Chapter Twenty-One

Damas

Resurrected demon

inhabiting King Fachnan's corpse

T he demon Damas, known by his new unfamiliar name as King Fachnan, paced the floor of the great hall, cursing the wild grass beneath his feet and the white witch who'd shattered the ceiling. The weeds had finally invaded the hall, growing over everything, around table legs and over chairs, destroying what was once no doubt a beautiful room.

The sound of his wyvern's cries coming from the outside garden was like an anvil to his skull. Damn those fire mages for injuring his wyvern. He should've shifted into his true form and crushed every one of them. If only his true form didn't put a bigger target on his back, and if only he didn't fear damaging his host body. He needed a green witch, or he feared the wyvern would succumb to his wounds, and he would soon decompose past the point of healing. Whatever magic had allowed a demon to resurrect a corpse didn't allow them to heal a host body a second time without a skilled healer.

For three days, he had scoured the city for any signs of life, but there were none. He'd found only one apothecary with shattered bottles and scattered herbs and had no idea what to do for the wyvern's injuries, other than pack mud into the wounds. The mud might have made the injuries worse, for they were starting to smell. Though it was hard to tell, as the decay from both their bodies smelled the same.

"Greetings, King Fachnan, or should I say, metamorphi?"

Damas spun around with a snarl, nearly tripping over a tree root while glaring at the winged fire mage who faced him. He would've run his sword through the mage, save for the flash of red in his eyes.

Demon .

Though he recognized another soul from his world, that didn't mean they were allies. Damas still might decide to kill him. He slowly circled the fire mage, one hand on the hilt of his sword while he examined the intruder. He had typical dark Ravini hair and wings and an olive complexion, but one side of his face looked like a melted ball of wax, his ear and hair missing, no doubt after a confrontation with other fire mages.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

The mage bowed slightly, his wings pinned behind him. "I am known by the unfamiliar name of Gordin." He stood, arching his one good brow. "And you?"

Damas's top lip curled back. "You may call me Fachnan."

"Assuming your host's name so easily?" Gordin let out a burst of laughter that made Damas's blood boil. "You are a true Naraka."

"What do you want?" he snapped, in no mood to be scorned by this demon.

Gordin stepped forward, holding out a hand. "A bargain?"

Damas stepped back, refusing to shake. "What bargain?"

Gordin nodded toward the garden where the wyvern's cries had turned to pitiful whimpers. "Shamadi is dying."

Damas gave a start. "You know the demon?" Shamadi was the wyvern's unfamiliar name, but Damas was still shocked Gordin knew it.

"Of course." Gordin shrugged. "He serves my mistress."

Damas could scent the firemage's lie. "He serves me now." Damas jutted a thumb in his chest. "His blood oath to her was broken when he changed hosts."

"He will serve her again." Gordin's eye flared as shadows fell over his grotesque features. "So will you."

Damas fingered the hilt of his sword, tempted to run it through the mage. "You seem awfully sure of yourself."

"I am, because if we don't heal Shamadi," he answered in a taunting voice, "he will die. You will be useless without your wyvern."

Damas puffed up his chest. "You don't know my beast." True, Gordin had correctly identified him as a metamorphi, but he didn't know which kind of monster lurked beneath his skin.

Gordin gave him a long, cool look. "You're a Nephilim."

Damas arched back with a hiss, the hairs on his nape standing on end. "How do you know?"

Gordin crossed his arms, eyeing Damas through narrowed slits. "Because you're not very smart."

Bastard. Damas felt the monster beneath his skin, demanding to break free and crush the fire mage.

"Careful, giant." Gordin walked a slow circle around him, tossing a ball of flame from hand to hand. "Kill me, and I won't give your wyvern the cure."

Shamadi let out an agonized cry, as if pleading with Damas to swear the oath and heal him.

Damas curled his hands into fists. "You have the cure?"

"His wounds are festering." Gordin paused, transferring the flame to one hand before extinguishing it with a snap of his fingers. "My mistress made him a potion that will heal the infections." His nostrils flared, his eyes narrowing with disgust. "I can also smell your host body rotting. It was dead for too long before the mage brought you to life. My mistress has a potion that can reverse the decay."

Reverse the decay? "Why would you help us?"

"We want the same thing, don't we?" He held out his arms, motioning toward the crumbling castle walls. "For demonkind to rule these lands."

Demonkind? No. Only one demon wanted to rule. Damas knew he wasn't the smartest demon, but what he lacked in common sense, he made up for with instincts, and his rotting gut was telling him to avoid a deal with this mistress at all costs. "I will not serve your mistress."

Twin suns shone in Gordin's eyes. "You will, or you will die." Then he stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle.

Damas grasped the back of a wobbly chair when the castle walls shook, and the sound of rolling thunder filled the cavern. He scrambled back, climbing onto the dais when a hole sank in the middle of the floor. He shrieked when thousands of demonic spiders burst from the hole, racing across the floor and up the walls.

"Demonlings!"

