Page 23

Helian

I landed in the middle of what was sure to be a brawl between opposing dragons and riders. After dismounting Radnor, I grasped the hilt of my sword while walking toward the center of the group. Radnor pushed his way behind me, growling at any dragons who dared block his path.

I emerged into what felt like the eye of a storm. Ivar and two of his goons faced down a young dragon rider with pale hair and a complexion much like mine. I recognized the rider, a budding green witch named Declan. He must’ve been the witch who’d healed Nikkos. The other dragon riders who had been standing with Declan and Ivar had backed up beneath the shadows of their dragons. Had their leaders sent them back, or were they all cowards? Hopefully not, because we needed strong fighters in the coming war. I also wondered why Ivar had only two goons with him. Perhaps his friend circle was dwindling. If so, was it because they disagreed with his leadership? That would increase my chances of winning over the other dragon riders.

Three against one didn’t seem like a fair fight, and I had the feeling I’d be siding with Declan before this night was over. Even Declan’s dragon was smaller than the others, a golden dragon with a horn similar to Isa’s and very young, judging by the lack of scarring on her smooth scales. She had the heart of a warrior, though, snarling at the other riders’ three larger dragons while protectively hovering over Declan. She even snapped at Radnor when he got too close.

Radnor hissed and bared his fangs until she backed down.

You okay? I projected to him.

Don’t worry about me, Prince , he answered. I have lots of practice with temperamental females.

I would’ve laughed if I wasn’t worried about being turned to cinders by one of the many monsters pressing in around us. The presence of so many fire-breathers felt like a thousand suns beating down on my back. I rolled up the sleeves of my tunic, wishing I’d left it off, while sweat beaded on my brow. Many of the dragons had glowing columns of fire visible beneath their long throats, as if they were waiting for the signal to launch a conflagration. It was clear Ivar wasn’t in control of the dragon army. Something needed to be done now.

Ivar’s eyes were no longer bruised, and his nose had miraculously straightened, no doubt a kindness of the green witch he now threatened. He was still missing a hand, thanks to my father’s unjust justice. As much as I loathed Ivar, my father had no right to take his hand without giving the captain a fair trial. For that reason alone, I felt obligated to try to negotiate peace before turning to violence. I couldn’t deny, though, I’d love to run Ivar through with my sword for his role in leading the dragon army that destroyed Lupine.

“Dragon riders should be able to settle their differences with words.” I scowled at Ivar and his friends while standing next to Declan. “Or, at the very least, with fair odds.”

“Prince Helian.” Ivar made an exaggerated bow, his beady eyes fixed on me like a snake preparing to strike, a pink ribbon of fading sunlight striking his bald head, making it shine like an egg. “So nice of you to join the army you abandoned five years ago.”

He’d certainly changed his opinion of me from the last time I’d seen him, and I wondered if it had all been a ruse. I laughed out loud, refusing to let his words upset me. “You mean after I refused to serve the mad king who ordered the slaughter of thousands of innocent shifters? You abandoned him, too, but you waited until Malvolia’s army was at our door.”

“He was a demon.” He spit a wad of tobacco into the dirt. “We had no choice.”

I clucked my tongue, scowling like he was an errant toddler. I was tired of rehashing this with him. “You defied him before he was demon possessed.”

He tossed his arms in the air with a curse. “He wanted us to go to war against a ten-thousand firemage army and a white witch with the siren’s call.”

“Oh, I forgot.” I seethed, squeezing the hilt of my sword. “You’d rather attack sleeping women and children.”

His gaze drifted to my hand while he casually placed his one hand on his sword hilt. “You’ll never let us live that down, will you?”

“Don’t try to trivialize your actions.” I gritted my teeth while resisting the urge to run my sword through his cowardly heart. “Entire families died agonizing deaths!”

He pulled a leather pouch out of his vest, opening it with his teeth and pouring more tobacco into his mouth while his cold eyes belied no emotion. “It’s too late to change the past.”

“It is.” I puffed up my chest, my gaze sweeping across the sea of snarling dragons. “But it’s not too late to alter the course of your future.”

He clucked his tongue. “What would you have us do?”

“Follow me to Peloponese.” I waved toward the northern dunes behind us, the direction of our capital city. “Help the white witches defeat the demon army, or thousands more innocents will perish.”

His black eyes narrowed to slits. “You wish us to follow you as our captain?”

“No.” Crossing my arms, I issued a challenging glare. “As your king.”

“You’re too late to claim the crown.” He motioned to the gathering throng of riders behind him. “We like our lives as is.”

“Do you? It doesn’t seem like it.” My gaze swept over the dragons, looking into their tired eyes, then the gaunt faces of their riders. “Do you not miss your nests and your homes back at Peloponese?”

