Jade expected the lieutenant to cuff her and haul her on his shoulders, in a repeat of their first flight together. Instead, the man looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face before pointing his chin at the draglet she and Dragon had ridden.

When she walked before Lars, they exchanged a fleeting look. The man’s eyes had a warmth in them she hadn’t expected to see.

She mounted the draglet before Valerian did and was grateful when he chose to sit in front of her. With a few soothing words, he guided their ride to the edge of the terrace where they took off a moment later, after he had spoken briefly with Lars.

The flight was short, less than a minute around Sol Palace and down toward the cave used like a garage. A natural chamber had been enlarged to make space for the hangar holding the clockwork aircars used by the non-shifter residents of the court. Hundreds of vehicles hovered in neat rows under the bright lights hanging from the high ceiling. Human mechanics were busy on the aircars sitting on the repair deck. When Valerian flew inside the hangar, several heads rose at once.

“Sir, what can we do for you?” one of the men asked as Valerian led the draglet close to the deck.

Valerian guided the steed toward the man. “I need an aircar with no crest.”

The man didn’t seem to think anything odd of the lieutenant’s request and nodded, before looking over his shoulder and calling someone.

A moment later, a young man emerged from behind a large vehicle.

“Sir Valerian needs one of the delivery vans,” the mechanic said, and the young man answered, “Right away.”

They didn’t have to wait long. A black, stocky vehicle circled the hangar, exiting one of the lateral bays, and stopped flush to the deck. Valerian vaulted onto the floating walkway, waited for Jade to alight, then passed the draglet’s reins to the young boy.

Inside the vehicle, Jade felt the first pang of nervousness.

Valerian followed her and stood at the door, piercing her under his black stare as he blocked her only way out. “Something to know about our High Lord is that he’s fiercely loyal to the people he holds close to his heart,” Valerian said, his voice calm, his words enunciated slowly. He closed the door, then relaxed on the driver seat and turned on the engine. “If you are thinking of killing me and stealing this aircar, know that Dragon would never forgive you.”

She didn’t take his bait, but was surprised that she hadn’t thought of getting rid of him.

“On the other hand, if you do anything to him, anything at all, I’ll personally make sure you pay for it. I’ll hunt you down to the end of the galaxy if necessary.” Valerian waited for the whirr of the clockwork wings of the van to unfold on both sides, then maneuvered the aircar higher in the hangar toward the exit.

Instead of feeling threatened by Valerian’s words, Jade felt a strange sense of warmth at the idea that Dragon had such a friend.

All her life, it had been just herself against the universe. The camaraderie between these men touched her deeply, because she yearned for a similar relationship with another human being. It was no wonder she had adhered to the strict code of the Academy with the zeal of a bigot. The institution saved her life, gifted her with a stronger body, and granted her ever-lasting youth. Nobody else had ever done anything for her during her miserable existence. Until now.

Valerian drove outside the cave and directed the aircar low toward a platform jutting from the side of the Rocky Dome. He landed, executing a perfect maneuver that solicited a mental compliment from Jade. The man was arrogant, but he had a tender hand when it came to his draglet and knew how to fly a clockwork vehicle as cumbersome as this van as if it were a racing aircar.

The platform was a large terrace facing an enormous aviary enclosure. Made of glass and steel, the structure meshed with the rock wall seamlessly. Inside, dozens of draglets lay on swinging nests or played aerial games of tug-of-war. A swirl of colorful feathers moved from one side of the aviary to the other, followed by joyous screeches and playful roars. A few she-draglets were teaching their soft-plumed offspring how to open their wet wings.

“Follow me,” Valerian said over his shoulder, exiting the van.

“I’d never hurt him.” Somehow, it was important that Dragon’s friend knew.

Valerian halted mid-step and turned. With his cold stare and stony expression, the Academy would have immediately hired him as an interrogator. He studied her a long while, not moving a muscle or giving away any emotion. Finally, he slightly tilted his head in a nod. “I believe you.”

