Chapter Fifteen

Tari

A fter breakfast, Ash carried me up the long ramp toward the outside. I spied a pinprick of pale pink morning light ahead. The sun was hardly up and already we were leaving. I felt as if my mate was carrying me to my own funeral the further we ascended the ramp. Shiri and her mates flew ahead of us, and Ash told me Helian was already outside, leaving Ash, Finn, the girls, and me.

Finn carried a girl in each arm. Eyes heavy with sleep, they clung to their papa while resting their heads against his shoulders.

My heart expanded and twisted at the sight, and a sickening feeling washed over me. Was I worrying over nothing, or was my mother's intuition trying to tell me something else?

I looked at Ash, his features hard beneath the low light of the flickering wall sconces. I have a bad feeling, I projected to him.

He eyed me through sideways slits. What?

I glimpsed at the girls again, feeling as if my heart was trapped in my throat. That something will happen to them while we're gone.

It's the pregnancy .

I loathed the dismissive pity in his tone. Excuse me?

He smiled at me as a father would smile at a pouty toddler. Expectant mothers are known to be this way.

Starbursts of rage exploded behind my eyes as magic pooled in my fingers. Put me down, I said curtly, fearing I'd zap him with magic if he didn't release me. I'll walk from here.

He tightened his grip on me. No, you won't.

My anger was a steaming kettle. Magic crackled off my skin, and he released me as if I was a hot potato.

I stumbled out of his arms, balling up my fists while glaring at him through a haze of white.

Finn stopped and spun around. The girls gasped, clinging to his neck.

Ash backed up, holding out his hands in a defensive gesture, a flash of fear in his eyes. "Tari, I didn't mean to upset you."

White magic dripped off my fingers. "What if it's a premonition?"

Tari, your eyes are glowing, Finn projected, his voice a soothing whisper. You're scaring the girls.

I gasped, shaking my head to clear the fog of rage as my burning magic cooled. I gaped at my family as tears spilled over my eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't being myself."

Ash took me in his arms, kissing my forehead. "It's alright, darling," he soothed while stroking my back. "I'm sorry I upset you."

I clung to him as the tears continued to spill. Perhaps he was right and my changing body from the pregnancy had me on edge. I remembered a human family that lived not far from the modest hut where I grew up. The mother was always emotional when she was pregnant. Perhaps that was it.

"This is the safest place for them," he whispered. "Nobody can get past the wyverns."

I swallowed at that as the nagging doubt persevered. "They would be safest with two white witches," I whispered back.

He tensed, his fingers digging into my sides. "We're not taking our children into the demon forest."

I was going to argue, but my chest ached and my head spun, and then that familiar awful sensation raced up my throat. I spun from him, falling onto my knees, the hard slate floor banging my shins as I vomited again, my muscles tensing and my throat burning. Ugh.

Ash knelt beside me, holding back my hair.

"Poor Mommy," Aurora loudly whispered. "She should stay here with us."

Good idea, I wanted to tell her. That way I could keep my children safe.

"Perhaps you should delay your trip," Finn said.

"No," Ash growled. "The demon army won't wait for her morning sickness to pass."

After heaving up the last of the burning bile, I sat back on my heels, my world tilting as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Ash was right. We needed to go. I couldn't expect my family to battle demons without me. He handed me a bladder of water, and I swished the foul taste out of my mouth and took several soothing sips before holding it out to him.

I let him help me to my feet, and he scooped me into his arms, frowning. "Before we go, we'll ask Esther for some herbs to soothe morning sickness."

I draped my arms around his shoulders, mindful that my breath wasn't the freshest. "Not a bad idea." I still wasn't convinced we should leave the children behind, for even though I felt immensely less nauseous after vomiting, a dark shadow eclipsed my heart.

I was about to argue my case when an agonized dragon's roar echoed from above, rattling the walls and causing debris to rain down on our heads.

