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T he sky paled as dawn pushed night away.

Vahly and Arc had fallen asleep side by side under the Sacred Oak, and she truly wished the night could last longer.

She reached over and lifted a leaf from his hair.

One of his eyes cracked open, and his mouth twitched into a half grin that made her heart turn over.

“Trying to wake me, are you?” He put an arm around her and pulled her close.

His scent of mint and summer in the forest blended with the perfume of the earth’s magic, which was so strong here. As he ran a finger down the side of her face, her heart beat double time, drawing a grin from him.

She scowled. “You can actually hear my heart speeding up, can’t you, elf?”

“Only because I’m so focused on you.” He nipped her ear with gentle teeth, and warmth soared down her neck and chest. “I like that I affect you so. It’s not as if you don’t thrill me, my queen.”

He pressed his mouth to hers, and her body melted against him as she reveled in the feel of his power and the knowledge of who he was even without a crown.

She pulled away, then traced his sharp chin with her thumb. Only elves had such sharp features. The beauty of his kynd was nearly painful. “Please don’t die today, all right?”

His chest rumbled with a laugh. “I’ll do my best.”

“You’d better. Or I’ll invoke some wonderfully horrible punishment.” She untangled herself from his embrace and began strapping her weapons into place. Thankfully, her belt had a loop that fit the oaken sword nicely.

Arc did the same, tucking knives here and there.

Amona and Aitor spoke quietly over a new fire that crackled and sent yellow flames around what appeared to be a deer carcass. Nix slept nearby, sprawled on a stretch of bright green moss.

“And what magic did you work to find that for breakfast?” Vahly asked. The lands had indeed blossomed and sprouted and greened while she slept. She blinked at the expanse of trees that grew right before her eyes. She elbowed Arc, who was fussing with his dagger.

He looked up, then his mouth fell open. “Vahly.”

“Yeah.”

His grin was so wide it nearly touched the edges of his ethereal crown. “It’s coming back. My home.”

She smiled, light filling her as if he’d poured his magic into her with his delight.

Amona lifted a hand in greeting. “I hope you don’t mind that we hunted on your lands, King Arcturus.”

“Of course not,” he answered. “I’m amazed at the magic that has brought deer to life here, fully grown. It’s a good thing they’re here in abundance. I wondered how you would fare with the supplies we had.”

Vahly gently kicked Nix’s foot. “Rise and fly, Mistress of Cider and Snores.”

Nix’s yellow eyes flashed open, pupils dilating. Vahly stepped back, grinning as Nix sat up, looking annoyingly gorgeous considering they’d slept rough.

“You’re lucky I’m sworn to you, Queenie. Earth Queen or not, it’s a dangerous move to wake a sleeping dragon.”

“So I’ve heard, but today will be packed to the rim with dangerous moves. I figured why not toss in one more.”

Nix smirked and threw Vahly a waterskin. “Looks like those lips of yours could use some cool water.”

Vahly’s cheeks heated as she drank a few swallows, determined to ignore Nix’s jab.

They tucked into a meal of slightly scorched venison with pockets of hot grease, a few chewy, dried bites of the bacon-flavored plant they’d discovered in the western mountains, and some of Amona’s usual morning drink.

Vahly had never liked the stuff and really had no idea why her mother loved the burnt bean drink.

The hazelnuts—roasted and powdered—she added didn’t mask the bitterness.

Arc drank his portion and Vahly’s too, claiming that with the western plant and bean drink, he was more alert and could see farther than he had in days.

“Can you see my ciderhouse?” The ache in Nix’s voice pained Vahly.

Arc looked that way, then faced Nix. “If I’m not mistaken, the foundation remains, and the orchard is sprouting as we speak.”

Nix stared at the fire, which snapped like it acknowledged her attention.

Aitor cleared his throat, worried gaze on Nix. “How will we find the sea folk’s well?”

Vahly wiped her hands on a clump of fine grass. “I’m hoping we can feel it. And then we should see Lilia’s signal from the water when Astraea’s warriors arrive.”

Aitor stood and clasped his hands in front of him. His long dragon nails had rough ends like they’d broken off—maybe during the evacuation. “Could you raise earthblood for us so we’ll be our strongest for this fight?”

She shrugged. “I’ll give it a try.” Facing the Sacred Oak, she said, “Don’t fault me if I rend your island in two.”

“You don’t really think that’s a risk, do you?” Nix’s question was obviously for Vahly, but the dragon eyed the tree like it might offer an answer too.

“A risk worth taking.”

Vahly unsheathed the oaken sword, walking a ways from the oak and the area they’d chosen for camp. Lavender grew here, nodding new, purple heads as she passed. She imagined the veins of fire snaking through the ground, deep, deep below, then plunged the sword into the earth.

Rumbling like a sudden storm surrounded her, the magic drumming loud in her ears and chest. The lavender spilled to one side, uprooted as steam shot from a fissure.

Vahly stepped back quickly, heat rising to singe her cheeks and hands.

She retreated to where the rest stood beside the dying fire and watched as a pool of golden earthblood gurgled and announced its presence.

Dragon magic—charcoal-scented and sharp like lemon—whirled into the air, and the dragons strode toward the earthblood, eyes glittering.

They gathered around the steaming pool, glancing at one another warily before disrobing and shifting into their full dragon forms. Making a loose circle, they settled comfortably and closed their eyes to allow their specific type of power to flow into them, increasing the strength of the dragonfire banked in their bellies and their physical abilities as well.

A dragon fully sated on earthblood was always faster and hardier than one who’d been denied such magical stores.

Nix opened her eyes to look around, then lifted her head.

Wings lifting slightly, she snuffled in the turned dirt to reveal what appeared to be a large chunk of lapis lazuli.

Well done, Queenie. I feel truly spoiled now. Her dragon lips pulled sideways into a grin.

Amona’s head shifted, and she nosed a mounded area of lavender before picking a rough block of jade from the ground. I will set it by the Sacred Oak for Matriarch Eux as a gift for her upon arrival.

Once the dragons were ready, the group took off toward the sea with Kyril supporting Vahly and Arc and the dragons in their full forms. They’d left their belongings at the oak, not wanting any distractions during this skirmish.

As they flew, the Forest of Illumahrah grew greener. Leaves burst from the canopy like offerings to the blue sky, and vines dotted with ruby and silver flowers spread along a riverbank.

Soon, they were in sight of the white-capped waters, and it was time to engage their enemy.