My wings beat harder in the air. I flew overhead so I could keep the dragon king in my line of vision, but turned slightly and watched as my soul mate’s horse finally slid to a stop directly beside the two men below.
“Who in the Fae fuck is this, King Elon? I thought King Traevon was with you.” Minnie snarled hotly, baring her lovely fangs at the two kings. Her lush seafoam green hair was a windblown mess, and broken twigs stuck out of it. A dash of yellow paint was on her right cheek, and her dress was torn at the hem. She looked a frightful mess. “Tell me now.”
King Elon rubbed at his chin and murmured, “I am bound by honor not to say what he is to anyone in this realm.”
Minnie’s eyes immediately narrowed on the dragon king. “He is Fae, then. He’s who’s going to take you to Fairy.” She leaned down from her horse and flicked her eyes between the two men. “Where is my soul mate?”
As one, they both remained mute at her demanding fury and pointed up into the air right where I hovered.
Her sweet golden eyes lifted. She stared.
My soul mate blinked.
Blinked once more.
Still looking up at me, she coaxed with menace, “He’s a butterfly?”
“Not permanently, I promise you,” King Ula assured. “Only for the journey to Fairy.”
Abruptly, she screamed furiously, “I am going to beat your motherfucking ass, Traevon!” With breakneck anger, Minnie pointed at me. “I am not being left behind this time!Youstay here and feel what it’s like to lose your soul mate whileIgo and save our misplaced child.”
King Elon took a step back.
The King of Dragons cleared his throat, glancing up at me and back to her—since I couldn’t fucking say anything. Then he stated respectfully, “I understand—”
“No,” Minnie barked, cutting him off. “The only words that’ll come out of your mouth are that you’ll take me with you. That’s it. There are no other choices.”
King Ula peeked up at me. “You want this?”
There would be no end to this fight if I didn’t allow her to accompany me. I could only protect this brave, loving, and bullheaded woman so much—when I was caught. I bobbed up and down in the air, giving my approval.
“I knew you were a smart man. Do not leave before I stable this horse.” Minnie nudged her mare and swiftly headed toward the royal stables.
In less than ten minutes, a silver butterfly, a seafoam green butterfly, and a golden butterfly were before me. We followed the golden butterfly toward the twisted black trees of the Blood Forest, breaching its solid fortification by squeezing through branches large enough for all four of us to enter together.
We carefully focused on the leader, but the realm suddenly beamed into light too bright to see.
Anguish of a king:
Loving a child who doesn’t exist yet, the need and desperation to have your own kin, is akin to your castle sitting upon your chest and mercilessly crushing you beneath it.
The damage you cannot see runs deeper than you can imagine.
The pain and sadness can hold you hostage and not let go.
Bright sunlight shone down on my wet shoulders as I splashed my beautiful soul mate, laughing as she spluttered and splashed me back—which was barely a few sprinkles compared to the flood I’d sent her way. I grinned unrepentantly and swam away from the rushing waterfall toward the small, rocky beach area, the cascading water falling into this serene, blue slice of perfection. I teased over my shoulder, “Can you catch me, love?”
“You know I can’t, you bastard!” She laughed and splashed at my retreating form. “But there’s something I can do to stop you.”
“What is that?” I asked and turned around, paddling calmly in the cool water. Wet fabric unexpectedly slapped me in the face, lobbed perfectly by my grinning love. My head jerked back in surprise until I peeled the cloth from my skin. I lifted my eyebrows as I understood. “Yes, this will stop me.”
Smirking cheekily, Minnie swam smoothly toward me—no longer wearing her swimwear. “Do you know what I want to do?”
“I’ve a fairly decent idea.” Absently, I chucked her clothing toward the beach, unknowing if it landed or not, my attention rapt on the beauty swimming closer. I shoved my swimwear down my legs, allowing the material to sink to the bottom of the lake, while my emerald gaze locked on the round breasts just below the crystal clear blue surface, utterly caught in her trap as she’d planned. “I like the way you think.”
Minnie’s grin turned triumphant…
As she dunked me under the water.
