King Lyrandir roared again and fear shot down my spine.
“Do not be afraid,” Vax said and kissed my cheek. “I will not let him hurt you or your family.”
And then my mate was rising into the air through a column of water, shifting as he went. His guards did the same until a line of sea dragons hovered behind the stern of our ship, facing off with the solitary dragon. The sight was something to behold. The Water Magic of the sea dragons joined, creating a long cloud of water like a floating aquarium. Within it, theirbeautiful fins undulated while the sun brought out the vibrant colors of their scales and whiskers. Colors that the depths of the sea normally muted. So stunning, but also fearsome. Teeth bared, claws spread, and tails lashed. These men weren't about to let anything pass them. And their king was front and center.
I gazed up at Vax in awe. This was the man I would spend the rest of my life with. A man who could become a magnificent beast and defend me. I wouldn't have to fight anymore. I wouldn't have to fear. But I did fear. Just not for myself. Even seeing how outnumbered King Lyrandir was, I was afraid for Vax. Because in our brief encounter, I'd seen the savagery of the land king and his determination.
Sure enough, King Lyrandir didn't turn back when he saw what awaited him. He kept coming. Although he did stop and hover. That's when his King's Guard caught up to him—a flight of dragons in V formation like a flock of birds. Seeing them confirmed that my fears were justified.
“Give me the Eye!” I said urgently to Teng.
He didn't hesitate, just spun and ran for the door. I followed him into the shadows of the corridor, even as the rumble of dragon voices filled the air. My hearts stuttered to leave Vax out there, but I knew I had to secure Ensarena's Eye. If I didn't, King Lyrandir would keep pursuing my family.
Teng and I rushed into his cabin. He went to the secret compartment below his bed and kicked it. It popped open to reveal a stash of treasure. Among his valuables sat a plain black pouch. He snatched it up and tossed it to me.
“He'll protect you?” Teng asked urgently.
“Yes, of course. You're the one I'm worried about.” I hugged Teng. “I have to be seen with this. Maybe we can draw them away.”
He nodded. “Zix, be careful.”
“You too.” Then we hurried back out to the main deck.
The dragons, both land and sea, were arguing. Vax had his head out of the water so he could speak aloud, and it was indeed loud.
“You had my mate!” Vax roared. “Your people tortured him!”
“They are not my people. And how were they to know he was your mate?”
“Regardless, he is, and I will avenge his suffering.”
“Fine. I will forgive the damage to my castle. But your mate stole something that belongs to me. I will have it now.”
“Yes, Ensarena's Eye,” Vax growled. “That does not belong to you. It is not for any Dragon. I have taken it into my keeping and will secure it somewhere beneath the sea, back where it was before it was stolenfrom us.”
“That is a Land Dragon's gem! You cannot hope to use it. Your people took it from mine!”
“No. One of your kind nearly destroyed the world with the Eye. The power consumed him, fooled him into believing he was a god, and he burned for it. After his death, my people took the Eye into their keeping, urged into doing so by Karadas himself.”
“That was thousands of years ago,” King Lyrandir said. “We have grown stronger since then. I can handle the Eye.”
“I don't know if that's true, but I'm unwilling to take the risk.”
“Hand it over or I shall burn that ship with your mate aboard.”
“Oh, fuck,” I whispered.
“You dare to threaten my mate?!” Vaxarion roared. “You are the lowest of scum! And now I am certain you are unfit to wield the Eye.”
Vaxarion's guards joined him in roaring, though theirs was without words. Every sea dragon up there was prepared to defend me. But it was my family who I worried about. I looked at Teng.
“Zixin,” Teng said in a warning tone.
“I'll be all right. Don't worry about me. Just get everyone out of here when you have the chance.”
Teng nodded, then raced to the helm. “Rigging!”
Power gathered in the sky. The sea surged. Land dragons drew in their breaths. And through it all, the crew of the Lu-Ken scurried to secure the sails.