Many dragons squawked, and I knew they wished to return.

Ivar spit more tobacco into the dirt. “Those are gone now.”

“They can be rebuilt.” I peered beyond Ivar, my gaze focused on the other riders. “Peloponese is your home.”

“Dragons don’t like being tied down to one city,” Ivar grumbled, though his argument fell flat. He didn’t truly believe that?

“No?” I bore down on Ivar with a dark glare. “You think they prefer eating wyverns and nesting in dirt?”

“It’s better than being turned into demons.” A note of fear rattled his voice. Coward. “News travels fast from Thebes. We heard that members of your family are demon possessed.”

I leered at him while wishing I could punch that smug look off his face. He had no right to drag my family into this, but he was trying to rile me. “My mate’s sister is working on a spell to free them.”

“What do you think will happen when a demon bites a dragon?” His voice rose to a feverish pitch. “Do you want to take the chance that our dragons will become possessed?”

“You can take the chance now or later,” I said. “If we don’t have enough help destroying the demons, they will only get stronger before they come for you.”

His laughter was that of a madman. “What good are two white witches if they can’t defeat the demons?”

What about his speech the last time I’d seen him, how he was willing to do anything to take down the demons? Was that all a lie to keep Ash from attacking him? He obviously knew that Ash was one of the demon-possessed. So, now that the threat of Ash tearing him to shreds was gone, he would go back to being a cowardly prick?

“Be honest.” I didn’t bother hiding the venom in my voice. “The real reason you won’t help is because you’re a coward, Ivar.”

“Coward?” He flinched as if he’d been struck, stumbling slightly. “No. Practical? Yes. I cannot wield a sword and ride a dragon with one hand!” Waving his stump, his words came out on a slur. Was he drunk?

The wind shifted, and the strong stench of stale mead hit me like a brick to the skull.

Do you smell that? I projected to Radnor.

Of course , he answered. He’s drunker than a toad in a barrel .

This rider was in no position to be a leader. “But the rest of us can.” I grasped the hilt of my sword again. “It’s time you stepped down as captain, Ivar.”

He flashed his teeth. “Make me.”

“Very well.” I heaved a shaky breath. There was no turning back now. Today, I would claim my birthright. “Ivar, I challenge your rule by duel.”

Ivar tossed back his head, his oily laughter like a serpent’s hiss. “You need a quorum to challenge, and you won’t get it. The riders and dragons are loyal to me.” He motioned to the dragon behind him, a big golden beast the size of Radnor.

The creature snarled down at me, only backing away when Radnor snapped his jowls at the beast.

I’d never been more disgusted by a fellow dragon rider in all my life. “Is this the leader you want?” I called to the others. “One who forces you to hide and starve?”

The other riders mumbled and whispered to each other, their gazes darting between Ivar and me.

Declan stepped next to me and loudly cleared his throat. “We are out of fish and game, and those wyverns sustained us for a day. Now what? Shall we eat each other?” He motioned toward me. “Prince Helian is the rightful heir to the throne, and the Elements chose a white witch as his mate. He offers to lead us back to our city, to our nests and our homes, to take back from demons what is rightfully ours.” He paused, scowling at the captain. “While Ivar wants us to hide like cowards.”

Their grumbles grew louder.

I slid my sword from its scabbard, extending it into the air. “So answer me now, by roar and by sword, do I have a quorum?”

The dragons let out a cacophony of thunderous roars that rattled the ground beneath my feet while nearly all the riders jutted their swords into the air.

The color drained from Ivar’s ruddy cheeks. “The fight will be unfair.”

“I will tie one hand behind my back.”

He took a step back, his trembling hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “You would steal the glory from your brother?”

“It’s clear now you never intended on fighting him.” I advanced toward him. “The more you fight this, the more cowardly you appear.”

Flames fanned his face and neck. “I am no coward!”

I shrugged. “Then prove it.”

“Tie his sword hand behind his back,” he said to one of his goons while giving me a murderous glare. “Let’s see how you fight now.”

I swallowed back my panic. My sword hand? I glanced at my dragon hovering over me. He has the advantage, since he’s been using his other hand for the past few weeks.

Radnor arched a brow. You’ve spent the past five years battling Malvolia’s spies and your father’s mercenaries while he’s sat on his happy, fat ass, and I’ve seen you wield your sword with both hands.

Ivar’s goon tied my hand back with a grunt, making the knots so tight, my hand ached, but I dared not complain and look like a weakling. The ring of steel cut through the stifling air like a blade. My gaze shot back to Ivar, who had suddenly become much steadier on his feet while waving his sword in front of him. Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea.