Gordin's laughter made Damas feel like those very same spiders were burrowing beneath his skin. "I forgot that Nephilim are terrified of spiders," Gordin teased.

Damas jumped onto a wobbly table on the dais, his knees turning to jelly when the hissing spiders raced after him. "Get them away from me!"

"Will you swear a blood oath?" Gordin called from below.

"Yes, yes!" Damas wildly waved his hands, icy cold panic turning to sludge in his veins. "Just send them away!"

Flora

SITTING BY DERRICK'S side on the bed, I lamented these same four gray walls I'd been forced to stare at for three long days. No window to let in the spring breeze, just damp, stagnant air in this dark, dank cell. I realized now why they'd put us in this room. It was in the center of the tower, safer from wyvern attacks. But how I longed for the pungent smell of the ocean, the salty wind on my face.

I pressed a cool cloth to Derrick's forehead while he moaned in his sleep. He was too hot, even for a fire mage. Odd, considering he'd been ice cold for the past few days. I dipped the cloth in water and gently cleaned his arms and chest, stopping to frown at that thick, dark vein just beneath his skin leading from the scar on his abdomen to his chest. The line was an infection, no doubt from the demon wyvern's dirty claws, and it was only a finger's length away from his heart. The green witch had managed to slow the flow of infection, but not stop it completely. Once it reached his heart, my mate would die. Our only hope now was that Tari reached us in time, for Gadea had said only a white witch had the power to heal an injury this severe.

Marius and I still hadn't made up after he'd tried to leave Derrick to die. My anger had ebbed significantly, but we rarely had time to say more than a few words to one another. Marius kept himself busy up on the battlements, since Malvolia refused to leave her room. I wasn't sure if Marius was that committed to maintaining order, or just more concerned with avoiding my wrath.

I tensed when I heard a rap on the door, for I knew it was Marius on the other side. I could hear my mate's heavy breathing and sense his soul calling to mine. He slipped inside, sitting beside me on the bed. "How is he?"

"Worse." I dipped the cloth in water and ran it over Derrick's forehead again.

Marius frowned at that line cutting across Derrick's chest. When she'd first told us about the infection, he'd wanted to cut it out, but Gadea had said that would only cause it to spread faster.

"Any word from our children?" I asked while lovingly stroking Derrick's arm.

"No, nothing."

I stiffened at that. Where were they? And were they okay? "Have you seen any more signs of the wyvern?"

"No."

"And my sister?" I asked, forcing a note of indifference into my voice. What did I care about the bitch?

"Still keeps to her room."

I clucked my tongue. "All over a horse." A hideous, beastly horse at that.

"He was her familiar."

I shot him a glare. Was that censure I heard in his voice? "I refuse to pity her. I've lost far too many friends to count, and my home while I mourned you for too long." Heat flushed my face and neck as a flood of rage surged through my veins. And, yes, losing a familiar was particularly painful for a witch, but not more so than what the thousands of children she'd orphaned had had to endure. "Now we might lose Derrick if Tari doesn't—" My throat pinched, my words cutting off midsentence as moisture flooded my eyes. I couldn't voice aloud my fears, afraid they'd come to pass.

"Flora," Marius whispered, gently grasping my shoulder. "The people of Delfi need you. Caldaria, Windhaven, and now Delfi are all without monarchs."

I shook him off with a snarl. "Malvolia tried to kill me just for thinking I coveted her crown."

"You don't have a choice." He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "We must move everyone back to Thebes. The temple is running out of supplies. The soldiers won't listen to me." He visibly swallowed, giving me a pleading look. "They need an Avias."

Icy fear swept up my spine. "What if the demon king is waiting to attack us when we flee?"

"It's a chance we must take." He grasped my hands, desperation flaring in his eyes. "Either that or starve."

I frowned down at our joined hands. "Very well."

I tensed when Marius loudly cleared his throat.

"Flora, won't you forgive me?" His voice broke and cracked like splintered glass, tugging on my heart. "I went too long without your love. To have you so near and not be able to hold you is worse torture than living in that prison."

I stared down at our joined hands. "You were going to let him die."

"To keep you safe." He squeezed my hands. "I would've wanted him to do the same if it were me."

I was tired of having this same argument. "You wouldn't have kept me safe. Don't you see that?" I pulled away from him, my heart pounding a painful thud in my ears. "I refuse to mourn my mate again."

His eyes bulged. "Wh-what are you saying?"

I swiped tears from my eyes, speaking through thought when my throat constricted. That I will take my own life if I lose either of you.

I gasped when he flung himself toward me, grasping my shoulders. "Flora, no!"

Unable to overcome the sobs that wracked my body, I buried my face in my hands, tears flooding my eyes. I can't go through that again, I projected to him. I can't! Why couldn't he understand I wouldn't survive losing another mate?

