Chapter 27

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Magnus

I could sense the new tension coiling through her small body, and it manifested in tight muscles and a racing heart. I braced for the questions I knew were coming.

"When I go with you to the fae realm, how much danger will I really be in? Is it as bad as Kitra has made it sound?"

"It's probably worse than you are imagining. I'm sure my saying that doesn't help or reassure you in any way, but you need to know the truth. It's dangerous for an experienced fae, so for you it will be tenfold. You could be hurt or worse. Although I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening."

"That sounds crazy."

"Because it is crazy. The fae are a vicious race. Not all, but enough of them that you always have to watch your back. Going through that portal with me will not be a vacation in any sense of the word."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you want to go back? Why would anyone want to live like that?"

I hesitated. I really wanted to answer that question in a way she wanted to hear. But I had decided I would be as truthful as I could with her all things considered. Which was absolutely NOT my nature.

"I want my revenge. I'm going to kill my uncle for what he did to me. What he has done to countless others."

She was quiet for a moment after that, and I chose to honor that silence with my own until she was ready.

"Honestly, I don't blame you for that. It sounds like he abused you with that spell and he deserves every bit of your retribution. But what about the rest?"

"What do you mean the rest? Taking care of my uncle is end game for me."

"That seems rather narrow thinking. Would you be keen to return here knowing that your family is gone? And your uncle, he's a king, right? What happens to his kingdom after he dies? Does he have any children? Will they inherit the throne?"

"Fortunately not. It's the one grace the Gods gave all of us for having to endure him. That he wouldn't have an heir to pass that evil to. And as for the kingdom. I guess technically it could fall to me."

She swiveled around to look at me, sloshing water over the sides of the tub in the process. "Uhm. I think that's information you should have led with. What the hell? If you kill him you will be king? You're a prince?"

I shrugged. "Maybe? It's not that big of a deal. Under normal circumstances, and in most fae kingdoms the king is but a figurehead. It's his court that holds all the real power. They are the day-to-day decision makers. And my entire family is a royal of some sort, though in most cases it’s a technicality."

She eased back around and settled her head on my chest. I grabbed the wash towel and some soap and proceeded to wash her. She seemed to think helping her with a bath was some sort of hardship for me, when in fact, it was more of a gift to myself than it was to her. I got to explore her body in a whole new way and that suited me perfectly. I could catalog all her markings, note the knots of tension that would need my attention later, and enjoy the soft, pleasing curves of her body up close and personal.

It was the perfect way to spend a quiet morning before the chaos of the rest of the day began. And it always did.

"Will you be the kind of king that shares his power with a court?"

Damn. This woman went straight for the jugular. It was going to be interesting to see how she did later in her training.

"I'd like to think so, especially since being the king is not my goal. But can one truly know before he has experienced that power? Although no matter what happens, I know I will not be like him. I take no pleasure in being cruel. I'd rather see people in the kingdom happy. Or at least productive and satisfied. Happiness would be a weird and lofty goal."

"I don't see happiness as lofty. Elusive maybe. But I think I get what you mean. You don't need people to fear you to control them."

"Don't get me wrong. I am not as pious as it sounds. I've led an army. I've experienced the power of being royal. And I have not been kind. Many in fact, have called me cruel. If I were to take over leadership I would have a lot of issues to overcome from the past."

"So, it's a challenge then. I like those."

"Your optimism is killing me."

"The word you’re looking for is tenacity. I'm stubborn, and willful when it comes to my goals. I don't give up, no matter what. I just can't."

I laughed at the strong determination in her voice. "That's about the darkest dark fae thing you could have said."

"Is it? Interesting. So tell me more. What are dark fae like? I take it from them being called dark they aren't the happy, sweet people in the realm."

I shook my head. "They are warriors, first and foremost. In any battle, you want the dark fae at your back, not as your enemies. They are methodical, studious, show very little emotion, and most people just like to steer clear of them as much as possible."