His eyes gleamed with wickedness. “To the death then, prince?”

Well, fuck. I blinked up at Radnor. If I don’t survive, tell Tari that I love her and that I’m sorry.

So dramatic, Prince. My drake had the nerve to roll his eyes. I’m putting my coins on you.

You don’t have any coins , I retorted.

I will once you’re king. His fanged grin nearly stretched ear-to-ear. I plan on hoarding the royal treasury for myself. Now, kill this beady-eyed bastard.

I adjusted the strange weight of my sword in my other hand. Ivar lunged for me, barely giving me time to pivot. I spun around, slicing open his arm as he nearly face-planted in the dirt.

Ivar’s dragon let out a whimper, smoke pouring from his snout.

Was this how drunkards fought? If so, how had I survived the past five years?

You had me. Radnor’s answer echoed in my skull.

I hadn’t realized I’d projected that thought. Thanks , I said to my dragon, pivoting when Ivar charged me again.

Again, the rider almost face-planted, but his dragon intervened, stopping him from falling over with his snout.

Radnor growled and snapped at Ivar’s dragon until he backed up.

While Ivar tried to find his footing, I gripped my sword, practicing awkwardly cutting through the air with my dominant hand tied behind my back. This was harder than it looked. No wonder my father took Ivar’s sword hand.

Ivar’s face was as red as a dragon’s pecker as he charged again. I pivoted, but this time he pivoted, too, and I barely blocked his sword before it nicked my arm.

Ivar let out a menacing laugh, his eyes darkening as he faced me like an angry minotaur. “You’re going down, Prince.”

I circled him while raising my sword. “You think so?”

Don’t listen to him , Radnor projected to me. He’s all smoke, no fire.

I wanted to argue with my dragon that he had at least a few sparks in him, judging by the burning pain in my arm, but I needed to reserve my focus for my enemy.

“You have no moves, except to pivot and block,” Ivar said while swaggering around me like a drunken pirate. “You will wear down soon enough when your arm tires.”

“I’m not close to tiring.” I laughed. “You’re the one stumbling around like a drunken gnome.”

When the other riders burst into boisterous laughter, crimson flushed Ivar’s face and fanned across his bald head. He let out a roar and charged.

I pivoted twice this time and sliced my sword across his side before spinning out of his reach. He cried out, running face-first into his dragon’s golden leg. Slumping against his dragon’s scales, Ivar let his sword fall to the ground while he clutched his side.

Radnor bowed up, snarling at the other dragon. The crowd gasped when Ivar’s dragon flicked Ivar off his leg like a flea, sending him spiraling right toward me.

Show no mercy! Radnor’s deep voice boomed in my skull. Do it for your brothers!

I wasn’t about to fight a man without a sword, so I backed up when Ivar stumbled into me. It took me a moment to register the pain in my gut, but when I looked down, I gaped at the short blade sticking from my side and the slow trickle of blood that splattered my boot. Sneaky bastard!

Jerking back, I dropped my sword and clutched the dagger handle when Ivar reached for it. I couldn’t let him pull it out. I’d bleed out before I could get to Tari.

An agonized roar sounded above me, and I pivoted again when two dragons flapped to the ground like giant, wrestling hawks. Radnor had Ivar’s dragon’s neck between his jowls. Ivar’s dragon let out an agonized roar as the lifeblood spilled from the gaping wound in its neck.

“Noo!” Ivar cried, snatching his sword off the ground and charging Radnor’s exposed belly.

I couldn’t get to Ivar in time with a blade lodged in my gut. Without thinking about my own life, I jerked the blade out of my gut and hurled it at Ivar’s back. The snap of the other dragon’s neck rang through the air like a clap of thunder as he fell limp in Radnor’s mouth. Blade sticking out of his back, Ivar cried out as he fell to his knees with a grunt, then face-planted in the dirt.

Blood pooled around my fingers as I held my hand against my gushing wound, a futile task. I staggered toward Radnor but fell short of my goal. I fell against another rider, blinking up at a Fae who looked too much like me as he lowered me into the dirt. Had I died and left my body?

“Hang on, Prince,” the Fae whispered while placing his hands on my wound. My world spun and then darkened.

* * *

Tari

A FTER FINN’S LAST TEARS had been spent, he returned to us, falling to his knees on the beach. The girls crawled into his lap, and I sat beside them, holding his hand in mine. After a time, the girls grew restless and climbed from his lap. I instructed them to feed the rabbits oats from their hands, and then I rested my head against Finn’s shoulder. We stared at the sunset for a long moment before I was startled by Radnor’s voice in my head.

Witch, where are you?

On the beach. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach at the urgency in his tone. Why are you calling me, Radnor?

