The Traitor by A. Lombardo (novels for beginners txt) 📗

off the ground and burst into the sky. His silver wings blended with the white and gray mist. With three beats of his wings, they were above the clouds. Midnight blue and purple expanded across the starlit sky, and Yulia’s cotton clouds stretched on as far as he could see.

Behind them, he sensed the snow falling over Diu. Clear of the city, he dipped below the clouds, and Smoke barked with excitement. Rayna’s legs clamped against his back. Focused on her face, he held onto his dragon form and the life he loved.

Below them, Baden Lake unfolded, dark and vast. Rain pelted his dragon face. He felt Rayna shiver. He pumped and pumped his wings up above the clouds out of the freezing winter weather.

The fresh air filled Kai’s nostrils as he increased his speed, taking them higher. He felt the heat well in his throat, but he resisted the urge to belch fire. The heat of it washed back down his throat. He felt Rayna squeeze his warm neck. Her gratitude resonated with the stroke of her hands across his scales. They flew like this until he spotted land through the winter clouds.

They were flying over the big island. It was a relief to know they were on target. The rain clouds parted, and he flew lower over the lake. He watched his dragon reflection on the water. His amber eyes blinked at the sight of his massive wingspan. He flexed his back. Dropping near the surface, he let his talon skim the waves. Water splashed his belly. Far in the distance, his dragon eyes spotted the shoreline blooming along the horizon.

The approaching shore reminded Kai they must go unseen. Forcing his wings to beat harder, he climbed into the dark sky while he scanned the town of Albey and the woods to the north. A trail of lights trickled through the hills, leading deep into the forest.

Ascending the Katori Mountains, he caught sight of a bright light illuminating a vast cave entrance. A man stood in silhouette—his grandfather, Benmar. Kai flew toward the cave and landed with a thud. Rayna and Smoke crawled down his back, and he returned to his proper form.

Exhausted from the flight, Kai sat on the ground, collecting his bearings. Benmar touched Kai’s shoulder. “You mind telling me what is going on? The Katori Elders are in an uproar. Milnos and Diu soldiers attacked Davi’s community, and as I understand, you were there. Lucca is furious you left, by the way.”

“Let him rest,” Rayna insisted, using her hands to collected energy and push it to Kai, recharging him.

“Thank you, Rayna.” Kai’s raspy voice wavered. “Grandfather, did Davi’s people come home to Katori?” He searched his grandfather’s eyes, then he looked to Rayna to assess her mood.

“They are slowly moving through the mountain,” Benmar acknowledged. “You should be here to witness Alenga’s blessings. The gift of sight returned to all so far, and some have powers as you would expect from a Katori born going through Conahspriga. Nobody knew Alenga would grant gifts to an adult after the time of Conahspriga passed. As I understand, many are settling into the new city between Matoku and Hiowind. A few left, to where I do not know.”

Kai listened to the news about his friends. It was good to hear they would be safe on the Katori side of the mountains. “I appreciate you welcoming us here, and I hope you will take care of Rayna and Smoke, but I must return to Diu.”

“Wait, return to Diu?” Rayna grabbed Kai’s hand. “Don’t you dare leave without me. Why did you bring me back? Is this about Nola?” She studied his face.

The confusion in her eyes broke Kai’s heart. He knew he planned to leave her behind, breaking a promise to face whatever came their way together. But crossing destiny was his risk to take alone, and there was no time to explain what happened that night with Nola. Not now.

Moonlight and tiny stars gleamed, bathing Kai with their power. His strength grew. Benmar stood and helped him to his feet. “Whatever your plan is, Kai, know that I will always be there. You are not alone in this. Let me help you.”

Believing those words might have swayed Kai to alter his course, but deep down, he could not accept anyone else cared for Iver the way he did. Nobody understood that changing his father’s fate was up to him. “I will not put anyone else at risk.”

A dark shadow drifted overhead, blocking out the stars. Kai sensed the approaching black dragon—Simone. Lucca slid from her back after she touched down, and Simone transformed at his side. Saying nothing, Simone escorted Rayna and Benmar toward the cave entrance, leaving Kai alone with his other grandfather.

Lucca stared through the lingering silence. Kai could almost see his grandfather moderating his breathing to slow his racing heart before he spoke. Kai broke the silence. “Grandfather?”

“I would ask where you have been, but I already know. Diu is no place for you, grandson.”

Kai looked to the others standing in the distance; their backlit silhouettes offered no emotional support. “Lucca, I do not have time for idle conversation, nor do I wish you to chastise me. What do you want?”

“I want to know what you’re planning. I wanted to believe you embraced the Katori way of life. I hoped you would give up the world on the other side, yet now I find you left without telling me. You nearly started a war with Milnos and Diu against Katori in order to save Davi, and then you returned to Diu for the Winter Festival, and now I see that you have been flying over Baden Lake against the Elder’s orders. I am aware King Iver is unwell and that he may soon die. Are you home for good, or do you mean to revisit