He held me tight while I sobbed against his chest, overcome with so much sorrow, I could scarcely think or breathe. I don't know for how long I cried as he whispered words of love and comfort into my ear. He pulled me into his lap, stroking my back while rocking me. Oh, how I missed being held by Marius. He'd always been the most tender of my two mates, the one most attuned to my feelings. I hated that we haven't been talking, and I berated myself for holding onto my anger.

My lips found his, and I kissed him deeply. I'm sorry, I projected to him.

Don't be, he answered while continuing to stroke my back. I love you so much.

I clung to him as if my life depended on it while plastering his face with kisses. Oh, Marius, I love you.

We both froze at a blood-curdling scream.

I pulled back, gaping at my mate.

He swore, pulling me off him. "Stay here," he whispered before flinging open the door.

Like hell was I staying there. I chased after him, and we ran into a gathering throng of fire mages and priestesses in the hall.

"Make way!" Marius bellowed, pushing through the crowd.

What we found took me off guard. Lady Veronica was sprawled out on the stone floor, her skirts tossed over her legs, her feather necklace askew, while she stared at the ceiling.

Daminica knelt beside her, holding her hand.

"What happened?" Marius demanded.

Daminica pressed a palm to Veronica's forehead. "I don't know. One moment she was flirting with a fire mage, and the next, she'd screamed something about spiders and had fallen down."

Veronica let out a moan as Marius knelt beside her, helping her to sit.

I faced two priestesses in purple robes. "Don't just stand there. Fetch her some water."

They blanched and quickly disappeared, returning with a mug of water.

Marius got Veronica to take a few sips before she pushed the mug away.

"What did you see?" he asked her.

She paled, then swallowed before jutting a finger toward the ceiling. "Demon spiders! Millions of them!"

"Where?" he pressed.

"They're coming from Peloponese and heading to the temple now!"

I clutched my throat. "Great goddess!" Marius and I shared a look.

They'll listen to you , he projected to me.

I let out a shrill whistle, facing the crowd. "Fire mages, grab the injured and the witches and fall back to Thebes!" I clapped my hands. "Now!"

Marius raced to Derrick's room and lifted his brother into his arms.

"Stay behind me!" he called as he pushed past me.

We ran up the stairs, and I was vaguely aware of one of Malvolia's lovers carrying her. Though I didn't care what happened to my sister, I didn't want these demon spiders getting access to her magic.

Once we reached the top turret, mages and witches were in a frenzy, the midmorning sun bathing the sky in pale yellow ribbons.

"Over there!" a mage called, jutting his finger toward the wall that separated Windhaven from Caldaria.

We ran to the edge of the turret, looking over the wall. What I saw made bile race up my throat. It looked like a sea of ink and blood spilling over the Caldarian wall. But no, those were spiders as big as my hand with glowing red eyes!

I spun around while waving to the crowd. "To Thebes!"

I shifted into a fire mage, flying beside Marius as he jumped into the sky, Derrick in his arms.

The flight across Windhaven and past the Delfian border wall seemed to take forever, though I knew it was only a few minutes. Throughout the flight, I wracked my brain, trying to come up with a way to stop the spiders. I remembered the cauldrons of tallow we had positioned on the border wall and the wall around the city. Those would be our first line of defense to stop the spiders. But I didn't think that would be enough—a few dozen cauldrons of boiling oil compared to millions of spiders.

If only our daughters were here. They'd know how to defeat them. What we needed was something to sweep or wash away the creatures. My gaze shot to the massive seawall as salty water sprayed over the top. The wall protected all three cities from the monster sea waves. But what if it didn't? If the wall came down, it would certainly wash away the spiders, but it would also drown the Fae in the deluge—at least those who couldn't fly. It was a mad idea, but either way we were doomed.

Mages greeted us as Marius and I landed on the dividing wall, Derrick as still as death in Marius's arms.

I spied the captain of the guards and shifted into my true form, giving him orders to ready the cauldrons. I paid no heed to the mages flying overhead, except to flag one of the captains, telling him to ready every available cauldron, though I knew it wouldn't be enough.

I spun on Marius, my voice taking on a hard edge. "We have to tear down the seawall!"

He gaped at me while shifting Derrick in his arms. "What?"

I wildly waved in the direction of Windhaven, my veins turning to icy sludge when a sea of black raced over buildings and through the streets, turning every living thing in its wake to blood and bone. They were unstoppable!

My heart faltered then plummeted as animals ran from the spiders, only to be caught in the crush, their flesh stripped away in a matter of seconds. This is what would happen to the citizens of Delfi, for we couldn't fly away from these demons forever. We had to stop them before this demonic pestilence spread across the country.

I swallowed back the knot in my throat. "We need to wash them away."

Marius shook his head. "Everyone who can't fly will drown."

"Or be eaten by demon spiders." I clutched the side of the wall, my fingers digging into the stone. "It's the only way to stop them."

"It's not the only way."

I spun around, glaring at my sister. Her eyes were bloodshot from days of crying, her skin as pale as winter frost. Her name was poison on my tongue. "Malvolia."

She tilted her head toward me, her mouth set in a grim line. "Flora."