Helian’s wounded. Come quick.

I jumped to my feet, calling to my dragon. “Isa!”

She landed hard on the dune behind us, Triss fluttering above her head. Let’s go.

I slipped the sack with the rabbits back over my head while explaining to Finn that Helian had been injured. He scooped up the girls, running with me to Isa. She flew as fast as a speeding arrow, her snout cutting through the wind. After flying across the dunes, we were caught in a maelstrom of dragons like angry bees swarming a fallen hive. Isa snapped and blew fire at dragons who came too near us, trying to avoid their sharp tails and wings while also herding Triss through the swarm. We finally landed in a camp nestled among the sandy dunes.

Agitated dragons crowded around each other. I spied Radnor in the center of the mayhem, snapping at other dragons who came too close while shielding something beneath his wing.

Helian.

My heart caught in my throat, and I prayed I wasn’t too late.

I patted Isa’s scales. “I don’t want the girls caught in the middle of this.”

And I don’t want Triss to get hurt, either , she answered. If you can manage without me, Goddess, I will take them flying.

I gritted my teeth, determination fueling my movements. “I’ll have to.” Then I whispered to Finn, “Isa is taking the children.” He nodded his agreement and gave the girls a quick hug before jumping off Isa. I slipped out of the saddle, tightening the rope around their waists. “Girls,” I pleaded, my tone urgent, knowing each second wasted could cost Helian his life. “Can I count on you to hold on to Isa?”

Aurora pouted. “We want to go with you, Mommy?”

“I know.” I cupped their cheeks. “But it’s too dangerous for you. I need to save Uncle Helian before it’s too late.”

They both nodded their understanding, and I slipped off Isa, using my wind to lure me into Finn’s arms. He’d already shifted into a big, hulking beast, snarling at any riders or dragons who came too close. The rabbits went still inside the sack that hung in front of my chest.

I gaped at the sea of dragons, hundreds of them crushing in on Radnor while hundreds more still swarmed the skies above us. This wouldn’t do, but how could I make them move when I didn’t have Shiri’s siren magic? I didn’t think the dragon army would be happy with me if I turned half of them to ash.

Finn let out a wolf’s whimper. “How do we get through them?”

I watched Isa fly far enough away that she and the children wouldn’t be in danger. “Hold me,” I said to Finn while pressing my back against his broad, furry chest. “I need your strength.” The moment his warm, thick arms encircled my waist, I felt his love surge through me like a shot of venom, and I summoned my magic, envisioning what I needed to scare away the dragons.

Finn held on to me when I knelt on the ground, letting my magic sink into the soil. White magic shot from my hands, winding through the earth like flooding tributaries and disappearing beneath the dragons’ paws. They let out startled squawks, jumping into the sky when the ground shook with violent force. A giant tree that looked much like the one I’d grown in Fachnan’s castle, sprouted from the earth, its branches stretching even higher than the tallest dragon, drooping over Radnor and a smaller golden dragon who looked like she could’ve been Isa’s little sister, the only two dragons who remained on the ground.

Radnor and I locked gazes, and I read the urgency in his eyes.

Dragons angrily squawked above us as Finn towered over me in his monster form. We hurried across the sand, nearly stumbling over a dragon rider’s corpse. His bald head had been crushed, his brains leaching into the dirt. His body was flattened like an oatcake, as if a giant had stomped on him. So this was what happened to a rider who didn’t get out of the way of dragons. I recognized Ivar, the captain who’d led the attack against Lupine, and I didn’t know if he’d been killed by the crush of dragons or the broken blade wedged into his back.

Finn let out a howl, kicking the lifeless body.

“Come on,” I pulled him onward, latching on to one meaty pinky finger. The ground heated my feet even through my boots and stockings, and I worried Helian had overheated among the crush of fire-breathing dragons. “Helian needs us.”

We passed beneath the shadow of the massive tree, its flowery branches swaying above us like a ship’s billowing sails.

My breath caught when Radnor lifted his torn wing with a whimper, revealing Helian lying in the dirt, a dragon rider who looked like a shorter version of Helian kneeling beside him. The smaller golden dragon must’ve been his, and this man was probably the green witch dragon rider who’d helped Nikkos.

“Your Majesty.” The rider stood and bowed before me, sweat dripping down his forehead. “I managed to stop the flow of blood, but he’s lost so much.”

“Thank you.” I gave the man a grateful smile and knelt beside my love, taking his clammy hand in mine, relieved he still had a faint pulse. He had a severed rope still attached to his wrist, as if his hand had been tied behind his back. “Leave him to me.”

The green witch bowed and went to the golden dragon, rubbing her snout while she purred like a kitten.

