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Thane shook his head. “No, not me. I know my lineage well.”

The dragon queen carefully inspected Layala now. “Her?”

Thane pursed his lips. Maker above, what Layala wouldn’t give to be able to feel his emotions right then. Was he disgusted at the very idea as much as she? If it were true, would he want anything to do with her? It would certainly explain a lot of things like the pale ones being drawn to her and them needing her to bring him back, if she was. Now she wanted to know why more than ever.

“There is only one way to know for sure.” The queen gestured toward Prince Yoren. “No ordinary elf, not even a mage, could ever take it from my Yoren. He has killed hundreds who’ve tried. Those who thought they could be the chosen of the gods, noble warriors from all over. Dragons, elves, even some men. We give any who think they have a chance the opportunity, but you’re the first since Zaurahel that has the scent of the god’s magic in your blood.”

“And what if Layala and I are cursed like the Black Mage and another Void is created, or we’re killed?”

“Well, assuming you can take it, that’s a risk for all of us.”

Chapter35

Layala and Thane stepped out into the hallway. His usual calm, even arrogant expression changed to one of worry. It made the nervous ache in her gut intensify.

You need to trust Thane. He’ll figure something out. He always does.Layala wanted to believe that, but at the moment he looked as lost as she felt. He closed the door to the queen’s office leaving them alone in a quiet, dimly-lit corridor.

“You know I love you, right?” he said and took hold of both her hands.

“Yes,” she said skeptically.

“I’m going to fight Prince Yoren. Alone.”

The shock of his statement had her blinking instead of speaking. Fight the dragon prince by himself? “What? No, that’s an insane idea. We need to ask them for another way to prove ourselves.”

“This is the only way. I’ll get it.”

“How could you possibly defeat him?”

His deep chuckle sent vibrations through her chest. “I’m glad to know you think so highly of me. I did kill a dragon shifter once already. It was easy.”

She sighed. That’s not how she meant it. “In his human form, I have no doubt you could beat him. But in his beast form, he’ll be impossible. Dragon scales cannot be penetrated by weapons.”

“Can’t be penetrated by metal weapons.Ourmetal weapons.”

“You think you can get to him with your magic? Or they have weapons that can?”

“I’m willing to bet my life on it. The guards here carry swords and spears. They wouldn’t if they were useless.”

“Alright, let’s say they have a sword that can cut through dragon scales. If they’d even allow you to use it, he’s still bigger than a house. I mean, their backs reached higher than the tops of the trees. His claws will be nearly as long as you are tall. A sword would merely be a scratch.”

“Layala,” he said gently. “I must do this, or we’ll never get the scepter. I’m not going to spend the rest of our lives running from my father and Mathekis. It’s not in me to run. I hate it.” He paused. “And we need to know who you really are and why you can free him.”

“I’ll fight with you then. If it takes both of us to reunite the two pieces, then it’s only fair.”

He tore his gaze away and pursed his lips. “I don’t want you to fight with me. It’s too dangerous.”

“Then if it can only be one of us, I’ll fight him on my own.”

His head snapped right back. “No.”

“See how that feels.”

“This is different.”

“Why?”

“Because I could never live in a world without you, but you could go on without me.”