Sagan
People did backpedal. They changed their whole tune that they assumed it had been for charity since I’d been fighting for women’s causes.
Some criticized that and I was making up these sexist problems and other bullshit… But they still said they didn’t think I was trying to fill the royal family’s coffers.
I could practically feel Vex’s annoyance from Applerest when Toni announced that we weren’t dropping the lawsuit and where the damages awarded would go… Because I would obviously win given that even the police charged Kole now.
“I want to change this,” I had muttered as I gestured to the TV. “This walking outside to the waiting press is so—it’s trashy. I always hated it, but Father thought—it’s so outdated and stupid.”
“Okay, you are exhausted,” Maple had worried. “What do you want then?”
Treena cleared her throat. “Father doesn’t invite the media into our castle and thinks that’s too much for the royal family’s home.
He keeps those lines distinct. But there is a designated press briefing like…
House off the guard station. There are reporters who are always assigned to the royal family and government.
It’s just easier to show them to one area and control it. ”
I couldn’t have agreed more and made it clear that was what I wanted.
But the bum day was great. My first ever that I could remember or… First ever. And it was definitely needed.
Beyond needed.
I did let Onyx sleep over since he was obviously affected by all of this too, and while there was some making out, it was all gentle and soft. It wasn’t the goal.
It was the comfort.
So I was extra annoyed when I woke to the news that the texts had been leaked. I knew it would happen, and I was glad I’d prepared a statement through Toni. Vex wouldn’t like it, but he could bite my big ass.
He really could.
And I even made it worse. I didn’t feel bad for that at all, but I wanted him to publicly state that even out on bail he had Kole under control. That he didn’t have nudes of me or would fabricate them.
But also the statement of I was keeping with my schedule. The texts were threats and against the law—way over the line to be sure—but from a desperate loser who couldn’t get what he wanted and resorted to such words.
Fuck him. Obviously, Toni said it better than that, but—fuck Kole.
I felt okay with that and ready to move on… Until one of the threats I didn’t read had me needing to sit. I read it over three times before Treena snatched my phone away.
“Disgusting. Fucking disgusting piece of—what do you need?”
“His head so I feel safe?” I snorted. “So I know my future children will be safe?”
Because that was what Kole had threatened.
My unborn children. According to him, that was the least I deserved since I stole his right to be the father of the future king. That he would kill any child I had that could rule—especially if I was a whore and had any with Onyx.
Or have his way with any daughters I had to see if they were just as bad at sex as I was.
“I didn’t know the threats got this bad,” Treena muttered. “I’m sorry, but I think those of us helping need to read them all.”
I snorted. “They’re posted on several news sites. Have fun.”
“They really posted it all and not just—well, I guess excerpts are just as gross,” she said, sounding ready to pull out her hair.
The only amusing part of any of it was what the “leak” from the castle said about me wanting Khirriln wine… And the leader of Khirriln putting out a statement that if anyone deserved having a few drinks—or a few bottles—it was me.
And how much did I want them to send as a gesture of goodwill from one leader to another?
“Accept it, but make note that you haven’t had much Thovudin wine because of embargos where you studied and you do plan to support your own companies,” Maple suggested. “Didn’t someone have a honey place they found and wanted you to spotlight?”
I had no idea, but I agreed with her and asked her to find out because I needed to fly. It was already on my schedule, but luckily Benson saw this coming because he had everything ready—everyone on standby.
I was heading to go do that when I heard a commotion, but Belinda was there looking amused. I simply raised an eyebrow.
“Nope, you’re overloaded enough. Go fly and relax. Don’t push, simply be, okay?”
“Just tell me because we know my brain won’t shut off if I’m worried there’s a problem in my castle,” I argued.
She sighed. “Apparently, the Blount boy heard one of the mating prospects snark that they wanted to catch a glimpse of you before you fly to see what he’s competing for.
” She rolled her eyes when I did a double take.
“It was gross but harmless. I’ve heard your friends cracking comments who has nice butts. ”
Yeah, that was fair, but we did it in my suite or somewhere privately.
Not where we could be overheard.
“Thorn said something?” I checked.
She snorted. “Knocked the kid out cold.”
