Page 4 of The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

CHAPTER FOUR

Iron Hall

As if there hadn’t been enough surprises for one day, coming face-to-face with another Star Person had nearly done Kora in. Her response was instantaneous and instinctive. She jerked to her feet as flames engulfed her.

“Oh! That is amazing,” a woman with a throaty voice said. “A real hellhound. I’ve never gotten to see one before. Look how the flames dance along her hair.”

The woman’s red hair was pulled away from her face to hang in a long ponytail down her back. She wore a sleeveless, golden brown tunic with a plunging neckline that showed off thick silver armbands around each arm. The tunic hugged her full breasts and showed an inch of her toned, flat stomach before ending above the waist of the deep brown trousers that hugged her long legs and tucked into tall, leather boots. She had the walk and demeanor of a warrior.

And she walked beside a Star Person.

Merrill came up beside Kora but didn’t look at her. His gaze was on the woman who spoke. There was a hint of a smile as he said, “Jeyra.”

“I should kick your arse for what you’ve put Varek through,” Jeyra stated, then grinned. “But I won’t. This time.”

Kora watched the warrior wrap her arms around Merrill. He was quicker to respond this time as if he was getting used to embracing others again. Kora’s gaze returned to the Star Person, who had frozen at the sight of Kora’s flames. Con stood with her, talking rapidly.

This Star Person looked and acted differently than Villette and Miena. Her blond waves were parted on the side and brushed her shoulders. A simple, long-sleeved, beige tunic hung softly against her curves and was tucked into black breeches that showed off her figure without conforming to it. A wide leather belt wound around her waist and matched the knee-high boots.

But the turquoise eyes took Kora aback. There was no hostility or cynicism there. Just curiosity and wariness.

“This is Jeyra,” Merrill told Kora as if she hadn’t just declared war on the Star Person in the room. “She’s Varek’s mate and a fine warrior. Jeyra, Kora.”

Jeyra’s smile was filled with warmth as she looked at Kora. “I hope those flames aren’t for any of us. We’re all friends here.”

Kora looked past her to the blonde. She drew in a breath, waiting for the reek of evil. But there was none.

“Including Lotti,” Jeyra added. “She’s Alasdair’s mate. I’ve stood beside her to battle Villette.”

Dragons who weren’t enemies, and now Star People who might be trustworthy? Kora’s flames flickered out. How would she find her footing in this world that kept turning on its side? She longed for Derek to take her hand and steady her.

“Sorry,” Kora mumbled, covering herself with her hands as she sat on the rim of the pool once more.

The cool stone against her bare flesh made the situation even more embarrassing. Merrill didn’t bat an eye as he clothed her with magic once more.

“There’s no need to apologize,” Con said. “I should’ve prepared you.”

Lotti flashed Kora a shaky smile. “I’m nothing like Villette. I want her gone, and I’m working toward that.”

Kora wasn’t sure how to respond, but then she didn’t have to because Con filled the awkward silence. He succinctly told Lotti and Jeyra everything she and Merrill had shared earlier. Kora was happy she didn’t have to repeat everything again, which gave her time to think—about all the changes happening around her. And Derek.

The not knowing where he was or if he still remembered her was tearing her in two. She wanted to give in to those feelings, but she couldn’t. Not now. She had to focus on finding him and stopping Miena. She channeled her rage, fears, and every ounce of resentment there.

“We need some of the Kings to go to the Fae doorway,” Con said. “I’m no’ leaving Ulrik and the others to safeguard Dreagan.”

Kora felt as if she had stepped into another reality. She didn’t know what a Fae doorway was, but she could guess it was somehow tied to Rhi. And it seemed logical that Dreagan was a place important to the Kings. Their home on their world, perhaps?

“What if splitting up the Kings here is exactly what Miena wants you to do?” Merrill asked.

Con turned his head to him. “I thought of that. You got away from her, which means she knows you’ll have told us everything so we can prepare.”

“True. But she isna coming herself. She’ll send Derek.”

