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“This is where we left them.” Presco dropped into a dive, the ground came up quickly, making her stomach leap until pearl wings shot out with a pop against the wind, slowing theirdescent. His paws touched down with the gentle landing only an experienced dragon had. In her old life, he’d flown her all around House of Night to meet with lords and ladies who helped her run the territory. In the great war of the realms, he was her battle dragon, the one who rode with her into the bloodiest of conflicts. He may have a brilliant mind better suited for books and libraries, but he was a ferocious warrior especially when it came to protecting his goddess and queen.

“Hel’s not even here, so I guess I was worried for nothing. Synick isn’t here either.” Showing off, it would seem, Thane dropped down to Presco’s elbow. With one of his charming smiles, he held his hand up. “Who’s first?”

Presco bowed lower to let them off. “Actually, Valeen, may we speak privately?”

A nervous pulse slid up her gut. The briefly carefree fun mood she had gotten from reuniting with her sister vanished. “Of course.”

Katana touched her shoulder. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I just need to discuss something with Valeen. There is no danger that I can see.” Presco laid on his belly, making it easier for them to get down.

Katana took Thane’s waiting hand. “What a gentleman. Thank you.” He helped her get to the grass below then she smiled up at Presco and blew him a kiss. “And thank you for the ride. I think I need to travel by dragon more often. How exhilarating.”

Beating wings caught her ear. Above, Varlett’s sleek black dragon form descended with Piper and Leif on her back. Her scales glistened, reflecting the colorful night sky. If she didn’t hate the wench so much, she’d be able to admire her beautiful dragon’s form.

Presco gave her no time to ask the others where Hel had gone. His long strides shifted her side to side. A cool breezebrought with it the smell of cherry blossoms. Crickets chirped and an owl hooted in a nearby tree.

“Did you take in the landscape while we flew?”

Brows furrowed, she thought back. For the most part she was having fun and not paying attention to the scenery. From what she did see, it was mostly barren with a few scattered farms. That was what it had always been on the outskirts of the cities. She glanced up at the stars, looking for the constellations to guide her location. Sargento was almost directly above. No cities were allowed to be built within several miles of her castle. Privacy was important to her.

“Be direct, Presco.”

“There were no animals at the farms, the homes were very old, ancient…”

“So they are abandoned. What does that matter?”

“Things feel—different. I want you to be prepared for the worst.”

Valeen sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “If the ruler here has abused his or her power, I will fix it. We’ll make things right.”

“I’m not trying to upset you. I know you’re happy with your sister’s return, and I don’t want to ruin that for you.”

“I’m not upset,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. He saw right through it though.

“A lot of time has passed. Remember that. People may not even know who you are anymore.”

“Take me back to the others, please.” Her tone was clipped. He was being a great right-hand advisor, like he always did, but she didn’t want to hear it.

Without another word, he ambled over to the group and dropped onto his belly, lightly shaking the ground. Valeen took her shadowy form and quickly settled on the soft grass.

Piper, Leif, and Varlett stared at Katana as she stood awkwardly beside Thane, fidgeting with her hands. He’d probably already introduced her, but Leif and Piper hadn’t seen another goddess before. Leif was the first to strut forward, holding out his hand with a goofy grin. Valeen rolled her eyes knowing how this was about to go. Forever a shameless flirt and dreadfully inappropriate.

“I’m Leif, at your service, my lady.” He took her hand and kissed the top of it, then stooped into a dramatic bow. His tangled red hair fell forward.

“How do you do?”

He stood straight, adjusted his hair, and wiped the dirt off his cheek with his sleeve. “Having met you, much better.”

Katana giggled and turned to Piper as she approached. Piper went to a knee before her and bowed her head. “Goddess of day, my name is Piper.”

“Oh, please do not bother with formalities. I am sure we will be close friends soon.”

In certain settings, Katana enjoyed the praise. She knew that others revered her and wouldn’t take that from them but with a close-knit group she’d always kept it casual, as if she wasn’t a primordial goddess, at least, that was how Valeen knew her to be many, many years before.

With her golden hair tied back into a tight braid and her unsettling reptilian eyes roaming over Katana as if assessing a threat, Varlett tapped her black talons. Her five-inch black horns rose in two curved spikes out of the crown of her head. “It’s been a long time since I met a true beauty. You’re almost difficult to look at.”

Katana beamed at her, not caring about the backhanded compliment. “And you are?”