“Dragon,” I whisper, my stomach leaping as I clutch Nox’s tunic tightly. The beast snaps its head in our direction, iridescent black scales shining over its body. Yellow snake-like eyes glare at us, the scent of sulfur strong as heat wafts from a mouth large enough to bite clear through one of the massive trees surrounding the square. My magic flares, Nox’s signature thick in the air as shadows are pulled in our direction, but I lay my hand flat over his chest in silent protest not to attack. Not yet. The dragon lowers its body to the ground, keeping its head hovering a few feet higher and its gaze narrowed directly on us.
I think Daje curses at our side, and quickened steps sound as the guards run towards the forest for cover.
But movement on top of the dragon keeps me rooted in place, as I watch a figure dressed in black and holding something wrapped in a cloak stand and sway before stumbling to the dragon’s shoulder.Gods above, this isn’t a wild dragon but a bonded one. Though my research on the creatures was limited, I’ve read enough to know that dragons only let those they’ve bonded with ride them.
“What is that?” Xander asks, the dragon growling and showing off teeth half my length as if in response to his question. I swallow as I watch the figure slidedown the dragon’s extended leg, hitting the ground hard and falling to their knees.
“Nox,” I breathe in awe, attempting to take a step forward only for him to pull me back. The dragon rider lays what they are holding carefully onto the ground, the fabric slipping to reveal a glimpse of dark brown skin and ruby-red hair. My breath catches in my throat, heart clenching, as the dark figure lifts a shaking hand to the hood of their cloak and pushes it back.
Eyes as dark as night look out at us, hair tangled around her slightly pointed ears.She’s fae.“Bring her—” The distinctly female voice breaks before she inhales deeply, her upper body beginning to bow over the person at her knees.
The dragon behind her growls deep in its throat as it moves its head closer.
“Bring her to Rhea Maxwell,” she grits out before collapsing.
Epilogue
Youwillgetmethat kingdom, one way or another. Even if it costs you your life in order to do it.
My mother’s words haunt me, her dark gaze reflected in my own as I stare at myself in the standing mirror.Well, Mother,you were right in one regard.Life was lost. It just wasn’t mine. Neither of us could have predicted just what would transpire to bring sirens back into the Mortal Kingdom.
I run my hands down the teal fabric of the dress the servants helped me into, the clothing restrictive in a way that makes my talons threaten to show. The urge to shred the dress is only beaten into submission by the promise that this small inconvenience is the price in order to receive somethinggrander. Still, the idea that wearing a dress makes me morepalatableto the mortals, as their foolish king suggested, draws a deep scowl. It is as if they believe clothing will cloak their true nature. As if it will somehowdisguisemy own. But let them hide behind their chaste ideas of modesty and order. Let them lookupon me and fool themselves into seeing a being more female than monster.
After all, the trick isn’t to disappear. It’s to hide in plain sight.
I turn before the knocks on the door arrive, startling the woman who stands on the other side when I abruptly pull it open. “Lady—”
“Ah, ah,” I tut, grabbing her delicate, pale chin in my fingers, letting just enough of my talons out that they indent her skin. “I am not a lady. I amnotone ofyou. I am aqueen.”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty. My apologies.” Her light brown eyes gleam with fear, the air practically tainted with it. I breathe in deeply as I release her face, my tongue running over the tips of my canines. “King Dolian says he is ready for you. The guards here will escort you to him.”
“And my daughters?”
The servant swallows, running nervous hands over the white apron of her uniform. “Being given a tour of the castle. Shall I fetch them for you?”
Stepping past her and into the hall, I make note of the two men in golden armor. Both smart enough to keep their hands away from their weapons. The trick with training pets is making sure the rules are established ahead of time. They saw what my power looked like on that beach. Howeasyit was for me to get their comrades to bend to a will not their own. I do notneedthem to willingly fear me, but it certainly makes things easier if they do.
“No,” I answer the servant as we begin our walk to where the mortal king waits for me. “Leave them to explore their new home.”
The sun is shining down on the king when I join him on a shiny white stone balcony. He draws his shoulders back at the sound of my footsteps, as if pretending he can handle the weight of the gold crown upon his head might make me respecthim more. Might make him seemvaluablein our little endeavor together. But I see the way his knuckles turn white as they grip the banister, the gold coral ring on his finger glinting.
I think of the other who wears a matching ring, and a smile nudges the corners of my mouth.
“Are your accommodations to your liking, Queen Amari?”
“Don’t bore me with pleasantries. It is beneath us both.”
He huffs out a breath but nods. “Have you figured out which of your sirens released Rhea from the ring?”
“I have my suspicions, but as I told you earlier, our charge’s absence will be short. The attack on the Mage Kingdom is well under way.”
“And if they are able to fight your sirens off?” he asks, finally turning his gaze to meet mine.
Annoyance filters through my veins, my eyes narrowing as my magic pools at the base of my throat.
“Worried the mage prince—I’m sorry,king—will touch what you think is yours?Again?” I taunt, grinning when his lip lifts in a snarl. “How long until he’s fucking her?Tastingher in all the ways you wanted to.”
Heat flares at his cheeks. “How dare y—”
