Chapter 25
D ash, Tanis, Halla, and Ryper stood in the room where Ryper had preserved Renata’s body.
His heart broken, Dash knelt by her side. “I’d hoped to have enough of her essence left to talk to her one more time.”
Tanis placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure she knew how much you loved her.”
“I still can’t get over our fight. The things I said that I didn’t mean.”
Ryper moved to the other side of Dash. “Have you tried to use your horn?”
“What?”
“It’s gold and black. No one knows the powers you hold now. Use your wand to see if you can summon her.”
Ryper was right. His wand should have powers from both colors. Not to mention the fact that Dash wasn’t completely a unicorn. He was part oni. He might have the ability to summon her essence.
Tanis carefully pulled Dash’s horn charm off her bracelet and handed it to him.
Using his powers, he enlarged the wand to its full size. “Here goes nothing.”
Tanis bit her lip as Dash’s eyes began to glow. More than that, sparks flew from the horn in much the way they’d done when he made her human.
At first, she thought nothing would happen. But as the sparks went to a shadow, she realized that it had taken the shape of a young woman.
Renata’s spirit slowly manifested there.
Her breath caught at how beautiful she was with long black hair like Dash’s.
Regal and poised, Renata looked around as if in a daze. “Dash? Ryper?”
“Hey, dart donkey,” Dash said affectionately in a trembling voice. “I’ve missed you.”
A sad smile tugged at the edges of her lips. “I’m so sorry, Dash. I was stupid not to listen to your warnings. I knew you weren’t cruel, and I am sorry for that, too.”
“No... you were being you, and I shouldn’t have yelled at you for it. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
Her gaze went to his wand and her brows drew together sharply. “What did you do to your horn?”
“I broke it.”
She shook her head. “That’s not broken. You’ve changed. And it looks like it confused your wand.”
Dash chuckled. “You said I was always confusing.”
“You were. An awful mixture of ‘kill them all’ and ‘protect everyone.’” Then, her gaze went to Ryper. “I love you, too, brother. I’m sorry I never told you that I knew you were Dash’s twin.”
Ryper’s jaw went slack. “How?”
“How can anyone not know? You two are just alike. My mother told me that Dash had a twin that his mother kept with her in her kingdom. She was worried that one day you’d come here and steal my father’s affection from me. When I was little, I assumed you were identical... until the day you finally came home with Dash. I knew instantly you were the one from Tenmaru.”
“I wish I’d known that you knew.”
“Don’t regret it, big brother. Neither of you.” Her gaze went to Halla. “Or you, my dearest friend. I should have listened to you, too.”
“I wish I’d known you were leaving that night. I would have told Dash and saved you.”
Renata shook her head. “Regret nothing,” she repeated. “I made my choice. I’m just sorry that it hurt all of you.”
Then, she met Tanis’s gaze. “At least I get to meet you. I just wish we could have been sisters. Please take care of my brothers for me, Tanis. They need someone to watch over them and keep them from being stupid.”
Tanis laughed at that, until she realized something. “How do you know my name?”
Renata smiled. “I will always be with my family. Even though you don’t see me, I’m never far away.” And with that, she blew them a kiss and vanished.
Tears filled her eyes. “You were right, Dash. She is gentle and sweet.”
Ryper wiped at his eyes. “Not all the time. Trust me, she had her moments that would test the patience of the gods. But, yeah. She was precious.”
Dash moved to the left side of Renata’s body while Ryper stood on the right. “Are we ready to send her off to her Sweet Meadow?”
Ryper nodded.
Biting her lip, Tanis knew the Sweet Meadow was the unicorn paradise realm that they all hoped to go to after they died.
Halla came over to her and held her hand while the two of them used their powers to disintegrate her body and return its essence to the universe.
Their funereal custom was so different from what she was used to. Dragons held feasts for days before they carried the body of their loved one to the catacombs where they would rest with their ancestors. It was imperative for dragons to remain intact for eternity.
The thought of cremation was terrifying to her people.
Which was why she still needed to return Davin’s skull to Marla.
