Too painful.
And if there was anything in life he understood, it was justice. He’d dedicated his entire life to establishing law and order. To making sure that those who preyed on innocent lives paid for it.
The time of warlords and brutality had ended.
She would have her vengeance. It was her right to claim it.
“Very well. Free me and I’ll grant you this favor.” He would free himself, but he didn’t want to expose his powers to her or risk her learning his real identity. The less anyone knew about him, the better.
She hesitated. “How do I know this isn’t a trick?”
“I’ve given you my word. And, because I’m not human.” Or a centaur or dragon.
“I’ve heard unicorns can be even trickier.”
Well, that was true. His brethren had their moments as much as anyone else, he supposed. “Do you have a choice?”
Tanis cringed at his honest question. No, she didn’t. She’d been lucky to trap one unicorn. Who knew if or when she’d be lucky enough to capture another. Her sisters had called her all kinds of stupid for even thinking of going after her brother’s killer, and Ragna had forbidden it.
Never mind the fact that the next unicorn might not be so agreeable.
Given what she knew about their abilities, she was really athismercy. Most likely, he could turn her into a toad or some other poor creature. She was lucky he hadn’t already done so.
All she could do was hope he was a unicorn of his word.
“Very well.” She used her powers to dissolve the net.
He shook himself free and snorted as he came to his feet.
Wow... he truly was a magnificent beast. While he was small compared to her dragon form, he was still powerful, and it was evident. His muscles rippled beneath that shiny coat. And though his shiny hooves weren’t pointed or sharp, she was quitesure they were just as capable of doing as much damage as her black claws.
When he pawed at the ground and shook his head, Tanis tensed, expecting him to run for the trees or turn her into anything other than what she’d requested.
He didn’t.
Instead, he stood steady as he eyed her with those piercing, vivid eyes. That horn in the center of his forehead held her attention... black as pitch, it looked even sharper than before. Longer. Deadlier.
“So, little dragon, what will you give me for this favor you ask?”
She blinked. “What?”
“Magick has a price. As such, it’s seldom freely given. The spell you’re asking for isn’t easy to do. How badly do you want to become human?”
She hadn’t thought of that. But he was right. Magick always took something from the one who commanded it. The wrong or right spell could even take the spellcaster’s life. It was what made spellcasters so sought after.
And rich.
Every wizard she knew wanted to be reimbursed for the pain of the spell. For the mental and physical toll it took. That price was either paid by the one asking for it or the one the spell was being cast upon. Most of the time, they were one and the same person.
Sometimes, as she knew better than she wanted to, they weren’t the same personthe victim had no idea they were being enchanted until it was too late. Sometimes, they were just hapless and at the mercy of the wizard and the one who’d paid them for their services.
Thankfully, that wasn’t her case today.
“Whatever you want, I’ll pay it.”
He snorted at her answer. “You don’t have a lot of experience negotiating, do you?”
Not really. As the youngest female born into the noble court of her Dragomir ancestors, she’d been surrounded by those out to build their reputations by tearing hers down. Backbiting sisters who lied about her to their father and mother. Courtiers who were jealous and out to rip her to shreds.
