first time kept him awake and antsy until Veronyka reassured him in a low undertone, “You’ll both be strapped in, and I’ll be flying right next to you. Xephyra is young, but she’s strong, and she knows you’re not trained Riders. She’ll fly slow and steady.”
Kade was tied in first; then Riella was helped up behind him. She pointed out when a strap put pressure on his stomach and asked him if he was all right once they were settled in. Kade didn’t know exactly when she’d become the mother hen in their relationship, but he was glad to provide her with something to focus her attention on. She was coming more and more alive with every moment, and he was grateful for that, too.
Veronyka climbed onto the back of a phoenix that had arrived without a Rider—Rex, she’d called him—and that Kade assumed belonged to Tristan. The phoenix seemed subdued, emanating a dark, brooding temperament, but when Veronyka bent low and whispered something to him, he straightened his neck and stood taller.
Next thing Kade knew, they were off. He didn’t need to steer or pay attention to where they were going—Xephyra simply followed the others, which flew in V-shaped patterns. Veronyka was right next to them, as she’d promised, and Kade’s entire body felt alive with the thrill of it, the wind whipping against his skin and the rhythmic, soothing pump of the phoenix’s wings. He looked back at Riella once or twice, her face filled with awe, and she spent most of the journey with her head swiveling this way and that, taking in the rolling landscapes and the vast, starry sky.
When at last they reached their destination, the sun was rising, gilding the mountain peaks and dancing off a golden phoenix sculpture that rose from behind a stone wall. Inside the fortifications was a series of buildings, and outside, a quaint village. All of it was tucked between spears of the mountain and quite invisible until they’d swept wide and entered from the east.
The phoenixes flew past the stronghold toward a massive structure shaped like an amphitheater, carved from the stone of the mountain and reaching deep into the ground. They landed at the very top, where a small crowd of people had gathered, helping unload the Riders who landed first.
Xephyra took them down slowly, landing on a long plinth and remaining still until Veronyka landed beside them and helped to unbuckle Kade and Riella.
Kade slid down shakily to his feet, the hours of sitting making his muscles tense and sore. His stomach was a constant, nagging pain, and he felt light-headed again as he was forced to stand. He’d only just stepped aside for Riella to climb down when a strangled cry rang out from across the stone walkway.
A young man stood there, eyes wide and body frozen in a half step, as if he meant to run at them.
No, not them—Riella.
She looked in the direction of the sound. “Elliot,” she whispered. This must be her brother, the one who had betrayed the Riders in an attempt to save her.
Riella stumbled forward, her own legs wobbly after the time in the saddle, but it didn’t matter. Elliot ran, shoving people aside, and was there before her knees could hit the ground. He scooped her up, clutching her to him, his face crumpled as tears ran down his cheeks.
While he cried, Riella clutched him tightly, face buried in his shirt. When he drew back to look at her, she smiled, and that only made Elliot cry harder, so she kissed his cheek.
Everyone stood there, watching them; an older Pyraean man wiped away his own tears, a hand on the shoulder of a girl around Riella’s own age, whose attention followed their movements, though her eyes were unfocused and distant.
Then Riella disentangled herself and took Elliot’s hand, leading him over to Kade. She whispered to Elliot as they approached, and before Kade could extend a hand or nod a hello, Elliot pulled him forward into a bone-crunching hug.
Kade gasped in pain, uncomfortable with Elliot’s overwhelming gratitude and his tight grip.
“Elly, be careful—he’s hurt,” Riella chastised, tugging his arm.
Elliot stepped back at once, face apologetic, but Kade waved him off with a forced smile that was more of a grimace. Elliot led the way down the platform, and Riella took his hand—and Kade’s, too. Kade was surprised—and a bit amused—and hoped that Elliot didn’t get the wrong idea, but he seemed so utterly relieved to have his sister back