Tova eyed them suspiciously. “What do you think, Sire?”
Dash shrugged. “No idea.”
Ferox had the centaur next to him run at the gate. As soon as he reached it, he flung an extralarge bag over the wall at them.
Dash winced as he saw that familiar gesture. There was only one thing that could be.
Someone’s head and, judging by the size of the bag, there was more than one in it.
Rolling his eyes, Ryper sighed. “Why do they all have to do this? It’s really old.”
He wasn’t wrong. And the only question was who those heads belonged to.
Everyone around him held their breath as Tova’s son, Viggo, walked to the bloody sack and opened it.
Honestly, he expected one of the heads to be his own general, Kronnel.
It wasn’t.
When Viggo pulled the head out, he was glad he’d ordered Marthen to pull Tanis away.
It was her father’s. Shit. That was the last head he’d expected inside. Poor Iagan.
And so much for the treaty they’d signed. It only covered Iagan and Davin, which was probably why they’d both been murdered. Whoever did this, knew the terms of the treaty.
Ferox reared up proudly. “The centaurs and dragons stand united. We are done being ruled by unicorns. Stand with us, elves! Hand over the High King.”
“Shit,” Ryper said under his breath.
Halla tucked herself over by Dove where it was safer in case the elves turned on them.
Well, this was an unfortunate series of events. Dash could feel the target forming on his back like a living, breathing creature.
The elves had no reason to stand with him now. He was seriously regretting cutting down their mother tree.
Ryper and Dove stepped closer, letting him know they were willing to take an arrow if need be. Well maybe not Halla who was the size of his fist.
But even so, he was grateful for their support. Even so, the last thing he wanted was to see one of them die for him.
One by one, he exchanged glances with the three elfin leaders, waiting for them to make a move against him. Or shout an order for him to be taken.
In truth, he didn’t feel right asking them to fight and die for his worthless hide. Not when they had their women and children at stake. This was their homeland. How could he ask them to make that sacrifice?
If his own brethren had allowed Meara to take his throne without a fight, then maybe he should he let her have it. It was one thing to march into his territory with an army and fight on abattlefield in defense of unicorn lands and homes. It was another to ask the elves to invite an army into their homes to have their families slaughtered.
He held his hands up.
Tova slapped them down. “Don’t you dare insult us. You think for one second we’re afraid ofthem? We’re the children of gods. They’re farm animals.”
He arched a brow.
She grinned at him. “Unicorns are made of better stock.”
He snorted at her mental gymnastics. “Nice save.”
“Archers at the ready!” Hinrik called out. “Warriors, stand and prepare! Magicians, reinforce the wards.”
At those orders, the last of the children and women ran to the underground shelters.