My mates swore, trying to shield us while racing up the ramp. We cleared the pyramid in record time, emerging to find Isa trampling the tall grasses outside the pyramid while spinning in manic circles. Wyverns had flown from the trees, erratically flying through the air. Satyrs had run to the edge of the forest for cover. My sister's mates had taken to the air. Shiri was in one of their arms, though I couldn't tell which mate from this distance.

My mates backed up, and we watched the spectacle beneath the shadow of the tunnel entrance.

Isa threw back her head and released a stream of fire. That's when I noticed Helian dodging her monster tail while trying to escape to the safety of the trees.

My mates swore again as my brain numbed with fear. She wouldn't hurt him, would she?

Isa quickly spun around, blocking Helian's path like a cat toying with a mouse. Triss! Where is she? She let out a roar. Where is my hatchling?

Helian held out his hands while slowly backing up. "I-I don't know."

She hunched on all fours like a rabid cat. Where is your pet?

Helian stumbled over a rock, nearly falling on his bottom as he continued to back up. "He's nearby somewhere."

My gaze shot to Shiri as she and her mates hovered lower. Shiri, stop her, I pleaded through thought. Before she kills him.

She won't kill him, my sister reassured me, but I will stop her if she tries. She's upset because Radnor ran off with her hatchling.

Well, damn. That stupid drake.

Two roars sounded in the distance, and my shoulders sagged in relief when Triss came barreling through the forest, knocking down small trees. She slammed into her mother's legs then rolled back, head over tail, before landing on her belly, her legs flattening beneath her. She let out a grunt just as Radnor charged through the trees like a runaway bull. Pinning his wings behind him, he nudged his daughter with a whimper.

And before he could defend himself, Isa launched on top of him.

Helian jumped out of the way before he was flattened. Luckily, Blaze snatched him up with amazing speed and dropped him on the ground beside us.

Helian , I called out to him through thought.

He blinked up at me as if in a daze before stumbling to his feet and dusting off his trousers. "Don't worry," he grumbled. "I'm fine." Then he cut me a dark look. "Your dragon is insane."

Heaving like a wounded animal, Isa pinned her mate to the ground, Radnor's soft and vulnerable belly exposed to her.

She roared again, her claws dangerously close to ripping out Radnor's heart. You dare try to steal away my daughter!

Radnor tried to roll onto his side. She's my daughter, too, and I wasn't trying to steal her away!

Triss let out a pitiful whimper and nuzzled her mother's side.

Isa snarled at her child. Return to the pyramid!

But Triss didn't listen as she fell onto her bottom and let out a wail.

Isa released Radnor and spun around, flashing her fangs while hovering over her child. That is enough, child. You will return this instant!

Wailing louder, Triss flopped onto her side as if Isa had struck her.

Radnor sat up, his back to us as he ruffled his wings. Punish me if you want, but don't take out your frustrations on our child.

Icy cold fear sluiced through my veins when Isa turned toward her mate, a ball of flame racing up her throat. You do not get to tell me how to raise my child after you abandoned us!

Radnor stumbled back with a roar as Isa advanced, heading directly toward us.

Ash spun on us with wide eyes. "Everyone back in the temple!"

"Stop!" A cry rang out, a deep bellow more thunderous than a dragon's roar. "Hold your fire!"

It took me a moment to register that voice had come from my sister, as I looked at her through frozen features, unable to move a muscle. Holy elements! She'd made us all stop.

You dare use your siren on me? Isa's voice rang loudly in my head, though she remained frozen.

"I release all but Isa from my spell," Shiri called out.

I breathed in a deep breath, my shoulders relaxing as Shiri and her mates landed beside us.

Shiri jutted a finger toward the forest. "Radnor, go!"

He jumped into the air, his tail dragging as he flew away with a whimper.

Then Shiri spun on Isa, her hands jutted on her hips. "You are released from my spell, and, yes, I dare!" She motioned toward us. "Before you burn my family."

Isa gaped at me as if she was seeing me for the first time. Then she bowed her head, a tear slipping down her snout. "I'm sorry, Goddess. I didn't realize."