"Are you ready to be queen again?" I said on a sneer. All this time she'd been locked up in her room, sobbing over a horse while her soldiers mourned their sons and brothers.

"No." She turned from me, raising her hands. "I'm ready to be the darkness."

Black smoke unfurled from her fingertips, shooting down the wall like bursts of cannon fire. Her magic fanned out, growing like a fog as it washed over the advancing spiders.

I winced at the popping sounds, like heavy wheels rolling over gravel, followed by thousands of ear-piercing, shrill shrieks. By the time the smoke cleared, the spiders were no more, and the once pristine city of Ventus was covered in ash.

My knees weakened beneath me as I leaned against Marius.

A wave of cheers rose up from the mages and witches, followed by, "All hail Queen Malvolia."

Malvolia looked ready to pass out, too.

Her young mage lover wrapped his arm around her waist as she gave me a withering look, and though she didn't speak to me, I knew what that look meant. This is why I'm queen and you're not.

I shot her a dark look, too, one that said, I never wanted to be queen.

Her mage swept her into his arms and jumped from the wall, flying her toward the castle walls amid more cheering.

I shifted back into a winged mage, following Marius as we trailed in Malvolia's wake.

Though I was grateful my sister had been able to stop the demons, I couldn't help the bitterness that crept into my heart, overshadowing it like a wave of spiders washing over a city. After years of abusing her dark magic, Malvolia had finally used it for good, and she was suddenly a hero. As if this one act washed away all her sins.

Tari

RIDING ISA HAD BECOME easier with each flight. She was very gentle and always checking to ensure we were comfortable, a stark contrast to flying with Radnor. It was hard not commenting on her relationship with her mate, for I felt her longing whenever he soared past us. Then she would grumble when Helian threw sultry looks in my direction while I blew him kisses.

I appreciated Helian distracting me from my depression. The further we flew from Finn and the children, the deeper the chasm within my heart as the bond between us stretched and thinned. It was hard not thinking of them on our flights. Shiri and I filled the long stretches of silence with mental conversations, though most of our subjects drifted to the children, and I knew Shiri missed them as much as I did. My sister had always had a loving mother's heart, and I'd been too consumed with my own sorrow to realize how keenly my sister had been affected by the separation.

We did not stop for a repast when we flew over Skullgrove. For that, I was grateful. That place held too many bad memories, not to mention it smelled like moldy feet. Evidence that the dragons had been here was everywhere, from the smoldering treetops to the demolished crops and barren fields. We spotted nary a stag or sheep anywhere. I tried to grow as many plants as I could, letting my magic fall like rain drops whenever we flew over a barren field, leaving flowering plants in our wake. We had yet to come across any dragons, though Isa sensed them nearby.

I squeezed my sister's waist and clung to the pommel when Isa began to make a slow descent, dipping beneath the low clouds and then emerging over a wooded area. I shivered as cold air blew back my hair. Though I heard distant waves and smelled pungent ocean air, I couldn't see it. It was hard to see with a dense layer of fog that had settled over the area.

I gave a start when a towering fortress loomed in the distance, like a phantom edifice, its massive torches glowing behind the fog. I wondered if they were trying to keep monsters out or in the walls that were taller than the surrounding pines. Isa had told us this was Itarian, the centaur stronghold.

Shiri rested the back of her head on my shoulder. That reminds me of the shifter stronghold, Ulula. Let's hope the centaurs are nicer than the shifters.

Remember Father saying they were difficult to trade with? I asked as I recalled our father coming home weary and frustrated after nearly a month away. He'd been delayed at the centaur stronghold and had not come away with good trades. That was the winter we didn't have butter for our stale bread.

Shiri stiffened. I do.

It was barely nightfall by the time we landed in a nearby field, the earth shuddering beneath us when we landed. There was a slight chill to the air, indicating we were getting closer to the imposing Periculian Mountains, which always seemed to radiate cold weather.

"Are we staying here, or are we seeking shelter in Itarian?" I asked Helian as he helped me dismount.

Radnor had already taken to the sky, his tail drooping between his legs like our old mongrel whenever our mother sent him outside.

I thanked Helian with a kiss as he set me on the ground. I stretched my sore muscles, and then Helian rubbed warmth into my arms. I smiled at my sister as Blaze swept her from Isa and he and Drae warmed her with hands that glowed like lit coals.

Isa heaved a steamy sigh, resting her chin on her paws. I'm growing ever tired of you Fae fawning all over each other.

I released Helian and stroked her snout, fanning my face when she steamed me. I wanted to tell her that she and Radnor could be fawning over one another if she'd let go of her dragon-sized grudge, but I decided I preferred my head on my shoulders.

Bea landed beside us with a squawk, and Ash jumped from her back with the dexterity of a cat springing from a tree limb.

"I should go on ahead and speak with the Centaurian king," he said, motioning toward the ridge behind us. "The centaurs are a bit—" He paused, looking as if he were searching for the right word. "Standoffish."

Shiri and I shared a look.

