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“I knew it!” the hunter exclaims with excitement before he winces in pain, straightening his back.

“Continue southwest. Keep the mountains to your left. You can’t miss it.

” He limps toward a nearby bush, fumbling with something hidden within.

“The moment I saw you two, I was reminded of Krogoth and Rocks.”

My body tenses at the utterance of that hateful name—the traitor’s name. But Princesa soothes me with a gentle touch and a knowing glance.

His yellow eyes snap to mine, clutching a worn leather satchel in his arms. “Perhaps you Magaxus haven’t heard, hiding under your mountains as you do, but they completed the Mortakin-Tok.

The first in hundreds of years.” His voice carries a trace of smugness as he glances between me and Princesa.

“Seeing you two together, I think the Gods will also bless your union.” He smirks, tossing the bag at my feet.

The words bite into me, not for their novelty, but for their memory. It was all anyone spoke of until Krogoth murdered my father and stole everything from me.

“Times are changing,” the hunter mutters, nodding his head.

I snatch his offering, handing it to Princesa.

“Oh, a gift? How exciting,” she says with a hint of delight. “Wait, there’s nothing horrible in here, right?” she adds, glaring at the hunter with narrowed silver eyes.

“Gods, no,” he says with a bow, though the gesture is undercut by the grimace of pain that flickers across his face. “As if I would sully such beauty.”

“See, Dracoth? Why can’t you be as charming as Jungle Book?” Princesa teases greedily, rummaging through the bag.

I glare at the hunter, contemplating whether snapping his spine might have been the better choice. He flinches under my gaze, tugging nervously at his dented vambraces.

“Ah, what’s this?” Princesa pulls out a canteen. “You want some, Todd?” She offers it to the creature after unscrewing the cap. As if that’s even necessary. Is this some masterful ruse of psychological warfare or human madness?

“Aww, he doesn’t like it.” She glances at the hunter expectedly.

“Well... of course not.” The hunter’s expression tightens with confusion as he watches the exchange. “It’s a cyloillar... they don’t drink alcohol?” he states in question as if doubting himself.

Princesa sniffs the liquid, her face twisting in distaste. “No wonder! This could blow his cute little head off.” She reseals the cap and tosses the canteen back into the bag. “Did you offer Krogoth and Rocks such a... shoddy gift?” Her voice sharpens, her eyes narrowing.

“No, I knew them—”

“Interesting,” she cuts him off, her posture regal, perched forward in my arm as though she’s already a chieftainess.

“Now, give me a real gift—by answering my questions.” Her eyes gleam with command.

“Rocks, is she like me?” She places a hand on the blessing adorning her chest. “Or more like... you?” Her finger points toward the hunter slowly, her gaze scrutinizing.

The hunter scratches his head, genuine confusion clouding his face. “Like a hunter? Oh, yes, she’s a great hunter. Completed the Proving and slayed Xyronath the Shadowstalker.” He adds pride in his voice.

Impressive. Almost unbelievable that a human as frail as Princesa could defeat the legendary beast. I had even hoped to face Xyronath myself when I was preparing for my Proving. Perhaps Princesa is correct—the female Rocks must have used her bond powers.

“I knew it!” Princesa declares triumphantly, as if she’s just uncovered the secrets of the universe. “She’s an ugly she-hulk.”

Such jealously for one so blessed with beauty.

“No, no. Rocks is lovely. A true gift for the weary eye,” the hunter sighs, his gaze drifting to the distant trees with a faraway look. Then, catching himself, he quickly raises his palms. “Not as pretty as you, of course...uh. What was your name again?”

“Princesa,” I grunt, my patience with this fool wearing thin.

The hunter nods, a smile creeping back onto his face. “Ah, it has such a nice ring to it. I shall remember you fondly, awaiting your future exploits, so I can boast of the day I was bested by such heroes,” he says with an exaggerated flourish of his arms.

“Bitch... what kind of stupid name is Rocks, anyway?” Princesa mutters under her breath, a finger to her full lips. “What powers do they have?” Then, in a flash, her eyes lock onto the hunter’s with a sharp, dangerous glint.

Pride surges through me, straightening my back and filling me with adoration. Princesa’s useless gas-cloudiness isn’t so useless after all, but a clever ploy to pry information about the loathsome usurper and his bonded female.

“Tell me.” Princesa’s tone shifts from light to impatient, her lips curling into a sneer.

“Powers?” The hunter flinches, whether from her tone or the question is unclear. “Rocks, at the clan meeting, claimed human females could sense truth from falsehoods.” He shrugs as if it’s no more than idle gossip. “Maybe you can do the same?”

“I wish,” Princesa frowns, shifting in my arm, her gaze turning downward. “Would’ve saved me a lot of trouble with those losers,” she adds under her breath.

Rocks’ ability to read thoughts is no secret, murmured in awe by travelers from Draxxi. But how could such a power help her complete the Proving?

