Page 39 of Wings of Ice and Steel

She moved to the edge of the plateau—fists balled—and closed her eyes, revelling in her sense of the drop before her, the wind that ruffled her hair. It helped.

Soft footsteps approached. A hand softly touched her arm, and some of Ariadnne’s tension ebbed as though she had stepped into the eye of a storm.

Without thinking, Ariadnne turned, reaching for Nieve and drawing her close. She buried her head in the knight’s neck, breathing in her snowy scent. It was the only thing that felt right, Nieve the only being who saw her as more than a weapon or tool, something Ariadnne sorely needed.

‘I hate all this killing, this death. I can’t stand it, can’t stand losing people,’ she ground into Nieve’s hair.

‘It’s okay,’ Nieve murmured. She tilted Ariadnne’s chin with a finger, but Ariadnne jerked back, acutely aware of her team’s curiosity. Needing distance between them.

‘I’m sorry about Han,’ Nieve said softly, barely missing a beat.

Ariadnne sighed and closed her eyes. ‘I’ve trained and fought with him for five years. He was the youngest to make it to my team; a talented warrior.’

‘I’m sorry. I’ve lost some good people in my time too, and some from my old company tonight. I can’t say it ever gets easier.’ Pain etched her porcelain features.

Ariadnne fell silent, realising that she’d been a fool for even considering that Nieve could wish Melixanthe harm. She was too good a person.

‘I was scared for you, too,’ she murmured. ‘You don’t know how hard it was not to shift and rip that brute in half.’

Nieve huffed a laugh. ‘You never need to worry. I can fend for myself.’

Ariadnne growled in response and Nieve lifted her hands in surrender. ‘But I’ll admit, I secretly enjoy you wanting to defend me like this.’ She cocked her head. ‘You know, I get such a strong sense of your dragon when you’re roused. It’s right there beneath the surface, isn’t it?’

‘Always.’ Ariadnne shifted. ‘It can be tricky sometimes though… it…she… makes me volatile. I can be hard to be around when she’s riled...’ She trailed off. Her whole life she’d apologised for her dragon. It was tiring.

‘It only makes you more interesting.’

Oh—Ariadnne hadn’t expected that.

Nieve fidgeted, as if words were pressing on her tongue.

‘Ariadnne. There’s something I need to share with you. About th—’

A voice interrupted before she could finish.

‘I’ve been looking for you.’ Lucius appeared beside them and Ariadnne tensed.

‘Lucius,’ she replied, wary.

Nieve placed a hand on her arm. ‘Hi,’ she added, her gaze softening. ‘I’m so sorry for your loss, Lucius.’

‘Thank you.’ He paused, shifting his feet. ‘It was a blow. Especially after you…’ His eyes met Nieves. ‘You know this means we need you back. We miss you. Sol misses you.’

A low growl escaped Ariadnne’s throat. ‘Don’t pressure her,’ she warned.

‘I’m not.’ Lucius bristled, turning back to Nieve.

‘My company is in shreds. I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t mean it, but we need you. I need you.’ He gave her a laden look. ‘Please.’

Ariadnne’s growl deepened. Nieve looked at her with a strange, burning intensity.

‘I can’t…’

‘Why?’ Lucius demanded. ‘You tell Melixanthe you made a mistake, and we’ll take you back with open arms.’

Nieve’s face crumpled. ‘Lucius… Gods, Lucius, I’m sorry. I don’t want either of you to hurt, but Melixanthe asked me to be with Ariadnne, and I mean to stay.’

With a low snarl, Lucius made to step forwards and Ariadnne’s chest rumbled as she stepped into his path, blocking Nieve from his view.