But this, they needed to take care of first. The last thing a unicorn wanted was for a trophy hunter to use any part of their remains for a spell.
As they left the room, they were greeted by Naomi and the elves who had yet to return home.
Mostly because Naomi wanted to secure Dash’s throne while they went to Indara. And since the elves didn’t know she was his mother, they didn’t trust her not to usurp it in Dash’s absence.
So here they all remained.
While they now knew that Ryper was Dash’s brother, no one knew who their mother was.
Naomi inclined her head to them. “It’s done?”
They nodded.
Dash put his arm around Tanis’s shoulders. “We’re going to take care of the dragon slayer and then we’ll head to Indara. We shouldn’t be gone long.”
Baldur flashed a grin at Dash. “Not saying or wishing for anything bad to happen to you, Sire. But if... say it did. Who is heir?”
Dash snorted at his question. “Ryper.”
All the color faded from Baldur’s face as he stepped back. “Seriously?”
Ryper grinned. “Good. I always wanted to be king.” He turned around and winked at Dash. “I think my first law will be to torture elves.”
Dove smirked at him. “Not funny.”
Ryper gave him a droll stare. “You don’t count, Dove. Besides, you’re only half elf.”
“So they tell me,” Dove said drily. “On both accounts.”
Ignoring them, Dash pulled Tanis down the hallway that led to the dungeon where the dragon slayer had been imprisoned.
It was a cold, dank place. Tanis placed her hand to her nose to help blot out some of the stench. She’d ask Dash what that smell was, but she didn’t really want to know.
As they rounded a corner, Dash froze mid step.
“Something wrong?”
He didn’t say a word as he went to one of the cells to look inside it. “Keryna?”
Filthy and ragged, with bruises all over her, she ran to the bars. “Majesty? Have you come to free me?”
Dash didn’t say a word, but by the furious tic in his jaw, Tanis knew he had no intention of freeing her.
Murdering her, maybe. Letting her go...
Never.
Without a word, Dash turned sharply and led Tanis to the cell where the human named Fort was being kept.
Fort looked as hopeful as Keryna. “Majesty! You’re alive!”
“No thanks to you.”
That took the joy out of his grimy face. “Am I to be executed?”
Dash looked at her. “His fate is in your hands, my love. Whatever you want, I grant.”
Tanis had spent so much time wanting his life that she’d almost allowed it to destroy hers.
But as she stared at the awful wretch she wanted to hate, she actually felt sorry for him. According to what he’d told them, his brownie partner Dreama had abandoned him. Bink was dead.
Fort was alone.
As much trouble as he’d caused, he wasn’t the one who’d killed Davin. Hurting him wouldn’t accomplish anything. After all, he was an arrogant braggart tool.
He wasn’t worth the price of dung. And after this, she’d never again think of him.
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to live so long as he had life in his bones. Now...” She sighed heavily. “I realize how insignificant he is. Let him go free.”
Dash’s jaw went slack.
“But not in Licordia,” she added. “He should be set free in Thassalia.”
“No!” Fort gasped. “They’ll kill me!”
They might. But that wasn’t her problem or her concern.
Dash kissed her hand. “My queen has spoken.” He waved his wand and used his powers to transport Fort to Meara’s court where she had fled to after her battle.
Meara thought herself safe, but she wasn’t.
Not by a long shot.
Her days were numbered, she just didn’t know it.
Then, Dash turned to face her. “Will you do me a favor, Tanis? Please return upstairs and send Ryper down here.”
A bad feeling went through her as she suspected why he wanted Ryper in the dungeon. “Do you want me to return with him?”
“Please don’t.”
Oh yeah. She was right. He had something awful planned for Keryna.
But he had his reasons, and she wasn’t going to interfere. She kissed him on his cheek and headed for the stairs.
While Dash had come a long way from the beast she’d first met, he still had a long way to go.
Yet in this, she wouldn’t judge him, nor would she begrudge him his vengeance.
So, she returned upstairs and found Ryper. “Dash needs you in the dungeon.”
He actually paled. “Why?”
“For something I think you’ll enjoy.”