I gave the rabbits to Finn, and he set the sack down, letting them munch on flowers that fell from the tree. Closing my eyes, I pressed my hands against the bloody bullseye on Helian’s gut and channeled my healing magic into him. Finn knelt behind me, a hand pressed against my back, the strength from his love pouring into me as I envisioned Helian’s smiling face, his pale eyes, and the way his silvery hair gleamed in the sunlight. The magic flowed, warming my hands, making me feel like I was weightless, my mates and I floating in the clouds.

At the sound of Helian’s groan, I sat back on my heels, my shoulders sagging in relief. Finn wrapped his arms around me, kissing the side of my head and murmuring words of love into my ear. I sighed while snuggling against him. How I’d missed him. How did he always know exactly what I needed?

Helian’s eyes fluttered open. “Tari?”

“Hello, you.” I wiped blood and sweat on my gown.

“Nice to see you alive, brother.” Finn helped Helian sit up. “You need to stop making a habit out of trying to die.”

Helian hung his head in his hands with a cross between a groan and a chuckle. “I didn’t think dying could become a habit.”

“Neither did I.” Finn laughed. “But you’re trying to prove me wrong.”

Helian squinted at the big, hot shadow hovering over us. “Radnor?”

Radnor snaked his neck around, facing Helian with a snarl. Here, Prince.

Both rabbits stomped their back paws in panic when they saw Radnor, then scurried back into the bag. Had they forgotten him already? I rubbed their ears, whispering a soothing spell, and they quickly fell asleep.

“What happened?” Helian asked.

Ivar tricked you and slid a dagger into your gut. Radnor blew a puff of smoke in Helian’s face. Then you pulled the dagger out and threw it into his back, because you didn’t trust me to defend myself.

“That’s right.” Helian dragged a hand down his face. “He was about to run his sword through your belly.”

Ire flashed in the drake’s golden eyes. I would’ve turned him to ash first.

Helian shook his head. “You were busy fighting his dragon.”

I was winning. Eyes narrowing, Radnor arched back. You would’ve died if your mate hadn’t saved you.

Helian chuckled. “You’re welcome, Radnor.”

Indignation flashed in the monster’s eyes. Don’t ever sacrifice your life for me again.

I gritted my teeth. For once, I was in agreement with Radnor.

Helian shrugged. “You can’t ask that of me.”

Radnor arched a brow. Why not?

Helian visibly swallowed, looking away. “Because we’re family, that’s why. We protect each other.”

Radnor gave a snort and reared back.

“Careful, Helian.” I laughed, even as my heart was breaking. “You’ll melt the iron casing around Radnor’s heart.”

Helian flashed a languid smile, dragging his knuckles down the side of my face. “Are you okay, Tari?”

Afraid I’d tear up if I looked into his eyes a moment longer, I averted my gaze. “I’m fine.” I’d resigned myself to the fact that most of my time loving Helian would be spent worrying about him, though I prayed that would change once we defeated the demons.

Stumbling to my feet, I draped the sack with my rabbits over my shoulder when a midnight black and a deep crimson dragon landed opposite us, snarling as their riders jumped off their backs.

Prince. Radnor’s growl reverberated in my skull. We have a problem.

Helian struggled to stand, thanking Finn when he helped him up. “What is it?”

Two of Ivar’s cronies are demanding justice , Radnor said as two beefy dragon riders approached us, swords drawn. They say you broke the rider code.

Still in his imposing monster shifter form, Finn stepped between us, snarling at the riders like a rabid dog.

I rubbed Finn’s furry arm, worrying he would pounce on the riders and then get eaten by their dragons. No doubt these friends of Ivar were part of the attack on Lupine.

Helian’s curse echoed in my mind.

Who are they? I asked through thought.

Viddar and Tyrus , he answered. Ivar’s cousins. They’re not too happy with me for challenging Ivar’s rule.

You want to lead the dragon riders? I asked.

No, I want to be king , Helian answered with a wink. I figured it was time I grew up.

It is. Finn let out a menacing growl, his gaze locked on the riders. Now, let’s wipe out Ivar’s family line like he did to ours.

Helian rubbed his chin, holding his ground when both riders spit in the dirt in front of us. “You think I broke the code?”

“We know you did.” A tall rider with midnight black, tousled hair and a scar running down the side of his blotchy face beat his chest like a troll. “A rider shall not attack another rider when his back is turned.”

“A rider shall not attack another rider’s dragon.” Helian raised his fists while facing the tall rider. “What of that code, Viddar?”

Viddar’s gaze darted from Helian to his cousin, the smell of deceit leaching from his pores. “He hadn’t attacked Radnor yet.”

Finn’s dark laugher echoed in my mind. What a load of troll dung.

