“Hathor,” he said, awed and proud all at once. “She explained everything to me. The sapling will need a caretaker. Someone who knows what it’s like to be small. Someone accustomed to watching over the vulnerable. She said there is none better suited than me.”
“And I shall look after Speck.” Myrna’s firm voice rang out, her thick sandals slapping the tiles.
“Myrna!” I exclaimed, pleased to see her despite our previous encounter when she helped Alaric imprison me.
I furrowed my brow, taking Speck’s hand in a protective grip. “And you’re sure you’re up for that?”
She huffed a nod. “I swear I’ll take care of him as if he were my own.”
At least I had proof she was a woman of her word, considering how long the trogg had served the dragons. I jabbed a finger in her direction. “No dungeons.”
She pursed her purple lips, one eye twinkling. “No dungeons.”
“And Speck,” I turned back to my friend. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’d like to stay here, if that’s alright. With Myrna and the trogg. My flock is close by as well.”
Thorne stepped forward, his big body softening. “If that’s what you want, Gravestone Mountain is lucky to have you, little guardian.”
Speck straightened, ten inches taller with a title. “I will be the best guardian,” he vowed solemnly, and then ruined it by grinning.
Seeing his joy, I was reminded that freedom didn’t mean being unbound, but choosing what you bind yourself to.
He glanced at the little seedling up on the dais, rounded eyes filled with wonder. “Do you think it will grow to be big and majestic like Carcerem’s tree?”
“Maybe.” I brushed his hair from his brow. “Or maybe it will be something new. A symbol of what was lost and what was learned. A symbol of freedom reborn.”
“New is good,” he decided, and nodded like a judge.
“New is good,” Myrna agreed, glancing between me and Thorne. “And the two of you? What will you do?”
Thorne clasped my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Anything we want, now both of us are free.” Free to explore, to live, to love. “I believe Sera would like to travel a bit before settling down. On the wings of a dragon, there’s no place we can’t visit.”
I grinned up at my mate, heart overflowing. It was all I’d ever dreamed of coming true. Better than any fairy tale. “Is that what you truly desire?”
“Absolutely.” Thorne beamed, love shining on his face. “Because, Princess, you’re worth it.”
Chapter 36
YAGA
Yaga hoistedher weight onto the step of her wooden cart, knees creaking with the effort.
“Careful, you oaf. Drop me, and I’ll use your bullocks in my next hair-growth elixir,” the aged hag barked at the buffoon who’d helped her into her seat. Instead of fortifying the fool, her threat caused his hands to shake. Her fragile bones slipped from his grip, and her backside smacked the unforgiving bench. She bit back a sharp curse.
Aliteralcurse that would see his children and grandchildren big-eared, cross-eyed, and wort-faced.
Where was a virile vampire king to lend a hand when she needed one? Oh, how that Victor Custodis got her blood pumping. With his long silver hair and his fine royal rump. The mortal men of this realm were lacking in a variety of ways. It was a shame she was headed in the opposite direction from Hot Britches’ kingdom. Opposite of Carcerem.
At the pointed, one-eyed glare she sent him, her assistant wasquick to back away, wiping his hands on his trousers like he could wash off the dark magic she wielded.
Coward.
A little zap of power, and he was ready to piss himself. Bet her favorite vampire-god could take a hit and keep on...Well...
She shook her head to clear the lusty fog.
It was no wonder dozens of the realm’s kingdoms were failing with all the obsidian-starved idiots around. The loss of so many Sacred Arbors during The Dark One’s regime had changed the very fabric of their existence. There were many days she feared the destruction of even a single magical branch could destroy them all.