Hearing his name and imagining what Miena might tell him was another blow to Kora’s battered heart. She hated feeling so…helpless. But that’s what she was. She could end a Star Person’s life with her flames and move faster than most, but what else did she have? Nothing. She couldn’t teleport or create clothes and food out of nothing. She was only good for one thing.

“She wants us to leave the dragons defenseless here,” Merrill said.

Con ran a hand down his face. “We prepare here. Rhi alerted the Kings at Dreagan, and they’ll take precautions there.”

Kora watched the exchange with interest, along with Jeyra and Lotti. The way Merrill and Con interacted spoke of a history of many centuries together. As well as deep-rooted trust—the kind only someone who had stood beside another in the most disastrous of situations and come out together understood.

“Ulrik and the others will be on the lookout,” Merrill said.

Con put his hands on his hips, his gaze going distant. “They’ll spread the word to the Reapers, who will tell the Fae if necessary. Ulrik will also alert the Skye Druids. And the Warriors.”

Kora didn’t have a clue what a Reaper or a Skye Druid was, but she wanted to. What other differences were there between Zora and Earth? She hoped she got the opportunity to find out.

Con lifted his gaze to Merrill. “Erith is aware of the situation with Villette.”

There was a moment of silence before Merrill’s eyes widened, and he grinned. Kora had to bite her tongue not to ask questions. If they wanted her to know, they would have spoken the words. It stung to be left out, but she was the outsider here, and she had to remember that.

“Where is Rhi?” Con asked.

Merrill said, “She’s guarding Villette, who is surrounded by Kora’s fire. But I didna feel right leaving her alone.”

Con’s lips pinched, and Kora wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“What is it?” Merrill asked.

It was Jeyra who answered. “She’s pregnant.”

Kora didn’t think she’d heard that right. The only ones on Zora who could give birth were the animals. Then again, Rhi was from another realm. One where their bellies would swell with a child. The prospect of it seemed as unattainable as touching the moons.

The smile that crossed Merrill’s face was one of true joy. “That’s fantastic news. Congratulations.”

But the revelation made Kora acutely aware of the position they had put Rhi in. It didn’t take long for Merrill to reach the same conclusion.

“I’ll trade places with her,” Lotti said.

Kora jumped to her feet. “Take me with you. Please. I should remain to watch Villette.”

“We can no’ be in two places at once.” Con sighed. “But I willna bring Villette here. She doesna know about the city’s existence, and it’s going to stay that way.”

Merrill shrugged one shoulder. “Then we go to Stonemore.”

“That’s where we were?” Kora asked.

He nodded as he turned his blue eyes on her. “It’s not in the same mountain, but it’s in the same range.”

“How do you know?” Jeyra asked.

Con sliced his hand through the air. “We can sort that out later. I need to get to my mate.”

“Kora and I will go now.” Lotti motioned Kora over.

The moment Kora reached her, Lotti touched her, and they were suddenly back in the cavern. The stink of evil hit Kora. She knew without looking that Villette was there. Rhi sat on a table, swinging her legs as she leaned back on her hands. Her face split into a grin at the sight of them.

Lotti hurried to her, and they exchanged quiet words. Kora turned to Villette, whose entire demeanor changed at the sight of Lotti. The look went beyond disgust and loathing. It was hatred on a level Kora only thought she knew until that moment.

Villette’s gaze swung to Kora. “One bad choice after another. You would think you would’ve righted things long ago, but you keep making mistakes.”

“No one wants to hear what you have to say,” Rhi said as she and Lotti came up beside Kora.

Villette chuckled softly. “Kora knows it’s the truth. If she doesn’t change her tactics, she’ll lose Derek. Or she’ll lose her life at his hand rather.”

“That’s enough,” Lotti stated, her turquoise eyes flashing angrily.

Villette laughed and crossed her arms over her chest smugly. She had gotten her point across just as she’d intended. The problem was that Kora had already been worried about the very things Villette spoke of. Hearing them aloud only confirmed her concerns.

Rhi turned Kora away and gently nudged her to follow. Kora hated the cavern because it was where she had last seen Derek. But she wanted to be there because it was the last place Derek had been. She slowly followed Rhi as Lotti trailed behind her.