“He was charging him with his sword!” Helian tossed his hands in the air. “And before that, he stabbed me with a hidden dagger!”

“Ivar is dead with a blade in his back.” The other dragon rider, I assumed to be Tyrus, shorter with pale skin and long, silky auburn hair, motioned at the pile of splat that was once his friend. “We demand retribution!”

I wrinkled my nose when the strong stench of stale mead invaded my senses. I didn’t understand how these riders thought it was a good idea to get drunk while knowing all of Faedom was on the brink of a war.

Swearing, Helian shook his head. “When?”

“Now!” Viddar grabbed the hilt of his sword, squeezing until his knuckles whitened. “A rematch.”

My gaze snapped to Helian, his eyes framed by dark circles. He needed rest, not war, after such a powerful healing. I glared at the riders. “My mate has lost a lot of blood. He’s in no condition to fight.”

“We don’t care.” Tyrus thrust his fist into the air. “We demand justice now!”

Finn stepped forward. “I will fight both of you as my brother’s proxy.”

I grabbed my shifter mate’s arm, my heart catching in my throat. No, Finn , I projected through thought, not wanting our adversaries to hear our conversation. I didn’t trust these riders not to fight dirty, and I couldn’t lose Finn. Not now, not ever.

Finn squeezed my shoulder, his long, clawed fingers stretching down my back. He looked like a creature of nightmares, with his pointy, fanged maw and glowing eyes, but inside, he was my sweet Finn, my protector and the children’s nurturer.

Darling, I’m sorry. He let out a wolf’s whimper. Please understand, I need to do this for Lupine.

Blinking back tears, I craned my neck to look into his eyes. I do understand.

He nodded, then looked away, curling his claws.

I regretted the words the moment I said them, but Finn needed my support. I was already resolved that, should they fight dirty, I’d turn them and their snarling dragons to dust. If they gravely wounded Finn, I’d turn them to dust, too, and heal my mate. Maybe I had no honor. Maybe I was a selfish witch. I refused to lose my mate and the father of my children. Besides, these riders deserved to die after their hand in the Lupine attack.

Vidar took a step back, holding out his hands defensively. “Our issue isn’t with you, shifter.”

“Isn’t it?” Finn bowed up his chest, rage flaring in his eyes. “Did you or did you not help Ivar lead the attack on Lupine?”

The riders shared a look as Vidar took another step back. “We did.”

Ignoring the dark crimson and black dragons hovering dangerously close to us, Finn took a step toward the riders, snapping his long maw. “Then I have an issue with you .”

The crimson and black dragons growled while the tops of their heads scraped the sagging tree branches.

“Fine,” Vidar said as he stepped beneath the shadow of the midnight black dragon’s maw. “I’ll fight you by sword. You’re not allowed to shift.”

Finn flashed his fangs. “You don’t get to decide the terms.”

When the black dragon snapped his fangs at Finn, acting like he was about to bite off his head, I hit him with a blast of magic. I had no time to think up a spell, so I hit him with the first one that came to mind. The dragon reared back, howling. He fell onto his side and released a powerful burst of flatulence. The smell hit me like a brick to the head. Helian and Ash cried out, fanning their faces. I plugged my nose as the dragon whimpered and stumbled into the tree trunk, rattling the branches with violent force. He whimpered again and flew toward the water while letting out a stream of smoke from his rear end.

“Did you have to use that spell?” Helian asked while coughing into his fist.

“I’m sorry.” I shrugged. “It was the first one that came to mind.”

Radnor backed away with a curse. I’ll never cross you again, witch.

“Well?” Finn threw his arms wide while stalking toward the riders. “Here I am. Let’s fight.”

Vidar made a face, his breathing appearing shallow. “It’s not a fair fight.”

“You want to talk to me about fair fights after what you did to Lupine? Unlike you, though, I’m a Fae of honor.” Finn splayed a furry hand across his heart. “I’ll fight you both at the same time. That will even the odds a little.”

“N-no.” Tyrus almost tripped over a tree root as he stumbled back. “We’ll wait until Helian is recovered.”

“No!” Finn kicked up sand like a charging bull. “You’ll fight me now. You’ve issued a challenge, and so have I.” He threw back his head and let out an otherworldly roar. “Prepare to join Ivar in the afterlife!”

Not giving the riders time to duck, Finn slashed their faces with his claws, tucking and rolling before jumping back up and facing their backs. The riders swore, brandishing their swords while spinning toward Finn.

The crimson dragon tried to pounce on Finn like a cat trying to stomp on a mouse. I hit the drake with an even more powerful flatulence spell. He let out a howl and stumbled toward the ocean, leaving behind a trail of dragon shit.

