How could he do that to me? How could he do that to Myel, who clearly looked up to him?
“Now come on, we need to move!” Safir hissed, grabbing my arm while I was off balance and dragging me along behind him.
I let him, because he was right about one thing, we were in danger. But as soon as we were safe, he and I were going to have a long talk about lying to his princess, and bonds, and so much more.
It was time for Safir to learn he wasn’t in charge anymore. And I very much looked forward to teaching him that lesson.
KOARTHANDRIS
It was easier travellingbetween the three fae realms than travelling to the human realm, but two such jaunts in quick succession meant I was winded as I arrived back in Seial. Nothing that would slow me down too much, though.
Having switched to my dragon form, I brought myself back to Seial in the skies outside of the capital of El’Anderyn. Other dragons patrolled the night sky and my presence was detected.
What is your business here, brother?The voice spoke into my mind. It was how we dragons communicated when in dragon form. I swung my large head around to see the shadow behind me. He was larger than me, but his spirit aura not as strong. I could take him if I needed to.
Business for Saldrea. Sent from Veilblood Academy.
Hopefully, that would get me access to the city. I prayed word of my betrayal of the false princess hadn’t travelled this far yet.
Proceed,the other dragon said, indifferent.
It seemed I was safe for now. Though I’d not be able touse my connection to Saldrea after this. That didn’t bother me. I hated being associated with that hellion.
I zeroed in on Izzy’s spirit aura. There were many strong auras below, this being the capital city of the elves, the strongest race in all three realms. Still, Izzy’s was burned into my memory. I locked onto her aura almost instantly and glided down toward a sprawling estate outside of the city to the east.
If this was where Izzy’s paternal grandmother lived, the woman must be very well off indeed. Especially for a nymph.
I circled the grounds, searching for a place to land. As I did, angling through the night sky, the glowing towers of the city flashed in the distance, a place of light and power, and above it all… was the palace.
The sight ofthat placeput a sour taste in my mouth as I descended toward a large, clear swathe of lawn.
Returning to the capital was never easy for me. This was where I’d failed the royal family, where I’d disgraced myself. One critical moment of distraction and the master I’d served — the late queen’s brother, Talmarion — and his entire family had perished.
One mistake that had ripped the world apart, for it had left no more royals in all of Seial.
My shame had become a weight upon my soul, one I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. Or so I’d thought. But now I had a chance to make up for my failure. As I landed, shifted, and strode toward the mansion, I swore I would never fail the royal family again: never failIzzy. I’d never leave her side. I’d protect her with my life and die happy knowing I’d saved her. It was the least I could do after failing her great uncle and his family.
One of the doors at the back of the mansion opened and a silken voice drifted out to me.
“You must be the dragon we’re waiting for. Come in.” It wasn’t Izzy’s voice, but it was familiar. I’d heard that voice before, knew it well.
And it stopped me dead in my tracks.
Olinara.
Everything had happened so fast — discovering who Izzy was, then making our plans, and springing into action — that I hadn’t made the connection as towhoIzzy’s paternal grandmother would be.
Izzy’s father had been Sa Eofine Keomar, a Nymph. He’d been a friend of the royal family, close to them…becauseof his mother. Sa Eofine Olinara had been one of the Inamorati: Queen Leastrine’s harem. Seven men and women of the utmost beauty and grace, vigor and intelligence. Seven who’d been like family to the royals, even if they hadn’t been elves. Seven who were envied by elves, because they hadn’t just shared the queen’s bed, they’d been her most trusted advisors and confidantes. And Olinara had been the closest of them all, theheadof the harem, the Inamora.
No wonder Olinara had an estate like this.
From what I recalled of the woman, she’d played the political game better than most, using her assets — both physical and mental, but mostly physical — to pry secrets from the lips of the queen’s adversaries. Her capability for seduction was legendary.
And here she was.
I couldn’t see her face, only her silhouetted form, the light from within outlining her figure in the doorway. She possessed an hour-glass figure, much like Izzy’s, but even more pronounced and curvaceous. As a nymph, she’dmaintained this image of lush beauty and youthfulness for hundreds of years.
I sighed as I drew near.
