“Like the elves, they’re paid better to live among us than they are in Indara. And the humans and other species in our lands use them to fly between the kingdoms.”
“Why not use a unicorn?”
He paused to pass an annoyed look at her over his shoulder. “We’re not passenger unicorns.”
“Really?” she asked sarcastically, holding her hands up to remind him that she was his passenger.
“You’re an exception. We normally only allow riders for battle.”
Smiling, she patted him on the neck. “Glad to know I’m an exception.”
The very thought warmed her all the way through. And she had an odd feeling that it embarrassed him as he immediately started forward and didn’t speak anymore.
She was still smiling when they went through another set of bridges that led to an inner bailey and finally to the courtyard for the palace.
Intricate and scary, yet beautiful.
And speaking of beautiful...
An exceptionally tall man waited at the steps with a large crow perched on his muscular shoulder. He leaned against along, twisted staff that held a crystal at one end and wore the red garb of an alchemist or shaman. His long black hair was pulled back from his face with a leather cord.
Tanis couldn’t take her gaze off him. Like Dash, he held an air of authority and danger. Of raw power that dared someone to challenge him.
Indeed, there was something about his features that reminded her of Dash. Except his eyes were a chilling blue.
Her heart sped up at the sight of him.
Dash stopped.
Tanis took a moment before she dismounted. The moment she did, Dash changed into his human form.
Only then did the stranger move. Tsking, he eyed her coldly.
“Do I even want to know what you’ve gone and done now, Majesty?”
Dash glanced to her, and she saw the irritation in his eyes. “I assume Halla’s already told you, otherwise you wouldn’t be standing there, looking like that.”
“But why, Dash? Why? And I’m not talking about turning her into a human. You know better.”
The crow cawed.
Dash let out a tired sigh. “Tanis, this is Ryper and Chrysis. Ryper is the annoying man. Feel free to ignore him. I do most of the time.” Then he met Ryper’s gaze. “And why are you here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be in Licordia, guarding my throne? Annoying anyone else?”
Ryper snorted in response. “We need to talk. Alone.”
“Five words that always make my sphincter clench whenever you say them.”
Marthen clapped Dash on the back as he joined them. “You’re really not going to like what he has to say.” He stepped past Dash toward Tanis. “Come, my lady. Let them have theircounsel. You and I can go explore the elfin palace. It’s even more spectacular inside.”
She really wanted to hear what was going on, but knew it wasn’t her place. So, taking Marthen’s arm, she allowed him to lead her away.
Dash watched Tanis leave before he closed the distance between him and Ryper. By Ryper’s stance, he knew this was going to be bad. But there was no need in delaying it. “What happened?”
Ryper held out a folded piece of vellum to him. “I sent Ronan, Cadoc and Mischief on to Licordia with Chrys while I came here to fetch Dove.”
“I’m assuming Chrys brought the note to you after she dropped them off?”
“Of course I did,” she said, ruffling her feathers.