Distracted by their dragon, the riders stumbled into each other and then over a tree root. Finn was a blur of fur, pouncing on them with a roar and spraying the air with their blood. My stomach roiled, and I turned away from the carnage, which reminded me very much of the time Finn and Ash shredded Fachnan. I knew shifters could be vicious, but it was still disconcerting to reconcile my sweet mate with this lethal killer.

Finn returned to us with a heaving chest, his fur soaked with blood.

I reached for him, then pulled back, thankful when Helian wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Just give him a moment. He’s fine,” he whispered in my ear.

I couldn’t stop my hands from trembling when Finn stood before us, two bloody swords hanging from his claws. “It’s done,” he said darkly. Then he spun around, facing the gathering throng of dragon riders who looked at Finn as if he was demon-possessed. Finn thrust the bloody swords above his head with a roar. “Would anyone else like to challenge my brother?” When they didn’t respond, he continued. “No?” He motioned toward Helian. “Then I present you with the new King of Caldaria.”

Helian mumbled his thanks when Finn dropped the swords at Helian’s feet.

I swallowed back my fear, casting my gaze to the flatulating and roaring dragons on the beach. “What about them?” I whispered.

Radnor backed away from us. I’ll take care of them.

He jumped into the sky and landed between the dragons, grabbing their necks in his jowls and snapping them with rough shakes before they could get up. I clutched my throat as I saw their spirits rise from their bodies, the tang of blood catching in the air and wrapping around my senses until I could no longer hold back my nausea. Falling to my knees, I held my sleeping rabbits to my chest while heaving. I was grateful for Helian as he knelt beside me, pulling back my hair.

Elements, how was I supposed to get through the coming war?

* * *

Helian

D ESPITE THE GAPING tear in his wing, Radnor flew off to find Isa and the children. I made Finn go wash off in the ocean while I placed Tari and her sleeping rabbits beneath the tree that was as wide as a dragon. I still couldn’t believe she’d grown a tree in a matter of seconds. Tari leaned against the trunk with a groan, hand on her gut while she shut her eyes.

The other dragon riders slowly returned, warily eyeing us while Declan attended to Tari.

“She’s with child,” I said to him.

He grimaced. “That explains the fatigue. I will brew her an herbal tea for nausea.”

“So long as it doesn’t slow her magic,” I said.

He gave me a funny look. “Not that I’m aware of.”

I remembered then that the Retinea tea was a satyr specialty that wasn’t used by other Fae. After he made the tea, I sat Tari up and bade her drink while the other riders hauled away what was left of Ivar, Vidar, and Tyrus.

Finn returned to us, still in his shifter form and smelling like salt water instead of blood and dirt. He knelt beside us, taking Tari’s hand in his. “She okay?”

“She will be.” I checked him over for any injuries. “How about you?”

He glanced away, but not before I caught his haunted expression. “Still high on anger, but I’ve been waiting for this moment.” He gave me a long look, his eyes swirling with several different emotions. “Thank you for killing Ivar.”

Shame heated my cheeks, not just because I had stolen my brothers’ chance at vengeance, but because I never thought I’d have to stab a fellow dragon rider in the back. I was ashamed for the way he’d died, though he’d left me with no choice. “I’m sorry. I know you and Ash wanted to do it.”

He shook his head, his eyes misting while he grasped my shoulder with the same claws that had shredded two grown Fae in a matter of seconds. “You’re part of our pack now. The vengeance belongs to all of us.”

A group of about two dozen dragon riders cautiously approached us while eyeing Finn.

Finn growled, curling his hands into claws while defensively standing in front of Tari.

Declan stood, dusting dirt off his trousers. “You probably recognize these riders,” he said to me.

I nodded, for they’d been with me at the Tribus Point, also distracted by the skirmish with Malvolia’s mages while the rest of the aerial army was killing innocent shifters.

Declan motioned to the group. “They all had shifter family in Lupine too.” He turned back to me, giving me a polite bow. “Excuse me while I attend to the princess.”

“Of course,” I said, grabbing his arm. “And thank you.”

“It’s my honor,” he said, bowing again before returning to Tari’s side.

One of the riders stepped forward. He had dark hair and eyes, and if my memory served me, he had Ravini blood. I remembered he had two useless, featherless wings that hung down his back like dead arms. Other dragon riders had teased him until he busted a few skulls.

“I don’t know if you remember me, Prince Helian,” he said while clutching a leather cap in his hands.

“Leif, right?” I asked.

He nodded. “My stepfather was a shifter. He was killed, along with my mother and my siblings.”

I shared a look with Finn. “I’m sorry,” I said to Leif.