"Obviously." Shiri rolled her eyes. "Isa, I mean this with no disrespect, but you must learn to control your temper when you're around Radnor."

Isa's top lip pulled back in a snarl. "Or maybe Radnor should leave."

Triss sat up with a whimper, her wings visibly shaking.

The girls squirmed in Finn's arms.

"May we go comfort her?" Aurora pleaded.

Finn squeezed them tight, the wolf flashing in his eyes. "Absolutely not. You do not leave my arms until it's safe."

I swallowed back my emotion, realizing that perhaps I'd been worried over nothing. The girls were safe with Finn. I, too, had been acting unhinged like Isa, and my dragon and I were more alike than I'd realized.

Helian jutted a foot forward. "We need Radnor to help us defeat the demon army."

"Stay out of it, Helian," I said on an urgent whisper.

But my warning was too late. Isa snarled at him, steam pouring from her snout as she hovered dangerously close to the top of his head.

"We're wasting time arguing," Drae interrupted. "We have a long flight ahead of us."

Isa turned her snarling snout toward him, then backed away when Shiri gave her a warning glare. With a growl, Isa ushered Triss toward the pyramid, snapping at her heels as her hatchling ran through the archway with a whimper. Isa followed after her, their foot stomps echoing while rattling the ground beneath our feet.

"Are you ready, darling?" Ash whispered to me.

I looked up at him then at Finn and the girls. "I'll never be ready," I mumbled, though I knew we had no choice but to leave my children, mate, and heart behind.

Shiri

THE MORNING SUN WAS climbing higher in the sky, the rays turning from a deep crimson to a watery yellow as we prepared to embark on our treacherous journey. Helian and Radnor flew wide circles above us, the drake letting out impatient roars. Isa had returned from the pyramid, her eyes downcast as she flew off in the direction of the volcano, though I wasn't sure what she was doing. The satyrs stood in the pyramid's shadows, watching us from beneath their hoods.

I held tightly to my nieces, trying my best not to cry as I said my goodbyes. Tari was already a mess over having to leave them. I didn't want to fall apart, too, though it was extremely hard. Some part of me felt as if it wasn't my place to cry and fret since I didn't birth them. But I loved these girls—so much the thought of leaving them behind was a poisoned blade piercing my chest.

Ember was the first to squirm out of my grasp. "You're crushing Bethamy, Auntie."

"Sorry, darling." I looked down at the fruit shell pressed between us. I hadn't realized she'd been holding it. It had wilted and deflated and was starting to smell. We would have to get her a replacement doll soon.

I kissed the girls once more before throwing myself into Nikkos's arms, finally giving in to my tears as he wrapped me in a feathery cocoon. I was so grateful to him for staying. He was the obvious choice, since he had healing powers that would come in handy should the girls get hurt, especially if Triss accidentally stepped on them. It was only a matter of time, after all. I hated leaving him, though.

When Helian and Drae grumbled it was time to leave, I didn't want to let go of Nikkos as he wrapped his wings tighter around me. "Thank you, my love," I whispered while kissing his warm neck, "for staying."

"Of course." He ran his hands down my back, his voice cracking with emotion. "Come back to me."

"I will." I pulled back, desperately searching his eyes while committing his face to memory, from that sexy dimple in his chin, pouty bottom lip, squeezable cheeks, and large honeyed gold eyes with thick lashes. I absolutely adored my Nikkos and couldn't wait for the demons to be vanquished so I could spend the rest of our days at Abyssus, making love and, elements willing, growing our family.

Nikkos kissed me again, nearly stealing the breath from my lungs with the strength of it. He tasted like tarts and juice, and I never wanted to stop kissing him.

I love you, he projected into my mind.

I clung to him, desperation tightening a noose around my throat. And I you.

By the time Drae pulled us apart, I was unable to stop the tears that flowed.

"Guard them well," I said to Finn, motioning toward Ember and Aurora.

He splayed a hand across his chest. "With my life."

My heart clenched as I prayed it would never come to that.

Tari hugged the girls again, though Ash kept telling her it was time to go.