His approval made her feel good. It shouldn’t have mattered what this man thought of her, but it did and confused Jade.

The corner of his upper lip curved up and his black eyes lit. “I would’ve thrown you out of the car otherwise.”

Jade couldn’t help but smile back.

They walked to the glass entrance, but before he stepped into the aviary, Valerian paused and said over his shoulder, “We all make sacrifices for the ones we love.” He seemed to think about his next words, then added, “Sometimes, it’s best to negate our sentiments and disappear for the greater good.” He crossed the threshold and headed inside.

Jade was still considering his statement when she thought she heard him saying something that sounded like, “I wish I could—” but it was a mere whisper and he was several steps ahead of her already.

The veterinarian bay occupied the back of the aviary, tunneling its way through the rock interior of the natural dome. Ventilation shafts and mirrors kept the place airy and well-lit. Draglets rested inside their nests hanging from metal beams while nurses and medicus flew around on small clockwork scooters.

Jade’s eyes zeroed in on Dragon’s monumental form right away. His back to her, he was inside one of the fenced pens, talking to a medicus. Carellian lay on a short pallet, pushing his head against Dragon’s hand, demanding to be petted.

She hadn’t moved yet, but Dragon turned and their eyes met. The same electric charge she had experienced when he brushed her fingers earlier shot through her body as if they had touched. His eyes widened, and she knew he felt it, too.

Unable to avert her gaze, she walked toward him, pulled by a force she couldn’t fight. She knew her only hope of salvation was to go far away from him. Otherwise, she would end up accepting anything to be with Dragon. Even living the rest of her life feeding her heart on the scraps left over from his brides. Still, she was powerless to stop.

“How is Carellian?” she asked outside of the draglet’s pen, not daring to step any closer.

Carellian’s head shot up at hearing her voice and craned his neck toward her.

“He’s fine and will be flying in no time,” Dragon answered, a big smile illuminating his beautiful face.

The draglet whined because Jade was still out of reach, prompting her to walk the few steps needed to close the gap. Carellian pushed his head against her side, and she obliged him, patting his iridescent-blue feathers which made him purr out loud.

“He’s his usual self, I see,” Valerian said, laughing. “The High Lord’s spoiled brat, looking for attention.”

Dragon’s grin widened. “I’ve been told that Contessa has been raising hell to be brought over to Carellian.”

“That’s true, Sir Valerian,” the medicus said, pointing at the other end of the aviary.

Jade followed the medicus’ gaze and saw Valerian’s draglet circling inside a section enclosed by an intricate lattice made of wrought iron. Contessa hissed at the two draglets who foolishly approached her from outside.

Valerian harrumphed, but a smile still graced his otherwise stern face, making him look different, almost approachable. “Women—” He shrugged.

“It would be better if you could take her out to work off some of her energy with a good, long flight.” The medicus squinted at Valerian with an expectant expression.

“I need to resume patrol anyway,” Valerian said, exchanging a look with Dragon, who nodded.

Valerian lowered his chin, tilting his head slightly to the side before leaving. As he turned, he spared a glance for Jade, and she almost heard him say, “Remember my words,” such was the intensity of his look.

Dragon thanked the medicus, whispered a few words to Carellian, then nodded at Jade. “Let’s go,” he said to her.

Carellian demanded another rub before consenting to let her go. Dragon led the way and she silently walked at his side. Any time his arm brushed hers, goosebumps rose all over her body. They reached the aircar outside, and Dragon let out a chuckle.

“It doesn’t get any more non-descript than a delivery van, does it?” he asked, shaking his head.

“It would’ve fooled me for sure,” Jade said. “I would’ve never looked for you in one.”

“Let’s go.” He held the door for her and helped her inside.

The moment the aircar opened its lateral wings and departed, leaving Sol Palace behind, a tight vice enveloped her heart, squeezing the breath out of her lungs.