Ryper appeared skeptical, but he went to join his brother anyway.
While Tanis waited for them, she saw her mother-in-law heading toward her.
That intense look on her face and in her stormy blue eyes sent a shiver down her spine. “Is something wrong, Majesty?”
Naomi smiled and her eyes instantly turned friendly. “No. But I do want to give you a gift.” She handed her a small wooden box.
Engraved in gold and heavily carved, it was exquisite. She was honored to have such a beautiful gift.
“Thank you, Majesty.”
She tsked. “Open the box, silly girl.”
Tanis lifted the lid to find a small vial of yellow liquid inside. “What’s this?”
Naomi looked over her shoulder at her brother. “Something we came up with for you.”
“It’s a wedding present.” Marthen smiled.
That made her a bit more nervous. “What do I do with it?”
“Drink it.” Naomi removed the top from it and handed it to her.
Tanis hesitated. While she trusted Dash implicitly, she wasn’t so sure about the rest of his family. Could this be poison? She had no way of knowing.
But the last thing she wanted to do was insult them.
They looked expectant. Not dangerous. Maybe it would fine...
With a deep breath for courage, she lifted it to her lips and quickly drank it down. Bitter and nasty, it made her grimace in distaste. “Bleh!”
Laughing, Naomi took the vial from her hand and returned it to the box.
“May I ask what it is I just drank?” Tanis had barely finished those words before her stomach began to rumble and cramp. Suddenly, she felt sick.
Terribly sick.
What did they do to me?
Eyes wide, she ran for the door to the courtyard outside. She was going to vomit. She knew it.
Tanis barely made it through the doors before she ...
Belched?
Yeah, that was it. She belched.
Then an instant later, she was huge. No... not huge. She was a dragon!
Tears misted her eyes as she looked down on the palace and made sure to lift her tail so as not to hurt anyone or destroy anything.
She was a dragon! Joy spread through her.
Until...
Reality sank into her with a vicious bite. If she were a dragon, she couldn’t have Dash.
No. No. No! Panic consumed her as she realized in that moment that she didn’t want this. Not at the cost of losing him.
“Breathe, Tanis,” Naomi said from the ground. “Close your eyes and wish to be human again.”
What? Why?
Not quite sure about that, she did as the queen suggested. And an instant later, she was again in her human body.
Shocked to the core of her soul, she lifted her arms up and saw the same blue kirtle she’d been wearing before she became a dragon.
Naomi rubbed her on the back. “Just as a unicorn can change, so can you. That is our wedding gift.”
Wait... were they saying what she thought they were? “I’m a shape shifter?”
Marthen smiled at her. “Sort of. It’s the same magick that originally changed the unicorns. We found the spell for it in an old archive. You can only be a dragon or a human. But the choice of form is completely yours to make from this day forward.”
She hugged him and then Naomi. “Thank you both so much!”
Naomi smoothed her hair. “As I told you, take care of Deciel for me and you will have many gifts. But I should warn you of one thing.”
“That is?”
“Be careful shifting while pregnant. You don’t want to harm your baby.”
“I’m not pregnant.”
“Not yet.” Marthen grinned. “But I know a future where you will be.”
She couldn’t wait.
Tanis was still thanking them when Dash and Ryper joined them.
There was a steely somberness to both of them that was a bit unsettling.
“Are you ready to return to Indara?” Dash asked.
Maybe. In his current mood, she wasn’t so sure. “I think so.”
He assumed his unicorn form, complete with an ornate saddle and reins that were designed for her comfort.
Ryper lifted her up and set her in the saddle.
She didn’t miss the sight of a blood smear on his hand. Nor the look of satisfaction in his eyes.
“We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Dash said.
Ryper inclined his head to him. “I’ll hold down your rebellions until your return.”
Dash sighed. “Thanks.”
The group stepped back so that Dash could take flight and head for her former home.
Once they were alone, Tanis leaned over his neck. “Should I ask about Keryna?”
“Probably not. Suffice it to say, she won’t be manipulating anyone else for the rest of eternity.”
