denying what happened to Siro was because of her association with me.

  “We don’t want you anywhere near our daughter again! Do you understand? She was almost killed because of you!” Jamine added, tears in her eyes.

  “Now, hold on,” Sven started, but I stopped him with a hand on his arm. It wasn’t fair to involve him. There was too much of a power difference.

  “What happened was terrible—” I started.

  “Terrible?” Jamine repeated incredulously. She took a threatening step towards me. “You—”

  “Stop it!” Siro interjected in a harsh voice, grabbing her mother’s arm and stopping her in her tracks.

  I didn’t know who was more surprised—Jamine or me.

  “Stop talking to her like that! Both of you! She never did anything wrong and the only reason I’m here now is because she got me out of where they were holding us—she put my life ahead of hers! And this is how you’re repaying her?”

  “You don’t understand. You don’t know her—” River started.

  But he was interrupted too.

  “No, maybe you don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head. “What did she do that was so horrible in the first place? Take a job so she could try to help people? So what if she decided to try to work with the system instead of against it while Emberich was in power—she actually made a difference! What has she done in the course of her job that you don’t approve of? Why don’t you tell me that?”

  River opened his mouth and then closed it again.

  Jamine’s mouth tightened.

  “Maybe you should try to open up your minds this much,” she continued when they didn’t speak up, holding her fingers up a half an inch apart. “Admit that you might have made a mistake. Because I want Adara in my life. I don’t appreciate the years you stole from us, and in a couple more years you won’t be able to do anything to stop me from seeing her anyway!”

  Silence reigned as Siro stood there, her hands clenched at her sides, her face flushed as she stared down her parents.

  God, I hoped this didn’t get her in even hotter water.

  Sven looked like he was just enjoying the show, a slight smile on his face.

  I opened my mouth. To say what, I didn’t know. I just wanted to smooth things over for Siro somehow.

  River beat me to the punch.

  “Adara… thank you for helping Siro reach safety,” he said stiffly.

  Shock kept me silent. What?

  Had Siro’s words actually made some kind of impact?

  Jamine looked up at him. He nudged her.

  She shook her head, looking maybe a foot to the side of me. “Yes, thank you,” she muttered.

  Very convincing.

  “I love her,” I said quietly. “You can’t deny that. Of course I would protect her, with my life if needed.”

  Their faces softened, just the slightest bit.

  But I caught it.

  “We are going to head home. This has been more than enough excitement for us,” River said softly, suddenly looking ten years older. The fight just drained out of him.

  Out of both of them.

  In that moment, I realized they’d aged. I’d been so worried about their reactions I hadn’t even noticed. Time had passed for all of us. Did they really want to waste more of it like this?

  I might have tried harder to crack them, but we were all drained, all tired. It would keep.

  I murmured my goodbyes to them, hugging Siro hard when she threw herself at me.

  “They’ll come around,” she whispered in my ear. “I’ll make them,” she vowed fiercely.

&nbs
p; I chuckled. “I believe you,” I whispered back before letting go.

  I waved at her as stepped back towards her parents. If anyone could move that mountain, it was her. I wouldn’t hold my breath.

  But...still.

  Sven and I watched as the small family changed and headed up into the sky.

  “Well, that could have gone worse,” Sven observed.

  I elbowed him in the ribs lightly and he made a show of wincing, though I knew it didn’t hurt.

  The thing was, he was right. It could have gone worse.

  I smiled to myself.

  Maybe there was some hope there after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  If I had thought I could go from that anxiety ridden meeting to a quiet place to get some semblance of peace, I would have been sorely disappointed.

  Sven and I—and Igna, Reelin, and Amna, who had apparently decided to stick to us like glue now that we were back—were alone together for the time it took to walk down a hallway. That was about how long it took for Blaise to spot us and drag us into a meeting of Sven’s advisers. Since the meeting was regarding what we were going to about Eli and his flock and about everything that had happened, I couldn’t justify bowing out, even though I really wanted to.

  “We need to make an example of the flock,” Joash said grimly.

  “We cannot give such a general censure,” Arie argued. “It would make our regime no better than Emberich’s.”

  “We should focus on those that we know are involved,” Mishal agreed.

  “Do you really believe that more people in his flock didn’t know about this?” Joash scoffed. “With how many people he involved in this heinous scheme, I’d be surprised if all their children don’t know as well!”

  “We are not punishing children,” Blaise interjected.

  “Of course not! I was attempting to make a point!”

  These meetings always involved a lot of bickering and arguing back and forth between Sven’s advisers. Yes, it was annoying sometimes.