I rise on my feet, rage burning in my veins. “You took my memories!”
Her pointy finger glides along her chin. “I mean you’re already remembering some, but those, the ones tucked away in those metal stones forged by the lava that can kill you, are safely locked away untilI allow youto have them.”
“You are far worse than Queen Antivianna.” A single tear glides down my face.
She tucks her white hair behind her ears. “Now that is the nicest compliment I have ever received.”
Wings beat against the wind, catching the attention of the Darkland dragon, and its wide mouth snaps, barely missing Koen’s wing.
Theon and Kaine leap from his back, landing on the ground as Theon rolls, tripping over his own boots as he rises.
“Oh, more are here,” Tilly scuffs, rolling her eyes. “You think these men can defeat me? That they can help you?”
“And a woman.” I cock my head to the side. “Yeah. I do.”
My cheeks burn by the metal, praying to the Gods it cools off soon. I hear the boots slamming into the ground behind me, knowing the others are finally off of the dragons as my sister pulls her arms across her chest. The crackling sounds of fire popping in the dragon's mouth makes my throat tighten.
“To think you fell in love with a damn shifter,” Tilly sneers, glancing towards Koen and Florian behind me.
Klayra kicks rocks as she makes her way beside me, noticing the blood that gushes from my thigh. “You need to heal.”
“I know. But not until my sister is dead.” I nod towards her. “Where is Dryden?”
“He isn’t doing well. He is resting behind the rocks as Koen and Florian unshift.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “We need to get you both to the sea.”
Tileatha begins to clap her hands, startling me as I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “Your little followers are cute.”
“Friends,” I hiss, stumbling forward, but Klayra catches my arm, gripping my suit tightly and holding me back.
“You can’t fight like this,” she hisses. “What the hell is on your face?”
I snap my gaze towards her. “I know, and I’ll explain later.”
“Do we have a later?” Her voice trembles, eyes flickering between mine.
“Did you hear about mymother’sdeath?” Tilly snatches her dagger from her sheath attached to her onyx leather pants and twists it against her finger. “Such a shame the Queen had to die.”
“Mother?” I heave. “Our mother died before she cursed the lands!”
“No!” she bolts, veins bulging against her pale skin as her neck flushes with red. “Yourmother cursed the lands!”
I reach out to steady my balance against Klarya’s shoulder, gripping the fabric of her suit. “I don’t understand what you are saying, Tilly!”
She points the dagger towards us. “Father was busy being unfaithful to your mother because she couldn’t bear a child.” She walks over to us, stepping on dead logs as they crunch into ash while her dragon waits patiently behind her. “How do you think Queen Antivianna became Queen anyway?”
No.
“What are you saying!” I heave, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
I hear the sounds of boots stumbling behind me, and I glance over my shoulder, noticing Florian and Koen striding up to us.
“I found out later that our so-calledmotherwas not my mother. But she took me in to show the Kingdom that there was an heir to the throne.” She breathes a heavy sigh. “I was the chosen one to rule the Realms, until she became pregnant with you. You took this away from me!”
“Do not tell me this mad woman is my sister?” Theon walks up, shaking his head as he crosses his arms.
Tilly’s lip curls into an amused smirk. “Half sister.”
“Damn. Why are all the women in my family insane?” Theon scuffs.
