More than that, she felt secure.
I am not right.
But there was no denying this. If she could stay here with him forever, she would. She hadn’t felt like this since she was a little hatchling, tucked in her nest. That feeling that nothing could reach her. That all was right in the world.
Then the ugly had come and shown her the hidden, horrible side of things. She had seen the bitter truth of others who only sought to use and abuse those they had power over. Those who wanted to profit from the misery they caused others.
This moment wasn’t reality, and she hated the demons that gave her no peace. No calm.
And she wondered about the beast inside Dash that had caused his horn to turn black. She knew exactly how hungry it must be. She had her own to contend with. That frightful need to lash out whenever she felt threatened or cornered. Those who had never been abused didn’t understand.
They couldn’t.
It was a rage so fierce that words didn’t do it justice. If there was a way to calm it, she’d never found it. All she could do was avoid things that caused it to boil over. Certain places... words.
Sometimes it could be something as simple as a smell.
Then all those memories would come rushing back, and the rage would escape with a fury so raw that she’d want blood vengeance against those who’d harmed her.
That was when she’d retreat. When she’d find her comfort in solitude and scrolls. Anything to avoid thinking about the past or the pain. She’d become good at hiding.
Smiling and even jesting through the pain that was ever present or just lurking under her carefully crafted façade.
Like Dash.
I should be scared.
Yet he comforted her. Because she understood him and knew his pain.
And right now, she needed him and his comfort more than she wanted to admit.
How odd that in the midst of her nightmare, she’d found him.
But how long could this last? He was being hunted and by now, her father would have discovered her absence. He would know that she’d defied him. While he might not have searched for her after she’d been kidnapped, he would send out trackers to hunt her for disregarding his orders.
One thing about her father, he never suffered insubordination. He would have her hauled back in chains for punishment.
Another reason why she’d wanted to be human to do this. It was the only way to complete her quest before her father’s spies or trackers found her.
What are you thinking, Tanis?Given everything that had happened over the last few days, there was no way this would end well.
You know better than to believe in happy endings.
Those were for fools and children. This was the real world and here everyone suffered.
Their enemies were going to find them. That was a given. The only question was if she’d avenge Davin before they killed her.
Or Dash.
Chapter 9
Ronan grabbed the bow from Mischief’s hands as she took aim for Chrysis. “Don’t shoot the crow.” His voice was laden with aggravation and impatience.
Mischief pouted, then stamped her booted foot. “Please... it’s a moral imperative.”
Flying to the top of a post where she was partially hidden from Mischief’s range, Chrysis glared at them. “Kill the messenger crow, the High King kills you.”
Swaying in the doorway of the stable, Cadoc laughed. “Who wants to place odds on that?”
