Chapter 21 #3
“Dash is waiting inside.” Ryper headed through the doorway first to lead them.
Gisela wasn’t sure what to expect, but the inside of the house was even more grand than the outside. The interior stone walls were covered with elaborate tapestries, banners and weapons. The whole place was commanding and fierce—and meant to intimidate all visitors. And she was intimidated.
Especially when Ryper led them into a huge, luxurious throne room where King Dash sat beside what had to be one of the most beautiful women Gisela had ever seen.
Thick red hair framed a jovial face that she could tell was used to smiling and laughing.
More than that, the queen was exceptionally pregnant.
She couldn’t imagine being that happy. It actually made her heart swell with delight to know someone could be. She’d never seen anything like it before.
Her gaze went to the woman’s left hand that was held by Dash’s until he saw them and rose to his feet.
“Outlaws! It’s good to see you. Or maybe not,” he teased as he descended his dais to approach them. “Tell me you have good news?”
Xaydin looked down at her before he answered. “Define the word good.”
Dash narrowed his gaze on the troll. “What happened?”
“For that, I don’t know where to begin. It’s been a hell of a thing. The good news is we have your contract.”
Dash scowled. “There’s no ataswere here or a head-shaped bag. I’m confused.”
“So are we.” Masakage pulled the contract out of his satchel and handed it to Dash.
Dash reached for it, then stopped himself. “Is that flesh?”
They all nodded.
“Whose flesh?” Dash asked.
Xaydin shrugged. “We have no idea, but we’re sure it’s elfish.”
“And enchanted,” Candara added. “No idea how to destroy it.”
“But that’s the only copy.” Xaydin took it from his brother and held it out toward Dash. “There’s no ataswere now to enforce it.”
Dash nodded slowly as he finally understood the significance. “Destroy the only copy and there’s no contract at all.”
His wife stood up and moved closer so that she could see the document. “Surely dragon fire could destroy it. There’s not much that stands up to that.”
Candara sucked her breath in between her teeth. “True, but it could be enchanted. Your fire might cause it to explode or do something none of us are expecting.”
Eyes wide, the queen backed up. “How dangerous is it?”
Gisela understood her concern. If she were pregnant, she’d be terrified too. “I don’t think it’s designed to do anything unless you try to destroy it, Majesty. It’s been harmless since we took possession of it.”
The queen appeared instantly grateful and relieved.
“Who are you?” Dash asked as he finally realized she was standing in Xaydin’s shadow.
She stepped slightly more behind him, fearing reprisal from the king.
Xaydin tried to gently nudge her forward.
Fear rooted her to the floor. “He’ll hurt me,” she whispered.
Xaydin gave her a fierce stare. “He’ll have to come through me first. And I promise, he can’t do that.” Then to her utter horror, he turned back to Dash. “She’s your half-sister, Gisela.”
Dash took the news without any change in his expression.
But Ryper turned toward her and swept a curious stare over her entire body. “Is this true?”
She tried to run, but Xaydin wouldn’t let her. “It’ll be all right, Gisela. I’d never endanger you.”
Still, she was afraid of them. She was in their home, and all too well, she knew how her mother dealt with threats and unexpected words.
Xaydin turned around and cupped her face with his hands. “Show them who you really are. I’m right here and we won’t let anything happen to you.”
Biting her lip, Gisela nodded. Never in her life had she trusted anyone. No one except Xaydin.
I can do this. She believed Xaydin could keep her safe.
With a deep breath for courage, she turned into her unicorn body.
The moment she did, everyone gasped.
Well, not the ones who’d seen her form before. Just the ones who’d never guessed her real form.
Gaping, Ryper approached her. “It’s true.”
Dash nodded. “Where has she been all this time?”
Xaydin stroked her mane. I’m with you, my love. If anyone moves to harm you, I will kill them.
She took comfort and strength from his presence and words. “I’m Queen Meara’s daughter.”
Gisela expected them to attack her. To order her execution. She expected hatred and ridicule.
Instead, Dash buried his hand in her mane. “You must be terrified. I can feel you shaking.”
“Her heart’s pounding,” Ryper added.
Dash pressed his forehead to hers, just below her horn. “Welcome home, sister.”
To her shock, Ryper pushed Dash away so that he could do the same. “We’re glad you’re here.”
Tears racked her so hard that she accidentally turned human.
Xaydin covered her with his cloak and helped her stand. “It’s all right, love. Your brothers aren’t Meara. They don’t attack without threat.”