"Don't worry, Mommy," Ember said to her, "we'll take good care of Demon and Angel."

Tari swiped tears from her eyes. "I know you will."

"And I'll protect us with my slingshot." Aurora patted the weapon that was tucked in a secret pocket the satyrs had sewn for her on the underside of her frock. "Shooting demons will be just like shooting fruits."

I tensed at that. There was no way I wanted my nieces battling demons.

"Darling, listen to me." Tari clutched Aurora's shoulders, her eyes hardening. "If you're in danger, you do not fight. You grab your sister, and if you can, Dada Finn and Uncle Nikkos. Then you teleport out of there."

Nikkos knelt beside Aurora, ruffling her hair. "But don't put yourself in danger trying to get to us, sprite."

"If you can't reach us, then you and your sister disappear to somewhere safe," Finn added.

"Where?" she asked.

When Tari gave me a look, I said, "If here isn't safe, then return to Abyssus. We'll find you there."

I smiled when my sister gave me a nod of approval.

"And if there isn't safe?" she asked.

Where else was safe? "Then return to Aunt Malvolia's castle," I finally answered, worried that my sister would disapprove.

Tari sucked in a sharp breath but didn't argue with my choice.

Aurora's jaw dropped. "But I thought she was bad."

I didn't bother arguing with her on that point. "She won't hurt you."

"How do you know?" Ember asked as she stroked her wilted fruit doll.

I balled up my fists. "Because she knows your mommy and I would destroy her."

"Promise me you won't fight the demons," Tari pleaded, her lower lip quivering while she grasped Aurora's hand. "That you'll flee."

Aurora leaned against Tari, draping an arm over her shoulder. "But I can hit all the fruits, even in the highest trees. I've been practicing with Dada Ash."

"Darling, demons aren't fruits." Tari brushed a strand of hair out of Aurora's eyes. "All you'll do is anger them with your slingshot, and I shudder to think what they'll do to you."

"Okay, Mommy." Aurora's shoulders sagged as she went boneless against her mother. "We'll flee."

"That's a good girl." Tari sniffled then held out her arms again. "Give Mommy hugs, darlings."

I had to turn away when Ember and Aurora clung to their mother, sniffling into her hair. I hated this. It wasn't fair that after two years apart, Tari was being ripped from her children again. I might be separated from the children and Nikkos for weeks or even months. How would I endure?

After a lot of prodding from Ash, Tari reluctantly let go of the girls and stomped over to Bea, cinching the saddle with jerky movements while tears streaked her face.

I swallowed back my sorrow while Nikkos, Finn, and the girls watched us from the shadow of the temple.

"This should be more comfortable with only two of us," Tari said to Ash while checking the packs strapped onto Bea.

Drae grabbed my elbow while nodding toward Blaze. "You'll ride with me today, then with Blaze tomorrow."

I nodded my agreement while biting my lip. "So long as you don't threaten to drop me." Of course, I was referring to the time Drae had threatened to drop me mid-flight. This had been when he was angry with me for thwarting his plan to kill my parents and before we'd discovered that Thorin, not my parents, had murdered his parents.

He rolled his eyes to the heavens. "I'll never live that down, will I?"

"No." I laughed, swatting his chest, "But don't say you don't deserve it."

His cheeks colored as he pulled me against his hard chest, projecting the next thought into my head. I would sooner cut off my own hands than drop you, my love.

I tenderly stroked his stubbled cheek, getting lost in the mahogany swirls in his eyes. I know, and I love you for it.

He brushed his nose against mine, our lips touching for the faintest of heartbeats, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear with my alpha mage and have my way with him.

A roar sounded above us, then a huge shadow passed overhead before Isa landed with a thud.

She bowed before us, and that's when I noticed the leather saddle on her back.

Aren't you riding on me?

I gave a start as the dragoness looked from me to my sister.

"I didn't know if you wanted us to ride you," I answered her.

She arched a scaled brow. Why didn't you ask?

"You call Radnor Helian's pet for letting Helian ride him," Tari said, a touch of irritation in her voice.