“What of the traitor, Krogoth?” I growl. He’s the real threat.

“Krogoth’s no trait—” The hunter snaps back until he catches sight of my stern, flashing red eyes, striking fear into his fragile heart. “They... they say strange things about him now,” he murmurs, the words barely a whisper.

“What things?” I demand, my voice cutting through the air like a claw.

The hunter swallows, shifting nervously.

“Some say...” He pauses, eyes darting to the treetops, as if the Gods themselves are in attendance.

“That the Gods marked him during the Krak-Tok... gave him sight beyond mortal eyes. Others whisper of storms bending to his will, as if the very skies feared him.”

I flex my fingers, frustration simmering beneath my skin. These are the same old stories, different mouths spreading them like a plague.

“You’d be a fool to challenge him, even for one such as you,” the hunter says cautiously, though pride lingers in his voice.

“They say he moves swiftly as the wind, and his strikes hit like bolts of lightning from the heavens. Believe me, friend, you’d be wise to drop whatever grudge you carry for the sake of everyone. ”

The molten blood in my veins stirs at the thought of facing him.

Fools like this hunter speak of him like a god.

Good, for when I crush him beneath my feet, the honor I gain will be greater.

He may be blessed, but Arawnoth, the mightiest of the Gods, will soon favor me further.

Then, as equals, I’ll consume his soul in the endless fires of my wrath—a taste of the inferno of hate he ignited in me.

“Did he do it again?” Princesa chimes in, her gaze lifting to the hunter. “Krogoth, I mean. Did you see or hear of him using these abilities after the... Krak-Tok?” She struggles with the last words, such a concept likely foreign to the weak human species.

The hunter’s face falls, his confidence shaken. “No... not that I’ve heard of. No one’s seen him use them since.”

Princesa’s eyes snap to mine, shimmering like pools of mercury. “If they can’t use their powers and we can...” A smile creeps across her delicate features. “We’ll depose them easily. Then we’ll rule as king and queen.”

Her ambition pleases me—a reflection of my own. Though a more noble and primal purpose motivates me. My blood blazes not for a mere title, but for vengeance. To restore what was stolen, to claim the legacy that was mine by birthright.

“High Chieftain and Chieftainess,” the hunter mumbles, his gaze drifting skyward.

Princesa snorts, waving a hand dismissively. “Sure, whatever works for you.”

I follow his gaze, spotting a fluttering of dark wings disappearing beyond the towering treeline. The second time today I’ve seen it. Strange for an arrohawk to follow for so long. If it dares strike, I’ll rip its guts out and feast on its flesh.

“Are you two expecting something?” Princesa asks, her gaze joining ours. “Ah, don’t tell me it’s going to snow again,” she sighs with an air of resigned annoyance.

“Arrohawk,” the hunter mutters, eyes narrowing as he scrambles to retrieve his discarded spear.

“Of course, it shows up now, when I’m having a little fun.

” He dons his warvisor, dashing westward through the immense Draxxi trees.

“Farewell, strange heroes!” he shouts over his shoulder as he disappears into the forest.

“Strange?” Princesa echoes, letting out a sharp exhale. “We’re not strange, are we, Todd?” She rustles in my arm, gently petting the clacking creature. “No, no, of course we’re not.”

I press forward, striding southwest through the immense frosted trees, navigating the dense thickets that choke the path.

“We’re not in any danger, are we?” Princesa’s voice cuts through the quiet, her fingers stroking her pet as her gaze flits toward the sky. “Everyone keeps going on about arrohawks. Are there really so many, or do they just love following me around?”

“There’s enough,” I growl, casting a watchful eye skyward. Only an overcast haze meets my gaze. “But you are safe, as long as I draw breath,” I offer, fixing my attention on the dense foliage ahead.

“Wow,” Princesa exclaims, her tone softening with surprise. “That was almost... romantic.” She nestles deeper, her softness encasing my arm in her faint warmth. “You don’t know how much those words mean to me, Dracoth,” she murmurs, barely audible beneath her breath.

I frown slightly, confused by her reaction.

“The truth.” I would kill to protect her. She is my bonded female, soon to be Mortakin-Kis. Does she doubt I’d rip out the heart of any who dared hurt her?

“We need to control our powers,” she mutters, stifling a yawn, sounding dozy. “If we do, we’ll be unstoppable.”

If— the word hangs like a dark cloud, promising nourishing rain but possibly concealing treacherous lightning. Should there be a way, we will find it. And should Krogoth lack the ability... then my victory over him will be a trifle.

Yet the thought is unsatisfactory. I don’t want an easy triumph. No. I want to stare into his eyes as my hands wring the life from his neck, so he dies knowing he had no right to shame me—knowing I am the strongest!

“Mmm... Queen Lexie...” Princesa murmurs, her voice drifting into a sleepy hum before she begins snoring softly.

“Soon,” I whisper, letting my fingers trail through the silken waves of her long blonde hair.

“I swear it.”