When It Reigns (Cursed Reigns, #1)

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

Armaeda's massive wingspan carried us from Azmar to the Wrexial Mountains by midday just as the sun reached its highest point. Emperor Nepheus was notified about my visit by Prince Shade, and I was told my father had alerted his guards to keep watch for my arrival. Armaeda and I soared toward the obsidian walls, the height of the spikes rising as we drew nearer. I was still in disbelief that Shade had snuck me out of the Ravos Kingdom knowing full well his parents would be livid. He'd given me the dragon that had been amplifying their powers while weakening the Nyrial Empire's powers. 

And now as we careened in a steep decline for entrance of the gates, Armaeda's essence started to visibly combine with the silver stream surrounding the empire and joined with the other essences of her offspring, providing the Draconians with rejuvenated, amplified powers that would tilt the scale of the war in favor of the empire since it was clear Ravos hadn't upheld their agreement to the armistice. The war was still being fought full throttle. 

It seemed like Shade really was motivated to bring a change to Traeveria. He acknowledged how cruel and vile his parents were, as well as how potentially corrupt my own empire might be – I was still in denial even though all the signs were against me – but if I was able to bring the Dracnae back to the kingdom for Elora, then she could cure me and all the rest of the Phoenixians. 

But that wouldn't change my father's mind about wanting them dead. His insatiable hunger for authority forbid anyone from being more powerful than him. He knew his reign could be overthrown effortlessly by those possessing more than one power and concluded eradicating the species by bombing them and exiling them with the Curse would get rid of the threat to his crown. 

But the Curse just gave the Phoenixians even more deadly and evil powers that drained them of their humanity and fed their desire for revenge against the ones they once protected...which was the reason I could not foresee how either nation could ever come to a mutual understanding. 

I didn't know where I stood. 

Armaeda landed with a shuddering touchdown that blew the helmets off the guards' heads who were stationed at the gate from the mighty gust of wind her wings produced as she shook out her body. I wrapped my arms around her neck until she calmed and lowered her head for me to dismount. I slid off onto sore legs and took a few steps to work the cramps in my thighs as Armaeda stomped around with nervous excitement. 

I didn't think she was aware of just how massive she was. Each monstrous move she made sent a jarring rumble into the ground that made the guards lose their footing and fall back against the wall. 

A thunderous roar reverberated from within the walls and Armaeda tilted her head back, releasing a matching bellow as a series of sparks jumped between the clouds. Lightning bolts jutted from the bright sky, striking the ground with resounding cracks of electricity. Goosebumps broke out across my arms as Hyrule and Armaeda called for each other with such profound longing that my heart ached for them. 

"You will be with him soon," I assured her, turning towards the entrance of the empire. 

The two guards straightened and fixed their helmets as I came closer. 

I lifted my chin and pushed my shoulders back in an air of confidence I did not feel. "I am here to speak with Emperor Nepheus." 

The guard on the left with beady black eyes, a curly, red beard that reached his chest, and a wide nose, gave me a toothy grin. "Welcome back, Princess Aeryn. Your father is expecting you at the castle." 

The gates were cranked apart by the other brutish guard with similar features, another set of twins I supposed, as I offered a polite smile. "Thank you."