“Good.” I shrugged and told her where my head was. She agreed that the setting wasn’t appropriate and would make sure to “educate the child” like he wasn’t a grown man.
But mentally I shivered. I knew all about Belinda’s educating when you fucked up and I didn’t envy the guy.
He deserved it.
Still Thorn… Was just so damn confusing.
Really, he was.
Flying was exactly what I needed. Now that Iris was getting out more, she didn’t even go crazy or race. Eloise still wanted her turn but also just enjoyed the chance for us to fly and have fun.
And she was beyond amused that Benson, Onyx, and others kept looking at us like they were ready for my antics.
Nope, not today.
That was when I jinxed things. I could never just have time without drama or bullshit. Even my relaxing day was completely overtaken because I’d been ready to have a nervous breakdown.
“Belinda!” Eloise shouted in my mind, startling Iris and me. “Magic! Belinda coming!”
Fuck. Something was wrong.
Really wrong if she was coming in dragon form and using magic—enough magic for Eloise to sense.
I let out the distinct roar that there was danger, basically sending up the alarm for everyone with us… But also on the ground. We were flying over Nerthus, and if there was a problem, then anyone below us was at risk too.
I turned to Benson to make it clear we should get back to the castle and that was when I saw it.
A dozen dragons racing towards us—powerful dragons.
Fuck.
Iris was about to kick it into high gear assuming we were the target, but Eloise was already tuned in.
“Save Benson.”
Because he was the target. They wanted to take out my head of security thinking that would disorient everyone and then I’d be easier to handle. It was actually a smart plan.
I got him, I promised her, Iris in full agreement.
I cut left away from him and flipped around before telling Iris to punch it. I barrel-rolled right below him and up into the dragon who was closest to him, breaking a wing almost completely off but also using my huge teeth to grab its neck.
I saw someone on my side right there with me and practically tossed the now-dying dragon to them to handle. Then I went for who was next.
“Too many. Can’t kill them all before they will get him,” Iris warned.
No, but I could do a lot more damage and let the others finish it… Especially since there was a mystic dragon among them. That was why they’d gotten so close without us detecting. They were using their powers until Benson’s void ability made them fail.
I headed right towards the next three and then quickly spun, using my tail to basically swat them away. It wouldn’t kill them, but it would disorient them enough, and I saw at least one mangled wing.
Thorn roared and was there to handle one of them that I’d damaged. Two other guards followed his lead and I was glad he’d caught on.
Benson tried to get my attention and head towards the castle, but that wasn’t happening.
No, he is never getting injured again while I’m around. He cannot be broken again. Not because of me.
Fine, it wouldn’t have been my fault this time… But did it really matter if I did it myself or he died because people came to attack me?
Good luck explaining that difference to my heart.
Or my guilt.
I saw Onyx and several guards fighting with other dragons and they weren’t doing well because there were too many. Half of my detail had tried to get me back to the castle while half turned to fight.
And they had more dragons.
More powerful dragons.
No, older dragons, which also meant more powerful.
That was what worried Belinda so much and why she risked using magic that I could sense that others might have as well.
I clipped the dragon fighting with Onyx and practically bit its head right off before moving on. Iris barreled into two more and then snagged a wing in her claws, shredding it when they tried to get away.
Fuck. They started dropping fast, and that could hurt people below.
But then I saw dragons coming up from the ground. It had to be the police doing what they should because they were focused on the falling dragon, not everything else.
Good. Then I could focus on the fight.
And a fight it was. I’d only seen the first dozen dragons, but it was way more than that. Maybe thirty?
Who could really count with all the chaos?
Belinda arrived and shot magic at seven of them, catching people off guard that she could override Benson and the other void dragons… But at a cost to herself. She would be depleted and vulnerable.
I knew that from experience, but I was young. It cost an ancient dragon as well.
I saw a few more with her and realized it was probably Emre and the two other ancients who had arrived and I hadn’t even met yet. Or was it more?
Again… A lot going on always, and counting people wasn’t my priority.
While those people were stunned or recovering, I went right for the two trying to take down one of the Queen’s Guard. Onyx and Thorn went after the stunned ones… And Benson was doing his best to try and protect me.
“Back you up. Be fair,” Iris chastised.
Yeah, that was actually fair. It wasn’t meant as a slight, just his job.