“Fair enough.” She couldn’t blame him at all. Had Fort been responsible for Davin’s death, he would have probably met the same fate.
No... he would have met a worse one.
And neither of them spoke again until they reached the foothills of the Pyrigian Lands that weren’t too far from Licordia. Keegan was waiting for them there when Dash landed beside her.
“I thought the two of you were right behind me?”
Tanis dismounted. “Sorry. Something came up.” She moved away from Dash before she resumed her dragon body.
Dash stepped back and eyed her. “Someone kept a secret.”
“Not really. Naomi and Marthen gave this to me while I was waiting on you and Ryper.”
“Ah.”
She took her brother’s skull from Keegan, then let out a war cry.
Within a few minutes, Marla’s father’s soldiers had them surrounded.
“What are you doing here?” the commander of the group asked as they walked a threatening circle around them.
“I am Princess Tanis Dragomir?—”
Dash cleared his throat, reminding her that she was no longer a princess.
“And High Queen Tanis Coeur de Noir of Licordia. I have brought a gift for the Regent Queen of Indara.”
It was only then that Marla pushed her way through the men, and she realized her sister-in-law had flown in with the group. “Tanis? Is that really you?”
She nodded as soon as she saw her, then she held out her front paws so that Marla could see Davin’s skull. “I promised I’d return him to you and your children.” Then, Tanis turned toward Keegan who held her father’s skull. “As well as my father’s head that was brutally taken.”
Gasping, Marla drew up short. “So, it’s true. They really did kill the king.”
Tanis nodded. “Reva was the one who killed Davin. Ragna killed our father.”
Marla’s gaze went to Dash then back to her. “And are you here to challenge me for my crown?”
Tanis shook her head. “I have my own to look after, and I intend to return there immediately. I only came to fulfill my promise to you.”
Marla took Davin’s skull and cradled it to her chest. The gratitude in her eyes was searing. “You are always welcome here, Tanis. My kingdom is your home should you ever need it.”
“Thank you. But all I want is for you to swear fealty to my husband.”
“Husband?” Marla looked around at the dragons.
Dash cleared his throat to get her attention.
Marla gasped. “Forgive me, Sire. I didn’t see you there.”
“All good. I’m just glad no one stepped on me.”
Smiling at that, Tanis returned to her human body. “I wish you well, sister. I know you’ll see justice done in the name of my father and brother.” But she didn’t want to witness it. For better or worse, Reva and Ragna were her sisters.
And while she should hate them for what they’d done, she didn’t. Had it not been for them, she would never have met her unicorn.
Marla bowed to Dash. “The Indarians are forever loyal, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Marla smiled at Tanis. “Be happy, little sister. May the gods grant you a home full of hatchlings.”
“Thank you, Marla. May the gods smile on you and keep you in their safety.”
And with that, Dash took them home.
They didn’t talk much, and luckily, it wasn’t that long a journey. But it was a beautiful one as they went over the Windy Crossing waters that separated Indara from Licordia.
When Tanis had been a young hatchling, she’d dreamed of flying over this area where it was forbidden because it was a shared border with Licordia, and her father had always feared the unicorns breaking their truce.
The winds here were said to make a dragon’s wings stronger.
She’d never once imagined she’d be making the journey while riding on someone else. But that was okay. She didn’t mind in the least.
In fact, Dash made everything better.
And once they were home, Ryper actually pouted. “I feel robbed. I didn’t even get to rough up a single elf while you were gone. They all behaved.”
“You’ll get over it. Besides, I’m sure someone could incite a riot from Tova or her children.”
Ryper laughed. “Where’s Chrys? She’s good at that.”
Dash shook his head. “Don’t disturb her quite yet.”
“Why?”
“We’re not finished, brother.”
Ryper’s expression turned serious. “Meara.”
Dash nodded. “For now, she thinks her kingdom protects her.”
The fire returned to Ryper’s gaze. “Are you telling us that we finally get to skin a centaur?”
“Long time coming. But yes. We’re going to skin a centaur. I need Chrys and Ronan to find Xaydin. It’s time to break a contract.”