The nearest warriors retreated several yards, and the deputy major shook his head. “She will destroy us. She is an uncontrollable bitch.”
“So am I when I’m angry.” Lexi stamped the ground with the trident and moved toward him. “She is a mother protecting her young and trying to live long enough to see them well started in life. Release her. Now.”
“My own,” Jeros said, his tone filled with worry.
Lexi ignored him. Mama dragon needed her freedom. “Release her Chotenth. Prove to me your fealty is not just meaningless words.” She turned and looked at the dragon.No revenge. Only freedom and the safety of your babies. Agreed?
The dragon bowed her head in a regal nod.“Agreed, she of the prophecy. Ye have my word, I shall not harm the Fae of the Fires—even though they deserve it.”
Lexi turned back to Chotenth. “She gave me her word. No revenge. She merely wants her freedom and the safety of her young.”
“Ye would risk our lives for a dragon?” The deputy major spat. It sizzled when it hit the ground.
“Then get behind me, coward,” Lexi dared. “Use me as a shield. I know you can release her from a distance with magic.” Actually, she didn’t know that, but surely that was true.
“I am no coward!” The angry Fae charged toward her, drawing so close that his oppressive heat almost knocked her back a step.
“Neither am I.” Lexi held the trident across her body, ready to whack him with it, if need be. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Jeros and Darkcord approaching with swords drawn. Aylryd joined them. “Stay back. This is between me and Chotenth.”
“The hell it is,” Jeros said, baring his teeth like an enraged beast.
“Jeros, please.” She gave him a pleading look. This was her issue to handle. He needed to understand that. “Please,”she mouthed.
Teeth still bared in a displeased grimace, he widened his stance and stayed put.
She turned back to Chotenth. “The dragon will be freed. No Fae will be harmed. She has given me her word, and a dragon’s word is their bond.Trustme.”
His eyes glowed a hotter red, making his bronzed face appear even more metallic. “And if she lies? If she seeks revenge?”
“I will protect you,” Lexi said. “I’ll climb into the cage with her and stay in front of her snout.” While she had muzzled many an angry dog without getting bit, she wasn’t quite sure about a nervous mother dragon. All she could do was try.
“And once she is freed? What is to keep her from returning to our homeland and wreaking carnage?”
“It’s time for the dragon’s great sleep. I am sure she would much rather go to the mountains with her young and her kin. The other dragons didn’t destroy you, even though I am certain you tortured them just as much. Neither will she.”
Chotenth shifted with a deep breath, then waved his troops farther back still. “I will stay here and remove the cage. I am not a coward.”
Lexi nodded and went to the cage. Before climbing inside, she gave the dragon a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be all right as long as everyone stays calm. No revenge. No retaliation. We’re making a fresh start and going to keep the peace for your precious babies. Right?”
“Ye have my word, she of the prophecy, and the word of Ursat, Lady of Fire, has never been broken. It is the Fae of the Fires who cannot be trusted. They wish to see ye dead. Chotenth wishes to be overlord.”
“Well, we’ll keep that between us for now, but I appreciate the warning.”
“Place yer trident where I might shed a tear upon it.”
Even though Lexi thought the request a bit odd, she did so.
Ursat allowed a single teardrop to fall upon the base of the three prongs, close to where Incendium’s crystal had been embedded. As soon as the dragon’s tear hit the silver of the staff, it crystallized into a breathtaking diamond so large that it filled the space where the last gem had been set.
“It will protect ye from them,”Ursat said.“My gift to ye as thanks for saving my children.”
Close to tears at the touching gesture, Lexi cleared her throat. “Thank you, Ursat. This means more to me than you will ever know.” She smiled. “Now, let’s get you freed and your babies safe.” She turned and pointed the trident at Chotenth. “Remove the cage. Now.”
The major’s eyes narrowed when he spotted the crystal, but he responded with a curt nod. With a wave of his hand, the cage disappeared.
Ursat stretched her long neck and her great, silvery wings. Then she bent and touched her nose to each of her eggs and seemed to smile. Ever so gently, she scooped them up into her mouth and took off, immediately soaring high and disappearing into the clouds.
Proud and a little sad at not being able to see the baby dragons when they hatched, Lexi turned her focus back to Chotenth, keeping in mind Ursat’s warning. The warrior’s stance shouted that he was about to do something, and she didn’t figure it would be anything good. She was at a disadvantage, too. The glen full of the fiery Fae was behind her, and Chotenth was at her front.
