Union (34 page)

He felt Nykin’s hand on the small of his back. “Lerran’s magic is strong, Ryneq,” Nykin whispered the words, his voice urgent. “The other elves won’t arrive until the day after tomorrow, and who knows when Seran will choose to attack. We may need him.”

Ryneq glanced over at Lerran. He stood next to Selene, willing and eager to protect a land that wasn’t his own, and Ryneq knew he’d be a fool to refuse him. “If Kalesh is willing, then Lerran may ride with you.” He didn’t miss the look of delight on Lerran’s face or the relief on Selene’s.

“So….” Ryneq eyed Fimor’s saddle.

“Here, you’ll need this.” Nykin tugged on his hand and pulled him over to Fimor’s side. In his hand was a thick leather strap, and he held it out for Ryneq to take. “Strap yourself to me, when we’re in place.”

Ryneq nodded and grasped the strap as he climbed up onto Fimor’s back behind Nykin. Fimor was broad and had plenty of room for both of them, but Ryneq shuffled as close as he could to the back of the saddle. He wrapped the leather strap around his back and then leaned forward to fasten it across Nykin’s stomach, binding them tightly against each other.

“Hold on.” Nykin gripped the harness in one hand and placed his other hand over Ryneq’s hands where they gripped Nykin’s waist.

Fimor unfurled his wings, took a few steps forward and leapt into the air. Ryneq watched in awe as his wings began to move, whipping up the sand beneath them. He felt Fimor’s raw power under his thighs as they began to climb, and he wrapped his arms more securely around Nykin.

The ground began to fall away as they rose higher into the sky. Ryneq had never experienced anything like this, and he couldn’t help the huge grin that stretched over his face. They were flying. All of Alel spread out underneath them, the buildings getting smaller and smaller. The air was noticeably cooler, and Ryneq was suddenly glad of the thick furs Nykin insisted he wear.

“Are you okay?” Nykin shouted to be heard over the rush of air.

“Yes! It’s amazing.”

Nykin’s delighted laughter filled his ears, and Ryneq pressed his lips to the back of Nykin’s neck, breathing in the familiar scent of leather and soap. He nuzzled the warm skin there, and the soft fur Nykin wore over his jacket tickled Ryneq’s nose. “I love you.” He felt Nykin tense before relaxing back against him. They’d never said the words aloud, but up here, alone together, and sharing something so wonderful, it had felt like the perfect moment.

Nykin turned his head a little and Ryneq leaned forward. “I love you, too.”

They only managed a quick brush of lips before settling back in their seats. But that was enough. They’d be in Torsere by nightfall, and Ryneq knew they’d have to face Seran and his witch in a fight to save their kingdom. But in this moment, it was just him and his dragon rider, and nothing else mattered.

Ahlyria—Elf queen of Alel, married to King Nihathyl.

Alel—The elf city in the Forest of Hervath, protected on all sides by a magical barrier.

Athisi—Lowland province, borders Rodeth and Torsere.

Avelor—Elven guard, with strong magical capability.

Cahlith—Elven elder.

Cassia—Serving girl in Risvery Castle, Rodeth.

Cerylea—Princess of Torsere and sister to King Ryneq, engaged to Prince Morkryn of the Hervathian elves.

Danek—Guard in the Torserian army.

Djilak—Palace physician at Torsere.

Dragon’s Breath
—Torserian ship that Ryneq travels on to Alel.

dragon riders—Aerial unit of the Torserian army, born with a rider’s mark and bonded with a dragon on/after the rider’s twenty-first birthday.

dragons—Live in the Torserian Mountains above the Eyrie, use magic to bond with their dragon riders.

Egrath—
Large birds with black silver-tipped feathers, used by the elves to deliver letters.

Eldin—Lead dragon rider, bonded to Vashek.

Eyrie—Built into the mountains above the Stone Palace and connected by a steep flight of stone steps, provides access to the landing caves.

Faelon—Elven guard, with strong magical capability, in a relationship with Avelor.

Forest of Hervath—The elf kingdom, separated from Torsere by the Neest River.

Ghaleth D’ahl—Giant Velvet-Oak, the huge trees in Alel where the elves live.

Glade of Arethahl—Area of the forest where royal elven unions take place.

Glaevahl—Elven elder.

Hatak—Leader of Athisi and commander of Athisian army.

Hervath—The elf kingdom, separated from Torsere by the Neest River.

Jaken—Dragon rider, bonded to Domor.

Kalis—Cared for Ryneq as a child, now Ryneq’s maid while his valet, Thane, is injured.

landing caves—Huge caves in the mountains where the dragons meet their riders for takeoff and landing.

Lerran—Elven guard, with strong magical capability.

Lowland Alliance—Combined forces of Rodeth and Athisi.

Morkryn—Prince of Hervath and heir to the elven throne, engaged to Princess Cerylea.

Neflahstra Ahguil—Night-Flowering Water Star, used in royal elven weddings.

Nihathyl—Elven king of Alel, married to Queen Ahlyria.

Nykin—Dragon rider, bonded to Fimor.

Nysad—Captain of the Torserian Guard, and King Ryneq’s second-in-command.

Peros—Guard in Torserian army and part of King Ryneq’s personal guard.

Risvery Castle—Impenetrable Rodethian castle, surrounded by the Neest River and connected to the mainland by a thin land bridge.

Rodeth—Lowland province, borders Athisi and Torsere.

Ryneq—King of Torsere and brother to Cerylea.

Sarenne—One of Princess Cerylea’s maids.

Selene—Dragon rider, bonded to Kalesh.

Seran—King of Rodeth and leader of the Rodethian army.

Stone Palace—Royal residence, home to Cerylea and Ryneq, also known as KalethTor.

Talis—Guard in Torserian army.

Torsere—Kingdom ruled by King Ryneq, and home to the dragons, borders Athisi and Rodeth, and separated from Hervath by the Neest River.

Vahkil—Captain of the Dragon’s Breath.

Wildfire
—Torserian ship that Cerylea sails on to Alel.

A
NNABELLE
J
ACOBS
lives in the South West of England with her husband, three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

You can contact Annabelle via

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction,

her website: http://www.annabellejacobs.com,

or e-mail: [email protected].

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