Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
Idon’t know how I was able to sleep, but when my eyes open, I know I did.
Blinding sunlight shines everywhere, and I have to shield my eyes for a moment before they grow accustomed to it.
Blinking rapidly, I drop my hand and turn my head to find the dragon snoring softly.
I gently climb from his loosening grip, slide down his tail, and hit the ground, which is soft.
I look around in wonder as the daylight shows me the truth, just like he promised. Fields of flowers surround me, vivid with otherworldly colours, and in the base of the rolling hills is a stone building.
“What is this place?” I ask, forgetting the dragon is asleep, but when I turn, his eyes are on me.
“It is what you need,” he replies. “They are a gathering of people who aid those in need. It’s rumoured that if you seek their help, they will offer it willingly. I sense them waiting in the building. They arrived a few hours ago.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?” I snarl.
“You needed rest,” he answers as he stands and stretches. I forgot how big he is, or maybe in the dark it was easy to lie to myself, but now in the bright light, the magnificence of this dragon is obvious.
He’s so big, he blocks out the sun and casts a shadow over me.
Black spikes, tipped with a glowing blue, line his back, and I remember how sharp they were as they ripped through my hand.
He’s a deep grey colour and streaked with black in places.
His head, which is the size of a car, holds glowing blue eyes that observe me.
His jaw opens to show wicked fangs as blue smoke rolls from his mouth, the freezing cold air causing me to shiver.
Is that why he’s named Frost?
“Although I appreciate the look in your eyes, my little queen, they are waiting, and you seem to be in a rush,” he growls, and he almost sounds amused.
I drag my gaze from him to the building. He’s right. I can sense people inside. It’s a testament to how tired I was that I didn’t wake when they arrived. “I feel magic.”
“Lots of it.” He nods. “Fae, if I am not wrong, and a warlock as well. Who knows what else? There is a rumour about the leader we are to meet. She claims forgotten, abused monsters as her own, saves them, and gives them a home.”
I take a step forward. After all, isn’t that what my mother did? If she saved those monsters inside, then wouldn’t she save us as well?
“Do you trust these people?” I ask, unsure why I seek an answer from Frost. I shouldn’t trust anyone, but something about this dragon puts me at ease.
Despite his huge stature and ability to kill me without a second thought, I trust his instinct.
He helped me and brought me here, albeit for a price, but he doesn’t appear to be a bad person . . . er, monster.
“Everything I have heard about them leads me to believe they are good. Their leader killed her own people to keep our world safe,” he murmurs, “but it is your choice. Go inside, or we will go back and I will handle it.”
“The more help the better.” Even though I am naked, I walk towards the building.
I have to wade through the flowers that seem to brush over my skin, welcoming me, and when we reach the structure, I hesitate. The bottom half is open, and I glance back at the dragon behind me.
“I’m afraid you will not fit in that form,” an amused voice calls, and I glance inside the stone building to see a woman there.
Her short copper hair sways in the breeze, and leather covers her body, even her hands.
She watches us with sharp, knowing eyes.
“I’ve met a few dragons in my time, but you are by far the biggest.”
“Hunter,” Frost snarls.
“I am.” The woman grins. “But you can call me Tate. Come in. You came here for a reason, didn’t you?” She looks at me. “For help, I’m guessing.” She turns and walks inside, leaving us with a choice.
I step into the building, and I hear Frost snarl.
Looking back, I see his body rolling and shaking, and within seconds, a nude male stands in his place.
He’s human but still huge. His eyes are unnaturally blue, and he has two twisted grey horns on his head and fangs hanging over his pouty bottom lip.
“Your choice, little queen,” he says. His voice is just as deep in this form, and I turn around with a shiver to step farther into the room, only to freeze at the amount of people there.
Tate sits in a chair at the head of a long table.
Men are spread out against the wall behind her.
A woman steps around Tate’s chair and sits on the table, watching us curiously.
Her pink hair brushes against Tate’s arm until she grabs it and twirls it absentmindedly.
Another man steps from the darkness, and I step back before I force myself not to react.
I thought Frost was huge, but he has nothing on this man.
Where Frost is tall, this man is wide and stacked with large muscles.
He has a trimmed brown beard, and his long hair is tied back.
He stares at me with his deep amber eyes, and I find myself watching him back.
He smells . . . wild. His scent fills the air around me.
His gaze lowers before it darts back up when he realises I’m naked.
Without hesitation, he removes his black bomber jacket and hands it to me, careful not to touch me as he kneels and zips it up as far as it will go.
He rolls the sleeves up without speaking before he stands and slips back into the shadows, all without a word.
I look from him to Tate.
Tears fill my eyes at the thoughtful gesture.
It’s the first kindness anyone has shown me in days.
I am not ashamed of being naked, I am powerful in my skin, but the jacket feels like a shield right now.
Even though no gazes lowered below my eyes, it’s comforting, and the musky smell within the fabric settles my nerves.
“Are you okay?” Tate asks.
“I will survive,” I reply. I find it hard to get used to my voice, but I swallow and push past the weakness as I face them. “I was told this is a place where I may seek help. Was I informed wrong?” I can feel Frost at my back, but I don’t spare him a look.
“You were not,” Tate murmurs, eyeing me.
Relief floods me, and I hurry forward, gripping the back of another chair. If she can help me, then I will do whatever it takes to gain her aid. I am not too proud to beg, not when it comes to my people.
“I am Elara . . . our rethia.” I nod my greeting.
“You are like me. You are a succubus.” The pink-haired female swings her legs as she perches on the table beside Tate. “Rethia . . . I’ve heard that before. That’s the leader of a succubi court, is it not? You are a queen?”
“My mother is queen,” I murmur, “but yes, I am a succubus.”
“Where is your mother?” Tate asks carefully.
“Dead.” The word fills the room, but I refuse to show weakness.
“Those who served us, who came to us wanting our magic, betrayed us. They executed my mother and took everyone in our court hostage. Every succubus is now a prisoner. A place of safety has turned into one of horror. I suffered for my people until I could escape. I cannot defeat the traitors alone. I need . . . I need help. I am not above begging, if that is what it will take. I will do anything to save my people.”
“I have never met another succubus,” the pink-haired female remarks, “but I have heard rumours of a place for our kind. Is that yours?”
“It was.” I tilt my head back. “Before we were betrayed. That is why I am here. I cannot save them alone. I tried and failed. If I do not go back, they will all die. Our entire court will be wiped out because of men’s lust and greed for power.
Tate, you can help me, yes?” My voice is tight with concern.
She searches my face for a moment, considering my request.
“Would you do anything for your people?” she finally asks.
“I have, and I will. I would die for them if it would help,” I answer without hesitation. “I would freely give my body, soul, and life. I am not too proud to beg if I must. You are a hunter, it’s your job to kill our kind, but instead, I am asking you to save us.”
“I cannot save you, Elara.” I startle at her words, but she smiles. “I can, however, give you what you need to save your people yourself.”
She stands, tugs off a glove, and holds out her hand. Another choice. I do not know what it means, but I have very few options.
I extend my hand, and she touches mine delicately. For a moment, her gaze becomes distant, and I sense her in my head before she withdraws.
“Hmm.” She drops her hand, her face hard. “You have suffered a lot, Elara. Your people love you. It’s obvious. Yes, let me help you. Let me give you what you need to free your court and save your people.”
“What do I owe—”
“Nothing.” She holds up her hand. “It’s what we are here for. It’s why I fight to make this a possibility. All I ask is that you make those who hurt innocents pay.”
My smile is vicious. “With great happiness.”