14. Lira
14
LIRA
I tapped into the cool, refreshing spot in my chest and allowed the magic to pulse through my body and into my hands. I lifted them and sprayed water in the prince’s face with as much force as I could bear.
He stumbled back as his hold relaxed, and I flew away from him. I continued to spray water from my hands as I flew away from the garden and him.
When I got twenty feet in the air, I pulled back my magic. The clear water thinned until it completely disappeared, my magic settling back deep inside me.
Prince Pyralis stood there, face scarlet as he breathed heavily. Faint patches of scales covered his skin, and his pupils were elongated, but the smoke that should have been trickling from his nose wasn’t there.
I smirked, unable to stop myself. After manhandling me the way he had, he deserved what I’d done.
My parents had to learn what he’d done to me. There was no way they’d be all right with the way the dragon prince had handled me. We weren’t in Tìr na Dràgon—not that it would’ve mattered to me anyway. I would’ve done the same thing there because no one would mishandle me ever again.
Turning my back to him, I flew off toward my bedroom. If he tried to find me there, I wouldn’t let him inside. I was tired of all these people believing they had a say over what I did and how I lived my life. In fact, they more than believed it… they felt it was their right .
My wings moved faster, my agitation damn near taking control.
Pain pulsed through my connection with Tavish. Pain that wasn’t my own.
Now I was the one who felt helpless, not knowing what was happening on his end. Tavish, I’m coming. Fuck my parents, Pyralis, and everyone else. I didn’t give a damn if my parents and I lost our magic from not completing the agreement of my marrying the dragon prince as long as I saved Tavish from whatever they were inflicting upon him.
You are not. I’ll find a way to get out of this and kill the ashbreath for whatever he was doing to you, Tavish replied, hot anger wafting through our bond. Is he still hurting you?
No, I got away from him. I swallowed, thankful when my room’s large window appeared. I headed toward the break in the glistening white stone of the castle, feeling as if I would be somewhat safe once more. I’m flying back into my room. Alone.
When his anger didn’t lessen, I realized my mistake before he even asked the question.
Did he touch you? Even in my head, his words were low and full of anger.
He did, but Tavish, it doesn’t matter. I licked my lips, trying to help him regain control. He saw our fated-mate markings. He knows I completed the bond.
Blast. Icy tendrils of fear seeped through the bond, stabbing me. That’s not good, Lira.
How is it not? I’d expected him to be thrilled that the dragon prince knew I was taken. My heart grew heavy. Had he reconsidered wanting to be with me? Surely not.
Because he’ll be more determined than ever to make sure nothing interferes with the vow the dragons and the Seelie made with each other.
The pain from his side ebbed but didn’t dissipate completely.
I landed in my room, preparing to head to the secret door. I left him in the garden, soaking wet.
Humor shot through the connection, easing the tension in my body.
You, sprite, never fail to surprise me. I suspect that will never change.
The warmth of his love spread throughout my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. His approval of my unpredictability was something I needed right now. He saw and appreciated me for who I was.
The warmth remained, but the fear crept back into the bond. He replied, He won’t want to leave you, which means we have to get out of here. Tonight. No matter what. We had a little flexibility before, but not anymore.
I hated that he was right. We needed to get away from this land. If Pyralis was going to become more territorial over me, I had to escape while I could. Okay. I’ll figure something out. Which was going to be a pickle in and of itself.
Someone pounded on my door, and I froze. I wanted to pretend I wasn’t here, but a key slid into the lock and clicked before I could turn around and leave. The staff usually waited for me to tell them to come in.
The door was flung open, and Mom entered. Her lips were pressed into a firm line, and she shook her head. “Your parents are angry, Lira.”
I placed my hands on my hips, refusing to back down. “He manhandled me. I don’t regret defending myself.”
She smirked. “I’m not saying you should.” She touched my shoulders. “But in this realm, things are viewed differently. Even though I secretly approve of what you did, things are different for you here, especially as heir to the throne.”
“Meaning I have no freedom to decide things on my own.” I exhaled, my shoulders sagging. “I refuse to live like that.”
Her face softened, and she brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “I know, Lira. We’ll figure something out. Things are tense between you and your parents because they expected you to come back the same as when you left and not tied to their biggest enemy. In time, they’ll come around, and the three of you can figure out what sort of relationship you can have.”
