The sky was no longer a sanctuary. As Ignis beat his massive obsidian wings, carving a path through the freezing mist of the Forbidden Range, the horizon behind them began to flicker with the rhythmic pulse of gold and white.
"Sky-Guards," Valerius spat, his voice tight with a cold fury. He leaned forward, his chest pressing into Lyra’s back, his arms tightening around her waist. "My father isn't taking chances. Those are the Sun-Drakes—the fastest fliers in the Imperial fleet."
Lyra looked back over her shoulder. Six streaks of brilliant white-gold light were closing the gap. The Sun-Drakes were smaller than Ignis, but they moved with a frantic, buzzing energy, their riders clad in mirrorshine plate that reflected the dying light of the sun.
"They're faster than us," Lyra whispered,