"Are they evil?"

"Not by nature. No. Their power, however, is rooted in dark magic. So it can be volatile."

"You don't like them."

It didn't sound like a question, and I was half tempted not to answer her. The politics of the fae realm were complicated. But I’d spent my whole life serving a vengeful king under the cloud of a spell. I didn't trust my own judgements from the past.

"I think when I go back, I will have to take some time to form my own ideas. Everything in my head was crafted by a cunning man who warped me to believe what he wanted me to believe. And he trusted no one, and hated almost everyone."

"What a piece of work. Are you sure you want to go back? Can't you stay here and be a part of the dragon clan? They are your real family."

"Are they though? I barely even knew they existed until I was forced to face Isaac a few months ago. I was only a few weeks old when my father and mother with my brothers in tow left the fae realm and me behind. They are virtual strangers. I know Kitra better than I do Isaac. And I was too late to meet Ian."

Her body had gone completely still as I spoke and the silence in the room following my revelation hung heavy in the air. I could practically feel the questions burning her tongue to get out. Fortunately for us both, she held out. My family history wasn't a subject I wanted to dwell on. My parentage was only revealed by my uncle under duress as a distraction. So even if I wanted to answer her questions, and I DID not, I had no answers to give. I was as much in the dark as she.

“Are you two going to play tickle the pickle all day long or are we going to get down to much needed business? We're running out of time.”

Isaac's voice exploded in my head, and I groaned. Motherfucker. He did not have to yell.

“Sure I did. It's the only way to get your attention.”

A violent rumble rolled through my chest. It was clear to me that meddling brothers were a huge hindrance in life. I'd been better off without?—

Rose twisted so she could look at me. "What's wrong?"

"Isaac's in my head again. I may have to kill him."

Rose bit her lips as her eyes danced with laughter. "What does he want?"

"Our presence downstairs. He says we don't have much time."

"All righty then. If we've been summoned, then I guess we'd better get to it. Plus, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"I can always eat. Dragon metabolism, remember?"

She smirked as she took the cloth from my hand. "How could I forget."

By the time we were washed, dressed, and heading down the stairs, I could feel the scales of the dragon pushing at my skin. It was time to let him out.

"About time." I glanced up at Isaac's scowl and sneered at him.

Kitra put a hand on Isaac's arm to stop him before he said anything else. "What he means is that we're glad you're here. We need to get started."

"We need food."

Kitra nodded. "I figured as much. Brunch is being served out on the terrace while we work. I don't know if you've noticed, but we've lost almost the entire day."

"Ugh. I always forget how annoying you are."

A low rumble emitted from Isaac that I ignored. I didn't have time for his ego or his protectiveness of his mate.

I grabbed Rose's hand and followed Isaac and Kitra onto the terrace that overlooked a large wide open grassy space that was more than enough for a couple of dragons to shift and still have plenty of room to move around.

I looked down at Rose. "I hope you're ready for this. You may have met my dragon already, but today is going to be different. Today, you will learn to ride."

At the shocked look on her face, I leaned down and kissed her soundly. While it was fun to shock her, it was even better when I was touching her. By the time I broke the kiss and wandered down the steps to the middle of the open field, my skin was practically burning with the need to make the change.

A glance at my arms showed the translucent green of my scales melting the skin away as the bright, warm flash of magic encompassed my entire body. While a shift to dragon form could be painful in the beginning, I was far from that age and could make the transition both effortlessly and quickly.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that," Rose said, her voice full of awe.

I snorted my response, making sure to blast a little steam from my nose to emphasize my thoughts. Getting into her head wasn't as easy as getting into Isaac or Kitra's, and I could only chalk that up to her lack of active magic and the fact we weren't fully bonded.

I could feel my dragon's displeasure at that thought, and I couldn't agree more. Feeling the possible mate bond calling to me was far more painful than having never found a mate to bond with.

"But the real question is are you ready to ride?"