“A million sovereign bounty, King Deciel...” She tsked. “Makes me axe, Radgar, ache to taste unicorn blood. If only I knew who would pay that for your sorry arse, Majesty.”
Dash sucked his breath in between his teeth. “According to the wanted poster, seven of my kingdoms. I assumed Alarium was one of them.”
Hinrik snorted before he looked at Baldur. “Is that what you’re wasting our taxes on? Trying to break our contract with the High King?”
Baldur looked offended at the thought. “Hardly. I get enough attitude from the lot of you already for the necessary expenditures I make. As if I could ever get the lot of you to agree to pay it for the head of a measly unicorn.” He jerked his chin at Dash. “Especially one as worthless as he is.”
Hinrik stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Centaurs might pay it. Think we should send a missive to Queen Bitchitis? See if she’s the one offering that payout? I’ve heard she hates him for some particular reason no one can name.”
Tova nodded slowly as if she were considering it. “We could definitely use the money to reseed the mother tree some thoughtless unicorn bastard cut down.”
Hinrik looked over to Baldur. “I could use a summer palace in my lands. Something facing the north. Pretty picture windows facing the portal...”
Totally confused by their odd discussion, Dash scowled. While they seemed serious, they didn’t. Not really. He just wasn’t sure. “Are we fighting?” Because it didn’t quite seem like they were.
His expression cold and calculating, Baldur closed the distance between them. He stepped between the other two elfin rulers to face off in front of Dash.
“Step away from the High King.”
Dash looked past the elves to see his beautiful dragon entering the fray. Dressed in nothing more than her hunter’s leather, she held her sword, ready to go to war to protect him.
She was outnumbered in the middle of his enemies. No magick. No way to do anything more than bleed on their elfin army while he escaped.
Yet she was offering herself up as a sacrifice.
Nothing had ever touched him more. But really, he wanted to curse her for it.
Baldur turned back to face him with an arch stare. “She with you?”
“She is.” Clearing his throat, Dash slid past them to approach her. He changed back into a human body so that he could place his hand on hers and lower her sword before one of the archers around them decided to get frisky with an arrow and earn hero points with their own king or queen.
Tanis stared at him with an earnestness that was as touching as it was foolish. “I won’t let them take you, Dash.”
He smiled tenderly. “Appreciate that, love. We can talk about this later.”
Tova scowled at them. “Who’s the woman?”
A thousand possible lies went through his head. But the truth was the one that would give her the greatest protection. While they might hate him and would probably kill him before this was over, Tanis wasn’t their enemy.
And neither was her father.
“Princess Tanis Dragomir of Indara.”
That took the piss out of all three of them. Until fury darkened Baldur’s eyes. “You turned her human? What did they do to you?”
He rushed toward Dash as if he intended to beat him on behalf of Tanis’s father.
Tanis cut him off and once more angled the sword at him. “Youneverapproach your king in anger.”
Shock stopped Baldur dead in his tracks. Instantly, he held his hands up.
Dash reached around her again and gently pushed her arm and the sword toward the ground. “Really, love, you must stop threatening the elfin king in his own territory. I’m sure his soldiers are taking issue with it.”
“They should take greater issue with their High King being threatened and defendyou.” Tanis looked around at the gathered elves. Then she glared at Baldur. “Is that not the treaty you made? It’s the one my father holds. The Thirteen Kingdoms owe fealty to their High King to defend him. Soldiers for his command in time of need. If any kingdom or ruler rises to threaten his life or command, the others are to defend his reign, his life, and secure his power. Is this not the oath you signed?”
She had a point. Thatwasthe bargain.
Tova and Hinrik laughed. Baldur seethed.
