“For that, I don’t know where to begin. It’s been a hell of a thing. The good news is we have your contract.”
Dash scowled. “There’s noaþaswerehere or a head-shaped bag. I’m confused.”
“So are we.” Masakage pulled the contract out of his satchel and handed it to Dash.
Dash reached for it, then stopped himself. “Is that flesh?”
They all nodded.
“Whose flesh?” Dash asked.
Xaydin shrugged. “We have no idea, but we’re sure it’s elfish.”
“And enchanted,” Candara added. “No idea how to destroy it.”
“But that’s the only copy.” Xaydin took it from his brother and held it out toward Dash. “There’s noaþaswerenow to enforce it.”
Dash nodded slowly as he finally understood the significance. “Destroy the only copy and there’s no contract at all.”
His wife stood up and moved closer so that she could see the document. “Surely dragon fire could destroy it. There’s not much that stands up to that.”
Candara sucked her breath in between her teeth. “True, but it could be enchanted. Your fire might cause it to explode or do something none of us are expecting.”
Eyes wide, the queen backed up. “How dangerous is it?”
Gisela understood her concern. If she were pregnant, she’d be terrified too. “I don’t think it’s designed to do anything unless you try to destroy it, Majesty. It’s been harmless since we took possession of it.”
The queen appeared instantly grateful and relieved.
“Who are you?” Dash asked as he finally realized she was standing in Xaydin’s shadow.
She stepped slightly more behind him, fearing reprisal from the king.
Xaydin tried to gently nudge her forward.
Fear rooted her to the floor. “He’ll hurt me,” she whispered.
Xaydin gave her a fierce stare. “He’ll have to come through me first. And I promise, he can’t do that.” Then to her utter horror, he turned back to Dash. “She’s your half-sister, Gisela.”
Dash took the news without any change in his expression.
But Ryper turned toward her and swept a curious stare over her entire body. “Is this true?”
She tried to run, but Xaydin wouldn’t let her. “It’ll be all right, Gisela. I’d never endanger you.”
Still, she was afraid of them. She was in their home, and all too well, she knew how her mother dealt with threats and unexpected words.
Xaydin turned around and cupped her face with his hands. “Show them who you really are. I’m right here and we won’t let anything happen to you.”
Biting her lip, Gisela nodded. Never in her life had she trusted anyone. No one except Xaydin.
I can do this. She believed Xaydin could keep her safe.
With a deep breath for courage, she turned into her unicorn body.
The moment she did, everyone gasped.
Well, not the ones who’d seen her form before. Just the ones who’d never guessed her real form.
