Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“No.” The single word came out sounding so haunted, as if it were the culmination of all Haru’s nightmares.
“Good. Behave yourself and let me work.” Tyche released Haru’s face and dropped his hand back to his side, but he didn’t return to his seat. He drew in a slow, deep breath and released it, allowing his shoulders to slump as if he were pushing the tension from his body. After a couple of heartbeats, he reached up with his left hand and plucked something invisible out of the air. With the invisible item still pinched between his fingers, he pressed his left hand to Haru’s chest.
The dragon didn’t seem to suffer any discomfort. He watched Tyche with wide eyes and a relaxed brow. “What was that? It felt warm.”
“An early warning system. I wrapped a tiny amount of good luck around Yesuntei’s magic. I’ll sense when you penetrate this barrier to access the power.” Tyche’s eyes narrowed again. “If you do, I’ll jerk a knot in your tail and take the magic from you. I don’t care what’s happening.”
“Yes, sir,” Haru agreed with only a hint of humor.
“Good.” Tyche sniffed. He patted Haru on the top of the head and marched back to his chair.
Shey took an extra second to school his features. It was a serious matter. Horrific things could happen to Haru if he messed with the goddess’s magic. But catastrophic things could happen to the world if that power was unleashed. It was good that Haru was taking it seriously. Or at least, he appeared to be taking Tyche’s threat seriously.
“It seems things are settled. We’re going to Caspagir to deal with the Order’s threats as well as to uncover what we can about the schemes of the people in Damardor,” Shey announced.
Adrian sucked in a breath and jumped to his feet, but Caelan beat him to the punch.
“Sergeant Westergren, I am temporarily assigning you to Crown Prince Shey Thrudesh-Vo as a representative of Erya. Your orders are to help with his efforts to eliminate the ongoing threat to our ally, Caspagir. You are to follow his orders as if they were my own, so long as they don’t run counter to the oath you made to Erya and the crown.”
Adrian snapped to attention and pressed his fist to his heart in a salute before bowing to his king. “As you command,” he agreed in a deep voice.
Shey’s throat tightened and his eyes burned, forcing him to blink rapidly. He was going home, and he was bringing with him a dragon, a god, and a hell of a fighter. They would make a difference in the fight against the Order. His family and his people would be safe.
And he’d get to keep Tyche at his side for a little while longer.
ELEVEN
OMARI HARU
Haru tipped his head back, letting the cool wind run through his long hair as he sucked in a deep breath. He closed his eyes against the bright sparkles dancing on the water. The sky was clear blue, beckoning him for a leisurely flight, but then a hand slid across his shoulders and down as an arm wrapped around his waist. A hint of something spicy and warm touched his nose, and his smile grew. Why would he want to fly when he had Adrian there to hold him?
Megumi had argued for Haru to remain with the clan for a few extra days, allowing him to eat his fill and rest before flying out to meet Adrian and the others on Prince Shey’s ship, but she couldn’t convince him. He loved his sister’s attempts to get him to put on some healthy weight. Beloved Nori didn’t even try to persuade him. Haru prided himself on being an easygoing dragon. Not much ruffled his scales, and he was happy to go with the flow.
Except with Adrian.
Haru could become the most stubborn creature in existence. The moment Adrian left the Isle of Stone, Haru would go with him. There was no room for argument or discussion. He could eat and sleep better with his Adrian at his side.
The others were quick to inform him that the return trip to Caspagir was going more smoothly than their trip to the island. There had been no storms, and the seas were calm, allowing them to make excellent time.
Haru was not a fan of traveling by boat, but it didn’t take him long to discover that traveling on a prince’s yacht came with certain benefits. During the day, Haru ate to his heart’s content, enjoying a mix of food Prince Shey had brought with him on the ship and a massive amount of prepared food that Nori had sent with them. Adrian remained at his side, allowing him to bask in his lover’s company and chat with him about silly, nonsensical things.