Castle of Wind (A Throne of Glass Fan fiction)

Flying

For the few weeks Rowan had been in Wendlyn he had not thought yet of a plan good enough save Aelin.

He didn't know if she was even in Wendlyn.

He had flew to Mistward, planning to stay hidden in the woods. And then reach Doranelle, quietly, because if he was seen by any of the Cadre members he would be a dead male.

But that was his first plan. Until Emrys had found him resting in a tree, and ordered him to get some real food. And real sleep.

Emrys didn't ask questions, not yet. Rowan was glad Luca wasn't there when he arrived.

He was in no mood to talk. He had not talked in weeks, or months.

Rowan had let the Hawk take control of him while he thought what was he going to do. And he was starving.

Emrys had given him some food. He couldn't bring himself to eat when he should be saving Aelin. But the look the old Demi-Fae had given him when he refused the food had Rowan swallow the food in one go.

Rowan was inside the room where he had stayed when he trained Aelin.

Where they had stayed together after her burn out.

Gods. The room still smelled like her. Even thought they hadn't been there for months he could still smell her scent.

And how much he missed that scent.

He sat on the bed, remembering those days he had spent with her. Seeing his mate sleep in from of him and still not understanding what he was feeling.

He wanted to go right to Doranelle but his eyes started to close slowly. And he decided he could rest a little.

~^~^~

Manon and her Thirteen had been flying for days. No time for rest.

Elide flew with her and Abraxos while Dorian flew with Asterin, once he had decided to go at the last minute.

He had brought the wyrdkeys with him to do what should be done.

So much had changed in her. If someone came to her months ago telling her she would be flying to find the Crochans, not to kill them, but to unite with them against Morath, she would probably spit on their faces after beheading them.

She was still an ironteeth witch, but she was also a Crochan Queen, and she would find her people, those she had grown hating and despising, to ask for help to fight against the horrors from Morath.

The ironteeth witches were amongst those horrors. Her former clan. And all others. Fortunately Kaltain had killed some of them and those creatures they were creating.

Manon wondered who was now the Blackbeak's heir. Probably some witch from the best coven after Manon's. She knew very well whoever it was wouldn't be better than any of her Thirteen. The best Blackbeaks and probably the best ironteeth witches were know flying with her. But even if they were the most brutal and cruel, they were only thirteen.

Thirteen against hundreds. There was no possible way of winning that war. Not like that.

And the new Wing leader. Probably Iskra. She would be now enjoying her new position. Grateful Manon was not there anymore.

They were flying above some mountains. Manon could see the clouds below her. And she was already expecting it when, suddenly Abraxos closed his wings and let himself fall. He opened his wings again. Making Manon jump on the saddle.

Elide grabbed her tightly. "Manon, can we please stop for a while." Her voice has rough from the cold air.

She gave the order to fly lower. And Abraxos fell again.

Stupid beast. He was having fun hearing Elide scream every time he dropped in the air.

They were now flying over some trees. And there was a big clearing in the middle of the woods.

She was ready to land when she heard a sound. Steps.

Then Manon saw something moving on the ground. People. She felt hunger hitting her like a stone to her stomach.

But  they were not usual people, Manon realized as she smelled them.

She looked at Dorian. Those people were his mother and brother.

Manon ordered her Thirteen to land. And, as one, all the wyverns landed around them.

~^~^~

His mother and brother were alive. And Dorian didn't know what to think of that.

When the Thirteen landed he saw the fear in his mother's eyes as she tried to shield Hollin. Always protecting and spoiling him. He only started crying as he always did when something did not go as he wanted.

Not a fearful cry but a protect-me-because-you're-my-mom cry.

His brother was just like his dad. More than the last time he'd seen him. And that fact made Dorian close his fists and steady his breath.

Hollin's eyes were dark. Darker then he'd remember. And it made Dorian remember those guards, possessed by Valgs.

Maybe, because of being his father's son he had some Valg part in him. But did he had magic too?

Manon had dismounted Abraxos and was now walking towards them. Dorian did the same, with some help from Asterin to dismount.

He was not yet used to the wyverns, and flying on them for too long made his legs numb.

He took some time to stretch his legs and walked towards his mother and brother.