Baldur gave a curt nod then turned back toward Ferox. “Again, I’m the only king here.” He ignored the protests of Hinrik and Tova, who were technically prince and princess, respectively. “If you insist on your stupidity, we will defend our lands. You can leave now on your hooves or be carried out on a litter later. Your choice.”
Ferox was aghast “You’re really willing to fight us when you’re clearly outnumbered?”
“Who says we’re outnumbered?” Baldur asked.
“I do,” Hinrik said under his breath. “I can count.” He started scraping his leg against the ground as if he were a horse.
Dash stifled a laugh.
Until he heard the command to attack. Then all hell opened up on them. The centaurs and their army ran for the gate as the dragons sprayed fire down on them.
Ryper slammed his staff against the ground. Light shot out from the crystal in all directions, to help fortify the shield.
For a few minutes, the shield held. But the dragons continued to hurl their fire.
Nothing came through. Nor did the arrows from the centaurs and fairies breach their wards.
Or the centaurs, or their mercs.
Dash scowled as he saw one small errant child running across the yard toward the tunnel.
Without thinking, he teleported to the little girl to help guide her to the tunnels that would see her safely away from the war zone.
Scooping her up in his arms, he ran her to safety. Tanis met him just inside the doorway.
She took the girl and ushered her deeper inside then turned back to face him. “I feel like I should be out there fighting with the rest of you.”
He kissed her cheek. “I know. But you’re human and I can’t change that. Keep the others safe. They need a leader.”
She nodded. “Don’t get hurt.”
“Don’t get dead.”
Tanis pulled him close.
Dash savored that one perfect moment of being held by her. But the sounds of war echoed outside in his ears. Time for them had run out.
With one last kiss, he left her to vanish into the tunnel with the others while he rushed to rejoin the elves at the parapet.
The moment their enemies broke through the shield rang out like a scream. And the instant they did, the elves used their magic to reinforce their armor. Arrows filled the sky so thickly that it darkened the light.
The dragons flew low, laying down fire to cover their soldiers as they swarmed the palace grounds.
Dash threw fire balls at them, shocking them with the intensity that was reinforced by Tanis’s fire. Desperately, he wanted to change into his unicorn body to fight, but he knew better. The moment he did, they’d unify to come after him.
Then, it’d be over.
His only hope was the fact that in a human body, he blended in with the elves.
Suddenly, Viggo appeared by his right side. Tora was on his left. Tora caught a blow and drove a centaur back. “We were told to protect you, Sire.”
Though he admitted they were capable, they were still children. “I can do this on my own.”
But they hung tight to his side like Halla. No matter how hard he tried to break away, they were there.
Ryper came out of nowhere to take position at his back. “Why am I always saving your ass, brother?”
“I seem to recall I was the one saving you last time.”
