“You were. An awful mixture of ‘kill them all’ and ‘protect everyone.’” Then, her gaze went to Ryper. “I love you, too, brother. I’m sorry I never told you that I knew you were Dash’s twin.”
Ryper’s jaw went slack. “How?”
“How can anyone not know? You two are just alike. My mother told me that Dash had a twin that his mother kept with her in her kingdom. She was worried that one day you’d come here and steal my father’s affection from me. When I waslittle, I assumed you were identical... until the day you finally came home with Dash. I knew instantly you were the one from Tenmaru.”
“I wish I’d known that you knew.”
“Don’t regret it, big brother. Neither of you.” Her gaze went to Halla. “Or you, my dearest friend. I should have listened to you, too.”
“I wish I’d known you were leaving that night. I would have told Dash and saved you.”
Renata shook her head. “Regret nothing,” she repeated. “I made my choice. I’m just sorry that it hurt all of you.”
Then, she met Tanis’s gaze. “At least I get to meet you. I just wish we could have been sisters. Please take care of my brothers for me, Tanis. They need someone to watch over them and keep them from being stupid.”
Tanis laughed at that, until she realized something. “How do you know my name?”
Renata smiled. “I will always be with my family. Even though you don’t see me, I’m never far away.” And with that, she blew them a kiss and vanished.
Tears filled her eyes. “You were right, Dash. She is gentle and sweet.”
Ryper wiped at his eyes. “Not all the time. Trust me, she had her moments that would test the patience of the gods. But, yeah. She was precious.”
Dash moved to the left side of Renata’s body while Ryper stood on the right. “Are we ready to send her off to her Sweet Meadow?”
Ryper nodded.
Biting her lip, Tanis knew the Sweet Meadow was the unicorn paradise realm that they all hoped to go to after they died.
Halla came over to her and held her hand while the two of them used their powers to disintegrate her body and return its essence to the universe.
Their funereal custom was so different from what she was used to. Dragons held feasts for days before they carried the body of their loved one to the catacombs where they would rest with their ancestors. It was imperative for dragons to remain intact for eternity.
The thought of cremation was terrifying to her people.
Which was why she still needed to return Davin’s skull to Marla.
But this, they needed to take care of first. The last thing a unicorn wanted was for a trophy hunter to use any part of their remains for a spell.
As they left the room, they were greeted by Naomi and the elves who had yet to return home.
Mostly because Naomi wanted to secure Dash’s throne while they went to Indara. And since the elves didn’t know she was his mother, they didn’t trust her not to usurp it in Dash’s absence.
So here they all remained.
While they now knew that Ryper was Dash’s brother, no one knew who their mother was.
Naomi inclined her head to them. “It’s done?”
They nodded.
Dash put his arm around Tanis’s shoulders. “We’re going to take care of the dragon slayer and then we’ll head to Indara. We shouldn’t be gone long.”
Baldur flashed a grin at Dash. “Not saying or wishing for anything bad to happen to you, Sire. But if... say it did. Who is heir?”
Dash snorted at his question. “Ryper.”
All the color faded from Baldur’s face as he stepped back. “Seriously?”