“I don’t want a relationship with them,” I muttered. “Besides, I have you and Dad.” Then my lungs seized. “Right?” Maybe they didn’t view me as their daughter anymore now that their memories had returned. I wasn’t their blood, after all. Our magic bound us, but I couldn’t prevent the insecurities from flittering within.
“Of course, little sprout.” She kissed my cheek and pulled back. “Brenin and I love you as much as Eiric. On Earth, we became family, and nothing will ever change how we feel about you. But King Erdan and Queen Sylphia are your parents too, and the rulers of our land. You’ll never be able to completely break free from them. Their royal magic runs through your veins just as much as it does theirs.”
I hated that she was right. Father was the royal blood heir, and Mother was high fae. On their wedding day, their hands had been cut so that his blood mixed with hers, giving her some of the royal magic and anointing her as queen more so than the crown she wore. I sighed, knowing what she’d say next.
“You’ve been summoned to the royal office, and we’ve already taken too much time.” Her wings spread out, and fire danced on her fingertips. “And if the ashbreath tries anything in front of me, you won’t have to defend yourself because I’ll do it for you.”
The fact that she sounded like the same person I’d known on Earth eased some of the churning in my stomach. She’d vowed to always be on my side, no matter what, and it was clear she meant it here too.
Trusting her, I managed to swallow. “You should have seen him standing there, scaly and soaking wet.”
Mom laughed. The sound was so carefree and infectious that I found my cheeks lifting from a smile.
“Okay, no more of that right now.” She lifted a brow. “If you want to have a say in your future, it’s in your best interests to play more by your parents’ rules and not be so ornery. You and your father are too similar for your own good, and you’re both being stubborn. Since you have more at stake, it’d be wise for you to bend first.”
I flinched. I hated feeling so powerless, especially since I planned on leaving tonight, but she had a point. I didn’t want to be an enemy to the Seelie, and I did care for my parents. “You’re right.”
“Oh, sprout. I love it when you say those words to me.” She winked and marched to the doorway, waving me out. “The only person they sound better coming from is your daddy.”
I rolled my eyes but breezed past her.
We flew side by side toward Father’s study. I had no doubt that Mother and Pyralis would be there as well, and I’d be walking into a situation where, even though I’d been protecting myself, I’d be the person in the wrong.
As we turned left to head to the study, I saw Eiric out of the corner of my eye. My head turned toward her, and our gazes locked as I passed by. She neither smiled nor frowned at me, making a chill run down my spine.
I couldn’t read her, which had never happened before.
“You’re not the only one struggling with changes, dear,” Mom said, brushing a hand down my arm. “But don’t fret. The four of us are strong, and we’ll sync our wings together eventually.”
“I said some things last night…” I trailed off, unable to finish that sentence. I descended closer to the smooth white floor as my wings drooped with shame. “It popped out of my mouth without me thinking through the words. I’m not sure E will ever forgive me.”
“You two are inseparable.” Mom winked at me as we reached the door to the royal study. “Trust me.” She paused, waiting for me to enter the room first.
I inhaled deeply, ready to enter, when Father said, “The markings are an illusion placed on her by the Unseelie king. It’s nothing to be concerned about.”
I straightened my shoulders, and Mom touched my arm gently and whispered, “Remember what we just spoke about. Don’t allow your emotions to guide you.”
She didn’t have to add like usual . We both knew that I reacted on instinct, unlike Mom, Dad, and Eiric. They were more controlled and even-tempered, which made sense now that I knew they were guards.
Trusting her, I stepped into the study, wanting to make my presence known. I dug my fingernails into my palms, embracing the agony so I had something to focus on other than Father’s ignorant words.
This is driving me mad, feeling all your emotions and knowing that the ashbreath is here, Tavish linked.
The study was exactly the same as I remembered. Four dark-blue couches sat in a square with a wooden table in the center. There was enough legroom for even the tallest of fae to have space. However, no one was sitting.
The dragon prince stood in front of the large wall of windows that overlooked the waterfall. Worse, he was no longer dripping water, probably courtesy of Mother. Evidence of her wind magic showed by the way the couch cushions were askew, along with Pyralis’s and Father’s hair.
I’ve been summoned to the royal study, but Mom promised not to let the dragon prince touch me.
