Dove kicked his horse forward as Dash pulled away to join his mother. “Don’t worry, Tanis. He might be a unicorn, but he has nine lives.”
She laughed at the thought. “Thank you, Dove.”
“My pleasure.”
Viggo rode to her side. “It’d be my honor to share my horse with you, princess.” He held his arm down for her.
Smiling, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her up behind him. “Thank you, Viggo.”
“You’re very welcome. Besides, my mother would have my arse if I let anything happen to you or the High King.”
“Well, we can’t have that.” Smiling, Tanis held on to him as he kicked his horse forward to follow after Dove.
And if she had any doubts about her feelings for Dash, this quelled them. While Viggo was also exceptionally handsome, it was like riding with her brother. She felt none of the electricity or desire Dash caused every time he came near her.
The difference was remarkable.
You better stay safe, beast. Having found Dash, she couldn’t bear the thoughts of returning to her solitary life. She had no idea how they’d manage this relationship going forward, but she was determined to try.
Dash pausedbeside his mother who was riding a huge okuri inu—yokai wolf. Bigger than even a bear, it made his mother look tiny on its back.
“I thought the okuri inu were escorts.”
She gave him a peeved stare. “He is escorting me. Straight to battle, or are we wasting time?”
“We’re going for Meara. Can you have your dragon conceal himself?”
“He’s not a dragon... he’s a dragon-eater.”
Dash shook his head. “Whatever he is, he’s large enough to give them warning and time to attack.”
Naomi whistled to the Karura. He instantly vanished, yet Dash knew Kyran was still there. He could feel the thrumming breeze caused by Kyran’s wings.
“Thank you.”
Naomi inclined her head to him. “Lead us to victory, my precious king.” She pulled the reins for her okuri inu and turnedit toward the elfin gate and the portal she’d created for their larger members.
One by one, all the members of her army vanished. This was why his father had been determined to wipe the Tenmaruns out. They were almost impossible to battle. If you weren’t one of them, you couldn’t see them coming.
Dash didn’t have that problem. Being part oni, he had no trouble seeing them as moving wisps.
In all honesty, he was grateful that Tanis wasn’t with them. While he knew her armor would protect her, he really didn’t want to see her in battle.
Especially not after her confession.
Trying not to think about that or how much he really did love her, too, he ducked through his mother’s portal and came out with his mother’s troops near the ruins where he’d found Renata’s body.
It was hard to believe so little time had passed. In some ways, it seemed an eternity.
Right now, it was a blink and that blink hit him hard. He could see the image of his sister lying dead in the grass. Feel his grief over her loss anew.
Don’t think about it.
He needed to focus on the battle and not his emotions.
As much as he’d loved his sister, he loved Tanis even more. This fight was for her. To make sure she had a safe place where no enemy could touch her. Where no dragon could ever again make her feel like she was unworthy when she was the noblest creature he’d ever had the honor of knowing.
She was his heart, and he would make sure no one ever again hurt her.
