Why did I come here?
What had she been thinking?
The centaurs and unicorns had been at war as far back as anyone could remember. They’d never been united in anything other than hatred.
She shouldn’t be here.
“You’re fine.” Xaydin rubbed gently against her back as if he sensed her unease. “No one here will harm you.”
How she prayed he was right. Especially as the door opened and an exceptionally tall, handsome man walked through it. His long black hair was pulled back from his perfectly chiseled face with a leather cord.
But the oddest part was the large crow perched on his muscular shoulder. He leaned against a long, twisted staff that held a crystal at one end similar to the one preferred by Masakage.
Dressed in a black jerkin and breeches, he held an air of authority and danger. Of raw power that dared someone to challenge him.
That someone appeared to be Masakage who approached him slowly and said something in a language she didn’t understand.
Smiling, the man embraced Masakage, then turned to the rest of them. “I want to say welcome, but seeing all of you here…my sphincter clenches. What’s happened?”
By his regal demeanor, she thought him to be Dash, until her group climbed the stairs to where he waited.
Xaydin tsked. “Ryper…not like Dash to let you off the leash. Or should I say harness?”
“Ha ha, troll.” His gaze went past Xaydin to her. “And you’ve brought a friend. Should I ask?”
There was a hesitancy in Xaydin that made her curious. It wasn’t like him. “Her name is Gisela.”
Ryper smiled and gave her a courtly bow. “Pleasure to meet you, fair Gisela.” He stroked the head of the crow on his shoulder. “Allow me to present Chrysis and she is a crisis most of the time.”
The bird made a caw that sounded offended by his comment.
“Prince Ryper?” she repeated as she finally realized who he was.
“Ryper, please. I hate titles.”
This was the brother of King Dash.
My brother, too.
That made her feel suddenly awkward and terrified. She wanted to embrace him and tell him who she was, but why would he accept her when even her own mother refused?
No, she couldn’t let them know. The risk was just too great. And why would they ever trust her? She was her mother’s assassin. Didn’t bode well for family bonding.
“Dash is waiting inside.” Ryper headed through the doorway first to lead them.
Gisela wasn’t sure what to expect, but the inside of the house was even more grand than the outside. The interior stone walls were covered with elaborate tapestries, banners and weapons.The whole place was commanding and fierce—and meant to intimidate all visitors. And she was intimidated.
Especially when Ryper led them into a huge, luxurious throne room where King Dash sat beside what had to be one of the most beautiful women Gisela had ever seen. Thick red hair framed a jovial face that she could tell was used to smiling and laughing. More than that, the queen was exceptionally pregnant.
She couldn’t imagine being that happy. It actually made her heart swell with delight to know someone could be. She’d never seen anything like it before.
Her gaze went to the woman’s left hand that was held by Dash’s until he saw them and rose to his feet.
“Outlaws! It’s good to see you. Or maybe not,” he teased as he descended his dais to approach them. “Tell me you have good news?”
Xaydin looked down at her before he answered. “Define the wordgood.”
Dash narrowed his gaze on the troll. “What happened?”