I knew from our father's stories they were more than ‘a bit standoffish,' and I suspected we might be better off making camp in the woods.

"And you have experience dealing with them?" Blaze asked.

Ash nodded. "The Lupine shifters traded with them often. My fathers used to take us with them during negotiations."

"Hopefully they're not as bad as the shifters in Ulula," Shiri said.

Ash's eyes flared. "You're speaking about my kin."

Shiri jutted her hands on her hips. "They tried to take the girls from us."

"Oh." He scratched the back of his neck, flashing a wolfish grin. "Sorry about them."

Helian focused on Drae. "Did you fight them?"

Drae's face turned as red as a dragon's pecker. "I wasn't there for that."

I shot Shiri a look, and she crooked a smile. This was probably during the time when Drae was behaving like a troll's behind.

"I used my siren," Shiri answered, then she elbowed Blaze. "Though Blaze and Nikkos were prepared to burn the place to the ground."

Ash splayed a hand across his heart, bowing toward Blaze and Shiri. "I appreciate you defending our girls."

Shiri stiffened, glaring at him through hooded eyes. "You don't need to thank me. I love those children."

Her voice broke, and she turned away, but not before I saw the moisture reflecting in her eyes. I'd been so consumed in my own selfish sorrows, I hadn't thought about how much she missed the girls. After all, she'd been their mother for the past four years.

Ash cleared his throat. "I'd rather you didn't use your siren on the centaurs, Shiri. They easily hold grudges."

Shiri nodded but didn't speak as she buried her face against Blaze's chest. I didn't want to interrupt their tender moment, though it pained me to watch her shoulders shake while Blaze held her, whispering soothing words in her ear. I made a note to speak to Shiri about her depression later, and hopefully console her without making everything worse.

I crossed over to Ash, grabbing his arm. "Maybe it would be best if you went alone to talk to them."

He nodded his agreement, then cast Shiri a look. Is she okay? he asked through thought.

She was their mother for four years, I answered.

He visibly swallowed. What can we do for her?

Give her space for now, I said. But also let her know that we understand her grief.

I grimaced when I realized she had probably heard our telepathic conversation.

Helian came up to us, grasping Ash's shoulder. "I'm the prince, and the rightful monarch of Caldaria. Perhaps I should be the one to talk to them."

Ash let out a burst of laughter. "Not unless you have a death wish. The centaurs loathe the monarchy."

Helian's face colored. "Then you don't want me to come with you?"

Ash shook his head. "Sorry, brother. You'll make everything worse."

Helian's jaw dropped, but before he could say anything, Blaze screamed, "Watch out!"

Isa threw a wing around us, Bea stumbled back, and the other wyverns jumped into the sky. I gasped when three spears bounced off a gray shield, and I looked over my shoulder to see the veins protruding on Drae's neck as he held up the curse chamber. My magic slowly manifested, swelling my fingertips.

I whistled to Drae. "I can access my magic now."

"So can I," Shiri said.

Drae heaved a groan, and the bubble popped when he released his hands.

Isa crouched on all fours, letting out an enraged cry as a tribe of big creatures with Fae torsos attached to horse bodies raced over the ridge. They were armed with long spears and shields and sounded like a herd of wild horses when their hooves struck the ground.

Centaurs. I'd never seen one before. Unlike the satyrs, who walked on two legs, the centaurs had four powerful horse legs and broad Fae chests with huge arms, no doubt from years of wielding those spears. They had tapered ears like the Fae, not rotating goat ears like the satyrs. It looked as if the elements had simply taken the top half of a Fae and the bottom half of a horse and melded them together.

Radnor landed in front of Isa with a roar, blowing a stream of fire. The centaurs halted, rising on their hindquarters with angry hollers while raising their shields.

The smoke cleared, revealing a line of fire that created a barrier between us and the centaurs.

I don't need you to protect me, Isa grumbled.

Radnor craned his neck at his mate, answering with a growl.

Shiri and I shared a look.

Not again, I projected to Shiri.

She grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the dragons. Let's stop this.

Our mates flanked us as we ducked under one large wing and then another, facing the centaurs.

"Centaurs, drop your weapons!" Shiri rumbled, her deep siren voice taking over.

The centaurs roared, kicking up dirt as their spears and shields clanked to the ground.

One of the centaurs pushed ahead of the pack. He had a long auburn braid tied with leather bands draped over one shoulder and pale, freckled skin, plus a chestnut-colored bottom half. He pounded his chest like an ape. "You dare break our truce, and then bring a siren witch to our lands!"

"What truce?" I asked.

He shook a fist at me, his eyes flaring. "Don't play dumb with us, witch!"

Magic dripped off my fingers, as I was sorely tempted to turn his big horse dong into a shriveled twig.

Ash cleared his throat while pushing ahead of me. "King Cenric. It's I, Asher Lykaios, son of Kings Adrean and Kylar." He splayed a hand across his chest, bowing to the centaur he'd called King Cenric.

