Page 37 of The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Kora had to force herself to stop kissing Derek. She had grunted in disapproval when he clothed himself, especially before she got a look at the new markings on him. But she would take her time later, exploring his delicious body to her heart’s content.

The nine of them stood on the balcony as the sun crested the horizon. They hadn’t lost anyone. Merrill was a little worse for wear, but he was alive thanks to Con. Wounds were healing. There would be scars, though they weren’t ones anyone could see. No one could enter a battle and not be scarred.

“There’s no sign of Eurielle,” Lotti said into the silence.

Alasdair rubbed her back. “We’ll keep looking.”

“Do you think Villette will return to Stonemore when we’re gone?” Rhi asked.

Merrill nodded. “Without a doubt.”

“I agree,” Derek said.

Kora took his arm and shoved up his sleeve. “I’d like to know what these are.”

“Tattoos,” Hector said.

Con moved in for a closer look and lifted his black eyes to Derek. “How many do you have?”

“They cover him. At least his front,” Kora said.

Derek made an indistinct sound. “And my back.”

“Have they always been there?” Brandr asked.

Derek shook his head and shifted his jaw as if he would rather be talking about anything else. “It happened when I went into the tunnel. Mist shaped like dragons came out of everywhere…and then went into me.”

“You saw something, too,” Con stated.

Derek tipped his head forward. “A blinding light. When it was over, I was covered in these,” he said, holding out his arms.

“And we didna think the magic was here,” Hector said with a grin.

Kora frowned as she looked between them. “I don’t understand.”

“The magic on Earth chooses the Dragon Kings,” Con explained. “Being a King allows us to shift forms, and each of us has a dragon tattoo.”

“Just one?” Derek asked.

Merrill nodded. “Just one.”

Kora looked at the different dragons on Derek’s arm and how they were all interwoven. “Why so many on him?”

“Zora is different,” Hector said.

Rhi twisted her lips. “Then why haven’t any other Kings or Queens been crowned?”

“The dragons are no’ in clans here,” Brandr reminded them.

Derek shook his head. “These dragons are the spirits of those who were killed. They’re the ones who called me to that place.”

“To mark you,” Merrill said.

Con smiled. “And name you King of the Dead.”

Kora grinned up at him. “You are no longer an uncrowned King.”

“And what of you?” Derek asked softly. “I saw the violet flames cutting through you, connecting you to the sky and the ground.”

She glanced away, remembering what it had felt like to claim what had always been inside her and set it free. “I was reborn. All the gifts I had and shunned were awoken once more. Seeing you lying unconscious triggered it.”

“Looks like both of you found what was missing,” Rhi stated.

“I hate to break up the party, but we need to return to the others,” Lotti said.

Kora tugged on Derek’s hand. “Not until we find Daelya and Katla.”

“The Druid is more than capable of handling herself,” Brandr said.

“The priests took her,” Kora argued.

Rhi turned toward the chamber doors. “She’d be in the tower, right?”

“Should be,” Merrill said.

Rhi vanished but returned almost immediately. “The top of the tower is gone.”

“Told you she could take care of herself,” Brandr replied.

Derek took Kora’s hand. “We can look for Daelya.”

“Listen,” Merrill said. They grew quiet, and the screams from the city reached them. “I doona think any of us should be walking the streets of Stonemore right now.”

Kora shook her head. “I promised Daelya I would get her out. I don’t want to make her wait.”

“Rhi and I will look for her while veiled,” Con said. “If we find her, we’ll get her out.”

It would have to be enough for Kora.

“Iron Hall it is then,” Lotti said.

The moment they reached the underground city, Derek tugged on Kora’s hand. She wanted some time alone just as much as he did. They slipped away from the others and hurried to her room.

They entered her chamber and closed the door. They were finally alone. She stared at the man she had almost lost so many times and sighed.

“Miena is out of our lives,” Derek said.

Kora nodded. “I rectified my mistake.” She had a feeling her family would be proud.

Derek took both of her hands in his. “We’ve not had a lot of time alone. I told you earlier there were things I needed to say.”

“There are things I need to say, too.”

He swallowed as he glanced away. “First, you should know that some of Miena’s magic is in me.”

Kora’s eyes widened in shock. Then she thought about it. “She made you. It stands to reason that her magic would be a part of you.”

“It’s why she couldn’t kill me. I discovered that if I used magic, it dimmed hers.”

“Why didn’t you tell the others?”

He jerked his chin to his arms. “I’m already different. Plus, I didn’t want them to doubt me.”

“They won’t. You should tell them.” She twisted her lips. “Since we’re sharing secrets, you should know that the violet flames did more than awaken my abilities. There are other hellhounds out there in the universe. I can feel them.”

“Then we’ll find them. Together.” He cupped his hand against the side of her head. “I don’t want to be without you. You’re my day and night. My sunrise and sunset. You give me hope that has eluded me for countless years. I didn’t think I was worthy of love, yet you showed me differently. You’ve given me the family I never thought to have.”

She smoothed her hands up his chest and around his neck. “I don’t want to be without you, either. I found friendship with an enemy, and a love against all odds. You protected me when I needed it and opened a world of passion I didn’t know was possible. You’ve given me the sky and freedom. You, my gorgeous King of the Dead, gave me a home.”

“Spend forever with me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”