The Fae stopped at the other end of the cavern and faced them. “I probably don’t need to tell you not to listen to anything that vile bitch has to say, but don’t listen to anything that vile bitch has to say. She’s trying to get under your skin.”

“Too late,” Kora replied.

Lotti shot an angry look over her shoulder. “I hate that I’m even associated with someone who is so…so…”

“Revolting?” Rhi offered. “Wicked?”

Kora grinned. “Despicable.”

“Ohhh. Good one,” Rhi said with a smile.

Lotti wrinkled her nose. “All of that and more.”

“I don’t want her help,” Kora said. “It seems wrong.”

Rhi nodded. “It is, but sometimes you have to work with the enemy to bring down another adversary. You aren’t in this alone. You have us.”

“You don’t know me.”

Lotti shrugged. “They didn’t know me either, yet they all supported and helped me when I needed it. We’ll do the same for you.”

“And find Derek,” Rhi added.

No one spoke about returning his memories. It wasn’t as if anyone could snap their fingers and do it. Well, perhaps Miena could, but she wouldn’t. She’d die before allowing Kora and Derek to be together. He would only get free of Miena’s hold if Kora could get him to remember her.

And fall in love with her again.

“Hey,” Rhi said to get her attention. “You have the strength of the Dragon Kings, as well as the Fae, Star People, Warriors, Banshees, and so many others. We don’t want a war. Con and the others have done everything they could to prevent it, but we’ve all known it would lead to one.”

War. Was that what this was coming to? This wouldn’t be just hostility between the dragons and Villette. This would be everyone against everyone. The very thing Villette had been building toward.

The Kings didn’t know Derek. They said they would find him, but they hadn’t said they would save him. If it came down to protecting their own or him, who would they choose? The answer was obvious to her.

Derek was in the enemy’s hands with his memory wiped. When he woke, it would be Miena who shaped his world, thoughts, and actions. It had taken him hundreds of years to unravel Villette’s lies. Miena wouldn’t give him that chance. She had promised to get deep into his mind and scrub it. There was a good chance that when Kora encountered Derek again, there would be nothing there she recognized.

“Keep clear of Villette,” Rhi said. “I’ll be back.”

Kora stared at the empty spot where the Fae had stood. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, chilled, then glanced at Lotti. If she could learn to accept dragons as friends, she needed to make the same effort with Lotti. “I’m sorry for…before.”

“It’s fine.” Lotti’s lips curved into a quick smile. “Really.”

“It isn’t. If I had smelled you before reacting, I would’ve known you weren’t evil.”

Lotti tucked a strand of wavy blond hair behind her ear. “After dealing with Villette and Miena, I don’t blame you.”

“I made the situation worse. There are two of them to deal with now.”

“There was always two of them. Even if you hadn’t released Miena, we would’ve had to handle her once we dealt with Villette.”

Kora faced the Star Person. “You sound certain that we’ll defeat both.”

“Because we will.” Lotti sank onto a rock and patted the one next to her. “Tell me about Derek.”

Kora sat as her mind drifted through thoughts of Derek. Just thinking about him brought a smile to her face. “I thought it was his pale olive eyes that drew me when I first met him. They certainly capture your attention. But it didn’t take me long to learn it was so much more than that.” Her smile widened. “His hair is almost as long as mine and black as the midnight sky. He’s protective and gentle. Powerful and imposing.”

“Sounds just like a Dragon King,” Lotti said.

Kora’s smile faltered. “He stood against Villette for me. The knowledge that they had created him cut him deeper than any weapon could. It crushed me. But not nearly as much as learning that he loved me.”

Lotti reached across the space between them and covered Kora’s hand with hers. “You love him.”

“Aye. None of that matters if he doesn’t remember me, though.”

“Trust me, it does. A dragon mates for life. I promise you this: He’ll know you no matter how many memories they take from him.”

Kora needed to hear that. She took those words and held them close, settling them next to the single thread of hope that remained inside her.