I grumbled, balling up my fists. My mate shouldn't have to bow to anyone.

"We're sorry," Ash continued, "but we know nothing of this truce. We've only just flown in from the Fallax Islands." He motioned toward the wyverns flying overhead. "We mean the centaurs no harm. My mate and her sister are white witches. We are on a quest to defeat the demons. We have only come seeking food and shelter for the night."

Cenric crossed his arms over his bare, broad chest. "You'll find neither with us."

"Ohh," I muttered. "He deserves a curse of flatulence."

Ash reached behind and grabbed my hand. Let's play nice, he projected. The centaurs could become powerful allies.

I scowled at the centaur, feeling less confident about having such rude beasts as allies. They'd thrown spears at us before giving us a chance to defend ourselves.

"We'll replenish whatever food we take and then some," Ash continued, a note of pride in his voice. "My mate can grow you food, just like she did for Cyrene and Dunhull."

Cenric shook his head, scowling. "We saw what she did in Dunhull, alerted every demon in Caldaria of your attachment to the satyrs and put targets on their backs."

How rude! "That wasn't my intention," I blurted.

The centaur had the nerve to ignore me as he looked back at Ash. "The truce was that no dragons are to enter the fields and forests surrounding Itarian." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "And in return, we don't kill them."

Radnor arched back, ruffling his wings. He thinks we're threatened by a few Terrae.

They will be grit between our paws, Isa answered, laughter ringing in her words as smoke streamed from her snout.

I gave Shiri a look. At least they're in agreement about something.

Shiri grinned. It's progress.

The centaurs became restless, kicking at dirt while scowling at Shiri and then at their weapons, which were still on the ground. I could feel the frustration radiating off them as they fought against Shiri's siren magic.

"Is your dragon challenging us?" Cenric asked Ash, his words coming out like searing arrows. "Kindly remind them our ancestors were renowned dragonslayers."

Both dragons let out menacing growls, reminding me of rabid cats.

"They understand you," I blurted, then I flashed Cenric a coy smile. "But perhaps you shouldn't make threats when you don't have access to your weapons."

The centaurs stomped and made all kinds of blustering noises. I rolled my eyes at their false indignation.

"King Cenric!" Helian pushed past us, ignoring Ash calling him back, and walked up to the centaurs.

"Prince Celsus," Cenric said as he snarled down at Helian's outstretched hand, refusing to shake.

Helian dropped his hand by his side and plastered on a smile. "You know who I am?"

"Every Fae knows the face of Fachnan's spawn," Cenric said on a sneer, as if the very mention of Fachnan's name left a sour taste on his tongue.

Helian turned up his chin, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Then you know that as the heir to the throne, I'm your sovereign."

I was embarrassed for Helian, and also furious with the centaur when Cenric tossed back his head, laughing. "Itarian doesn't take orders from the high Fae of Peloponese. We never have."

Shiri's shoulders fell. "We're wasting time here. Let's go."

"You would turn away two goddesses!" Helian wagged a disapproving finger at the centaurs. "We will not forget your treatment. I'll remember should you ever need our help."

Cenric puffed up his chest. "The centaurs will never need your help. We take care of ourselves.

"You'd better pray you never need us." I raised my hands, magic dripping onto the ground, surprising me when weeds, not flowers, sprung up around me. My mood must've been manifesting my magic. "A demon army is coming. Soon, they will infest the entire countryside of Caldaria, including your fortress." I could only imagine the devastation if those demon spiders who took Thorin infiltrated the Itarian fortress.

The centaurs laughed.

My mates swore.

Before I could answer with an angry retort, I clutched my throat, leaning against my sister when I was overcome by a vision of spiders falling down the side of the Itarian fortress like ink spilling in water. Was this the future fate of the centaurs? They wouldn't be able to stop such an invasion. What would the spiders do to them?

Cenric's mouth flattened as a cold gleam reflected in his eyes. "The Itarian soldiers will be ready."

"No one can be ready for the horrors these demons are capable of releasing," Ash said. "We've seen their spider army. They overtook a full-grown mage in a matter of seconds."

Cenric tossed back his head with a laugh. "They wouldn't dare cross the centaurs, for we will stomp them to ash with our hooves." Then he jutted a finger toward the direction of the setting sun. "The dragons are that way. Join them if you wish." Shadows fell across his features as he gave Shiri a menacing look. "But do not bother us again, for next time, we shall be ready for your siren."

They wouldn't be ready for Shiri, but I was tired of arguing. I tugged on Ash's and Helian's sleeves. "We'll leave, but the day will come when you'll regret it."

Cenric answered by laughing out loud, sealing his own death sentence, as well as dooming his people.

Tari

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO FLY far before we arrived at a sandy beach that went on for miles. Undulating waves gently rolled in and out of the shoreline, unlike the monster waves that battered the Northern Shore. But even more surprising were the clusters of dragons congregating on the beach. Many had built what resembled large bird nests among the sandy dunes.

