Only a tiny handful of hostages had survived to make it home. No one knew how they’d done it, either.
Tanis didn’t even know who those hostages were or if any were still alive today.
Whatever had happened to them had been so brutal that no one spoke of it, except to remind each other never to trust the centaur queen.
To never trust another kingdom with what they loved. It was terrible.
And it made her think of Renata and Dash. “Do you know how your sister died?”
Profound grief darkened his green eyes. “They took her horn. After she ran away, I found her body in a meadow, with her horn missing. I was on my way to find her killer when a certain dragon slowed me down.”
She placed her hand over her face as guilt consumed her. “Again, I am so sorry, Dash. I had no idea you were after her killer when I captured you.”
“We’re all sorry for something, princess. I let my temper get the better of me, and now my sister’s dead because of it. Your brother’s dead for reasons unknown, and our kingdoms are on the verge of war again.”
Tanis walked by his side as they left the main road to head off into the forest. “So, what’s our strategy, then?”
“There’s noour, little dragon. You know where your brother’s skull is located. Go to the castle in Pagos and claim your vengeance. Then you can go home and live out your life with all the hatchlings you want. I wish I could return your dragon’s body to you sooner, but sadly we made terms, so I can’t. Maybe if they succeed in killing me, your body will revert before you kill your dragon slayer.”
That was it?
“Seriously?”
“Yes.” He placed a leather band on her wrist. Cupping his hands around it, he whispered something that caused it to glow. Then, he met her gaze. “I release you from my service. You will never be a servant to me, now or in the future. The band will help protect you in Pagos. Tell the king there that you’re a friend of mine, and he should help you regain your brother’s skull from the one who took it.”
Her heart fluttered at those words. She couldn’t believe he was releasing her. The kindness was as overwhelming as it was unexpected. Other than her brother, no one had ever shown her such.
And in that moment, she knew she couldn’t leave him. Not alone like this to face the nightmare that was coming.
“What about you?”
He shrugged. “I have an enemy to deal with. If I don’t stop this...” He didn’t finish that thought.
Tanis was still dumbfounded. “You’re really going to let me go?”
He stepped away from her. “Of course, I am. Besides, I have much larger problems at the moment.”
Yes, he did. And they were armed for unicorn and intent on mounting his head to their wall.
Worse? He had no one at his side or at his back. Not even Halla. While their people might be enemies, she couldn’t abandon him. “Then you know I can’t leave you.”
Dash wasn’t sure he heard those words correctly. “What?”
“You are out here alone, Dash. I don’t know where you sent Halla or when she’ll be back. We both know you’re not the most wellliked monarch. I mean, face it, no one is going to nominate you for a popularity contest...Ifyou get to your army, they may or may not follow you right now. I don’t know how many enemies you have, but I know it’s enough that you can’t fight them all by yourself. They will slaughter you if they find you. For a million gold sovereigns, you’re lucky I’m not taking aim at you, beast.”
All of that was true. But it didn’t explain one basic thing. “Why do you care?”
She smiled at him. “Because I was once left alone with my enemies to fight by myself. And I won’t do that to someone who was willing to help me save my brother’s memory. I know how awful it feels to fight alone, and no one should ever feel that way. Besides, I am one of your sovereign subjects. Consider me loyal to the bitter end.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and thatsight touched a part of his soul that he’d closed off from everyone except his sister.
A place so vulnerable that he didn’t want it exposed.
Yet it was undeniably there, and it suddenly softened even more where she was concerned.
And he hated that she’d ever experienced such pain in her past. She was right. No one should feel like this. No one should be betrayed and left alone.
Before he could stop himself, he pulled her close and held her. She was so small against him. So frail.
He could crush her, and yet he was the one who trembled. The one who felt weak in this moment. She had a power over him that he hated.