Leif visibly swallowed while squeezing his cap. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this day.” He glanced from me to Finn. “We wanted to thank both of you.”

Finn cleared his throat. “Do you acknowledge my brother as king?”

“We do,” he said, motioning toward the cluster of dragon riders behind him, “and we’re willing to fight anyone who doesn’t.”

“Good.” The tension that tied a noose around my neck eased a fraction as my gaze drifted to another cluster of riders who stared at us, a mixture of curiosity and fear reflecting in their eyes. “Thank you.”

“Can you identify the other officers who lead the attack against Lupine?” Finn asked.

Leif nodded. “Ivar and his two cousins and their friend Harald, who was already beheaded by Fachnan.”

That didn’t seem right. The night I had struck Ivar for insulting Tari, he had six goons with him. I recognized those goons as high-ranking riders. They would’ve assisted Ivar in planning the attack. “Ivar had three other friends with him when I confronted him in Peloponese.”

“He did have three other friends,” he said. “Ivar and his cousins killed them, along with their dragons, yesternight when they questioned his leadership. It was a dishonorable murder done while they were asleep.” He motioned to the other clusters of riders who were slowly moving closer to us. “I don’t speak for the other riders, but most of them were ready to turn on Ivar after that.”

Finn’s nostrils flared as he glared at the approaching riders. “What about the rest of the riders and dragons who attacked Lupine?”

“I don’t pretend to speak for them,” Leif answered. “Most of them were threatened by Ivar and his cronies, death by dragon fire if they refused Fachnan’s orders. They have asked us for our forgiveness and said they will do whatever it takes to atone for their sins.”

I turned to Finn, speaking through thought. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but we can’t be a cohesive unit if we’re still fighting among ourselves.

You’re not asking a lot , Finn answered, his gaze drifting to Tari, who slowly sipped the tea Declan had brewed for her. I know.

I was asking a lot, but I appreciated that my brother was so understanding, even after he’d just shredded two dragon riders to ribbons. He wasn’t doing this for me, though. He was doing it for Tari. The more dragons we had helping us, the more buffers we’d have between the demons and Tari.

We would have to kill most of the dragon army if we wanted vengeance on all who attacked Lupine , I continued, and we need them to help us win this demon war.

Finn flashed his fangs. I know that too.

But the leaders are all dead. I gave my brother a long look. He appeared absolutely terrifying in his monster wolf form, though I supposed that was the point, for most of the other dragon riders still kept their distance. Will that be enough for you and Ash?

His chest caved inward as he let out a wolf’s whimper. It’s enough for me if they are willing to lay down their lives for Tari, and I’m sure Ash would agree.

“Let’s find out,” I said aloud.

The dragon riders had moved closer. As far as I could tell, most of them were here, about seven hundred in total. Though Fachnan’s army had a thousand dragons, not all of them had riders yet.

Finn cleared his throat while glaring at the crowd. “Kneel for your king.”

To my surprise and relief, all seven hundred of them fell to the sand, bending on one knee.

A tremor coursed through me at the thought of being king to over a thousand dragon army, at the responsibility of having to lead these Fae and dragons back to Peloponese to take back our city. They were counting on me now. I couldn’t fail them.

Radnor and Isa landed beside us, snarling at the other dragons who’d also landed nearby, curiously looking in on us like felines watching fish swim in a pond. Tari appeared rested and refreshed as she went with Finn to help the girls off Isa. They carried the children back to me, standing beside me while the dragons hovered above our heads.

“Please rise,” I said, committing to memory those riders who grumbled and glared, lest they also try to thrust a dagger into my gut. “I’m not going to pretend that some of you don’t resent Radnor and me after our absence.” I motioned toward Radnor. “I’m not going to pretend that you don’t mistrust me for being Fachnan’s spawn. Or maybe you don’t agree with the way I killed Ivar after he gutted me with a hidden dagger.”

My hand instinctively flew to my stomach, feeling as if a phantom blade was still lodged inside me. “I don’t care what you think of me. I do care that we work together toward one goal—defeating the demons who threaten our very existence. Beyond that, nothing else matters until all demons are sent back to hell.”

I matched each of their hardened stares with one of my own before finally heaving a sigh. “I know I’m asking a lot for you to put your faith in me, and I don’t blame you for being wary. The Elements believe I should be one of three protectors of the white witch prophesized to bring down the demons.” I smiled at Tari when she took my hand. “If the Elements trust me, then I hope you will learn to trust me too. Ready yourselves. Come morning, we will fly north to reclaim our city.”

The crowd broke into a cacophony of cheers, jeers, and roars. Most of the response seemed positive, which was a good thing. I had enough enemies to worry about. I didn’t need to worry about my fellow riders slitting my throat while I slept.