Isa turned up her chin, glaring down at Tari over her horned snout. Helian is the spawn of a worm. You are goddesses. It is my honor to carry you.

"Helian is my mate." Tari frowned, resting a hand on her abdomen. "And I carry his child."

I suspected Isa loathed Helian more because he was bonded to Radnor and not because he was Fachnan's son, though I kept my opinions to myself.

I know that , Isa snapped before flashing a fanged grin. The satyrs have been working night and day to craft a saddle for two. It would be a shame to waste it.

Well, at least Isa was trying to appease Tari, despite the monster-sized grudge she carried for Radnor and Helian.

Tari and Ash whispered to one another before she turned to Isa with a smile . "Alright."

Alright? My knees turned to porridge as I looked up at the dragoness. "It would be an honor to ride you, Isa, though I must admit I don't know the first thing about riding a dragon."

I recalled my horrific flight on the back of Malvolia's demon horse, Mortimus, and how my thighs ached for days. If riding a dragon was anything like riding a demon horse, I was in no mood to repeat that experience.

"You can sit up front." There was a gleam of excitement in Tari's eyes. "And I can wrap my arms around you like Helian does me."

I will be gentle with you, Goddesses, Isa said as she bowed her head low, especially since Tari is expecting.

Drae squeezed my shoulder. You've survived riding on the back of Mortimus. You can do this.

I shot him a sideways glare. Riding Mortimus was a nightmare.

"You don't mind if I ride Isa?" I asked him aloud, hoping he'd give me an out.

"As much as we enjoy holding you," Drae answered, "it would free up our hands if we need to fight."

"And I will catch you if you fall," Blaze said with a wink.

I breathed out a long breath, doing my best to quell the churning in my gut. "Then let's go," I said warily.

Drae flew me to the top of Isa and deposited me in the saddle, fussing over my straps and making sure I was secure. The satyrs had developed a belt for the saddle, holding me in place should Isa tip. After I was strapped in, my sister landed behind me using some sort of wind to propel herself. She thanked Drae as he adjusted her straps, too.

She wrapped her arms around me, grabbing the pommel. Are you ready, sister? she asked through thought.

Are you?

I'll never be ready to leave my children . I could feel the depression in her voice.

I swallowed back my sorrow, my gaze drifting to the girls and our mates watching us from the pyramid's shadow. Me neither.

But then Isa launched into the sky, the feeling so much different than riding on Malvolia's demon horse. Instead of flying forward, we flew straight up, carried as if on a pulley. I didn't have to squeeze Isa's sides to hold on. I fit so perfectly in the saddle, her wide body cushioning my legs that stretched outward rather than jutting straight down. In fact, I couldn't feel the muscles beneath her thick scales as her flapping wings whipped my braid behind me.

Tari tucked my braid into my cloak.

Thanks, sister , I projected to her.

Though I'd never ridden on a ship, I imagined the feeling was the same. Isa was a large sailing vessel while Mortimus was a rowboat.

Blaze flew beside us, flashing a confident grin while his bare chest glistened in the morning light. You okay?

Yes, darling, I answered, releasing my double grip on the pommel long enough to blow him a kiss, though I still held on with one hand. Thank you.

I blew Drae a kiss when he flew past us, showing off by flying in circles while shooting streams of fire.

Isa chuckled. Such tiny flames.

But her laughter died when Radnor shot past us like an arrow with Helian leaning forward on his back, the prince's hair streaming behind him like silver flames.

Then a few dozen wyverns jumped from the treetops and followed after us. So we were to have a calvary escort us?

Tari let out a strangled sob as we stretched further from the ground, the waving children beneath us obscured by the clouds.

I leaned back, kissing her wet cheek. All will be well, sister , I projected to her. You will hold them in your arms again soon.

She didn't answer as she cried harder.

Meanwhile, my heart was breaking, too, and I resented having to be the strong one. I wanted to surrender to my sorrows, but I didn't have that luxury when the very world was on the verge of crumbling around us.