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"How did you come across one of those? I thought they'd all been destroyed during the war."

"War?" I ask. "I thought it was more like a slaughter?"

Lilith shrugs sipping her blood. "The unicorns killed off many dragons in other worlds before coming here. They had their horns set on the Council, but before that could happen, the Council got wise and had them killed off first. So, who's the villain in that story? It's impossible to say. War begets war begets war. It's the same with all races and species on all worlds."

That's news to me, and something Callia didn't share. I wonder why.

"Elijah says there's nothing in the world he can find that will kill a dragon like her," I say.

A mischievous sparkle lights up Lilith's eyes. "Then we'll need to look outside of this world."

"Earth," I ask, doubtfully.

She shakes her head. "Only the Dragon's own world will have the answers, I fear. But fortunately, I still have a secret way in, thanks to our long ago tryst. I'll go, do some digging, see what I can find, and come back. In the meantime, go prepare yourself for the battle ahead. This is going to be one hell of a ride, and we can't have you damaging that gorgeous face of yours."

I'm still chuckling at her childlike enthusiasm for war as I blink and send myself back to the castle.

No one is downstairs, so I venture out back to check on Ana. She's curled in a corner playing with her doll.

"Hey there, honey. How are you?" I ask.

She shrugs, not speaking.

Gods I feel like such an ass.

"Are you hungry? I can get you some food."

She shakes her head.

"Do you want me to read you a story?" I ask, though I don't have time for that, but I'll make it work for this poor kid.

She shakes her head again.

I sigh. "Okay, I'll come check on you soon."

I glance at the bushes on my way back in and see that Racul's body has been removed. The memory of him throwing himself in front of me to take the blow sends shivers up my spine, and I still don't know how to factor that Dath'Racul against the giant ass from court. People—and dragons—aren't always what you think.

I head upstairs, hoping there's not more bad news awaiting me. I fear the worst as I approach Matilda's room, but when I push open the door, my heart warms to see all four brothers sitting around her bed as they talk. She has tears running down her weathered cheeks, and Liam holds her hand. The babies are in a crib in the corner napping.

I don't want to interrupt, so I pull the door closed behind me and head to my room to take a bath and have a minute alone before reality sets in too hard and we must make our next plan.

Moon is excited to see me, and curls around my ankles purring as I prepare my bath. I pick him up and hold him against my chest, enjoying the velvety softness of his fur.

He takes his customary spot at the edge of my tub as I heat the water with my magic and step in.

I try to pause my mind for just a few minutes. To forget about the end of the world and the dead dragons, and the monster killer who's just a child. I push it all away and meditate on just the present moment. The bubbles tickling my skin. The heat of the water soaking away my weariness. The scent of lavender oil. The sound of Moon purring.

"You look like a goddess," a familiar voice says, startling me out of my meditative state.

I sit up with a jerk, splashing water over the sides of the tub as Cole Night saunters over and takes a seat next to me, my bathrobe in his hands.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, my heart palpitating at his presence. And even though I really don't want to want him. I totally want him. Damn this man and the effects he has on me.

"I heard you have a problem with a queen. I'm here to help."

I sigh. "It truly is impossible to keep secrets around here."

I stand and grab my robe from his hands, slipping into it as I climb out of the tub.