Your Earth mother? Tavish asked.
Yes.
He replied, I like her more than the queen already.
Father stood behind his desk with Mother at his side, framed by huge bookcases.
As soon as I entered, all three sets of eyes focused on me.
“If it was an illusion, then how are they still on her body?” Prince Pyralis arched a brow. “Unseelie can’t enter Gleann Solas, which means any remnants of their magic shouldn’t work here either. Unless there’s something you need to tell me. You are rather excellent at excluding my family from important knowledge.”
I lifted my head, refusing to cower. Still, I held my tongue, not wanting to say anything and risk exposing additional information that my father would rather he not know.
“Nothing we’ve done has affected the vow of Lira’s hand to you in marriage in the slightest.” Father rubbed a hand along his earth-brown tunic. “We made decisions for our kingdom that didn’t impact the dragons at all.”
“Sending my betrothed to Earth should have been a decision we all made together.” Prince Pyralis flicked his hand at me and wrinkled his nose. “If you didn’t feel that you could adequately protect her, then she should have come to live with us.”
The memory of how Father and Mother had rushed me away the morning after Tavish’s escape resurfaced, and I wondered if this might have been the exact reason why.
“She was ten .” Mother laughed forcefully, trying not to sound angry. “Way too young to live with her one-hundred-year-old betrothed.” The way she spat the last sentence made her feelings clear.
Some of my anger toward them thawed. They’d tried to protect me in the best way they’d known.
“And now she’s returned with the very nightfiend you tried to hide her from.” Prince Pyralis’s face twisted in disgust. “And she has fated-mate marks all over her body. I must say your decisions haven’t been the wisest.”
Father’s face flushed yellow.
“Yet, it was their decision to make.” I expanded my wings to ensure I didn’t look timid. “I’m sure you haven’t made poor choices, like grabbing me and trying to force me to go with you.”
Dad stepped into view from the far-left corner of the room. I hadn’t noticed him until now, but the way he glared at the dragon prince told me that Pyralis hadn’t informed them of why I’d reacted the way I had.
“He thorn-clutched you?” Father’s jaw dropped.
I didn’t look away from Pyralis as I answered, wanting him to feel all my anger for him. “That’s why he came in here soaked and angry.”
The corners of Father’s lips turned up before he puffed out his chest and focused back on the dragon prince. “She’s not yours to force into anything, even when she becomes your bride. Do you understand?”
Some of the walls I’d placed around my heart when it came to my parents began to crumble. Mom was right. They did care for me.
Feeling Tavish’s worry, I linked, Father and Mother are taking my side this time. They’re not happy with the dragon prince.
That’s good. We need them upset with him in order to keep the dragon prince from you.
Pyralis nodded. “I let my anger get the best of me. That won’t happen again, but everywhere I turn, you are keeping something from us.” He moved toward me with both hands raised. “Which is not your fault, and I should never have taken that out on you, Lira. I vow to you that isn’t how I will treat my bride, nor is it how my father treats my mother. From this moment on, you’ll be treated like the most precious treasure. One I would kill for.”
Treasure.
Dragons were obsessive and protective of anything they felt was of value. For me to be his most precious treasure wasn’t a blessing… it was a curse.
In a matter of days, I had two men promising to kill people for me. With Tavish, it made me feel loved and cherished because I felt the same way about him. If another woman touched him with any sort of perverted intent, I’d murder her without remorse. But with Pyralis, the idea of meaning that much to him sickened me and made me want to get far, far away from him.
“Good.” Mother placed a hand on her chest. “That’s a relief. No princess should be treated with such disrespect.”
“I’m glad I could ease your mind.” He bowed ever so slightly. “Now that this is settled, I see no reason to remain here.”
My knees almost gave out. Tavish had made it sound like Pyralis would be more determined to keep watch over me, but he was going back to his lands—something I was even more eager for because I couldn’t stand being near him.
“We shall gather the fruits in satchels so you can carry them home with you in beast form.” Father gestured to Mom, who had stayed behind in the hallway. “Hestia, please go handle that.”
“And gather Princess Lira’s things,” Prince Pyralis added.
My heart stopped.
“Why would she need to do that?” Dad rasped.
“Because the princess will be returning home with me,” the dragon prince replied easily and smirked.
I took a step back and prepared to fight.