Dragons swarmed us when we landed, stumbling over one another while trying to get close to Isa. The heat was overwhelming, as if Isa had flown into a furnace. Radnor snapped at the advancing dragons, and Shiri and I nearly fell off Isa's back as she reared up on her hind legs and swatted a rather large blue dragon away. The dragons kept coming, making all kinds of strange sounds like a pack of honking geese.

Blaze and Drae swooped in and snatched us off Isa's back before depositing us on a ridge overlooking the beach. I swiped sweat from my brow, relieved to be away from the crush. But where was Helian? I didn't see him on Radnor's back. Dragon riders emerged from tents behind us, their eyes wide with shock as they reached for their swords.

"We mean you no harm!" Drae called, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "We travel with Prince Helian."

I cringed, hoping his admission didn't make things worse, considering they weren't on good terms with Helian before. I opened my hands, calling to my magic, but it wasn't readily at my disposal and summoning it felt like cranking a rusty wheel. Shiri stood between her mates, clearing her throat, and I knew her siren was slow to manifest, too.

My gaze flitted between the advancing dragon riders and toward that growing throng of dragons. I worried my bottom lip, searching for Helian.

My hand flew to my mouth when he emerged unscathed from the crush, dodging tails and paws before racing up the dune toward us. Ash and Bea landed beside us. He practically flew off her back before she took to the sky, joining the other wyverns overhead. I was surprised none of the dragons had attacked the wyverns, but they were all focused on Isa.

I grasped Ash's arm when he let out a menacing growl, and I recognized the dragon rider who approached us, for I remembered Ivar's shiny, bald scalp and beady, dark eyes. My mother had transformed Finn's face to look like Ivar's the night he and my father had put that indus head in Arabella's bed. He was the captain of the dragon riders who'd attacked Lupine. His nose was still crooked and slightly swollen, and he had faint bruises beneath his eyes from when Helian had punched him for insulting me over a week ago. He raised an arm, and I inwardly cringed at the bloody stump that ended at his wrist. My magic finally flooded my fingertips, and I knew I had the ability to heal him, maybe even grow back his hand, but I wouldn't, not after what he did to Lupine.

Ash growled louder, fur sprouting on his face and arms as Ivar approached.

Ash, please remain calm , I pleaded through thought as a throng of riders circled us.

Keep your cool, Ash, Helian projected as he pushed ahead of us. The last thing we need is a thousand pissed-off dragons.

Ignoring Ash's menacing growls, Ivar stopped before Helian. "I was wondering when you'd show."

"Why are you so far south?" Helian asked him.

Ivar spit a wad of tobacco on the ground. "Where else do you expect us to go?"

Ash continued to growl as they spoke, despite my pleas.

Helian shrugged. "Somewhere on the northwestern coast. Not this far."

Ivar shook his head, acting as if Ash wasn't on the precipice of shredding him to pieces. "The hunting and fishing are better down here." He nodded toward the crush still swarming Isa. "It takes a lot to feed a thousand dragons." He pulled a leather pouch out of his pocket and shoved another wad of tobacco into his mouth. "Did you know your father's corpse has been resurrected as a demon?"

Helian rubbed his chin. "So I've heard. The Fae lands are infested with demons now."

Ivar's gaze swept across our group. "Are you planning on doing anything about it?"

Helian crossed his arms. "We're going to snuff out every last one."

I tensed when Enso squawked above us. Or should I say, Nox?

Ash's growls grew louder, more menacing.

Ivar paused, giving Ash a long look. "Is there going to be a problem with the shifter?"

Helian's back and shoulders stiffened. "That shifter is my brother, and why don't you ask him?"

"Well, shifter?" Ivar arched a brow, addressing my mate as if he was speaking to a wayward child.

Ash shifted into a towering werewolf creature, splitting his clothes as he hovered over Ivar with a menacing snarl. He raised his claws as if to strike.

I tensed when the rings of steel echoed through the air, and the surrounding dragon riders pointed the tips of their swords at Ash.

Holy troll turds!

Blaze and Nikkos snapped open their wings, flames extending from their hands.

Do you want me to intervene? Shiri projected. I can access my siren now.

Wait, I answered.

Anger infused my skull. White magic poured from my fingertips, creating a fog around their feet. "Put those swords away, dragon riders," I commanded. "Or I'll turn them and your members into twigs and berries."

I wondered if they'd heard about how I'd turned all the swords in Peloponese into floppy vines, because they instantly sheathed their swords. Some even crossed their hands over their groins, as if that would stop my magic.

Ash continued to snarl, his chest heaving while he hovered over Ivar. I knew it was taking all his willpower not to shred the dragon rider. I placed a hand on Ash's side, knowing he wouldn't hurt me, though he looked like a creature of nightmares.

You will have revenge, Ash, I promised, hating myself for denying him now. Just wait for the right time.

I looked over my shoulder at the dragons along the shore. Some of them had lost interest in Isa and were looking in our direction, smoke pouring from their flared nostrils. If Ash shredded Ivar, the dragons would retaliate, and I wasn't sure Shiri and I had enough magic between us to stop a thousand dragons.

