The Claiming (Book 3)

Chapter 5

     As Cera flew on Amarundia through the night sky, she couldn't help but feel angry at herself for leaving, completely dumbfounded that Amarundia was able to let Brae get manipulated and saddened to know that even the magnificent white dragon was not infallible. Above everything else she was feeling, Cera couldn't help but feel eternally grateful that Amarundia was helping her. Without her help, she wouldn't have gotten to Crina and Rayen in time and she definitely wouldn't make it to Brae. Thinking back to when she was in Brae's home with Renna, Cera wasn't too sure that there wouldn't have been a death in his home if Amarundia hadn't arrived when she did. Cera had seen Renna's thoughts the moment she touched her and was furious that she had been slithering around Brae's home ready to attack her for days now. She had been waiting for her, knowing that Cera wouldn't stay away forever.

     "Thank you for making that decision about Renna. From the moment she laid eyes on me I seriously believe that she's been ready to kill me."

     Be wary of her Cera. She is unaware, but I was ordered to leave her be and was not told why. I cannot touch a hair on her head. She has been losing patience for a long while now. Renna has always been a very cunning person. I am amazed that she has always been able to evade me and has done so for so long, but she will not leave no matter how many times I tell her. I believe that it is because she truly believes that she belongs with Brae and she would rather die than be away from him. Now that Brae has openly chosen who he wants to be with, she will try to come between you and him at any cost. My order meant nothing to her.

     "Thanks for the warning. I'll keep my eyes open and watch my back."

     I will be, as you say, keeping my eyes open as well. We are getting closer to the outer edges of the forest that surround Malganadem castle. That is as far as I can take you without being seen by Malganadem. She is not patrolling the land, but she is always on guard at the castle at this time. We are not supposed to cross into the Malganadem castle's perimeter without permission from the King.

     "What kind of rule is that? That's ridiculous."

     I told you, the King has the power to change anything that he wants. That was one of the many things King Obram's family had changed as soon as they took the throne. Hold on tightly, there really is no time for me to glide down slowly.

     Amarundia moved into a nosedive and tucked in her wings as Cera tightened her grip on her triangular spines. Turning her head so that she wouldn't see the speed at which they were flying toward the ground, Cera saw the familiar beginnings of the purple, pink, and orange colors showing right against the horizon line before the sun started to rise. Before she knew it, Amarundia was raising her head out of the dive and stretching out her wings. Landing near the forest that divided Amarundia and Malganadem, Amarundia turned her head to look at Cera as she knelt for her to jump to the ground.

     If you run, you may just reach Brae by the time the sun rises.

     "How long until sunrise?"

     Amarundia looked at the horizon before turning back to Cera, Not long now. You will make it Cera, I know you will.

     "Which way do I go? How will I know I'm going in the right direction?"

     Do not take any turns or let anything get in your way. Keep your path straight and you will see the castle walls through the trees.

     "I don't know how to thank you for all your help. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you."

     Anything to save our true King and those he loves most.

     Cera knew she had to go but stayed where she stood, "Can you truly feel that for someone you just met? Especially if you haven't known them that long?" Cera was shocked. The questions just came out without her thinking about it.