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Bastian points to the image in the ancient text again. “The illustration definitely shows mountainous terrain, although it’s likely to be underground. At least partially. So look for mountains…maybe with extensive roots.”

I mentally catalogue what we know. “If we don’t find anything in the West, we’ll head for the Eastlands.” An unexpected but welcome laugh bubbles up through me. “Maybe I can find out what happened to my wedding flowers.”

I look up to find Sterling crouched, motionless before his pack. A strange stillness has come over him. I follow his gaze to Bastian, whose face has gone carefully blank.

They both scrutinize me with serious expressions.

“What?” I demand, alarm rising.

“You can’t both leave the kingdom at the same time again.” Bastian’s voice is low and measured. “Not when so many blame us for their magic weakening. Not when the other kingdoms are discussing war.”

The words slam me in the gut.

Of course. It’s so obvious, I can’t believe I didn’t see it immediately. Tirene can’t be without both her rulers for long, especially not now. Not with such cunning, dangerous strangeness at play. Not when enemies might be spying on us.

One of us must stay behind.

My zest deflates all at once. “Dammit. You’re right.”

Who will stay behind to govern the kingdom while the others search for a way to confront the gods?

Chapter Seventeen

Bastian leaves our room, sealing us off from the chaos of the palace and its endless demands. I fidget with the edge of my sleeve, my thoughts forming and dissolving in quick succession. Sterling’s shoulders drop a fraction as he runs a hand through his dark hair.

We need to discuss who’s going to find this portal, but neither of us wants to start the conversation that will separate us. While I want to go, I can’t turn my back on all my duties. Duties that Sterling doesn’t technically face yet.

The silence between us stretches, not uncomfortable but growing thicker with each unbroken moment.

When I journeyed to the Lost City and Hidden Valley, he stayed behind. He dealt with councilors, war preparations, and securing the borders. But I went because Nyc reached out to me, told me where to go, what to do. That was my responsibility. Not his.

This time…

Sterling crosses to the window, his gait unhurried yet purposeful. The light glinting off his profile sharpens his already strong features. My heart stutters in my chest, as it always does when I allow myself to simply gaze at him.

Our eyes meet. “You should go.” We both laugh as we talk over each other.

“Well,” I move toward him, “that didn’t work out as planned.”

“No.” Sterling’s mouth quirks into his private half-smile that weakens my knees now more than ever. “But it does highlight our problem.”

I squeeze his fingers, feeling the callouses that mark him as a soldier rather than just a prince. “I should stay. I’m the actual coronated queen. The kingdom needs a ruler here, and that’s me. When you were officially in charge, you stayed back and let me go.”

His brow furrows. “The kingdom needs its strongest fire wielder and only dragoncaller to find this portal. That’s you.”

“I’ve read all about the Five-Fold Wars. Surely that will come in handy should we encounter any troubles here at home.” The words sound right, but something inside me twists in discomfort.

Since my first day at Flighthaven, I’ve always been the one rushing headlong into danger, leading the charge into adventure. The thought of remaining behind, of pacing these marble halls and waiting for reports while Sterling faces unknown dangers, chafes like an ill-fitting gown.

Cursed responsibilities. Mother always said they were a shackle willingly applied on behalf of those we love.

Sterling doesn’t miss my internal conflict. The gold flecks in his brown eyes flicker like hearth-fire as he searches my face. “You don’t want to stay.”

It’s not a question. He knows.

I sigh and turn away, drifting toward the small table where a pitcher of water sits. “What I want doesn’t matter. What matters is what’s best for Tirene.”

“And what’s best for Tirene is for its strongest leader to follow this vision from the gods.” Sterling trails behind me, his reflection appearing in the mirror beside mine. “The dragons like you, Lark. They respond to you in ways they never have to anyone else. Hells, with your dragonbond, you can read each other’s emotions. That will make the journey much easier.”