I narrowed my eyes at Ivar. "You will refer to my mate as Prince Lykaios."

Ivar's face flushed as he bowed low. "My apologies, Goddess."

Goddess. Hmm. Interesting considering he had called me a whore just last week, but that was a minor insult compared to what he'd done to my mates' kin.

Ivar blinked up at Ash. "My apologies, Prince Lykaios."

Apologies for what? I projected to my mates.

Everything, Helian answered, his features as tense as a taut bow string.

Not enough. Ash snarled like a wounded animal, and he raised his claws as if to strike.

Peace, I reminded Ash, rubbing his furry side. Please.

A few dragons took to the sky, soaring so low, their draft displaced the air and blew my hair back.

"You led the attack against Lupine," I said accusingly, waiting to see if Ivar would offer a better apology.

The color in Ivar's cheeks deepened. "I did, and I regret my part in that."

Ash threw back his head with a howl.

More dragons soared above us, the heat from their bodies warming the air.

Helian jutted a foot forward. "That's it?"

Ivar held out his hands in a gesture of surrender. "If I could turn back time, I would've taken out King Fachnan the moment he ordered the attack."

Ash howled again before snarling at Ivar. "You killed innocent women and children!" he boomed, his voice as deep as a dragon's rumble. "My baby brother and sister!"

I swallowed at that, for I remembered meeting the children. They were barely out of diapers when they'd been killed. My heart felt ready to implode, and I couldn't stop the tremors that coursed through me.

"Again"—Ivar visibly swallowed—"I regret my part in that."

"Then why?" Ash's cry pierced my soul, and it took all my willpower to remain standing as his wave of sorrow washed over me.

Ivar hung his head, his voice dropping to barely a murmur. "Because I was ordered to do it."

"And you'd rather be a coward than a traitor." Helian shook a fist at Ivar before waving it at the other dragon riders. "All of you! You only turned on your king when he turned on you!"

Ivar motioned to the tents behind him with his bloody stump. "And now we're paying the ultimate price for that."

"The ultimate price?" I shook my head, disgust lacing my words. "No." Did he honestly think living in tents equated to losing everything?

"Not until you lose your family!" Ash hollered, punching the air. "Not until you lose your lives!"

Ivar heaved a sigh, his shoulders falling. "If that's what it takes, I'll do that. I know I can never do anything to atone for killing your kin, Prince Lykaios, but I'm willing to do anything to send these demons back to hell." He raked his one hand over his balding head. "In the meantime, if you would like to have your revenge on me now, then I'm willing to fight you in your shifter form. The dragons will not intervene."

Ash let out a low, demonic chuckle that caused my gooseflesh to rise. "I would shred you in seconds."

"I know." Ivar nodded. "I'm willing to sacrifice my life. I just ask that you spare the others, so they can help Prince Helian defeat the demons."

Ash let out a wolf's whimper before looking at Helian and me. What should I do?

Helian patted Ash's back. Only you can decide that, but I will support your decision, brother.

Me, too, I answered, even though I was still very afraid the dragons would indeed intervene.

Ash snarled down at Ivar, saliva dripping off his fangs and pooling at the dragon rider's feet. "I will have my vengeance and fight you, but not now. If we both survive the coming demon invasion, then we will battle."

"Fair enough." Ivar's shoulders sagged before he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "So now what?" he asked Helian.

"Now we head to the Werewood Forest to retrieve a book of demon names. It's the best way to defeat them," Helian answered.

"Do you wish for our assistance?" Ivar asked.

I shared a look with Shiri, surprised that the dragon rider was volunteering to help.

That would make for a tense trip, Shiri said, motioning toward Ash.

"I suppose the more dragons the better," Helian answered.

We ducked when a black shadow swooped down, nearly smacking into our heads. A wave of gasps and cursing swept through the crowd as a few brave riders unsheathed their swords again.

"Nox says the smaller the party the better. It will be easier to sneak in under the cover of night and steal the book without the demon mistress knowing," Helian told us.

Ivar gave Helian a funny look. "Nox? Demon mistress?"

Helian tossed his silky hair over his shoulder. "Long story."

Ivar stepped back, grasping the hilt of his sword while warily eyeing Helian. "Are you demon possessed?"

"No. The demon is in one of the wyverns." I pointed to Enso, who flew low circles above us. "Don't hurt him. He is blood sworn to help us."

"We must fly to the Werewood Forest and back," Helian said to Ivar. "Will you await our return here?"

Ivar's eyes widened then narrowed. "That is a dangerous mission, Prince."

Helian smiled down at me, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I know, but we will have two powerful white witches with us."

I couldn't help but return his smile as I grabbed his hand and laced my fingers through his.

"We will be here," Ivar said, "and if you don't return in four days, we're coming after you."

Helian cleared his throat, warily eyeing Ash before facing Ivar. "I appreciate it more than you know."