I can only offer him a weak smile because, in truth, I don’t care what happens to me. I’m more concerned about what will happen to everyone else if I fail. I’m not certain how much longer Niko has, but without this temporary fix, we will lose him for sure. That much I’m certain of.
He and all the other cursed fae—they are my people now. I may not know them all personally, but they are still mine and relying on us. I’m their queen, and it’s my job to make things right. That’s why Ender chose me, the whole reason I’m here. I got the adventure I always wanted, but I must hold up my end of the bargain. It’s a small sacrifice for those I love.
“I’m ready,” I say with newfound confidence. “I’m not afraid.” I’m afraid of losing the ones I love, not for what I must do.
Zephyr nods once. Something like pride flashes across his features as he leads me out of the tent. The sun is just rising, casting a warm light around us, exposing all the new faces at camp. Most of them are not human-looking. A hulking wolf, two times larger than any wolf I’ve ever seen, stalks back and forth, looking out into a woodsy area as if waiting for something. There’s more surrounding him, paying us little mind, and they all seem to be communicating with one another. It’s…strange. Surreal even.
The next creature I see stops me in my tracks, stealing a gasp from my lips. Towering dragons surround us, their massive bodies coiled and sprawled across theearth like living mountains, while a few soar above with wings stretched wide enough to blot out the sun. Their scales shimmer in dark, iridescent hues—obsidian, emerald, blood-red—catching the light in a way that makes them look forged from gemstones and shadow. Razor-sharp horns curl from their skulls like twisted crowns, and their eyes burn with ancient intelligence and cold fury. Smoke curls lazily from their nostrils, and the occasional flick of a barbed tail sends tremors through the ground.
Despite myself, I inch closer to Zephyr. These are vicious creatures torn from the darkest pages of storybooks, and yet there’s a terrifying beauty in them. A wild majesty that sends both fear and awe rippling through me. A part of me wants to reach out and touch these creatures, but another part of me wishes to keep my hand with my body.
“Don’t fear the dragons. They are harmless,” Zephyr reassures.
“Harmless?” an unfamiliar voice snaps my attention to two strange men walking toward us, both led by Finnick, who grins like he’s just unearthed sacred gems and is proudly showing them off.
“My dragons are far from harmless,” the man continues. This strange man is tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders and thick, corded muscles that look like they were carved from stone. His stature is reminiscent of a Viking raider, fierce and imposing. He’s shirtless, revealing a sun-kissed chest etched with intricate tattoos that snake across his golden-brown skin, each design telling a story in ink and shadow. The ink contrastssharply against the warmth of his skin, drawing the eye to every sculpted plane of his torso, from the ridges of his abdomen to the sharp cut of his collarbones.
He’s beyond handsome, in an intimidating sort of way.
“To Evangeline, they are harmless.” Zephyr’s voice takes on a deeper edge, almost challenging. If the man in front of us is insulted by Zephyr’s tone, he doesn’t show it. He simply smirks, as if finding this conversation amusing.
“And to me too,” Finnick pipes in. “I’m basically an honorary dragon, right, Malix?”
The man—Malix—chuckles, and even that sounds menacing. “You have the most important part of a dragon.”
“My bravery?” Finnick puffs out his chest, attempting to make himself appear bigger.
“You have wings.” Malix smirks. Finnick only deflates a little, but soon nods in agreement.
“I brought as many wolves as I can spare,” the second man next to Malix says, just as tall as Malix, with muscles that rival the dragon’s. His dark hair is pulled back in a knot. “Oziel also gifted a few demons to fight alongside us. He was very specific, though, and said he required a Nephilim in return. Living.”
“He couldn’t be bothered to show up himself, however,” Malix says, clear judgment in his tone.
“We won’t need him. We have enough,” Zephyr says firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. It’s almost as if he’s relieved the demon king isn’t here. Can’t say I blame him. I only met Oziel for a briefmoment, but I’m not keen on seeing him again anytime soon. Whoever had to marry him must be one strong woman.
Zephyr places a steady hand on my back, grounding me as the two unfamiliar figures glance toward me, maybe just realizing I’m here.
“Malix. Rip,” he says, nodding toward each man in turn. “This is Evangeline. My…” He hesitates, the words catching in his throat as a thick silence stretches between us. I feel the weight of it settle in my chest, heavy and uncertain. After a beat, he finally adds, “My mate’s wife.”
The words land with a hollow thud, and I can’t stop the flicker of disappointment that crosses my face. For his part, Zephyr grimaces as if that wasn’t what he planned on saying, but now it’s out. Both men have clearly heard him.
Despite the lingering awkwardness, I extend my hand to Malix first. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Malix gently shakes my hand. I have the feeling he’s holding back since his grip is gentle in mine. “Malix,” he says in a friendly way before I shake hands with Rip.
“Malix is king of the dragons, and Rip is the king alpha of the wolves,” Finnick explains, clearly excited to be in the presence of two powerful males. No wonder they are intimidating. They are kings of powerful creatures.
“Are your men ready?” Zephyr asks, and the atmosphere shifts. I’m no longer looking at three kings, but rather three powerful soldiers, set to defend their homes and their people.
Rip nods. “It’s been too long since we’ve ripped into Nephilim. Call me sentimental, but I actually miss it.”
“We did a quick check down by the beach. More Nephilim arrived last night. We came at just the right time because it looks like they are ready to advance into fae territory,” Malix says.
Zephyr mutters a curse under his breath. It was one thing to wonder why so many Nephilim had been spotted nearby, but hearing they are preparing to attack our home is something else entirely.
“You have the tonic?” Rip asks, his voice low and urgent.
All eyes shift to me, and I impress myself by not shying away from their gazes. I nod and rest a hand on the small sack at my side. “It’s here.”