She saw that now, and it angered her that she’d listened to her mother’s lies for so long. That she’d allowed her mother’s poison to consume her life and scare her into submission.
They weren’t the enemies Meara had claimed.
They were the family she’d always wanted.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
Dash stepped back and held his hand out for his queen to join them. “Tanis, we have a sister.”
Queen Tanis smiled brightly. “About time. I’m tired of being the only female here. Not that they aren’t wonderful. They are, but I need someone to shop with who knows something about fashion.”
Gisela laughed, then embraced her. “Thank you. But I’m afraid I know very little.”
Her smile turned even brighter. “Then I’ll teach you. I’m still learning about it myself.”
Frowning, Ryper took her hand and looked at her palm.
Gisela had no idea what he was doing until he spoke. “You’re a warrior.”
“She was the Ryper in Meara’s court. But her mother has turned on her and sent assassins after her.”
Tanis winced at Xaydin’s words. “I know your nightmare, Gisela. In my case, it was my sisters out to end my life after they killed my brother. I’m sorry for the pain I know you’re in. Nothing hurts more than being pursued by the ones you love.”
Gisela brushed her tears away. “Thank you, Majesty.”
“Tanis,” she corrected.
She smiled in spite of the pain. “Thank you for proving Xaydin right.”
Dash signaled his steward. “Have Renata’s chambers prepared for Gisela.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He left immediately.
Gisela arched a brow. Everyone knew that the High King had worshiped his sister who’d been murdered by enemies. “Are you sure about that?”
“She would insist upon it if she were still here.”
Tanis cleared her throat. “In the meantime, let’s get you some clothes.”
She let out a relieved breath. “A thousand thank yous.”
Laughing, Tanis took her hand and led her through the opulent manor.
“Scary, isn’t it?”
Gisela wasn’t sure what she meant. “Pardon?”
“It wasn’t that long ago that I was the stranger here. It’s very different from my father’s castle.”
“May I ask which kingdom?”
“Indara.”
Gisela stopped walking as she heard that. “The dragon kingdom?”
“You didn’t know? I thought everyone did.”
No. This was something that hadn’t made its way to her mother’s kingdom.
Tanis smiled warmly. “I was given the gift of choosing to be in a human body or my dragon form, and I can switch as I choose. Thankfully. It’s hard to navigate the hallways and rooms here as a dragon.”
“I can only imagine.”
“If I wasn’t wearing a crown, I could show you a lump or two on my head.”
Gisela laughed. She really liked her sister-in-law. Tanis was a breath of fresh air in the dismal world Gisela had known. “Why are you all so friendly?”
“Because you’re family, and it’s something the boys don’t have a lot of and it’s something they highly value.”
“I’m not used to that.”
“Neither was I. Dragons aren’t particularly…friendly as a rule.” She took Gisela’s hand and squeezed it. “Don’t be afraid. They only say what they mean, and they don’t play games with others.”
She hoped so much that was true.
Tanis took her to the queen’s chambers.
Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the enormous room with floor-to-ceiling gilded windows. There was a huge bed in the corner with a navy brocade spread that looked as regal as any queen’s.
“This is beautiful.”
Tanis inclined her head. “I felt the same way the first time I saw it, but wait… You’ll really love this.”
Taking her by the hand, she led her through a door on the left and into a dressing room every bit as large as the bedroom. Dresses of all shades and fabrics hung against the four walls. There was a dressing table in the center, along with a huge chest filled with drawers.
“Pick anything you like.”
Gisela had to close her gaping mouth as she stared at the luxury. “I have no idea what to pick. I’ve only worn the garb of an assassin.”
“I understand. It took me a long time to learn to wear a court dress myself. Even now, I sometimes find it tedious and uncomfortable.” Tanis led her to the far-right corner where there were garments made of leather.
“You’ll be more comfortable in one of these.
Take your time, and I’ll be waiting outside when you’re through. ”
Gisela was overwhelmed by the generosity. Especially when she realized that Tanis was right. These were clothes more akin to what she normally wore.
And there was one made of burgundy leather that beckoned her most. The leather corset matched the pants and had an intricate burgundy and gold overcoat that fastened at the waist with brass buckles. The way it was cut was to be more like a dress, and yet it allowed her freedom of movement.
“I like this.”
Biting her lip, she quickly pulled it on and went to the free-standing mirror next to the table.
It was wonderful. Far more feminine and elegant than anything she’d ever owned.
Now, if they could only find shoes…
Glancing about, she saw another door that led to a smaller room where the shoes were kept. Again, it was extravagant. There were dozens of shoes and boots to choose from.