They didn’t deserve the mercy of a quick death. I’d break all the bones in their bodies, flay their skin from their flesh, then let them heal, only to do it all over again.
Lost to the bloodthirsty thoughts of vengeance, I flew into the night sky, leaving the great hill of Teneris behind me.
My tail lashed wildly. My claws ached to tear into someone’s flesh. I would burn Ashgate to the ground. Every single dirtythug in it would pay for the distress she suffered in that city. Every single one of them…
The cool air high above the world and the thoughts of Elaine eventually brought my rage under control, taming it from a burning inferno to a river of molten lava. It remained just as deadly but gave me a chance to think a little more rationally.
I served in the royal army most of my life. I’d led warriors into hundreds of battles, most of which I’d won. I’d been a general long enough to know that victory never came from rage and determination alone.
Raging into an attack on Ashgate didn’t mean I would win that fight. But Imustwin it. I couldn’t risk a defeat.
Victory required a cold head, enough force to overpower the enemy, and a plan. All of which I currently lacked. If I attacked recklessly, I risked being killed. My death wouldn’t help Elaine. It wouldn’t save her. To bring her back, I had to live. I also needed an army and a plan.
I slowed down in my flight. Behind me, the distant lights of Teneris had faded to a golden glow on the horizon.
Elaine believed that Teneris was the safest city in the kingdom for her. According to her, Prince Rha had learned to care about her friend, also a human woman.
I served with the prince in the queen’s army, but I didn’t know him well. For most of my career, my rank had been too low to rub elbows with the royalty. After the dragon’s bite and my dismissal from the army, my bitterness against the crown, the army, and the queen had encompassed Prince Rha as well.
However, I knew the prince was well-respected by his warriors. He was brave, just, and capable as a leader. He also had made several attempts to find Ashgate and bring the kingdom’s law into the lawless city.
Well, maybe I could help him finally find it this time.
Twisting in the air, I took a sharp turn, heading back toward Teneris.
Ashgate had to fall. That entire rotten to the core place had to pay, but I couldn’t do it alone. I didn’t fear death, far from it. But I couldn’t risk losing Elaine for good. Mazra or whoever took her would expect me to come for her. They would be prepared for my fury. They’d seen me in action and know what I was capable of. What they wouldn’t expect is me coming for them with an army.
I circled over the city, found the brightly lit, golden rooftops of the royal palace, and descended lower for a better look.
It was the busiest time of the night. The prince could’ve been anywhere at this hour. If he were inside, I’d have a harder time finding him.
As I flew along the outer wall of the palace, however, I spotted a couple kissing on one of the upper floor’s balconies.
Kissing.
Shadow fae didn’t normally kiss. They derived no pleasure from the action that humans filled with so much joy. I’d kissed Elaine enough times to know that.
The woman was pale, both her skin and hair stood out in a stark contrast to the man’s dark fae skin. She had to be human. All six of the man’s tendrils were connected with herleilathaharness.
Was he Prince Rha then?
I descended lower for a better look. I was quiet, but the man broke the kiss and spun around to face me. The blade of a sword sparked with red as he drew it from the sheath strapped to his back. The golden royal circlet glistened in his long, black hair.
The prince was prepared to defend his woman.
“Good,”I thought,“then maybe he will understand my need to defend Elaine too.”
“I mean no harm, Your Highness.” I turned my palms to him to demonstrate my peaceful intentions. But of course, at the sight of my claws, the prince gripped his sword tighter.
“Who are you and what do you want?” he gritted through his teeth, standing between me and the woman he’d just kissed.
His tendrils were still connected to her, and she peered cautiously at me from behind his bicep.
I bowed my head to the prince. “My name is Timur. I was a general in your mother’s army when a bite from avirutudragon poisoned my body, turning me into what I am today.”
“General Timur…” the prince said slowly, dragging my name from his memories.
I lowered myself onto the seat of the swing that stood on the patio nearby and folded my wings, hiding them in the dragon spine on my back.
